Electronic Drum Strike Position Display Using 2D Surface Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic percussion instruments display strike position information in a uniaxial direction, making it difficult for users to accurately determine the specific position where the instrument was struck.

Innovation Solution

An electronic machine connected to percussion instruments displays a striking surface in a two-dimensional image and provides a strike position display at corresponding two-dimensional positions based on acquired strike data, allowing users to grasp the precise strike location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If strike position information is displayed in a uniaxial direction, then the display structure is simple, but the user cannot specifically confirm which position of the head was struck

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrike position identification accuracyVSAvoiddisplay structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from uniaxial (one-dimensional) strike position display to two-dimensional display by showing the strike position in both the radial direction (from center to rim) and the tangential direction (angular position around the center). This dimensional expansion allows users to specifically identify the struck position on the drum head while maintaining a relatively simple display structure using conventional display technologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If a two-dimensional striking surface display is implemented, then the user can specifically grasp the strike position, but the display complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrike position information completenessVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the strike position information into two distinct components: radial position (distance from center) and tangential position (angular direction). By dividing the two-dimensional position information into these separable segments, the system can process and display each component independently, reducing the overall complexity while preserving complete strike position information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different display characteristics to different regions of the striking surface. The display adapts its properties based on the local strike position, such as showing different visual indicators for center strikes versus rim strikes, or differentiating between various quadrants of the drum head. This localized approach optimizes information presentation without requiring a completely complex display system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4700762A1Electronic machine, display method, and display program
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 ROLAND CORP
  • EP4700762A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4700762A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2E
  • EP4700762A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3E

AI summary

An electronic machine, a display method, and a display program that enable a user to specifically grasp a position where an electronic percussion instrument is struck are provided. A striking surface display (Gd1) that models a striking surface of an electronic drum (30) and is composed of a two-dimensional image is displayed, and a strike position display (HP) disposed at a two-dimensional position based on a strike position received from the electronic drum (30) is displayed on the striking surface display (Gd1). That is, by displaying the striking surface display (Gd1) modeling the striking surface of the electronic drum (30) represented on a plane and the strike position display (HP) disposed at a two-dimensional position on the striking surface display (Gd1), a user (H) may more specifically grasp the position where the electronic drum (30) was struck.