Electronic Mallet Controller with Adjustable Low Note Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic mallet keyboard controllers lack the ability to adjust the low note range, limiting user flexibility in setting the fundamental diatonic note and resulting in inactive 'dead notes' that cannot be selectively assigned or adjusted.
Innovation Solution
An electronic mallet controller with a processor circuit and user input system that allows users to select a lowest diatonic natural note, shifting the mapping between bars and musical notes to define dead notes, which are then indicated as inactive, enabling adjustable low note assignment and output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mapping between bars and musical notes is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability is limited and users cannot adjust the low note range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mapping between bars and musical notes by allowing the processor to shift the mapping based on user input. The mapping is no longer fixed but can be dynamically adjusted to define different dead note locations, enabling low note range customization without requiring physical reconfiguration of the instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of note mapping by introducing a shift mechanism controlled by user input. When a user selects a lowest diatonic natural note, the processor shifts the mapping between bars and musical notes accordingly, transforming the static parameter into a dynamic one that adapts to user preferences.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all bars are active and produce notes, then the instrument has maximum functionality, but dead notes cannot be selectively assigned or indicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual indication (analogous to color changes) to differentiate active bars from inactive dead note bars. The indicator system provides visual feedback to users about which bars are dead notes, making the invisible concept of dead notes perceptible and helping users understand the current mapping configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator acts as an intermediary between the internal mapping state and the user's perception. It mediates the information about dead note locations, translating the abstract mapping configuration into visible feedback that helps users operate the instrument more effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic mallet controller includes a plurality of bars representing musical notes. Each bar active produces a signal indicative of the respective musical note when struck by an implement, and all adjacent bars are spaced apart with the same spacing. A first user input permits a user to select a lowest diatonic natural note of the range of the musical instrument to thereby define a location of dead notes. A processor circuit interprets each signal as an outputted musical note. Based on the first user input, the processor circuit shifts mapping between the bars and the musical notes to be outputted, causing the dead note locations to be associated with certain of the bars, and wherein the bars at the dead note locations are inactive bars. An indicator is associated with the inactive bars to indicate the location of the dead notes to the user.