Electronic Keyboard Split-Range Control for Expanded Sound Expression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The split function in electronic keyboards limits the available range of keys for each tone allocation, reducing expressiveness in music-playing.
Innovation Solution
An electronic instrument that includes multiple music-playing operators and processors to instruct sound sources to emit sounds in different forms based on specific instruction conditions, allowing for the emission of first and second sound-emission forms depending on the music-playing operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the keyboard is divided into left and right parts for two ranges (split function), then different tones can be allocated to each part, but the number of keys allocated to each range is reduced and the available range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic key range extension by detecting simultaneous key operations and automatically expanding the playable range beyond physical keyboard boundaries. The system dynamically adjusts which virtual keys respond to physical key presses based on real-time playing conditions, allowing the effective key range to grow as needed while maintaining the physical keyboard's compact form.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual dimension to the physical keyboard by mapping physical key presses to multiple virtual key positions. Through coordinate transformation and range extension mechanisms, the system creates an expanded virtual keyboard space that encompasses multiple octaves and ranges, allowing players to access sounds beyond the physical key limits without adding physical keys.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sound emission forms are implemented based on instruction conditions, then expressive music-playing capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sound emission control into distinct instruction conditions (first instruction condition and second instruction condition), each triggering specific sound emission forms. The processor evaluates different conditions independently and applies appropriate sound generation rules, breaking down the complex sound synthesis task into manageable conditional branches that simplify overall system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes sound emission parameters (pitch, range, tone) based on detected playing conditions. When specific instruction conditions are met, the system automatically adjusts parameters such as the effective key range, pitch mapping, and sound generation mode, enabling expressive versatility through parameter modulation rather than requiring separate hardware for each sound form.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic instrument includes a plurality of music-playing operators which designates pitch data in accordance with a music-playing operation and at least one processor which instructs a sound source which generates music sounds to emit sounds, in which the at least one processor, in a case where the music-playing operation meets a first instruction condition, instructs the sound source to emit the sound in a first sound emission form which corresponds to pitch data which meets the first instruction condition which is designated in accordance with the music-playing operation, and in a case where the music-playing operation meets a second instruction condition which is different from the first instruction condition, instructs the sound source to emit a sound which is different from the sound which is emitted in the first sound-emission form, that is, in a second sound-emission form which corresponds to pitch data which meets the second instruction condition which is designated in accordance with the music-playing operation.