Electronic Control of Singing Bowls via Gesture Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional singing bowls require constant manual input to maintain resonance, limiting the number of bowls that can be played simultaneously and restricting the autonomy of performers to move around and play additional instruments.
Innovation Solution
A device that allows electronic control of singing bowls using MIDI protocols, enabling remote play via computer or smartphone, and incorporating gesture sensors for non-contact control, allowing for synchronized LED lighting and automatic resonance maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual mallet control is used, then the performer can produce various sounds with fine motor control, but the number of bowls that can be played simultaneously is limited to 2-5 bowls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mallet-bowl interaction system with an electronic sensor-controlled system. Motion sensors detect hand movements and translate them into electronic control signals that activate bowls, eliminating the need for physical mallet contact and enabling control of multiple bowls simultaneously through gestures.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control system serves multiple functions: it detects hand gestures, determines which bowl to activate based on spatial position, controls the activation timing, and manages multiple bowls simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows a single system to replace multiple manual mallet operations.
2Reliability
If a performer constantly returns to each bowl to maintain resonance, then the bowls can keep resonating, but the performer has limited mobility and autonomy
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the bowls are automatically activated and controlled through gesture detection without requiring the performer's physical presence at each bowl. The electronic system autonomously manages resonance maintenance based on detected hand movements, freeing the performer to move freely.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensors and electronic control system act as intermediaries between the performer's gestures and the bowl activation. This intermediary layer translates non-contact gestures into precise bowl control, maintaining reliability while eliminating the need for direct physical contact and constant performer return visits.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bowls are dispersed amongst the audience everywhere around the room, then the sound performance gains extra depth, but traditional manual control becomes dangerous and impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with non-contact gesture-based electronic control. Motion sensors detect hand movements from a distance and translate them into bowl activation signals, eliminating the safety risks associated with physically reaching dispersed bowls while enabling spatial distribution throughout the performance space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension to control by using gesture recognition in three-dimensional space. Instead of requiring physical contact at each bowl's location, the performer can control dispersed bowls through gestures made from a central position, transforming the control paradigm from location-dependent to gesture-dependent.
4Reliability
If the performer focuses on keeping mallets moving to maintain bowl vibrations, then the bowls resonate continuously, but the performer has limited ability to concentrate on vocalizations and channeling
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control system performs the continuous monitoring and activation management autonomously based on gesture detection. The performer simply needs to make occasional gestures to maintain resonance, while the system handles the continuous control tasks, significantly reducing cognitive load and freeing mental resources for vocalizations and channeling.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring constant continuous manual manipulation, the system responds to periodic gestures. The performer makes partial actions (occasional gestures) rather than excessive continuous actions (constant mallet movement), and the electronic system fills in the gaps to maintain continuous resonance, reducing overall cognitive and physical demand.
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
Enables the simultaneous play of multiple singing bowls without manual intervention, allowing performers greater mobility and autonomy, while also enhancing studio usability and sound bath experiences with synchronized lighting and sound effects.
Implementation Method 1
an exciter configured to be attached to a surface of an acoustic resonance instrument and vibrate the surface of the acoustic resonance instrument
Implementation Method 2
a gesture sensor configured to sense a position or change of position of a hand of a user
Implementation Method 3
acoustic resonance instrument
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method that enables the control of a resonance instrument such as a singing bowl without the need of a mallet, but also without precluding the use of a mallet if it is desired. An electronic resonance vibrating apparatus includes an electronic control unit affixed to a base and a gesture sensor in electronic communication with the electronic control unit. The gesture sensor is configured to sense a position or change of position of a hand of a user. An exciter is also in electronic communication with the electronic control unit. The exciter is configured to be attached to a surface of an acoustic resonance instrument and vibrate the surface of the acoustic resonance instrument. Remote wireless or wired control of a multitude of such instruments configured in a network is also enabled via Wi-Fi, BLE and USB interfaces which also support the MIDI protocol as well as synchronized LED lighting effects.