EP3568849B1 - Emulation of at least one sound of a drum-type percussion instrument - Google Patents

Description

Technical Field and Prior Art

The present invention relates to the field of musical instruments, and more particularly to the field of percussion instruments.

One of the objects of the present invention is to make available to users, musicians and music lovers, a method and a computer system for emulation making it possible to emulate on a communication terminal of the type for example “ SmartPhone ” at least one sound. percussion instrument using a plurality of electronic sensors embedded in striking elements such as sticks or drum pedals.

The present invention thus finds many advantageous applications in the field of batteries. Obviously, other advantageous applications can also be envisaged for other percussion instruments.

Musicians (here drummers) currently have several solutions available to them for playing the drums.

• les batteries dites acoustiques ;
• les batteries dites électroniques ; et
• les batteries dites virtuelles ou encore appelées « air batteries ».

Among these solutions, the following families are mainly distinguished:

• so-called acoustic batteries;
• so-called electronic batteries; and
• so-called virtual batteries or also called “ air batteries”.

Acoustic drums have a conventional configuration and are composed in particular of one or more toms and / or one or more cymbals.

Conventionally, by tapping each of these elements using drum sticks and / or pedals, the musician generates a sound associated with each tom or each cymbal.

These acoustic drums have many advantages, especially for the musician who has a real pleasure and a real comfort of playing.

Musicians also appreciate acoustic drums since they are the only ones to provide a sound that can be described as natural.

It will also be noted that acoustic drums do not require any computer device or any power source to operate.

On the other hand, acoustic drums have non-negligible drawbacks such as, for example, the fact of being very bulky and heavy to transport.

These batteries are therefore intended primarily for so-called sedentary use.

They are also noisy for normal use.

It is therefore difficult to play the drums, for example in an apartment, both for reasons of neighborhood and for reasons of space.

For the same reasons, it will be understood that it is also difficult to play acoustic drums in the street or outside the home.

Electronic drums are also made up in particular of one or more toms and one or more cymbals. In a characteristic way, each of the constituent elements of the electronic drums is instrumented by one or more electronic sensors.

Generally, the sensors used are piezoelectric sensors.

By tapping each of the drum elements using drum sticks and / or pedals, the various sensors generate an electronic signal specific to each of these elements.

The signals generated by the system are then sent to a control and sound generation module directly attached to the battery.

The signals used are MIDI type signals.

Many models of electronic drums also allow MIDI signals to be transmitted to third-party devices.

The playing comfort of these electronic drums is very appreciable.

By integrating this electronics, the batteries offer the possibility of modulating the sound volume; they also offer the possibility of changing the tone, of recording a melody played on an electronic medium or of interacting with various software.

However, these electronic batteries are still bulky and heavy to transport.

It will also be noted that these batteries require a power supply and sound amplification or listening equipment to listen to the game induced by the strikes on the battery cells. The publication US 2016/0322040 A1 proposes an electronic percussion instrument comprising striking elements of the mallet or stick type making it possible to simulate a battery. Each mallet has sensors to determine the azimuth or angle at which a strike takes place. A map (mapping table) is defined ( fig. 5A ) allowing to assign sounds of virtual instruments generated according to the playing angle in relation to the user. Mallets are wireless connected and feature LED play indicators. Several virtual battery geometries are selectable. The mallets also feature accelerometers and geomagnetic sensors.

US 2013/0152768 A1 offers an electronic percussion instrument comprising mallets with sensors and a playing surface comprising sensors and reconfigurable playing zones. Mallets include accelerometers and can predict the strike moment and force information to be sent to the sound generator. A gyroscope (gyrometer) also predicts in which area the strike will take place. Each zone of the surface can be assigned to a different MIDI program.

JP 2007-256736 A offers electronic mallets for "Air Drum", comprising gyrometer and accelerometer sensors detecting three playing zones in space. These areas can be adjusted but not dynamically.

Virtual batteries or “ air batteries ” represent a new generation of batteries which respond to the space requirement mentioned above.

These drums are made up of sticks, pedals and electronic sensors attached to these striking elements.

In terms of play, the musician equips himself with these striking elements and mimics the game by tapping in the air on invisible areas.

The movements of his sticks are then computerized into sounds using third-party devices (computer or “ Smartphone ”) and this in real time.

