Acoustic Effect Imparting Apparatus for Piano Sound Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for imparting acoustic effects to acoustic pianos often compromise the natural feeling of the sound, due to the use of vibration signals with various frequency components that can lead to unintended sound generation states and reduced controllability.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic effect impartment apparatus that generates sine wave signals based on the fundamental frequency of the struck string, allowing for indirect vibration feedback with specific harmonic components, enabling superior control performance and maintaining the natural feeling of the acoustic piano sound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vibration signals with various frequency components are used to impart acoustic effects, then the acoustic effect control is achieved, but the natural feeling of the piano sound is compromised and unintended sound generation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex vibration signal into individual harmonic components (fundamental frequency and overtones). Each harmonic component is independently controlled through separate gain adjustments, allowing precise manipulation of the acoustic effect while maintaining the natural relationship between harmonics that preserves the piano's natural sound character.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different gain values to different harmonic components locally. Each harmonic component can be independently amplified or attenuated based on desired acoustic effects, while the overall structure maintains the natural spectral distribution of the piano sound, achieving localized control without compromising global naturalness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vibration signals with various frequency components are used to impart acoustic effects, then the acoustic effect is achieved, but the controllability and precision of the sound generation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vibration signal into discrete harmonic components, each controllable through independent gain parameters. This segmentation enables precise control over each frequency component's contribution to the final sound, achieving high control precision while maintaining acoustic effect versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the acoustic effect by changing the gain parameters of individual harmonic components. By adjusting these parameters independently, the system achieves precise control over the sound generation process, allowing fine-tuned manipulation of the acoustic effect without the uncertainty associated with broadband vibration signals.
3Adaptability or versatility
If feedback vibration with various frequency components is transmitted to the string, then the acoustic effect is imparted, but synthesis between original and feedback vibration creates unintended sound generation states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feedback vibration signal into individual harmonic components, each with controlled gain. This allows the feedback to reinforce or attenuate specific harmonics independently, creating stable and predictable sound generation states by preventing unintended interactions between unrelated frequency components that would occur with broadband feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements controlled feedback by transmitting processed vibration signals back to the string. The feedback signal is carefully managed through harmonic component analysis and gain control, ensuring that the feedback reinforces desired acoustic effects while maintaining stable sound generation states and preventing chaotic or unintended vibrations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively imparts acoustic effects to the piano sound while preserving its natural feeling, allowing for precise control over the acoustic effect, including amplitude adjustments and harmonic emphasis, thereby enhancing the overall sound quality and controllability.
Implementation Method 1
when the acoustic piano is generating a sound through the vibration of the string
Implementation Method 2
an acoustic sound generated from the acoustic piano
Implementation Method 3
vibration of the string 5 is transmitted to the soundboard 7 via the bridge 6
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An acoustic effect impartment apparatus (100) detects striking of any one of strings (5) by a corresponding hammer (4) in an acoustic piano like a grand piano (1), and vibrates a vibration section (50) with a driving waveform signal obtained by synthesizing sine wave signals of the fundamental frequency and harmonic frequency of the hammer-struck string. Such vibration of the vibration section is transmitted to the keys via a soundboard (7) and bridge (6) of the piano. Thus, vibration is excited in the hammer-struck string (5) by the striking with the hammer (4) but also by the driving waveform signal, so that an acoustic effect corresponding to the driving waveform signal is imparted. Because the driving waveform signal is a simple signal using the sine wave signals corresponding to the fundamental frequency of the string, a natural feeling of the acoustic piano will not be lost even when the acoustic effect is imparted.