Electronic Musical Instrument Key Range Division and Tone Color Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic musical instruments require users to perform key-range dividing and tone color setting operations in separate modes, making it difficult for unaccustomed users to determine the pitch range of the split point and link these operations effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electronic musical instrument with a key range designation section that allows users to clearly define key ranges and assign tone colors, integrating key-range dividing and tone color setting operations to simplify user input and ensure accurate pitch range identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the keyboard is divided into key ranges with different tone colors allocated to each range, then the versatility and adaptability of the electronic musical instrument is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the key range dividing operation and tone color setting operation into a single integrated mode. When the operation mode shifting switch is turned on, the system simultaneously performs both functions: dividing the keyboard into key ranges based on the depressed key and allocating different tone colors to each range. This eliminates the need for separate mode transitions and simplifies the user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent determines the key range division and tone color allocation based on the key depressed for mode switching. The system preliminarily establishes the split point at the depressed key position and automatically assigns tone colors to the resulting key ranges before the user completes any additional input. This preliminary action reduces the steps required for configuration.
2Ease of operation
If the split point key position determines the key range division, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision of pitch range identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual feedback through a display device that shows the key range division and tone color allocation results when a key is depressed for mode switching. The display indicates which key ranges are created and what tone colors are assigned to each range, allowing the user to verify the pitch range identification accuracy and make adjustments if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate processing step where the system calculates and determines the exact key range boundaries based on the depressed key position before finalizing the division. The control unit processes the depressed key information to precisely define the split point and associated key ranges, ensuring accurate pitch range identification while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A user designates any one of a plurality of types of key ranges via a key range designating switch and designates, for example via a keyboard, a desired key position to be set as a boundary of the designated key range. In response to such user's operations, an actual key range of the designated key range is determined in accordance with the designated boundary key position, and the keyboard is set in a divided usage state, where the keyboard is usable divided in a plurality of key ranges, on the basis of the determined actual key range. For example, once a left (low-pitch-side) key range is designated, the designated boundary key position defines the upper limit of the left key range, while, once a right (high-pitch-side) key range is designated, the designated boundary key position defines the lower limit of the right key range.