Electronic Harp Optical Pickup Digital Pitch Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional harps face limitations in key changes due to mechanical tuning mechanisms, requiring cumbersome lever or pedal adjustments, making instantaneous key changes difficult, and are heavy and bulky, making transport challenging.
Innovation Solution
An electronic harp system with digital pitch shifting and MIDI functionality allows for instantaneous pitch changes via touch screen or foot pedal, enabling independent string tuning and simplifying key changes, and features a lightweight, compact design with optical pickups and LED lighting for enhanced usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mechanical tuning mechanisms (levers or pedals) are used to change the pitch of strings, then the harp can be retuned to different keys, but the key changes are time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tuning system (levers and pedals) with an electronic system. Each string is equipped with an electronic tuner that can be controlled independently, allowing instantaneous pitch changes through electronic signals rather than mechanical adjustments. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual operation of mechanical components while maintaining the ability to change keys and adjust pitch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of pitch control from mechanical tension adjustment to electronic frequency modulation. By using electronic tuners that can be programmed with specific pitch values, the system allows instantaneous parameter changes without the physical manipulation required by mechanical systems, thereby reducing the time for key changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual string pitch control is implemented through mechanical levers, then each string can be tuned independently, but the complexity of manipulating multiple levers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex system of individual mechanical levers for each string with an electronic control system. Each string has its own electronic tuner, but the control interface is simplified through electronic means such as foot pedals, touch screens, or computer control, reducing the physical manipulation complexity while maintaining independent string tuning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal electronic control interface that can manage all string tuners through a single system. Instead of requiring separate mechanical operations for each string, the electronic system allows centralized control through programmable interfaces, reducing the complexity of manipulating multiple individual components while maintaining full independent control.
3Reliability
If conventional harps include sound boxes and mechanical tuning mechanisms, then they produce acoustic sound, but they become heavy and bulky making transport difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the heavy acoustic sound box with an electronic sound generation system. Instead of relying on a large resonating chamber, the system uses electronic tuners and speakers to produce sound, dramatically reducing the weight and bulk of the instrument while maintaining the ability to generate musical sound.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electronic copy of the acoustic sound production process. Rather than using physical acoustic resonance, the system electronically synthesizes and reproduces the desired sounds through digital signal processing and speaker output, achieving similar musical results with much lighter components.
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 electronic harp system facilitates easy key changes, supports unusual tunings, and reduces the need for manual tuning, while being more portable and visually engaging, enhancing the playing experience and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
an optical pickup on each string providing an individual signal generated by the vibration of each string
Implementation Method 2
LED lighting for enhanced usability
Data Source
AI summary
A harp comprising a body, a set of strings attached to the body, an optical pickup to generate an analog signal produced by the vibration of a string within the set of strings, at least one circuit board to convert the analog signals to a corresponding digital signal, wherein the digital signal is then processed.