One of the main drawbacks of “ air drums ” lies in the fact that the musician taps in the air and cannot benefit in his playing from the force feedback linked to the bounce of the stick on a part of the drums.

It is not a natural game, but a mime of the drummer's game, which makes it unattractive for real musicians who necessarily need this force feedback to maintain the pleasure and comfort of play provided by acoustic drums and electronic drums.

Thus, the applicant submits that the virtual drums as they are proposed today do not win the vote of the drummers because they do not offer a technology allowing to play the drums with a minimum of material while maintaining the comfort and playability.

Summary and object of the present invention

The present invention aims to improve the situation described above, by providing a method according to claim 1, a device according to claim 8 and a system according to claim 9.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to remedy the various drawbacks mentioned above by proposing a computer system of the virtual drums type which, in addition to existing solutions, provides the pleasure and comfort desired by musicians in order to preserve the sensations in the music. Game.

The object of the present invention relates according to a first aspect to a method for emulating one or more sounds of a percussion instrument of the drum type using one or more striking elements each instrumented by an electronic device.

Advantageously, the electronic device is removably attached to the striking element.

The electronic device is therefore removable and comprises assembly means configured to cooperate with complementary assembly means of said striking element so as to allow the integral assembly of said device with said striking element. Preferably, the device is positioned on the median part of the striking element and does not interfere with the musician's striking.

According to the present invention, the electronic device comprises one or more sensors configured to provide at least one piece of information, called typing, relating to a typing of a user with said typing element.

This information contains, for example, information on the movement of the strike (for example the speed, the location of the striking element, the intensity of the strike, etc.).

Advantageously, the method according to the present invention is implemented by computer means and comprises an initialization phase and a game phase.

• une définition sur au moins un support tangible d'une ou plusieurs zones de frappe ; et
• une assignation dans une base de données de chaque zone de frappe préalablement définie avec un élément de batterie associé à un son prédéterminé.

More particularly, the initialization phase comprises the following steps:

• a definition on at least one tangible medium of one or more striking zones; and
• an assignment in a database of each hit zone previously defined with a drum element associated with a predetermined sound.

By tangible medium is meant throughout the following description a medium having a physical and palpable materiality, such a medium making it possible to obtain the force feedback expected by the drummers for their comfort and their playing pleasure.

It may, for example, be a table, a wall or any other type of equivalent support offering mechanical resistance allowing force feedback in the impactor. It will be noted here that it can also be a tom or a cymbal.

• suite à une frappe de l'utilisateur avec l'élément de frappe, une acquisition d'au moins un signal de frappe généré par le ou les capteurs et comprenant au moins une information de frappe ;
• un traitement dudit au moins un signal de frappe pour localiser spatialement la frappe afin de détecter la zone de frappe et déterminer par comparaison avec la base de données l'élément de batterie correspondant à cette zone frappe frappée ;
• une génération d'un signal de son comprenant une information relative au son généré virtuellement par la frappe de l'élément de frappe sur la zone frappée.

Advantageously, the game phase comprises the following steps:

• following a typing by the user with the typing element, an acquisition of at least one typing signal generated by the sensor (s) and comprising at least one typing information;
• processing said at least one strike signal to spatially locate the strike in order to detect the strike zone and determine by comparison with the database the battery element corresponding to this struck strike zone;
• generating a sound signal comprising information relating to the sound generated virtually by the striking of the impactor on the struck area.

Thanks to this succession of technical steps, characteristic of the present invention, musicians have an emulation of the sound of a percussion instrument without having to have cumbersome equipment (toms, cymbals, etc.).

The present invention, thanks to the generation of one or more sound signals, allows musicians to play with a minimum of equipment and to record their playing without having to place microphones and / or without having to go through an electronic drum kit. .

The definition of striking zones on tangible supports ensures for its part the comfort and enjoyment of playing expected by musicians, and distinguishes the present invention from the current systems proposed with “ air drums”.

Once the striking zones are defined and the musician has built his database by associating a virtual drum element with each zone, he can play the drums with his striking elements (here sticks and pedals for example). This initialization phase allows a real customization of the game and the virtual battery.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sensor comprises a sensor of the accelerometer type. In this mode, the sensor provides, during the acquisition step, information relating to the speed of the impactor. Still in this mode, the speed of the striking element is taken into consideration to calculate during the generation step the sound intensity of the sound generated virtually by the striking of the element on the zone.

