WO2002080137A1

WO2002080137A1 - Built-in type tuning module for stringed instrument

Info

Publication number: WO2002080137A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001205
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hoon Chang
Original assignee: Orfeus Music Inc.
Priority date: 2001-03-30
Filing date: 2001-07-13
Publication date: 2002-10-10
Also published as: KR20020025641A

Abstract

Disclosed is a tuning module for a stringed instrument. The tuning module comprises a manipulating section, a sound detecting section, a waveform shaping section, a tuned status display section, a memory section, a control section and a housing. The control section determines upon input of a power-on signal a reference frequency in response to reference frequency hold/reset signals and a frequency of a current sound in response to a frequency detection signal. The control section outputs a tuning completion signal to the tuned status display section when a difference between a corresponding sound frequency of the reference frequencies and the frequency of the current sound is in a predetermined error range, and outputs a deviation display signal to the tuned status display section when the difference goes beyond the predetermined error range.

Description

BUILT-IN TYPE TUNING MODULE FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tuning device, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a tuning module which is built in a stringed instrument such as a guitar, a violin, and the like.

Background Art

In all musical instruments, it is necessary to precisely perform a tuning work before playing, so as to be able to create a melodious sound. Specifically, in the case of a stringed instrument such as a guitar, a violin, etc., which is severely changed in its tone by outer factors when compared to other musical instruments including a woodwind instrument, importance of a precise tuning work must be emphasized. Generally, tuning methods of a stringed instrument are divided into a relative tuning method using respective strings, a tuning method using tuning means, and a tuning method using an electronic tuner.

In the relative tuning method using respective strings, with respect to an unsupported string or a string supported by a fret, other strings are tuned. The relative tuning method is regarded as a convenient way in that it does not need separate tuning means. However, since tuning is carried out wholly depending upon a personal sense of sound, it is difficult to obtain a precise tuning result. Also, a problem is caused in that, when a sound of a reference string is wrongly tuned, all remaining strings cannot but be wrongly tuned.

Further, in the tuning method using tuning means, respective strings are tuned using a reference musical instrument such as a precisely tuned piano, or the like. This tuning method is sub-divided, depending upon tuning means, into a first tuning method using a tuning pipe, a second tuning method using a tuning fork and a third tuning method using a piano. However, in the tuning method using tuning means, a problem is caused in that it is necessary to carry separate tuning means so as to effect tuning of a stringed instrument, otherwise the stringed instrument can be tuned only at a place where tuning means is located. Also, because a player of the stringed instrument tunes strings of the stringed instrument in accordance with reference sounds created by the tuning means after hearing the reference sounds, in the result, as in the relative tuning method, it is difficult to obtain a precise tuning result.

In the tuning method using an electronic tuner, the electronic tuner as being an electronic device senses a frequency change upon vibration of a string and displays a tuned status. This method has an advantage in that precise tuning is enabled when compared to the above-described other tuning methods. However, in the tuning method using an electronic tuner, a problem is caused in that, as in the case of the tuning method using tuning means, it is necessary to carry the electronic tuner so as to effect tuning of a stringed instrument. Also, since a tuning work is performed in a state wherein the electronic tuner is separately placed from the stringed instrument, the likelihood of a tuning error to be induced due to an influence by noisy surroundings, is increased. In addition, the electronic tuner is apt to be lost, and, in case of dropping the electronic tuner while carrying or manipulating it, the electronic tuner is liable to be broken.

