US 4,307,648 A · Method and apparatus for measuring the dynamics of a piano performance

Abstract

The dynamics of a piano performance are measured by measuring the dynamics of each individual note played. This measurement is accomplished by measuring the "near terminal velocity" of the hammer shank associated with each note, the velocity determining the "loudness" of the note. In order to make this velocity measurement without affecting appreciably the "feel" of the piano, a notched shutter is secured to the hammer shank for the particular hammer associated with each note for cooperation with an optical switch (light source and photo cell). When any one note is played, the corresponding hammer shank will move upwardly to cause the hammer to strike the appropriate piano string and in the upward movement, the top of the shutter will intercept the optical switch to generate an initiating signal. This initiating signal starts a count in an electronic counter. As the shank continues to move upwardly, the bottom edge of the notch will generate an end-of-count signal which will terminate the count in the electronic counter. The time increment defined by the count is inversely proportional to the "near terminal velocity" of the hammer.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method of measuring the dynamics of a piano performance including the steps of:

(a) providing a separate shutter means for each hammer shank of said piano;
(b) providing a separate optical switch assembly for cooperation with said shutter means;
(c) providing a separate electronic counter means for each optical switch assembly, said counter means being responsive to an initiating signal from said optical switch assembly to start a count and to an end-of-count signal from said optical switch assembly to terminate said count, the total count defining a time increment;
(d) forming longitudinal slots through said hammer shanks lying in the respective planes of motion of the shanks;
and
(e) securing said shutter means in said slots at given adjustable spacings from said optical assemblies such that said shutter means will intercept light in said optical assemblies to generate said initiating and end-of-count signals when the corresponding note for said hammer shank is played,
the total count registered comprising a digital signal constituting an inverse function of the near terminal hammer velocity
whereby the dynamics of a piano performance can be measured by recording the digital signals for each note played as determined by the shutter means extending from the top sides of the hammer shanks.

5 more elements

An apparatus for measuring the dynamics of a piano performance on a piano wherein the hammer shanks of the piano are normally disposed a given spacing below the piano pin block, including, in combination:

(a) individual shutter means carried by said hammer shanks respectively so as to extend upwardly from said shanks;
(b) individual optical switch assemblies for cooperation with said individual shutter means respectively;
and,
(c) individual electronic counter means for each of the optical switch assemblies, respectively and responsive to an initiating signal from said optical switch assembly to start a count and to an end-of-count signal from said optical switch assembly to terminate said count, the total count defining a time increment, the relative spacing between the shutter means and optical switch assemblies being such that the shutter means intercepts light in the optical switch assemblies to generate said initiating and end-of-count signals when the corresponding note for said hammer shank is played, the total count registered comprising a digital signal constituting an inverse function of the near terminal hammer velocity,
whereby the dynamics of each note played in said piano performance are defined by an associated digital signal.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for measuring the dynamics of a piano performance

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for measuring the dynamics of a piano performance

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11