Electronic Drum Dual-Sensor Velocity Detection for Peripheral Strikes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The accuracy of velocity calculation for strikes to the peripheral part of an electronic percussion instrument's head is decreased due to the lower sensitivity of the central head sensor when strikes occur at different distances from its center.

Innovation Solution

The velocity calculation method combines the output values of both a head sensor and a rim sensor to accurately determine the strike intensity, using a weighting coefficient and energy value from the rim sensor to compensate for the reduced sensitivity of the head sensor at peripheral strikes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a central head sensor is used to detect strike velocity, then the sensitivity to central strikes is high, but the sensitivity to peripheral strikes is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevelocity detection accuracyVSAvoidsensitivity consistency across head surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the sensing function into two separate sensors: a head sensor for detecting central strikes and a rim sensor for detecting peripheral strikes. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimally positioned for its specific detection zone, resolving the contradiction between central sensitivity and peripheral sensitivity by distributing sensing responsibilities across multiple specialized sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the output signals from both the head sensor and rim sensor to calculate the final strike velocity. By merging the detection capabilities of both sensors and using weighted integration based on strike position, the system achieves consistent velocity measurement accuracy across the entire head surface, regardless of where the strike occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If only a head sensor is used for velocity calculation, then the device complexity is low, but the velocity accuracy for peripheral strikes is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor configurationVSAvoidvelocity calculation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic signal processing where the contribution of each sensor to the final velocity calculation varies based on the detected strike position. The system dynamically adjusts the weighting coefficients applied to head sensor and rim sensor outputs according to where on the head the strike occurred, optimizing accuracy for each region while managing complexity through adaptive rather than static processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives signals from both sensors, determines strike position, and calculates appropriate weighting coefficients. This intermediary layer mediates between the raw sensor data and the final velocity output, enabling accurate peripheral strike detection without requiring an overly complex hardware configuration by implementing the complexity in the signal processing domain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach enhances the accuracy of velocity calculation across the entire head surface by integrating the output of both sensors, ensuring precise detection of strike intensity regardless of the strike location.

Implementation Method 1

the vibration at the time when the head 5 is struck by a stick, etc., is transmitted to the head sensor 21 via the cushion member 24

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a rim sensor 9 provided in the body part 2, and detecting an output value based on vibration due to a strike to the rim 6 or the head 5 by the stick, etc.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4503013B1Electronic percussion instrument, control device, velocity calculation program, and velocity calculation method
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 ROLAND CORP
  • EP4503013B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4503013B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4503013B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an electronic drum (1), a head sensor (8) that detects strike to a head (5) and a rim sensor that vibrates a rim (6) and a body part (2) are provided. A velocity (Vc) is calculated based on a peak value (Pc) of the head sensor (8) detected during a scan time (ScT) since a beginning of the strike to the head (2) is detected and an energy value (Er) of the rim sensor (9). The rim sensor (9) detects the vibration of the body part (2) or the rim (6) where the head (5) is provided. Therefore, the sensitivity of the rim sensor (9) with respect to the strike to the peripheral part of the head (5) is higher than the sensitivity of the head sensor (8).