Waveform Data Transfer Control for Musical Sound Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing musical sound generation methods in electronic instruments face delays in sound emission due to the time-consuming process of transferring large waveform data from low-speed, large-capacity storage devices to high-speed, small-capacity storage devices, especially when switching timbres or combining multiple waveform data, which disrupts musical performance.

Innovation Solution

A musical sound generation device and method that utilize a control section to manage waveform data between two memory sections, transferring data exceeding a predetermined threshold value to a high-speed RAM prior to performance and copying smaller data sizes as needed, ensuring timely sound emission without altering data that meets specific conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If waveform data is transferred from low-speed, large-capacity storage device to high-speed, small-capacity storage device only when needed, then production cost is reduced, but sound emission is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidsound emission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by transferring waveform data from the low-speed storage device to the high-speed storage device before it is actually needed for sound emission. The control section predicts which waveform data will be needed based on the performance timeline, and performs the data transfer in advance during periods when the high-speed storage device is not being actively read from, thereby eliminating delay while maintaining cost efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If waveform data with larger data size is processed, then timbre quality is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimbre qualityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control section predicts the need for waveform data with larger data sizes in advance and transfers them to the high-speed storage device before they are needed for sound emission. This preliminary transfer ensures that high-quality timbres can be processed without causing delays, as the data is already available in the high-speed storage when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its data transfer strategy based on predicted performance needs. The control section modifies transfer priorities and timing according to the specific characteristics of the waveform data (size, type, urgency) and the current state of the storage devices, optimizing the balance between timbre quality and processing speed for each individual case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple waveform data are combined for timbre switching, then musical expression is enhanced, but data reading time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimbre switching capabilityVSAvoiddata reading time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control section predicts when multiple waveform data will be needed for timbre switching and performs preliminary transfers of all required data to the high-speed storage device before the switching operation. This ensures that complex timbre switching operations can be executed without delay, as all necessary waveform data is already available in the high-speed storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges multiple waveform data transfers into a single coordinated operation. When the control section predicts that multiple waveform files will be needed, it combines their transfer operations and executes them together, optimizing the use of the storage devices and reducing the total time required compared to sequential transfers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3379527B1Musical sound generation device, musical sound generation method and electronic instrument
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
  • EP3379527B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3379527B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3379527B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A musical sound generation device including a first memory section (212) having a plurality of waveform data, a second memory section (208) which stores waveform data read out from the first memory section, and a control section (202) which controls such that, when a sound emission instruction is provided and specified waveform data is in the second memory section, the waveform data is read out by the sound emission control section (304), or controls such that, when the specified waveform data is not in the second memory section, the data is transferred from the first memory section to the second memory section and read out by the sound emission control section, in which the control section controls such that waveform data satisfying a set condition is not subjected to a waveform data change by the transfer and waveform data not satisfying the set condition is subjected to the waveform data change by the transfer.