Electronic Musical Instrument With Pitch-Range Adaptive Accompaniment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic musical instruments struggle to generate dynamic and varied automatic accompaniment sounds, as they rely on pre-programmed patterns that repeat when the same chord is played, limiting the ability to create spontaneous and engaging musical experiences.

Innovation Solution

An electronic musical instrument equipped with a processor that acquires the number of operated playing operators for each pitch range and switches the automatic accompaniment pattern accordingly, allowing for real-time adaptation of accompaniment sounds based on user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If pre-programmed accompaniment patterns are used, then the accompaniment can be generated automatically, but the same playing is repeated when the same chord is played, making it sound mechanical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic accompaniment generationVSAvoidvariation of accompaniment patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the accompaniment pattern selection changeable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically switches between different accompaniment patterns based on the detected number of played keys, allowing the same chord to trigger different accompaniment styles and creating more varied, less mechanical performances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of accompaniment pattern selection based on the number of operated keys. By using the key count as a variable parameter to determine which accompaniment pattern to play, the system creates diverse accompaniment variations for the same chord, resolving the issue of repetitive mechanical sounds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of operated playing operators is used to switch accompaniment patterns, then dynamic and varied accompaniment can be achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariation of accompaniment patternsVSAvoidprocessor control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the performer's own actions (number of keys pressed) as the control signal for switching accompaniment patterns. This self-service approach means the performer naturally controls the pattern variation through their playing behavior without requiring additional control inputs or complex external sequencing, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12347412B2Electronic musical instrument, accompaniment sound instruction method and accompaniment sound automatic generation device

Publication Date: 2025.07.01 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention aims to change contents of an automatic accompaniment in accordance with a pitch range of a key that a user plays. The electronic musical instrument includes operated keys and a processor. The processor acquires the number of operated keys for each pitch range in accordance with the operation of the keyboard and instructs to switch an automatic accompaniment pattern accompaniment sounds to be emitted in accordance with the acquired number of operated keys for each pitch range.