Other parameters supplied by the sensor may also be taken into consideration to calculate this intensity.

It is also possible to provide for the additional detection of impacts on the support by adding a piezoelectric sensor on the impactor.

In another embodiment which can be combined with the previous embodiment, the sensor comprises a sensor of the gyroscope type.

In this other mode, the sensor provides, during the acquisition step, information relating to the spatial coordinates of the striking element during the impact of the striking element in the striking zone. Still in this mode, the spatial coordinates of the striking element are taken into consideration during the processing step to spatially locate the strike.

The integration of such a sensor makes it possible to obtain reliable information relating to the impact of the strike on the support in order to precisely determine the location of the impact.

The use of such a gyroscope also makes it possible to define the striking zones during the initialization phase.

According to an alternative embodiment, each striking zone is defined by the user using a sensor of the gyroscope type; this provides during the definition step the spatial coordinates associated with the center of the strike zone and with the periphery thereof.

Advantageously, the method according to the present invention further comprises during the game phase a first step of transmitting the sound signal to a communication terminal.

This transmission of the sound signal to the terminal is done via wireless communication means and allows sound reproduction on the terminal of the sound generated virtually by the striking of the element on the zone.

It will be understood here that the sound signal generated by the electronic device is intelligible by the terminal which comprises software means configured for reading this signal and the information it contains.

It should also be noted that having such a signal transmitted to the terminal considerably facilitates access to social networks and to computer music sharing platforms.

Advantageously, the method according to the present invention also comprises a second step of transmitting the typing signal to the communication terminal.

Likewise, this transmission of the typing signal to the terminal takes place via wireless communication means and allows for example a visual representation on the terminal of the movements of each typing element.

It will be understood here that the typing signal generated by the sensor (s) can be understood and used directly by the terminal which comprises software means configured for reading this or these signals and the information contained in this or these signals.

In addition to the movements of the striking elements, provision may also be made for the terminal to make it possible to follow the drummer's tempo or to analyze the drummer's hitting precision.

The terminal will also make it possible to analyze the drummer's playing in real time as part of the use of drum learning functions (scores, lessons, etc.).

The musicians using the system can thus practice and watch in real time if their playing corresponds to the score on which they are playing (visual and sound alerts linked to the tempo and to the elements which must be struck from the software).

Correspondingly, the object of the present invention relates according to a second aspect to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for the execution of the steps of the method as described above, this in particular when said computer program is executed by at least one processor.

Such a computer program can use any programming language, and be in the form of a source code, an object code, or an intermediate code between a source code and an object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

Likewise, the object of the present invention relates according to a third aspect to a recording medium readable by a computer on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for the execution of the steps of the method as described above. .

On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can comprise a storage means, such as a ROM memory, for example a CD-ROM or a ROM memory of the microelectronic circuit type, or else a magnetic recording means or a hard disk.

On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other ways. The computer program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded from an Internet type network.

Alternatively, the recording medium can be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method in question.

According to a fourth aspect, the object of the present invention relates to a removable electronic device for emulating at least one sound of a percussion instrument of the drum type.

According to the invention, the device comprises computer means configured for implementing the steps of the method described above.

• des moyens de définition configurés pour définir au moins une zone de frappe sur au moins un support tangible ;
• des moyens d'assignation configurés pour, dans une base de données, assigner à ladite au moins une zone de frappe un élément de batterie associé à un son prédéterminé ;
• au moins un capteur configuré pour générer un signal de frappe comprenant au moins une information, dite de frappe, relative à une frappe d'un utilisateur avec ledit au moins un élément de frappe dans ladite au moins une zone de frappe ;
• des moyens informatiques de traitement mettant en œuvre un algorithme de traitement configuré pour traiter ledit signal de frappe de manière à localiser spatialement ladite frappe afin de détecter ladite zone de frappe et déterminer par comparaison avec ladite base de données l'élément de batterie correspondant à cette zone frappée ;
• des moyens de génération configurés pour générer un signal de son comprenant une information relative au son généré virtuellement par ladite frappe de l'élément de frappe sur ladite zone.

