Non-Invasive Hammer Velocity Measurement Using Light Transceiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hammer velocity measurement systems for keyboard instruments are invasive, destructive, and lack accuracy, often requiring significant modifications to the piano's structure and mechanism, which compromises the instrument's integrity and results in unmusical reproductions.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive system using a light transceiver and processing circuitry to measure hammer velocity by transmitting and receiving light signals, determining the time interval between trigger points to calculate hammer velocity, eliminating the need for invasive modifications and providing a more accurate representation of the musical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional invasive methods (optical shutters, notched flags) are used to measure hammer velocity, then measurement capability is achieved, but the piano structure is damaged and integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement systems (optical shutters, notched flags, machined slots) with a magnetic field-based measurement system. A magnet is attached to the hammer and a magnetic sensor detects its position, eliminating the need for mechanical modifications to the piano structure while achieving precise velocity measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary element attached to the hammer, which mediates the measurement process by creating a magnetic field that can be detected by the sensor without requiring direct mechanical contact or modification of the piano's internal structure.
2Measurement precision
If invasive modifications (machining slots, removing wood) are made to install measurement hardware, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the piano loses original integrity and requires complex recalibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical embedding methods (machining slots into the wrest plank, removing wood from keys) with a magnetic field-based system that requires only attaching a magnet to the hammer, preserving the piano's structural integrity while achieving accurate velocity measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the measurement function from the piano structure by using a detachable magnet attached to the hammer, allowing the measurement system to be independent of the piano's internal mechanics and eliminating the need for structural modifications.
3Ease of manufacture
If key motion is measured instead of hammer velocity, then installation is simpler, but the reproduction quality becomes unmusical due to complex key-hammer relationship
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical measurement systems (which measure key motion) with a magnetic measurement system that directly measures hammer velocity, combining the simplicity of non-invasive installation with the accuracy of direct hammer velocity measurement for musically accurate reproduction.
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 system is more accurate, easier to install, and preserves the piano's integrity, offering a precise and efficient method for recording and reproducing musical performances without the need for complex recalibration or additional hardware.
Implementation Method 1
transmit a light signal to a hammer to measure a hammer position, receive a reflected light signal from the hammer indicative of the position of the hammer
Data Source
AI summary
A system 100, for determining the velocity of a hammer 120 of a keyboard instrument, with a light transceiver 140 and processing circuitry 160. The light transceiver 140 being configured to transmit a light signal to a hammer 120 to measure a hammer velocity, receive a reflected light signal from the hammer 120 indicative of the velocity of the hammer 120 and send an electrical signal to the processing circuitry 160, where the electrical signal is based on the reflected light signal from the hammer 120. The processing circuitry 160 being configured to receive and process the electrical signal so that a time interval between the electrical signal passing through a first trigger point and a second trigger point and the velocity of the hammer 120 can be determined.