Adaptive Key Release Sound Generation for Musical Instruments

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing musical sound generation devices fail to express differences in sound behavior due to variations in musical performance style, as they primarily rely on a standardized key-off sound generation mechanism without considering the nuances of key release speed and position changes.

Innovation Solution

A sound signal generation device and method that includes a first signal generation instructor for key depression sounds and a second signal generation instructor for key release sounds, which determine the key's position and speed to generate distinct sound signals based on key operation information, allowing for different key release sound signals to be produced at various times and with varying attenuation rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a standardized key-off sound generation mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different musical performance styles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound generation mechanismVSAvoidperformance style expression

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the key release sound generation adaptive to the actual key release speed. The system dynamically adjusts the sound generation parameters based on the measured key release speed, transitioning from a static standardized approach to a dynamic performance-style-adaptive approach. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining relatively simple device structure while achieving adaptability through dynamic parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of key release speed from being ignored to being a critical control parameter. By measuring the key release speed and using it to determine the timing and characteristics of the key-off sound generation, the system achieves adaptability to different performance styles without significantly increasing device complexity. The parameter change enables the system to express different musical styles through varying key release speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If key release sound is generated only after key release operation, then the timing control is simplified, but the precision of sound generation timing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming control mechanismVSAvoidsound generation timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the key release speed during the key release process and using this information to determine the optimal timing for sound generation. Instead of simply reacting after key release, the system proactively uses the measured speed information to control when the key-off sound should be generated, achieving precise timing control while maintaining relatively simple timing control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single key-off sound is generated, then the sound generation process is simplified, but the realism of piano sound reproduction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound signal generationVSAvoidpiano sound reproduction realism

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by generating different key release sounds based on the key release speed. When the key is released quickly, one type of sound is generated, while when released slowly, a different sound is generated. This dynamic sound generation approach enhances the realism of piano sound reproduction by capturing the nuances of different playing styles, while keeping the sound generation process relatively simple through speed-based classification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different sound characteristics for different key release speed ranges. Instead of using a uniform sound generation approach, the system tailors the sound characteristics to match the local condition of key release speed, thereby enhancing realism without significantly complicating the overall sound generation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10978031B2Sound signal generation device, sound signal generation method and non-transitory computer readable medium storing sound signal generation program

Publication Date: 2021.04.13 YAMAHA CORP

AI summary

A sound signal generation device comprises a first signal generation instructor and a second signal generation instructor. The first signal generation instructor provides an instruction for generating a key depression sound signal corresponding to a key depression at the time of the key depression based on key operation information corresponding to an operation of each key of a keyboard. The second signal generation instructor provides an instruction for generating a key release sound signal according to a manner of a key release at the time of the key release based on the key operation information.