More particularly, the electronic device according to the present invention is intended to instrument a striking element and comprises in particular:

• definition means configured to define at least one strike zone on at least one tangible medium;
• assignment means configured to, in a database, assign to said at least one strike zone a drum element associated with a predetermined sound;
• at least one sensor configured to generate a typing signal comprising at least one piece of information, called typing, relating to a hit by a user with said at least one typing element in said at least one typing zone;
• computer processing means implementing a processing algorithm configured to process said keystroke signal so as to locate spatially said strike in order to detect said strike zone and determine by comparison with said database the battery element corresponding to this struck zone;
• generating means configured to generate a sound signal comprising information relating to the sound generated virtually by said striking of the striking element on said zone.

Preferably, the device also comprises assembly means configured to allow integral assembly of the device with the impactor.

• un dispositif électronique amovible tel que décrit ci-dessus, et
• un terminal de communication apte à communiquer avec le dispositif électronique par des moyens de communication sans fil,

According to a fifth aspect, the object of the present invention relates to a computer system for emulating at least one sound of a percussion instrument of the drum type, said system comprising:

• a removable electronic device as described above, and
• a communication terminal able to communicate with the electronic device by wireless communication means,

According to the invention, the communication terminal comprises software means configured to receive and process the sound signal generated by the device for sound reproduction of the sound generated virtually by the striking of the striking element on the striking zone.

Thus, the object of the present invention, by its various functional and structural aspects described above, allows musicians and more particularly drummers to play with a minimum of equipment while maintaining their comfort and their playing pleasure.

Brief description of the attached figures

• la figure 1 représente de façon schématique un utilisateur jouant avec des éléments de frappe instrumentés par une pluralité de dispositifs électroniques conformes à un exemple de réalisation de la présente invention ;
• les figures 2, 3 et 4 représentent chacune de façon schématique l'instrumentation d'un élément de frappe par un dispositif électronique conforme à l'invention ;
• les figures 5 et 6 représentent de façon schématique les différentes étapes de la définition des zones de frappe selon un exemple de réalisation de la présente invention ;
• la figure 7 représente un ordinogramme représentant les différentes étapes du procédé selon un exemple de réalisation de la présente invention ;
• La figure 8 représente de façon schématique un système informatique d'émulation d'un son d'instrument de percussion conforme à l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to figures 1 to 8 appended which illustrate an exemplary embodiment thereof without any limiting nature and on which:

• the figure 1 schematically represents a user playing with striking elements instrumented by a plurality of electronic devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
• the figures 2 , 3 and 4 each schematically represent the instrumentation of a striking element by an electronic device according to the invention;
• the figures 5 and 6 schematically represent the different steps of the definition of the striking zones according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
• the figure 7 represents a flowchart representing the different steps of the method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
• The figure 8 schematically represents a computer system for emulating a percussion instrument sound in accordance with the invention.

Detailed description according to an advantageous embodiment

A method of emulating the sound of a percussion instrument as well as the system associated with it will now be described in what follows with reference in conjunction with figures 1 to 8 .

As a reminder, one of the objectives of the present invention is to maintain the comfort and enjoyment of playing offered by acoustic drums, while offering the same advantages as a virtual drum (reduced size, little equipment required, interactivity). .

This is made possible in the example which follows.

Beforehand, it will be specified here that the example described here relates to batteries. It will be understood here that a person skilled in the art will be able to apply the invention to other percussion instruments.

In the example described here, the user U has a plurality of removable electronic devices 100 as illustrated in figure 1 .

In this example, the user U attaches each of these devices 100 to drum sticks ( figure 2 ), on a bass drum pedal ( figure 3 ) or on a Charleston rod ( figure 4 ).

We will speak here more generally of EF striking elements to designate the elements used by the musician to play the drums and strike the drum elements (cymbals, boxes, toms, etc.).

The fixing of each of the devices 100 on the impactors EF is carried out by assembly means not described here. It may be a fixing system of the strap type, of the male / female type or of the snap-in system type or the like.

As mentioned above, the objective here is to maintain the comfort and playing pleasure of acoustic drums.

To do this, the user U must in the example described here define typing zones ZF during an initialization phase P1.

Characteristically, in this phase P1, a so-called definition step S1 is provided during which the user U defines these zones ZF on one or more tangible supports.

This definition of ZF striking zones allows the invention to differentiate itself from conventional solutions of virtual drums in which there is no zone strictly speaking since until now the user had to play by striking in the air in mimicking the drummer's gestures.

