Electronic Drum Pedal Angular Rate Control for Acoustic Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic drum sets fail to replicate the playing experience of acoustic drums as they do not generate sounds at the same timings and do not accurately reflect the dynamic motion of foot pedals, leading to a lack of authenticity in performance.
Innovation Solution
A sound-generation controlling apparatus with a pedal that includes an angular data obtaining unit to measure the angular rate and acceleration, allowing for precise control over sound generation based on the player's motion, thereby mimicking the experience of playing acoustic drums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the foot pedal is constructed as a simple collection of switches that turn on when pressed to a predetermined amount, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the measurement precision of pedal motion and sound generation timing accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical switch-based pedal detection system with an angular data obtaining unit that uses sensors (such as potentiometers or encoders) to detect angular position, angular rate, and angular acceleration. This substitution enables precise measurement of pedal motion dynamics while maintaining reasonable manufacturability through integrated sensor modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameters from simple on/off switch states to continuous angular measurements including angular position, angular rate (first derivative), and angular acceleration (second derivative). This parameter transformation enables accurate determination of sound generation timing and characteristics by analyzing the dynamic motion profile of the pedal.
2Ease of operation
If the electronic drum set generates sound when the switch is turned on by pressing the foot pedal to a predetermined amount, then the ease of operation is simplified, but the authenticity of playing experience and sound generation timing accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring angular rate and angular acceleration of the pedal and using this information to dynamically determine sound generation timing. The sound-generation instructing unit analyzes the pedal's motion profile in real-time to identify the precise moment when the player intends to strike, comparing this against acoustic drum timing characteristics to achieve authentic playback timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static switch-based detection system to a dynamic measurement system that captures angular rate and angular acceleration. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying playing styles and intensities while maintaining accurate sound generation timing by analyzing the temporal characteristics of pedal motion.
3Device complexity
If the foot pedal uses simple switch activation based on pressed-down amount, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to accurately reflect dynamic motion and generate sounds at correct timings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by obtaining angular position data continuously and calculating angular rate and angular acceleration in advance before sound generation is triggered. This preprocessing of motion data enables the sound-generation instructing unit to quickly determine the precise timing for sound output without introducing processing delays, thereby maintaining information accuracy about pedal dynamics.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic drum set is provided, which allows a user to give a performance, feeling as if the user is playing acoustic drums. The electronic drum set DS is provided with a foot board, a potentiometer, and CPU. The foot board is pressed down by the user. When the user presses the foot board down, the potentiometer mounted on the foot board obtains an angular rate and angular acceleration of the foot board. CPU determines based on the obtained angular acceleration, a timing, at which an instruction of generating a musical tone is given. Further, CPU controls based on the obtained angular rate, a generating state of a musical tone, the generation of which is instructed.