Disclosure of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a built-in type tuning module for a stringed instrument, which is convenient to use in that it is not necessary to carry separate tuning means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a built-in type tuning module for a stringed instrument, which is built in the stringed instrument in such a way as to minimize a tuning error induced by noisy surroundings. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a built-in type tuning module for a stringed instrument, of which probability to be broken due to dropping or to be lost is decreased. In order to achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tuning module for a stringed instrument, comprising: a manipulating section including a power switch for outputting power-on/off signals in obedience to manipulation of a user and a reference frequency resetting switch for outputting reference frequency hold/reset signals; a sound detecting section for converting a picked-up sound into an electrical signal and outputting the electrical signal; a waveform shaping section for shaping the electrical signal outputted from the sound detecting section and outputting a frequency detection signal; a tuned status display section for displaying a preset tuned status in response to input of a tuning completion signal or a deviation display signal; a memory section for storing frequency information including reference frequency information, corresponding sound frequency information for reference frequencies and pitch notation information; a control section for determining upon input of the power-on signal a reference frequency in response to the reference frequency hold/reset signals and a frequency of a current sound in response to the frequency detection signal, outputting the tuning completion signal to the tuned status display section when a difference between a corresponding sound frequency of the reference frequencies and the frequency of the current sound is in a predetermined error range, and outputting the deviation display signal to the tuned status display section when the difference between the corresponding sound frequency of the reference frequencies and the frequency of the current sound goes beyond the predetermined error range; and a housing having built therein the manipulating section, sound detecting section, waveform shaping section, tuned status display section, memory section and control section, the housing being mounted to the stringed instrument at a preselected position in a manner such that the manipulating section and the tuned status display section are exposed to the outside. According to another aspect of the present invention, the sound detecting section comprises any one selected from a group consisting of a piezoelectric element, a condenser microphone and a line-in jack.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the tuned status display section has pitch notation display means and deviation display means.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the tuned status display section comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes or a liquid crystal display. According to yet still another aspect of the present invention, the waveform shaping section includes a low pass filter for removing a radio-frequency component of an inputted signal and an A/D converter for converting an analog signal outputted from the low pass filter into a digital signal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of a built-in type tuning module for a stringed instrument in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a controlling procedure of the built-in type tuning module for a stringed instrument in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a reference view for explaining a tuning system of the built-in type tuning module for a stringed instrument in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a position where the built-in type tuning module for a stringed instrument in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is mounted to a guitar;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a position where the built-in type tuning module for a stringed instrument in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is mounted to a violin;

FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view illustrating the built-in type tuning module which is mounted to a guitar according to a first example of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view illustrating the built-in type tuning module which is mounted to a guitar according to a second example of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged view illustrating the built-in type tuning module which is mounted to a guitar according to a third example of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view illustrating the built-in type tuning module which is mounted to a guitar according to a fourth example of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating the built-in type tuning module which is mounted to a violin according to a fifth example of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating the built-in type tuning module which is mounted to a violin according to a sixth example of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. In the following description of the present invention, detailed explanations for known functions and configurations will be omitted when they may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

As shown in FIG. 1, a built-in type tuning module 100 for a stringed instrument in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a manipulating section 110, a sound detecting section 120, a waveform shaping section 130, a tuned status display section 140, a memory section 150, a control section 160, a power supply section 170 and a housing 180, which are connected one with another by a system bus.

1. Manipulating section

The manipulating section 110 serves as means which enables a person who wants to tune the stringed instrument, to select power-on/off of the built-in type tuning module 100 and a reference frequency. The manipulating section 110 includes a power switch 112 for outputting power-on/off signals in obedience to manipulation of the person, that is, a user, and a reference frequency resetting switch 114 for outputting reference frequency hold/reset signals. Also, the manipulating section 110 may further include lighting means for indicating power-on or power-off of the built-in type tuning module 100.

2. Sound detecting section The sound detecting section 120 functions to convert a picked-up sound into an electrical signal and then output the converted electrical signal. The sound detecting section 120 comprises any one selected from a group consisting of a piezoelectric element, a condenser microphone and a line-in jack.

The piezoelectric element employs a phenomenon that, when a pressure is applied to a crystal plate, positive/negative electric charges proportional to external force are induced on both surfaces of the crystal plate. The piezoelectric element outputs an electrical signal which is proportional to vibration of a string by plucking or bowing of the string. In the piezoelectric element, since vibration is transmitted by direct contact and thereby an influence by noisy surroundings can be minimized, the piezoelectric element can be effectively used as the sound detecting section in the present invention.