In this example, it is therefore appropriate to define these ZF zones.

User U first defines the center C_ZF of the strike zone ZF ( figure 5 ).

He must then define the periphery P_ZF of this strike zone ZF ( figure 6 ).

This definition S1 is produced by software definition means 40 integrated into the device 100.

The software which manages this definition S1 of the zones ZF therefore invites the user U to point the rod EF on which the device 100 is fixed on any support (here for example a box) to define the center of the striking zone ZF ( figure 5 ).

The device 100 which comprises a gyroscope 20 then supplies the software with the x, y and z coordinates associated with the center C_ZF of the strike zone ZF designated by the user.

It will be noted that, in this example, the support chosen by the user U is a battery cell (here a case). Alternatively, the user could within the framework of the present invention choose a table as support. It will be understood here that any type of fixed physical support having sufficient mechanical strength to allow force feedback and / or rebound of the impactor EF can serve as a support in the context of the present invention, which makes it possible to play. battery anywhere.

The software then invites the user U to define the periphery P_ZF of this zone ZF still with this instrumented FE rod which provides the x, y and z coordinates associated with the periphery P_ZF of the zone ZF ( figure 6 ).

The software thus records the spatial coordinates in x, y and z of a first strike zone defined by the center C_ZF thereof and its periphery P_ZF.

The user U can in the same way define several typing zones ZF.

The latter is then invited during this phase P1 to associate a battery cell with each strike zone ZF. This is done during an assignment step S2 by assignment software means 50.

In this example, therefore, an assignment is provided during which the user U can assign in a database DB each strike zone ZF previously defined with a drum element, for example the bass drum, the low tom, the drum. clear, the Charleston or the cymbals (crash, ride, etc.).

In this DB database, a sound is already associated with each drum element.

The database DB thus constructed makes it possible to assign a sound associated with a drum element with a typing zone ZF defined virtually by the user U on any medium such as for example a drum element, a table or a wall .

The personalization of these ZF zones as well as the assignment of a battery cell to each ZF zone allows the user U to configure his battery as he wishes.

Once the DB database is built user U is ready to play drums ( figure 1 ).

It then suffices for him during a phase of play P2 to strike with the aid of his striking elements EF the zone or zones of strikes ZF which he has previously defined.

The electronic device 100 then comprises a plurality of sensors among which there are in particular an accelerometer 10 and a gyroscope 20 coupled to a magnetometer 30.

The device 100 also includes a piezoelectric sensor (not shown here). Such a sensor is capable of providing information indicating that the impactor element EF has struck another element (here for example the support).

In this example and as shown in figures 7 and 8 , the gyroscope 20 is able to supply, during a step S4, information relating to the spatial coordinates x, y and z of the impactor EF during the impact of the impactor EF on the support. The accelerometer 10 provides for its part information relating to the speed v of the impactor EF during the strike.

The sensor module 10 and 20 will therefore generate a strike signal s1 comprising strike information containing in particular the spatial coordinates x, y and z of the strike element EF during the impact of the strike element EF on the support as well as the speed v of the impactor EF during the strike.

This signal s1 is then processed during a step S5 by computer processing means 60 (for example a processor).

More particularly, these processing means 60 process the signal s1 so as to detect S5_1 the zone ZF struck by the rod EF by analyzing the spatial coordinates x, y and z by comparison with the database DB.

When there is correspondence between the coordinates x, y and z supplied by the sensor 20 and the information contained in the database DB, the processing means 60 are able to detect that a strike zone ZF defined by l user U during phase P1 was hit.

Once the hit zone ZF is detected, the processing means 60 interrogate this same database during a step S5_2 to determine the battery element associated with the hit zone ZF.

In the example described here, the device 100 further comprises generation means 70 configured to generate, during a step S6, a sound signal s2 comprising information relating to the sound generated virtually by the striking of the impactor EF on the ZF zone.

It will be noted here that the electronics on board the system make it possible to generate this signal s2 with a latency close to 0 ms, that is to say generation of the signal in quasi-real time.

This generation S6 of the sound signal s2 is therefore a function of the struck zone ZF and of the speed v. This speed v is in fact translated by the means 70 for determining the loudness of the sound associated with the strike.

It is desirable for the sound signal s2 to include information that can be understood and used by the communication terminal 110 illustrated in figures 1 and 8 .

