Sound Signal Analysis Apparatus Tempo Stability Judgment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sound signal analysis apparatuses struggle to accurately detect beat positions and tempo in musical pieces with drastically changing tempo, leading to unnatural operation of synchronized targets.

Innovation Solution

A sound signal analysis apparatus that includes sound signal input means, tempo detection means, judgment means, and control means to assess tempo stability and adjust operation modes accordingly, using feature value calculation and estimation methods to select the most likely probability model for concurrent beat and tempo estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional sound signal analysis apparatus uses constant tempo detection method, then it can accurately detect tempo in musical pieces with constant tempo, but it fails to correctly detect beat positions and tempo in musical pieces with drastically changing tempo

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetempo detection accuracyVSAvoidadaptability to tempo changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the tempo detection system adaptable to changing conditions. The judgment means dynamically assesses whether tempo is stable or unstable, and the control means adjusts the operation mode accordingly. This allows the system to transition from a static constant-tempo detection approach to a dynamic system that can handle both constant and changing tempo scenarios effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the tempo detection based on the stability judgment. When tempo is judged to be unstable, the system switches to a different operation mode that is suitable for handling tempo changes. This parameter change enables the system to maintain accurate tempo detection across varying musical conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If sound signal analysis apparatus detects tempo changes in real-time, then it can synchronize target with changing tempo, but it requires additional judgment and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetempo change response capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tempo detection process into distinct functional components: a judgment means that assesses tempo stability and a control means that selects operation modes based on the judgment. This segmentation allows the system to handle tempo changes systematically without requiring a complete redesign of the entire detection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The judgment means acts as an intermediary between the tempo detection and the control system. It evaluates the stability of detected tempo and provides this information to the control means, which then selects the appropriate operation mode. This intermediary structure enables smooth adaptation to tempo changes while maintaining clear system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If sound signal analysis apparatus uses multiple operation modes, then it can handle both stable and unstable tempo sections, but it requires tempo stability judgment mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-mode operation capabilityVSAvoidtempo stability assessment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs feedback by using the tempo stability judgment results to control the selection of operation modes. The judgment means continuously monitors tempo stability and feeds this information back to the control means, which adjusts the operation mode accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to tempo changes automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically judging tempo stability and selecting appropriate operation modes without external intervention. The judgment means and control means work together to autonomously determine the most suitable operation mode based on the current musical context, reducing the need for manual configuration or complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2779156B1Sound signal analysis apparatus, sound signal analysis method and sound signal analysis program
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 YAMAHA CORP
  • EP2779156B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2779156B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2779156B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sound signal analysis apparatus 10 includes sound signal input means adapted for inputting a sound signal indicative of a musical piece, tempo detection means adapted for detecting a tempo of each of sections of the musical piece by use of the input sound signal, judgment means adapted for judging stability of the tempo, and control means adapted for controlling a certain target in accordance with a result judged by the judgment means.