AUDIO SYSTEM ENABLED BY DEVICE FOR RECOGNIZING USER OPERATION
20170206877 ยท 2017-07-20
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
G10H2210/225
PHYSICS
G06F2203/04104
PHYSICS
G06F3/048
PHYSICS
G06F3/0416
PHYSICS
G10H7/00
PHYSICS
International classification
Abstract
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio system. The audio system includes a user computer to output a note; a musical instrument unit to transmit a first electrical signal to the user computer, and a user operation recognition device attached to or disposed at a specific part of the musical instrument unit to transmit a second electrical signal to the user computer. The user operation recognition device is to change or adjust a note of the musical instrument unit on the basis of a touch applied to the user operation recognition device. The user operation recognition device includes a substrate, and at least one unit cell including a first partial electrode formed along a first pattern on the substrate and a second partial electrode formed along a second pattern on the substrate.
Claims
1. An audio system, comprising: a user computer to output a note; a musical instrument unit to transmit a first electrical signal to the user computer; and a user operation recognition device attached to or disposed at a specific part of the musical instrument unit to transmit a second electrical signal to the user computer, wherein the user operation recognition device is to change or adjust a note of the musical instrument unit on the basis of a touch applied to the user operation recognition device, and wherein the user operation recognition device comprises: a substrate; and at least one unit cell including a first partial electrode formed along a first pattern on the substrate and a second partial electrode formed along a second pattern on the substrate.
2. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the musical instrument unit is composed of a keyboard instrument, and the specific part is a keyboard.
3. The audio system of claim 2, wherein the touch is made in a longitudinal direction with respect to the specific part.
4. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the specific part consists of a single part, and the touch is a multi-touch made to the specific part.
5. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the specific part consists of multiple parts, and the touch is a multi-touch made to each of the parts.
6. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the changing of the note is at least one of a pitch change, a timbre change, and a modulation.
7. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the changing of the note is addition of a special effect.
8. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the adjusting of the note is volume adjustment.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] In the following detailed description of the present invention, references are made to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention, although different from each other, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures and characteristics described herein can be implemented as modified from one embodiment to another without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, it shall be understood that the locations or arrangements of individual elements within each of the disclosed embodiments can also be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention, if properly described, is limited only by the appended claims together with all equivalents thereof. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar functions throughout the several views.
[0038] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to easily implement the invention.
[0039] Configuration of a User Operation Recognition Device
[0040] In the following, the internal configuration of a user operation recognition device 100 will be discussed in detail with reference to
[0041]
[0042] Referring to
[0043] First, according to one embodiment of the invention, the unit cell 120 can include a first partial electrode 121 formed along a first pattern on the substrate 110, and a second partial electrode 122 formed along a second pattern on the substrate 110.
[0044] Next, according to one embodiment of the invention, the pressure-responsive material 130 can be formed above the at least one unit cell 120.
[0045] Specifically, according to one embodiment of the invention, when pressure with no less than a predetermined intensity is downwardly applied to the at least one unit cell 120 above which the pressure-responsive material 130 is formed, the pressure-responsive material 130 can be deformed in response to the pressure to physically contact both the first partial electrode 121 and the second partial electrode 122, so that the first partial electrode 121 and the second partial electrode 122 can be electrically connected to each other. Referring to
[0046] More specifically, according to one embodiment of the invention, a contact area between the pressure-responsive material 130 and the first partial electrode 121 or the second partial electrode 122 can be changed with the intensity of pressure applied to the recognition device 100, so that electric resistance of the part electrically connecting the first partial electrode 121 and the second partial electrode 122 can be changed. For example, as the contact area between the pressure-responsive material 130 and the first partial electrode 121 or the second partial electrode 122 is increased, the electric resistance of the part electrically connecting the first partial electrode 121 and the second partial electrode 122 can be reduced. As will be described below, the recognition device 100 according to the invention can recognize the intensity or direction of pressure inputted as a user operation, by sensing electric resistance of the part electrically connecting the first partial electrode 121 and the second partial electrode 122.
[0047] Next, according to one embodiment of the invention, the cover material 140 is a component for isolating and protecting the internal components of the recognition device 100 from the outside, and for enhancing sensitivity of user operation recognition, and can be made from rubber, fiber, thin metal, urethane, various films, and the like.
[0048] More specifically, referring to
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[0050] Referring to
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[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, as shown in
[0053] Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, as shown in
[0054] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention, at least a part of the first wiring part 151 and the second wiring part 152 can be formed on an upper surface of the substrate 110, and the remaining part thereof can be formed on a lower surface of the substrate. Thus, limited space on the substrate 110 can be efficiently utilized.