The condenser microphone converts a picked-up sound into an electrical signal and then, outputs the converted electrical signal. The condenser microphone can also be effectively used as the sound detecting section in the present invention. The condenser microphone is an element made by arranging fixed electrodes which have the same contours, on a thin vibratile membrane having a diameter of 10~20 mm so that the fixed electrodes face one to another and then, by forming a condenser. The condenser microphone operates in a manner such that vibration of the thin vibratile membrane by a sound wave is converted into a change in capacitance.

The line-in jack is an element which converts picked-up vibration of a string into an electrical signal and then, outputs the converted electrical signal.

3. Waveform shaping section

The waveform shaping section 130 functions to shape the electrical signal which is outputted from the sound detecting section 120 and output a frequency detection signal.

The waveform shaping section 130 includes a low pass filter 132 and an A/D converter 134. The low pass filter 132 removes a radio-frequency component from an inputted signal and then, outputs the signal which is deprived of the radio- frequency component. The A/D converter 134 converts an analog signal outputted from the low pass filter 132 into a digital signal and then, outputs the digital signal.

4. Tuned status display section The tuned status display section 140 displays a preset tuned status in response to input of a tuning completion signal or a deviation display signal which is outputted from the control section 160. The tuned status display section 140 comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) .

The tuned status display section 140 is largely composed of pitch notation display means and deviation display means. The pitch notation display means serves as a part for displaying a pitch notation of a picked-up sound by any one of C, D, E, F, G, A and B" or by a combination of any one of "C, D, E, F, G, A and B" with "#" . The pitch notation display means can be realized using LEDs (see FIGs. 6, 7 and 10) which are respectively assigned to pitch notations or an LCD on which a corresponding pitch notation character is displayed. The deviation display means displays a tuning completion status for a current string when a frequency of the picked-up sound is equal to a corresponding sound frequency which is previously stored in the memory section, or an extent of deviation when a difference between the frequency of the picked-up sound and the corresponding sound frequency goes beyond a predetermined error range. The deviation display means can be realized using a plurality of LEDs (see FIGs. 6,

7 and 10) including LEDs for displaying the tuning completion status and LEDs for displaying the extent of deviation, an LCD

(see FIG. 8) on which a pitch notation and a deviation indicating sign are displayed, or an LCD (see FIG. 9) on which a plurality of segment displaying electrodes are arranged.

The LEDs for displaying the extent of deviation can display the extent by a difference in light emission. In this connection, it is preferred that the LEDs for displaying the tuning completion status emit lights of a color which is different from that of the LEDs for displaying the extent of deviation, so as to be distinguished therefrom.

5. Memory section

The memory section 150 stores frequency information which includes reference frequency information, corresponding sound frequency information for reference frequencies and pitch notation information. The memory section 150 is composed of a ROM 152 in which a control program, a table for the frequency information, and so forth are stored and a RAM 154 serving as a working memory which includes a register or a buffer needed for execution of the control program.

The frequency information which is stored in the memory section 150, is varied depending upon a kind of a stringed instrument. That is to say, since stringed instruments are different one from another in the number of strings, tones of respective strings, octaves, etc., depending upon a kind of a stringed instrument to which the built-in type tuning module is applied, the reference frequency information, corresponding sound frequency information for reference frequencies and pitch notation information which are suited to the kind of the stringed instrument, are stored in the memory section 150.

