Tuning Estimation via Pitch Distribution Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing karaoke and musical instrument evaluation systems fail to properly assess singing or playing when the singer or player adjusts the pitch, as they require guide melody or instrumental accompaniment information, which is not available in cases of pitch changes.

Innovation Solution

A tuning estimating apparatus that calculates a tuning value based on input sounds by analyzing pitch distributions, using a peak group and reference pitches to determine offset deviations, allowing for evaluation and synthesis without relying on guide melodies or changed pitch information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If guide melody or instrumental accompaniment information is used for evaluation, then evaluation accuracy is improved, but the system cannot handle cases where pitch is changed or tuning is adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation accuracyVSAvoidability to handle pitch changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts pitch information from the input sound itself rather than relying on external guide melody or accompaniment data. The pitch distribution analysis is performed self-contained on the acquired sound, enabling the system to evaluate tuning without needing reference materials that may not exist when pitch changes are applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts pitch information directly from the input sound waveform through pitch distribution analysis, separating the evaluation process from dependency on guide melody or accompaniment information. This extraction approach allows the system to determine tuning state independently of external references.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If pitch distribution analysis is performed on input sounds, then tuning information can be calculated without guide melody, but the system must process and analyze pitch data from raw input sounds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependence from guide melodyVSAvoidpitch analysis processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical approach of comparing against guide melody with an analytical approach using pitch distribution processing. Instead of mechanical comparison with external references, the system uses statistical analysis of pitch frequency distribution to determine tuning state, reducing dependency on external materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10733900B2Tuning estimating apparatus, evaluating apparatus, and data processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 YAMAHA CORP

AI summary

Tuning information is calculated based on input sounds. A tuning estimating apparatus includes an input sound acquirer for acquiring input sounds, a pitch calculator for calculating pitches of the input sounds acquired by the input sound acquirer, and a tuning value calculator for calculating a tuning value representing an offset between a tuning reference position serving as a reference for tuning and a reference position on a first distribution of the pitches calculated by the pitch calculator, based on a peak of the first distribution. The tuning value calculator calculates the tuning value based on the positional relationship of a periodic peak group of the first distribution.