[0055] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the invention, as shown in
[0056] Specifically, according to one embodiment of the invention, depending on the row or column to which the first wiring part 151 or the second wiring part 152 is connected, the total length of wires constituting the corresponding wiring part can be changed, and consequentially, the electric resistance of the corresponding wiring part can be changed. Thus, it is noted that when recognizing pressure applied to a specific unit cell based on electric resistance measured in the unit cell, the controller 160 can separately consider electric resistance resulting from the length of the wiring part connected to the corresponding unit cell.
[0057] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the invention, the controller 160 can reside in the user operation recognition device 100 in the form of a program module. The program module can be in the form of an operating system, an application program module, or other program modules. Further, the program module can also be stored in a remote storage device that can communicate with the user operation recognition device 100. Meanwhile, such a program module can include, but not limited to, a routine, a subroutine, a program, an object, a component, a data structure and the like for performing a specific task or executing a specific abstract data type as will be described below in accordance with the invention.
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[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one unit cell 120 can be uniformly arranged over all areas on the substrate 110. However, as shown in
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[0061] Referring to
[0062] In the following, a method for recognizing a user operation will be discussed in detail with reference to
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[0068] First, referring to
[0069] Here, the position of the centroid 720, 1120 can be determined based on the intensity of the pressure, which is estimated from distribution of electric resistance measured in the touch area 710, 1110. Referring to
[0070] Next, referring to
[0071] Specifically, when the centroid 720 is detected to be included in the first threshold area 730, 1130, the recognition device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention can determine that the pressure is concentrated on the center of the touch area 710, 1110, and recognize that the inputted user operation is intended for vertical pressure. Further, when the centroid 720, 1120 is out of the first threshold area 730, 1130 but included in the second threshold area 1140, the recognition device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention can determine that the pressure is concentrated somewhat away from the center of the touch area 710, 1110, and recognize that the inputted user operation is intended for horizontal pressure. Furthermore, when the centroid 720, 1120 is out of the second threshold area 1140, the recognition device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention can determine that the pressure is concentrated on the periphery far away from the center of the touch area 710, 1110, and recognize that the inputted user operation is intended to move the touch area 710, 1110 itself.
[0072] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the invention, when a multi-touch operation involving pressure is inputted, the recognition device 100 can perform the above-described recognition process for each of multiple touch areas specified by the multi-touch operation.
[0073] Further, referring to
[0074] Referring to
[0075] Applications of the Invention
[0076] A novel audio system can be provided using a user operation recognition device according to the invention or other similar device. It will be discussed below with reference to the drawings.
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[0078] (For convenience, the description will be focused on a music system that can allow a user to play music, though the present invention can be employed for all types of audio systems.) The music system can include a user computer 100A, a musical instrument unit 200A, and a MIDI shield and controller 300A.
[0079] As shown, the user computer 100A is a computer including an audio interface for input and output of musical information, and any type of digital equipment having a memory means and a microprocessor for computing capabilities, such as a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a workstation, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a web pad, a mobile phone, and a smart device (e.g., a smart phone, a smart pad, a smart watch, etc.) can be adopted as the user computer 100A according to the invention.
[0080] The user computer 100A can receive an electrical signal or other data from a user operation recognition device (not shown), which can be attached to or disposed at the musical instrument unit 200A or the MIDI shield and controller 300A, or a part (e.g., a keyboard) of the musical instrument unit 200A, as necessary. The electrical signal or data can be processed by the audio interface and outputted as music that can be heard by a person. To this end, the audio interface can be configured to include a program for playback of known MIDI sources.
[0081] Meanwhile, in some cases, the known MIDI shield and controller 300A can be further employed as shown to interpret the electrical signal or data transmitted by the musical instrument unit 200A or the user operation recognition device to the user computer 100A, according to MIDI standards. (Here, the electrical signals transmitted by the musical instrument unit 200A and the user operation recognition device can be referred as a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal, respectively, for convenience.) The MIDI shield and controller 300A can take charge of communication from the user computer 100A to the musical instrument unit 200A between the user computer 100A and the musical instrument unit 200A. However, the functions of the MIDI shield and controller 300A can also be performed by the audio interface.
[0082] Meanwhile, the user computer 100A can further include an output device (not shown) for outputting music. The output device can be, for example, a device for converting an electrical signal generated by the audio interface into a note using a magnet or the like. The output device can include known mountable speakers, multi-channel speakers, tactile output speakers, headphones, and the like.