6. Control section

The control section 160 determines, upon input of the power-on signal, a reference frequency in response to the reference frequency hold/reset signals and a frequency of a current sound in response to the frequency detection signal . The control section 160 outputs the tuning completion signal to the tuned status display section 140 when a difference between a corresponding sound frequency of the reference frequencies and the frequency of the current sound is in the predetermined error range, and outputs the deviation display signal to the tuned status display section 140 when the difference between the corresponding sound frequency of the reference frequencies and the frequency of the current sound goes beyond the predetermined error range. The control section 160 may have an automatic power shu -off function. By this, if the current string is not plucked or bowed for a predetermined period of time, for example, 2 minutes, the control section 160 recognizes that tuning is completed, and then, automatically shuts off the power of the built-in type tuning module.

A controlling procedure of the control section 160 includes, as shown in FIG. 2, a reference frequency confirming step S10, a frequency determining step S20, a pitch deviation calculating step S30 and a tuned status displaying step S40. The controlling procedure of the control section 160 is started in response to the power-on signal inputted from the power switch, by the program which is stored in the ROM 152 of the memory section 150.

In the reference frequency confirming step S10 which is an initial setting step, a reference frequency is set in response to input of the reference frequency hold signal or the reference frequency reset signal from the reference frequency resetting switch 114 of the manipulating section 110. In other words, when the reference frequency hold signal is inputted (that is, the reference frequency resetting switch 114 is not pressed) , a preset reference frequency is used as it is. On the contrary, when the reference frequency reset signal is inputted (that is, the reference frequency resetting switch 114 is pressed) , in a reference frequency resetting step S12, through manipulation of the reference frequency resetting switch by the person, the reference frequency is reset to a preselected frequency. The reference frequency designates a frequency which generally has a pitch notation of A. Preferably, the reference frequency has an initial value of 440 Hz and can be reset within a range of 438-444 Hz.

In the frequency determining step S20, a frequency and a pitch notation of a sound which is picked up from the frequency detection signal outputted from the waveform shaping section 130, are determined. Frequency determination is conducted by determining a frequency and a pitch notation of the picked-up sound from the frequency information which is stored in the memory section 150. As shown in FIG. 3, if a frequency of a pick-up sound is in a β range of -50-+50 cents from a frequency of the pitch notation C, a pitch notation is determined as ^λC .

In the pitch deviation calculating step S30, by comparing the corresponding sound frequency of the reset reference frequencies and the frequency of the pick-up sound, a pitch deviation therebetween is calculated, and, on the basis of the calculated pitch deviation, a tuned status is determined. ^• As shown in FIG. 3, when the pitch deviation between the frequency of the picked-up sound and the corresponding sound frequency is in an error range of al, it is determined by the control section 160 that tuning is completed. On the contrary, when the pitch deviation goes beyond the error range of al and instead is in any one of error ranges bl, b2, b3 and b4, it is determined by the control section 160 that the pitch deviation is not within a desired error range and a tuning work is in its progress . The desired error range al can be varied depending upon a model to which the built-in type tuning module is applied, and actually, can be set to -3~+3 cents.

In the tuned status display step S40, depending upon a tuned status which is determined in the pitch deviation calculating step S30, the tuning completion signal or the deviation display signal is outputted to the tuned status display section 140.

7. Power supply section

The power supply section 170 serves as means which supplies a driving voltage which is required for circuit driving. It is preferred that, as a battery of the power supply section 170, a conventional battery or a small-sized lithium battery is used. The small-sized lithium battery has a long lifttime, and, since it has a weight of about 3g, a weight-related burden can be eliminated. It is preferable to mount the battery in a vertical direction so that the battery can be easily changed with new one and occupies a minimal space. 8. Housing

The housing 180 functions to support a printed circuit board on which driving elements, chips, and so on, are installed, and serves as a cover of the built-in type tuning module which is disposed in the stringed instrument. The housing 180 has built therein the manipulating section 110, sound detecting section 120, waveform shaping section 130, tuned status display section 140, memory section 150 and control section 160. The housing 180 is mounted to the stringed instrument at a preselected position in a manner such that the manipulating section 110 and the tuned status display section 140 are exposed to the outside.

