Transparent Drum Pad With See-Through Sensor for Tone Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electronic musical instruments cannot easily identify the types of tone materials allocated to individual operating surfaces during performance, requiring pre-performance testing to determine the correct surfaces to hit.
Innovation Solution
An operation detection apparatus featuring transparent or translucent pads with hitting portions and a sensor section that includes a see-through portion, allowing users to view icons or marks indicative of tone materials allocated to each surface, enabling intuitive performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is provided below a translucent percussion surface, then hitting detection is enabled, but the user cannot ascertain types of tone materials allocated to individual operating surfaces during performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a see-through portion that creates a visual dimension through the pad structure. The display section showing tone material information is positioned in a different spatial dimension (below the pad) but made accessible through the see-through portion, allowing simultaneous hitting detection and information visibility without conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The see-through portion acts as an intermediary element between the sensor section and the display section. It allows the display information to be visible through the pad while maintaining the sensor's ability to detect hitting, mediating between the need for detection and the need for information visibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tone materials are allocated to multiple operating surfaces, then musical performance capability is enhanced, but the user must test-hit each surface before performance to identify tone materials
Solution Approach 1:
The display section provides preliminary information about tone materials allocated to each operating surface before performance begins. Users can view the tone material information in advance through the see-through portion, eliminating the need for test-hitting each surface during pre-performance preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying tone material information on the display section, which is visible through the see-through portion. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand what tone material is allocated to each surface without having to test-hit them, reducing preparation time.
3Loss of information
If the pad is made transparent or translucent, then underlying display can be seen, but sensor detection capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pad structure is segmented into distinct functional sections: the transparent pad portion for visibility, the see-through portion for information transmission, and the sensor section for detection. This segmentation allows each section to optimize its specific function without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the pad structure have different optical and sensing properties. The pad is transparent/translucent in areas where visibility is needed, while the sensor section is positioned to maintain detection capability. The see-through portion has specific optical properties that allow display information to pass through while maintaining structural integrity for sensing.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~8
AI summary
Operation detection apparatus includes a sensor section (17, 19, 20, PUPP, PLOW), and a pad (16) formed of a transparent or translucent material and including at least one hitting portion (3-k) provided on its surface. The hitting portion is suitable for being hit by a user. The sensor section is provided in a region positionally corresponding to the hitting portion under the pad, to detect hitting of the hitting portion. The sensor section includes a see-through portion (4-k) provided in association with the hitting portion for allowing a region below the sensor section to be partly seen therethrough. The sensor section is sheet-shaped as a whole, and the see-through portion (4-k) is an opening provided in a predetermined position of the sheet-shaped sensor section. Display area (15) is located under the sensor section and exposed through the opening.