Wearable Sensor Controller for Musical Instrument Pitch Bend
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic musical instrument controllers that use head movement for controlling sound parameters are not suitable for quick operations and are cumbersome when worn on a fingertip, especially when used with keyboard instruments where finger posture changes frequently.
Innovation Solution
A musical instrument controller that includes a sensor to detect displacement from a reference position, generating control signals for pitch bend and expression based on the displacement, allowing for intuitive control of sound parameters through wearable sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If head movement is used to control musical sound parameters, then both hands can be used for performance, but quick operation cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces head movement detection with wearable sensor detection (acceleration sensors, angular velocity sensors) on the body or instrument. This substitution allows for faster response times compared to head movement while maintaining hands-free operation capability. The sensors detect body movements, instrument vibrations, or playing techniques to control musical parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent sets reference values for sensor detection before performance begins or when needed during performance. This preliminary action establishes a baseline that enables quick real-time control during playing without requiring continuous adjustment or complex processing, thereby improving operation speed.
2Speed
If the controller is worn on a fingertip to enable quick operation, then hands-free operation is improved, but it has difficulty being combined with keyboard instruments where finger posture changes frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the control system to work with multiple instrument types by detecting different physical quantities. The same wearable sensor can detect body movement for general control, instrument vibration for string instruments, air flow for wind instruments, and pressing force for keyboard instruments, making it universally applicable across different musical performance contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameters based on the instrument type and playing context. For keyboard instruments, it detects pressing force and duration; for string instruments, it detects bowing or plucking intensity; for wind instruments, it detects breath pressure. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains compatibility across different instruments while preserving quick operation capability.
3Measurement precision
If wearable sensors are used to detect displacement from reference position, then accurate control of sound parameters is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and uses only the necessary sensor data for control purposes. Instead of processing all sensor outputs, it selectively uses displacement from reference position, vibration intensity, or pressure data depending on the instrument type. This extraction approach maintains measurement precision while reducing processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically sets and adjusts reference values based on detected playing patterns and instrument characteristics. This self-adjusting capability eliminates the need for manual calibration and complex setup procedures, reducing operational complexity while maintaining accurate control of sound parameters.
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 accurate and intuitive control of sound parameters, reducing the need for hand occupation during performance and minimizing disruptions in keyboard instrument play.
Implementation Method 1
a reference value setting means that sets a reference value on the basis of sensor data acquired when emission of sound has started
Implementation Method 2
a sensor device including an acceleration sensor that measures acceleration in predetermined directions
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a musical instrument controller capable of accurately controlling a musical sound parameter. This musical instrument controller includes: a reception means for receiving, from a musical performance device, a sound emission start signal transmitted on the basis of a musical performance operation; a sensor for detecting an amount of displacement from a reference position; and a control means for generating a control signal on the basis of the amount of displacement from the reference position and transmitting the control signal to a sound generation device. The control means sets the reference position on the basis of the sound emission start signal received from the musical performance device.