Size, shape and mounting position of the housing 180 can be varied relying upon a kind of a stringed instrument to which the built-in type tuning module is applied. In the case that the built-in type tuning module of the present invention is applied to a guitar, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferred that the built-in type tuning module is installed at a position Ml indicated adjacent to an upper end of a side plate 11 of the guitar 10. Due to this, a player of the guitar can optimally view the tuned status display section of the built- in type tuning module while plucking the string for the purpose of tuning it.

The housing 180 can be attached to the guitar using a flexible attachment sheet. Namely, after the housing is inserted through a hole defined at the preselected position (for example, adjacent to the upper end of the side plate 11) in a state wherein the housing is attached to a lower surface of the flexible attachment sheet, the attachment sheet is attached to the side plate 11 around the hole. The attachment sheet is defined with a hole for the tuned status display section which comprises the LEDs or LCD.

Also, in the case that the built-in type tuning module of the present invention is applied to a violin, as shown in FIG. 5, it is preferred that the built-in type tuning module is installed at a position M2 indicated on an end surface of a fingerboard 21 of the violin 20. Due to this, a player of the violin can optimally view the tuned status display section of the built-in type tuning module while bowing the string for the purpose of tuning it.

In the meanwhile, while the preferred embodiment is described with reference to the guitar and the violin, it is to be readily understood by a person skilled in the art that the present embodiment can be applied to viola, banjo, mandolin, etc.

As shown in FIG. 6, in a built-in type tuning module which is mounted to a guitar according to a first example of the present invention, a plurality of holes are defined adjacent to an upper end of a side plate 200 of the guitar, and LEDs and switches are exposed to the outside through the holes. The built-in type tuning module has pitch notation displaying LEDs dl which are arranged in a transverse direction, pitch deviation displaying LEDs d2 through d6, a power switch swl and a reference frequency resetting switch sw2. In the pitch deviation displaying LEDs, three or four LEDs can be additionally arranged both leftward and rightward of the centered LED d2.

As shown in FIG. 7, in a built-in type tuning module which is mounted to a guitar according to a second example of the present invention, a circular housing mounting hole is defined adjacent to an upper end of a side plate 300 of the guitar, and the built-in type tuning module is installed through the housing mounting hole. The built-in type tuning module has pitch notation displaying LEDs dl which are circularly arranged, pitch deviation displaying LEDs d2 through d6, a power switch swl, a reference frequency resetting switch sw2 and a battery cover cl. In the pitch deviation displaying LEDs, three or four LEDs can be additionally arranged both leftward and rightward of the centered LED d2. <Example 3>

As shown in FIG. 8, in a built-in type tuning module which is mounted to a guitar according to a third example of the present invention, a quadrangular housing mounting hole is defined adjacent to an upper end of a side plate 400 of the guitar, and the built-in type tuning module is installed through the housing mounting hole. The built-in type tuning module has a display window LCD, a power switch swl and a reference frequency resetting switch sw2. A reference frequency LI, a pitch notation L2 and a pitch deviation L3 are displayed on the display window LCD.

As shown in FIG. 9, in a built-in type tuning module which is mounted to a guitar according to a fourth example of the present invention, a quadrangular housing mounting hole is defined adjacent to an upper end of a side plate 500 of the guitar, and the built-in type tuning module is installed through the housing mounting hole. The built-in type tuning module has a display window LCD, a power switch swl and a reference frequency resetting switch sw2. A reference frequency LI, a pitch deviation L2 and a pitch notation L3 are displayed on the display window LCD.

<Example 5> As shown in FIG. 10, in a built-in type tuning module which is mounted to a violin according to a fifth example of the present invention, a module mounting hole 610 is defined on an end surface of a fingerboard 600, and the built-in type tuning module 620 for a violin is installed through the module mounting hole 610. The built-in type tuning module 620 has pitch notation displaying LEDs dl which are arranged in a transverse direction, pitch deviation displaying LEDs d2 through d6, a power switch swl and a reference frequency resetting switch sw2. In the pitch deviation displaying LEDs, three or four LEDs can be additionally arranged both leftward and rightward of the centered LED d2.