In the example described here, the sound signal s2 as well as possibly the keystroke signal s1 are transmitted respectively during the transmission steps S8 and S7 to the terminal 110, and this preferably via wireless communication means (not illustrated here) using for example a wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth ®, NFC, etc.

The communication terminal 110 then has software means specially configured to process and analyze the signals received in order to allow sound reproduction S10 of the sound generated virtually by the striking of the element EF on the struck zone ZF.

Likewise, in this example, provision is made for the presence of software means configured to allow a visual representation S9 of the movements of the typing elements EF by the user U, which makes it possible in particular to visualize on the screen of the terminal 110 the tempo or to visualize the precision of the game.

In the example described here, the terminal 110 comprises software means (not shown here) configured to analyze the game of the drummer in real time; such an analysis of the game allows, for example, the implementation of learning functions for the drums (scores, lessons, etc.).

Musicians using the system 200 can thus practice and watch in real time whether their playing corresponds to the score on which they are playing (visual and sound alerts linked to the tempo and to the elements which must be struck from the software).

It will be noted here that, within the scope of the present invention, it is also provided for synchronization means (not shown here) configured to synchronize the internal clocks of each electronic device so that the signals generated by each device are synchronous with each other. . For this purpose, the system devices are synchronized before each game phase.

The present invention thus provides a true computer system 200 for emulating the sound of a percussion instrument with a minimum of hardware.

Such a system 200 is composed in particular of an electronic device 100 such as that described above, of a communication terminal 110 comprising dedicated software applications and of a specific database DB. It will be noted here that the database DB can be stored on a remote server or directly on the communication terminal 110.

The electronic device 100, for its part, is presented as an easy-to-use, compact device which is removable and is attached, for example, to drum sticks or to a drum pedal.

Such a device 100 coupled with dedicated software allows real-time recovery of the struck areas (physical impact of the sticks on which the sensors are attached or impact of the drum pedals on solid supports), the punching power, the punching speed and the precise location of the impact in a multidimensional environment.

• émuler le son d'une batterie ;
• enregistrer le jeu du batteur en vue d'une exploitation musicale future ;
• suivre son tempo ;
• apprécier la précision des frappes ;
• suivre la progression du batteur.

The various data collected by the device 100 are subject to real-time computer processing and are then sent to the communication terminal 110 which in particular allows, thanks to a dedicated software application, to be able in particular:

• emulate the sound of a drum set;
• record the drummer's performance for future musical exploitation;
• follow his tempo;
• appreciate the precision of keystrokes;
• follow the progress of the drummer.

It will thus be noted that the system proposed here in the context of the present invention promotes learning the drums and simplifies the recording and sharing of the drummer's playing.

One of the other advantages of the present invention is to be able to restore the real game of a drummer thanks to the pleasure and the playing comfort provided by the force feedback provided by the strike on the support and not in the air as proposed. currently in the “ air batteries”.

By playing the drums, the drummer can thus record his playing in a precise, fast and easy way while respecting his personalized configuration (position and locations of his toms, cymbals) and therefore of his impact points.

He will not have to position microphones or strike sensors on his strike zones.

It should be observed that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but that in no case does this description have any character limiting the subject of the invention; on the contrary, its objective is to remove any possible imprecision or any misinterpretation of the following claims.

It should also be observed that the reference signs placed in brackets in the following claims are in no way limiting; the sole purpose of these signs is to improve the intelligibility and understanding of the claims which follow as well as the scope of the protection sought.

Claims (9)

1. Method for emulating at least one sound of a drum-type percussion instrument using at least one striking element (EF) instrumentalised by an electronic device (100) attached in a removable manner to said at least one striking element (EF) and comprising at least one sensor (10, 20) designed to provide at least one piece of information, referred to as stroke information, on a stroke of a user (U) with said at least one striking element (EF), said at least one sensor (10, 20) comprising a gyroscope-type sensor (20) configured to provide information on the spatial coordinates of the striking element (EF) at the time of the impact of the striking element (EF) in the striking area (ZF),
   said method implemented by computer-based means comprising:

   a) an initialisation phase (P1) comprising the steps of:

   - defining (S1), on at least one tangible support, at least one striking area (ZF), said at least one striking area (ZF) being defined by the user (U) using said gyroscope-type sensor (20) providing spatial coordinates of the striking element (EF) at the time of the impact of the striking element (EF) in the at least one striking area (ZF);

