Wireless Audio and MIDI Data Transmission for Player Pianos
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current music distribution systems, such as iTunes, do not support playback of MIDI files on modern player pianos, as they cannot handle both audio and MIDI data codes, resulting in unsatisfactory playback when attempting to play analog MIDI format files.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables wireless communication between a user interface, like iTunes, and a player piano, using a device like Apple Airport Express, to transmit both audio and MIDI data codes to a player piano, allowing for synchronized playback of music with both audio and MIDI data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current music distribution systems (iTunes) are used to play music, then audio data can be played, but MIDI data cannot be played on player pianos
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conversion device that acts as an intermediary between the music distribution system and the player piano. This device receives music data in one format and converts it to the appropriate format for the player piano, enabling compatibility without requiring changes to either the distribution system or the piano itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by converting music data between different formats (e.g., between audio-only format and MIDI format). The conversion device transforms the data parameters to match the requirements of the target device, allowing the same music data to be played on different types of devices with different capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If manual disc management is used for player pianos, then music can be played, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically manage music data conversion and playback. Once the music data is provided to the conversion device, the system automatically handles the format conversion and playback process without requiring manual intervention for disc changes or format conversions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-converting music data to the required format before playback. The conversion device prepares the music data in advance, transforming it into the appropriate format for the player piano, so that when playback is requested, the data is already ready and no manual disc management is needed.
3Reliability
If analog MIDI format files are played on modern player pianos, then MIDI data can be transmitted, but playback quality is unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The conversion device serves as an intermediary that receives analog MIDI format files and converts them to a format that modern player pianos can process reliably. This intermediary step ensures that the data is properly formatted and synchronized, improving playback quality without requiring the player piano itself to be more complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by converting the data format from analog MIDI to a digital format that modern player pianos can handle. This conversion changes the parameter representation of the music data, ensuring reliable playback while maintaining compatibility with modern devices through standardized digital protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A music playing system includes a computer and user interface to access a media database. A wireless base station device has a line out port providing two channel output. An automatic player piano has analog MIDI inputs, and a piano keyboard mechanism. The computer communicates wirelessly with the base station device, and the line out of the base station device outputs two channels which are connected to the analog MIDI inputs. A musical work, including related audio and MIDI data codes, is stored in the media database, with the different data codes in association with two different channels. The music data is sent via the wireless base station to the corresponding inputs of the piano. The piano sound system produces sound from the audio data codes and sends actuation signals to the keyboard mechanism, based on the MIDI codes.