Performance Control Method for Musical Piece Synchronization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic performance technologies face challenges in synchronizing with actual performances, particularly in scenarios with extreme tempo changes, leading to precision issues.

Innovation Solution

A performance control method using an electronic controller to estimate the performance position in a musical piece, synchronizing automatic performances with the progress of the performance position through independent control data, allowing for precise tempo and sound generation synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If automatic performance is synchronized with actual performance using performance position estimation, then synchronization accuracy is improved in normal sections, but synchronization precision deteriorates in sections with extreme tempo changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidsynchronization precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the control parameter from performance position estimation to tempo information from control data when extreme tempo changes are detected. This parameter switching allows the automatic performance to maintain synchronization precision during challenging sections by relying on pre-defined tempo information rather than real-time estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Control data acts as an intermediary that provides tempo information independent of performance position estimation. This intermediary data source enables the system to overcome the limitations of estimation-based synchronization during extreme tempo changes, maintaining reliability where estimation alone would fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If performance position estimation is used for synchronization, then adaptability to performer's expression is improved, but control precision deteriorates during extreme tempo changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to performer's expressionVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the synchronization control strategy based on the performance characteristics. During normal sections, it uses performance position estimation to maintain adaptability to the performer's expression. During extreme tempo changes, it switches to control data-based tempo information to maintain control precision, creating a dynamic control system that adapts to different performance conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If only performance data is used for automatic performance, then simplicity of system is maintained, but ability to handle tempo changes is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidability to handle tempo changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system makes the control system multi-functional by accepting both performance data and control data as inputs. This allows the system to handle both normal performance sections (using performance data) and extreme tempo change sections (using control data), thereby increasing versatility without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Control data is prepared in advance with tempo information for handling extreme tempo changes. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly switch to appropriate tempo control when needed, enhancing the ability to handle tempo changes without adding complex real-time processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10720132B2Performance control method and performance control device

Publication Date: 2020.07.21 YAMAHA CORP

AI summary

A performance control method includes estimating a performance position in a musical piece by analyzing a performance of the musical piece by a performer, causing a performance device to execute an automatic performance in accordance with performance data designating the performance content of the musical piece so as to be synchronized with the progress of the performance position, and controlling the relationship between the progress of the performance position and the automatic performance in accordance with control data that is independent of the performance data.