Modular Electronic Guitar Fingerboard with Magnetic Docking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic musical devices, such as electronic fingerboards and touch screens, lack a comprehensive solution for providing a realistic guitar-playing experience while reducing production costs and simplifying circuitry, making them less suitable for enthusiasts who prefer traditional guitar techniques.
Innovation Solution
A modular system comprising a fingerboard, dock, and compatible smart devices like phones or tablets, which use magnets and data connectors for secure and digital coupling, allowing for various configurations including a string box accessory to mimic guitar strings, enabling strumming and picking techniques and integrating with software applications for enhanced sound features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fingerboard is coupled to a tablet computer to reduce production costs and simplify circuitry, then manufacturing cost and circuit complexity are reduced, but the device becomes less suitable for enthusiasts who prefer traditional guitar techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate modular components: a fingerboard unit with pressure-sensitive circuits and a docking station that interfaces with various devices including tablets and audio systems. This segmentation allows the fingerboard to be manufactured with simplified circuitry while maintaining compatibility with multiple devices through the docking station.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station serves multiple functions: it connects the fingerboard to tablet computers for visual feedback, to audio systems for sound output, and provides power supply. This multi-functionality allows the simplified fingerboard design to remain versatile and suitable for different playing preferences and traditional guitar techniques.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pressure responsive circuits are coupled to a programmable microprocessor in an electronic fingerboard, then sound production capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex programmable microprocessor and extensive sound processing circuits are extracted from the fingerboard and placed in the external docking station and connected devices. The fingerboard retains only the essential pressure-sensitive circuits, significantly reducing its complexity while maintaining sound production capability through the external system.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station acts as an intermediary between the simplified fingerboard and the complex audio processing systems. It receives signals from the fingerboard's pressure circuits and processes them through external audio interfaces, providing enhanced sound production capability without increasing fingerboard complexity.
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 modular system provides a cost-effective, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing electronic guitar-like instrument that supports traditional playing techniques, offering advanced sound features and compatibility with various devices, enhancing the musical experience for users.
Implementation Method 1
The dock includes a plurality of magnets configured to securely hold the play device
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to devices utilized by artists that produce musical sounds and aesthetic lights, including lights that correspond to the sounds. More specifically, the invention pertains to a modular system comprising modules of a play device, such as a smart phone, a fingerboard comprising a keyboard and lights corresponding to the keys and a docking station for mounting and joining the play device and fingerboard together. Using music and light control application software loaded on the play device and the keys of the fingerboard, the play device and fingerboard exchange and communicate sound and light information and instructions with each other. The play device plays sounds and the fingerboard displays lights.