[0083] The musical instrument unit 200A can be composed of a musical instrument such as a synthesizer or an electric piano, which a user can naturally touch and operate. The musical instrument unit 200A can be composed of any known electric/non-electric musical instrument. For example, the musical instrument can be a wind instrument, a string instrument, a percussion instrument, or the like. The user operation recognition device can be attached to or disposed at a keyboard or the like of the musical instrument unit 200A. Alternatively, the user operation recognition device can be originally included in the musical instrument unit 200A, rather than be attached to or disposed at the musical instrument unit 200A, to recognize a touch operation of the user thereon. The touch operation can be classified and analyzed as various touch operations to be described later. For example, it can be classified and analyzed according to the pressure of the touch operation, the direction of movement, and the like. Such classification and analysis can be realized by the above-described user operation recognition unique to the invention, but can also be realized by other known techniques, such as a technique using a pressure sensor or a piezoelectric sensor.
[0084] Therefore, when the above-described musical instrument unit 200A is employed, user inputs can be diversified because the user can not only depress keys but also perform various operations consciously or unconsciously, as the user plays music by touching a keyboard or the like of the musical instrument unit 200A.
[0085] The musical instrument unit 200A can perform communication with the user computer 100A by means of known wired/wireless communication. For example, in performing the communication, well-known technologies (such as wired communication, wireless data communication, wireless Internet communication, Wi-Fi communication, LTE standard communication, Bluetooth communication, and infrared communication) can be applied without limitation.
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[0087] Meanwhile, although the case where the input to the keyboard instrument varies in accordance with the user operation has been illustrated above, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, when the musical instrument unit 200A is not composed of a keyboard instrument, various user operations can also be realized with respect to other parts constituting the musical instrument unit 200A, such as a pipe of a wind instrument, a string of a string instrument, and a percussion surface or a stick of a percussion instrument.
[0088] Among the user operations as described above, those particularly illustrative are summarized below.
[0089] NoteOn operation: When a keyboard or the like is touched, a note assigned to the corresponding position is played back. The value of the key depression velocity can be determined according to the value of the pressure detected by the user operation recognition device at the moment of the touch.
[0090] Volume adjustment operation: The volume can be adjusted according to the value of the pressure applied to one key and detected by the user operation recognition device.
[0091] Pitch band operation: As the touch position on a key is moved upward/downward/leftward/rightward, the pitch of the corresponding note can be continuously adjusted.
[0092] Modulation operation: When a user tilts a finger upward/downward/leftward/rightward while holding a touch on the keyboard, the user can adjust the volume or pitch of the note of the corresponding position while simultaneously giving vibrato or other special effects.
[0093] NoteOff operation: When a touch on the keyboard is released, the corresponding note can be faded slowly or quickly. The velocity at which the note is faded can be adjusted according to the velocity at which the pressure caused by the touch is released. Depending on the velocity, an effect such as a fade-out can be implemented.
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[0099] As shown, an option key 210A configured by the user operation recognition device can be disposed on the left edge of the musical instrument unit 200A. When a user touches the option key implemented by the attached or disposed user operation recognition device, an option can be applied to a note outputted by a keyboard or the like being used together, according to a predetermined preference for the user operation recognition device. For example, the option can be a semitone up, a semitone down, an octave change, or the like. To this end, the user operation recognition device can generate and transmit a predetermined electrical signal. As described above, the generated electrical signal can be delivered to the user computer 100A via the MIDI shield and controller 300A, as necessary. In this process, the user computer 100A or the MIDI shield and controller 300A can perform a semitone up, a semitone down, an octave change, or the like of the outputted note.
[0100] The embodiments according to the invention as described above can be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer components, and can be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium. The non-temporary computer-readable recording medium can include program instructions, data files, data structures and the like, separately or in combination. The program instructions stored on the non-temporary computer-readable recording medium can be specially designed and configured for the present invention, or can also be known and available to those skilled in the computer software field. Examples of the non-temporary computer-readable recording medium include the following: magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tapes; optical media such as compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM) and digital versatile disks (DVDs); magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) and flash memory, which are specially configured to store and execute program instructions. Examples of the program instructions include not only machine language codes created by a compiler or the like, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The above hardware devices can be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the processes of the present invention, and vice versa.
[0101] Although the present invention has been described in terms of specific items such as detailed elements as well as the limited embodiments and the drawings, they are only provided to help more general understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that various modifications and changes can be made from the above description.
[0102] Therefore, the spirit of the present invention shall not be limited to the above-described embodiments, and the entire scope of the appended claims and their equivalents will fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.