Eiji Tominaga

Title: Eiji Tominaga: Innovator in Musical Instrument Technology

Introduction

Eiji Tominaga is a notable inventor based in Hamamatsu, Japan. He has made significant contributions to the field of musical instrument technology, particularly in the development of electronic pianos. With a total of three patents to his name, Tominaga's work has advanced the way musical tones are synthesized and generated.

Latest Patents

Tominaga's latest patents include a method for synthesizing tone signals and a tone signal generating system. The electronic piano he developed features a tone signal synthesizing system implemented by software. This system utilizes keys and key sensors to monitor key positions and report them to the synthesizing system. It includes damper model calculating modules that determine resistance against vibrations of piano wires, a hammer model calculating module for assessing the force exerted on the wires, and string model calculating modules that evaluate the force exerted on the instrument body. Additionally, an instrument body model calculating module determines displacements of the instrument body based on the forces, while an air model calculating module assesses sound pressure at an observation point.

Another significant patent involves a musical tone signal synthesis method, program, and apparatus. This innovation synthesizes musical tone signals based on performance information to simulate sounds generated from stringed musical instruments. The design incorporates a closed-loop circuit with a delay element that simulates the delay characteristics of vibrations propagated through the string. A string model calculation circuit inputs an excitation signal based on performance information, calculating the force of the string acting on the support. A body model calculation circuit then calculates the displacement of the body or its derivative, leading to the generation of the musical tone signal.

Career Highlights

Eiji Tominaga is currently employed at Yamaha Corporation, a leading company in the musical instrument industry. His work at Yamaha has allowed him to explore innovative solutions in electronic music technology, contributing to the company's reputation for quality and innovation.

Collaborations

Tominaga has collaborated with notable coworkers such as Encai Liu and Masatsugu Okazaki. Their combined expertise has fostered advancements in the field of musical instrument technology.

Conclusion

Eiji Tominaga's contributions to musical instrument technology through his patents and work at Yamaha Corporation highlight his role as an innovator in the industry. His advancements in synthesizing musical tones have paved the way for future developments in electronic pianos