Stringed Instrument Body Sensing for Finger-Free Effect Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stringed musical instruments, such as acoustic guitars, face challenges in allowing players to easily control effect imparting units while playing, as these controls are typically located on the side plate and require fingers to be moved away from the strings.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a pickup to detect string vibrations, a detection sensor on the instrument body to sense player interactions, and a controller to manage an effector for applying effects to the string vibrations, enabling control through player interactions with the instrument body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If operating elements for controlling the effect imparting unit are provided on the side plate away from the strings, then the effect imparting unit can be controlled, but the player needs to move fingers away from the strings to control the operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of controlling effect imparting unitVSAvoidfinger movement requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control function with the instrument body by attaching a detection sensor to the front plate or back plate. This allows the instrument body itself to serve as the control interface, eliminating the need for separate operating elements on the side plate and enabling players to control effects while maintaining their position at the strings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection sensor acts as an intermediary between the player's finger actions and the effect imparting unit control. Instead of directly operating knobs or switches on the side plate, the player's contact with the instrument body is converted into control signals through the detection sensor, enabling indirect control while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If operating elements are provided on the side plate, then the effect imparting unit can be controlled, but it requires additional space and structural modification away from the strings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidstructural modification requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument body (front plate or back plate) serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the detection sensor for control, and maintains the traditional appearance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control structures on the side plate, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the detection sensor is attached to the front plate or back plate, then the player can control the effect while playing, but the sensor must be positioned to detect player operations accurately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol during playingVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection sensor is strategically positioned on the front plate or back plate at locations where player contact naturally occurs during playing. This localized positioning ensures accurate detection of player operations while maintaining ease of control, as the sensor is placed where fingers or hands naturally interact with the instrument body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 easy control of effect imparting units during play without requiring fingers to leave the strings, maintaining the instrument's appearance and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a pickup configured to: i) detect vibration of the string and ii) output a string vibration signal according to the vibration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a detection sensor that is: i) attached to the musical instrument body and ii) configured to output a detection signal according to a force applied to the musical instrument body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce detection: Force

Data Source

PatentUS12367855B2Stringed musical instrument and acoustic effect device

Publication Date: 2025.07.22 YAMAHA CORP

AI summary

A stringed musical instrument includes: a musical instrument body configured such that a string is attached thereto; a pickup configured to: i) detect vibration of the string and ii) output a string vibration signal according to the vibration; a detection sensor that is: i) attached to the musical instrument body and ii) configured to output a detection signal according to a force applied to the musical instrument body; and a controller that is attached to the musical instrument body, and is configured to output, based on the detection signal, a control signal configured to control an operation of an effector configured to impart an effect to the string vibration signal.