Sound Processing Apparatus for Stringed Instrument Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic musical instruments that simulate playing a musical instrument on personal computers or game apparatuses fail to provide a realistic experience, particularly in replicating the sensation of plucking strings, as they rely on mouse operations and do not effectively simulate the physical interaction of playing a stringed instrument.
Innovation Solution
A sound processing program that sets up areas on a display screen, allowing players to interact with a pointing device or touch panel to simulate plucking strings by detecting changes in designated areas, generating sound output based on these interactions, and varying sound intervals and volumes to mimic the experience of playing a stringed instrument.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mouse operation is used to input playing information, then the apparatus can simulate guitar playing functions, but the user cannot feel as if he or she is actually playing the instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the guitar fingerboard and strings on the display screen, allowing the user to interact with a graphical representation that mimics the actual instrument. The pointing device operations are mapped to correspond to physical guitar playing positions and techniques, creating a realistic simulation experience while maintaining the flexibility of digital input methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a graphical user interface as an intermediary between the user and the sound generation system. The fingerboard display serves as a mediator that translates pointing device movements into meaningful musical actions, providing tactile and visual feedback that enhances the realism of the playing experience without requiring physical contact with actual strings.
2Productivity
If keyboard is used as the main playing operation element, then the apparatus can generate playing information, but the user cannot enjoy simulating the play of the electric musical instrument
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a keyboard to generate playing information and then trying to simulate guitar playing, the patent inverts the approach by using a graphical fingerboard display with pointing device operations that directly mimic guitar playing motions. This allows the interface itself to generate the playing information in a natural, instrument-like manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic visual feedback where the graphical strings and fingerboard respond to user operations in real-time. The display updates to show finger positions, string vibrations, and other playing artifacts that change dynamically based on the user's input speed, pressure, and position, creating an engaging and realistic simulation experience.
3Productivity
If only playing information is inputted, then the electric musical instrument can play music, but the user would not be allowed to enjoy simulating the play of the electric musical instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple feedback mechanisms including visual feedback through the fingerboard display showing real-time finger positions and string states, and auditory feedback through the sound output that responds to playing technique. This feedback loop allows users to see and hear the results of their operations, enhancing the simulation experience beyond simple note generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent simulates mechanical vibration effects by displaying visual representations of string vibrations and finger movements on the graphical fingerboard. The system renders animations that mimic the physical behavior of guitar strings when plucked or strummed, providing visual feedback that enhances the realism of the playing simulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of areas are set on an image displayed on a display screen, and a plurality of performance indexes, each of which indicates a range of each of the areas, are displayed. An area designated by an operation input is detected, and sound output information is generated when an operation input, which designates one of the areas, and then further designates another area other than the designated area, is detected. Thereafter, a sound is outputted from a speaker in accordance with the sound output information.