Musical Instrument Button with Optical Light Guide and Multi-Dimensional Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic musical instrument keys lack the ability to detect finger position in the X-Y direction and apply force in the Z direction simultaneously, limiting expressive control and illumination options.
Innovation Solution
A button design featuring a movable button unit with integrated X-Y and Z sensor units, where the button body and shaft form a light guide for improved illumination, allowing for multi-dimensional detection of finger position and force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensor technology (FSR sensors) is used to detect force in Z direction, then force detection is possible, but the entry threshold is high and behavior around the threshold is hard to reproduce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from contact-based force sensing (FSR) to optical distance measurement. By measuring the distance between the button and the sensor unit optically, the system achieves continuous, reproducible detection without the threshold behavior inherent in contact sensors. This parameter change from mechanical contact to optical measurement eliminates the reproducibility issue around the entry threshold.
2Illumination intensity
If keys are made transparent or have breaks to guide light for illumination, then illumination is possible, but designing such keys becomes highly problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component between the light source and the key surface. The light guide channels light from the sensor unit area to illuminate the key without requiring the key itself to be transparent or have light-guiding breaks. This intermediary solution separates the illumination function from the key structure, simplifying key design and manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional mechanisms (sustain pedal, pitch bend wheel, modulation wheel) are added to manipulate sound, then sound control capabilities are improved, but these mechanisms can only be used separately from the played key and only allow the same effect to be applied to all keys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple detection functions (X-Y position, Z-direction force, distance) into a single button structure. The button body serves as both the actuating surface and part of the light guide, while the sensor unit below detects multiple parameters simultaneously. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each control function, allowing polyphonic expression where each key can be individually controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of separate control mechanisms (sustain, pitch bend, modulation) into the button structure itself. By combining position detection, force detection, and distance measurement in one integrated system, the patent enables all these expressive capabilities to be accessed through the keys themselves rather than requiring separate foot pedals or wheels.
4Measurement precision
If FSR sensors are used to detect X and Y dimensions simultaneously to the Z dimension, then multi-dimensional detection is possible, but several FSR sensor planes are required resulting in high effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based FSR sensor system with an optical measurement system. Instead of using multiple planes of contact sensors to detect X-Y-Z positions, the system uses optical fields that can detect position and distance without physical contact. This substitution reduces the mechanical complexity from multiple sensor planes to a single sensor unit with optical detection capabilities.
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
Enables polyphonic and multi-dimensional sound control with improved illumination, allowing for expressive sound manipulation and visual feedback on electronic musical instruments.
Implementation Method 1
the shaft and the extension consist of a translucent material such that they commonly form a light guide which is fixedly connected to the button body
Implementation Method 2
a first optical device for deflecting the light that has entered the shaft from the light source in a horizontal direction into the plane of the extension
Data Source
AI summary
A button is disclosed, which includes a button unit suspended movably vertically in Z-direction in a fixed frame and having a button body with an upper actuating surface and at least one central shaft extending vertically downwardly from the button body and extending at an upper end below the button body horizontally into an extension. The shaft and the extension having a translucent material such that they commonly form a light guide which is fixedly connected to the button body. The button additionally includes a light source vertically below the shaft. Light from the light source leaves vertically upwardly and enters the shaft from below. The button further includes a first optical device arranged in the vertical upper area of the light guide above the shaft for deflecting light that has entered the shaft from the light source in a horizontal direction into a plane of the extension.