Electronic Percussion Instrument Multi-Sensor Position Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic percussion instruments struggle to simulate the rendition of acoustic percussion instruments, particularly when percussed with hands, due to difficulties in identifying widespread percussion positions and generating corresponding musical sounds.

Innovation Solution

An electronic percussion instrument equipped with a pressure sensor on the central section, a head vibration sensor on the peripheral section, and a rim vibration sensor, which calculate the percussion position and output sound instructions based on the output values from these sensors to simulate the rendition of acoustic percussion instruments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If only pressure sensor and piezo-sensor are used to detect percussion, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accurately identify widespread percussion positions when hands are used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepercussion position identification accuracyVSAvoidsensor configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The percussion surface is divided into multiple detection zones by strategically placing sensors at different locations: pressure sensor at the center, head vibration sensor at the peripheral section, and rim vibration sensor at the rim. Each sensor monitors a specific region, enabling comprehensive detection of widespread percussion positions across the entire surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system transitions from one-dimensional pressure sensing to multi-dimensional detection by incorporating sensors that measure different physical quantities (pressure, head vibration, rim vibration) and combine them to calculate two-dimensional percussion positions on the percussion surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors are added to detect widespread percussion positions, then percussion position identification improves, but the device structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendition simulation capabilityVSAvoidsensor configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each sensor serves multiple functions: the pressure sensor detects both central percussion and pressing force, the head vibration sensor detects both head vibrations and peripheral percussion, and the rim vibration sensor detects both rim vibrations and widespread percussion positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines outputs from multiple sensors (pressure sensor, head vibration sensor, rim vibration sensor) to calculate percussion positions and generate musical sounds. By merging sensor data processing and sound generation control into a unified system, the patent reduces overall device complexity despite using multiple sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional sensors are used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot simulate various rendition methods of acoustic percussion instruments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendition simulation capabilityVSAvoidpercussion position detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameters by measuring not only pressure but also vibration characteristics (head vibration and rim vibration). By analyzing multiple parameters simultaneously, the system can distinguish between different percussion techniques (hand percussion with widespread positions versus stick percussion with concentrated positions) and simulate corresponding acoustic instrument renditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 accurate simulation of percussing a percussion surface with hands by effectively identifying and generating musical sounds for widespread percussion positions, enhancing the simulation of acoustic percussion instruments.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor disposed on a central section of the percussion surface on a side of a back surface and configured to detect pressing against the central section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

a head vibration sensor disposed on a peripheral section of the percussion surface on the side of the back surface and configured to detect vibrations of the peripheral section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration detection:

Implementation Method 3

a rim vibration sensor disposed at a position that overlaps the head vibration sensor when seen in a plan view of the percussion surface and configured to detect vibrations of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11545124B2Electronic percussion instrument and musical sound generating method

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 ROLAND CORP

AI summary

An electronic percussion instrument capable of simulating a rendition of an acoustic percussion instrument is provided. The electronic percussion instrument includes a housing, a percussion surface attached to the housing, a pressure sensor disposed on a central section of the percussion surface on a side of the back surface and configured to detect pressing against the central section, a head vibration sensor disposed on a peripheral section of the percussion surface on the side of the back surface and configured to detect vibrations of the peripheral section, and a rim vibration sensor disposed at a position overlapping the head vibration sensor when seen in a plan view of the percussion surface and configured to detect vibrations of the housing.