On the other hand, depending upon an application, by defining a module mounting hole to have a key-shaped cross- section and forming a housing of the built-in type tuning module for a violin to have a key-shaped configuration which corresponds to the key-shaped cross-section of the module mounting hole, the built-in type tuning module for a violin can be installed through the module mounting hole defined through the fingerboard.

As shown in FIG. 11, in a built-in type tuning module which is mounted to a violin according to a sixth example of the present invention, a module mounting hole 710 is defined on an end surface of a fingerboard 700, and the built-in type tuning module 720 for a violin is installed through the module mounting hole 710. The built-in type tuning module 720 has a display window LCD, a power switch swl and a reference frequency resetting switch sw2. A reference frequency LI, a pitch notation L2 and a pitch deviation L3 are displayed on the display window LCD.

Further, depending upon an application, by defining a module mounting hole to have a key-shaped cross-section and forming a housing of the built-in type tuning module for a violin to have a key-shaped configuration which corresponds to the key-shaped cross-section of the module mounting hole, the built-in type tuning module for a violin can be installed through the module mounting hole defined through the fingerboard.

Industrial Applicability

As a result, the built-in type tuning module for a stringed instrument according to the present invention provides advantages in that, since it is not necessary to carry separate tuning means, user convenience is rendered, probability of the tuning module to be broken due to dropping and to be lost is eliminated.

Also, the built-in type tuning module for a stringed instrument according to the present invention provides advantages in that, because it is built in the stringed instrument, a tuning error due to noisy surroundings can be minimized.

Moreover, the built-in type tuning module for a stringed instrument according to the present invention provides advantages in that, since it does not deteriorate an outer appearance and a structure of the stringed instrument and instead is harmonized with the outer appearance of the stringed instrument, valuableness thereof is improved. Furthermore, the built-in type tuning module for a stringed instrument according to the present invention provides advantages in that, because it can be manipulated in an easy manner, even a beginner who is not a good hand at a tuning work, can adequately tune the stringed instrument.

Claims

1. A tuning module for a stringed instrument, comprising: a manipulating section including a power switch for outputting power-on/off signals in obedience to manipulation of a user and a reference frequency resetting switch for outputting reference frequency hold/reset signals; a sound detecting section for converting a picked-up sound into an electrical signal and outputting the electrical signal; a waveform shaping section for shaping the electrical signal outputted from the sound detecting section and outputting a frequency detection signal; a tuned status display section for displaying a preset tuned status in response to input of a tuning completion signal or a deviation display signal; a memory section for storing frequency information including reference frequency information, corresponding sound frequency information for reference frequencies and pitch notation information; a control section for determining upon input of the power-on signal a reference frequency in response to the reference frequency hold/reset signals and a frequency of a current sound in response to the frequency detection signal, outputting the tuning completion signal to the tuned status display section when a difference between a corresponding sound frequency of the reference frequencies and the frequency of the current sound is in a predetermined error range, and outputting the deviation display signal to the tuned status display section when the difference between the corresponding sound frequency of the reference frequencies and the frequency of the current sound goes beyond the predetermined error range; and a housing having built therein the manipulating section, sound detecting section, waveform shaping section, tuned status display section, memory section and control section, the housing being mounted to the stringed instrument at a preselected position in a manner such that the manipulating section and the tuned status display section are exposed to the outside.

2. The tuning module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sound detecting section comprises any one selected from a group consisting of a piezoelectric element, a condenser microphone and a line-in jack.

3. The tuning module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tuned status display section has pitch notation display means and deviation display means .

4. The tuning module as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the tuned status display section comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes or a liquid crystal display.

5. The tuning module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the waveform shaping section includes a low pass filter for removing a radio-frequency component of an inputted signal and an A/D converter for converting an analog signal outputted from the low pass filter into a digital signal .