Electronic Music Device Online Session Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic music devices cannot conduct synchronized music performances in real-time over long distances without direct physical connection via MIDI cables, limiting interactive online sessions between remote devices.
Innovation Solution
An online real-time session control method that allows electronic music devices connected via a communication network to share user operations, synchronize sound generation, and adjust display elements, enabling interactive multiplayer-like experiences by transmitting and receiving operation data between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic music devices are directly connected via MIDI cable for synchronized performance, then synchronization reliability is improved, but device accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring physical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical MIDI cable connection system with a communication network-based data transmission system. Operation data is transmitted electronically over networks (WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.) between devices, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining synchronization capability. This allows remote devices to connect and perform synchronized music sessions without direct physical contact.
2Ease of operation
If operation data is transmitted over communication network for remote access, then device accessibility is improved, but synchronization precision deteriorates due to network latency and data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions to ensure synchronization precision before actual music performance begins. Devices exchange and synchronize their internal clocks, establish communication protocols, and pre-coordinate timing references over the network. This preliminary synchronization setup compensates for network latency and ensures precise timing during the actual performance session.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where devices continuously monitor and exchange timing information during the session. Each device tracks the timing of received operation data and adjusts its local timing to maintain synchronization with other devices. This real-time feedback loop compensates for network variability and maintains precision throughout the performance.
3Device complexity
If only playback start/stop modes are supported for synchronized performance, then system complexity is reduced, but functionality and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal operation data transmission framework that can handle multiple performance modes through the same basic mechanism. The system supports not only playback start/stop but also real-time performance, tempo changes, instrument selection, and other musical parameters. All these functions are achieved through the same network-based operation data exchange, making the system highly adaptable without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An online real-time session is conducted between at least two electronic music devices each equipped with an interface and a touch panel display for displaying a plurality of performance operators. The same displayed content is shared in real time between electronic music devices by mutually transmitting operation information representing a user's operation on a performance operator, so that the operational state of the performance operator of one electronic music device is reflected in the counterpart electronic music device. A setting operator is used to select a desired music section corresponding to one layer or a combination of layers subjected to simultaneous music performance. The electronic music device generates sound in response to a short press given to a performance operator, while the electronic music device sets a tone-generation point to a performance operator pertaining to a long press.