   - allocating (S2), in a database (DB), said at least one striking area (ZF) previously defined with a drum kit element associated with a predetermined sound;

   b) a playing phase (P2) comprising the steps of:

   - after a stroke (S3) by the user (U) with said striking element (EF) in said at least one striking area (ZF), acquiring (S4) at least one stroke signal (s1) generated by said at least one sensor (10, 20) and comprising said at least one piece of stroke information, said at least one sensor (10, 20) providing spatial coordinates of the striking element (EF) during the stroke (S3);

   - processing (S5) said at least one stroke signal (s1) by taking into consideration the spatial coordinates of the striking element (EF) in order to spatially locate said stroke in such a way as to spatially locate (S5_1) said stroke in order to detect said area (ZF) struck and to determine (S5_2), by comparing with said database (DB), the drum element corresponding to said area (ZF) struck;

   - generating (S6) a sound signal (s2) comprising information on the sound virtually generated by said stroke of the striking element (EF) in said area (ZF) struck.
2. Method according to claim 1, said at least one sensor (10, 20) comprising an accelerometer-type sensor (10), wherein, during the acquisition step (S4), said sensor (10) provides information on the velocity (v) of said striking element (EF), and wherein, during the generation step (S6), said velocity of said striking element (EF) is taken into consideration in order to calculate the intensity (i) of said sound virtually generated by said stroke of the element (EF) in said area (ZF).
3. Method according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, during the definition step (S1), said at least one sensor (10, 20) comprising a gyroscope-type sensor (20) provides the spatial coordinates (x, y, z) associated with the centre (C_ZF) of the striking area (ZF) and with the periphery (P_ZF) thereof.
4. Method according to any of the previous claims, which method comprises a first step (S7) of transmitting said sound signal (s2) to a communication terminal (110) by wireless communication means in order to audibly reproduce the sound virtually generated by said stroke of the element (EF) in said area (ZF) on said terminal (110).
5. Method according to any of the previous claims, which method comprises a second step (S8) of transmitting said stroke signal (s1) to said communication terminal (110) by wireless communication means in order to visually display the movements of said at least one striking element (EF) on said terminal (110).
6. Computer programme comprising instructions suitable for executing the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 5, when said programme is executed by at least one processor.
7. Computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program is recorded, said computer program comprising instructions for executing the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 5.
8. Removable electronic device (100) for emulating at least one sound of a drum-type percussion instrument, said device (100) being intended to instrumentalise a striking element (EF), comprising:

   - at least one sensor (10, 20) designed to generate a stroke signal (s1) comprising at least one piece of so-called stroke information on a stroke of a user (U) with said at least one striking element (EF) in said at least one striking area (ZF), said at least one sensor (10, 20) comprising a gyroscope-type sensor (20) configured to provide information on the spatial coordinates of the striking element (EF) at the time of the impact of the striking element (EF) in the striking area (ZF);

   - defining means (40) designed to define at least one striking area (ZF) on at least one tangible support, said defining means (40) and said gyroscope-type sensor (20) are configured to cooperate with each other so that said at least one striking area (ZF) is defined by the user (U) using said gyroscope-type sensor (20) providing spatial coordinates of the striking element (EF) at the time of the impact of the striking element (EF) in the at least one striking area (ZF);

   - allocating means (50) designed to allocate a drum element associated with a predetermined sound to said at least one striking area (ZF), in a database (DB);

   - computer processing means (60) implementing a processing algorithm of said stroke signal (s1) taking into consideration the spatial coordinates of the striking element (EF) to spatially locate said stroke in order to detect said area struck and to determine, by comparing with said database (DB), the drum element corresponding to said area (ZF) struck;

   - generating means (70) designed to generate a sound signal (s2) comprising information on the sound virtually generated by said stroke of the striking element (EF) in said area struck.
9. Computer-based system (200) for emulating at least one sound of a drum-type percussion instrument, said system (200) comprising:

   - a removable electronic device (100) according to claim 8, and

   - a communication terminal (110) capable of communicating with said electronic device by wireless communication means,

   said communication terminal (110) comprising software means (112) designed to receive and process said sound signal (s2) generated by said device (100) in order to audibly reproduce the sound virtually generated by the stroke of the striking element (EF) in the area (ZF) struck.

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