Patent Publication Number: US-10762879-B2

Title: Piano system and method thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This present application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2017/071222, filed on Jan. 16, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a piano system, and more particularly, to a piano system with muting functions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As one of the world&#39;s most popular musical instruments, the piano is widely played and studied today. Piano playing may offer educational and wellness benefits to a pianist. However, one man&#39;s music may be another man&#39;s noise. It is desirable to provide muting functions to a piano. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a piano system may include multiple linkage structures coupled to multiple keys, multiple strings corresponding to the linkage structures, and a muting unit configured to place at least one elastic structure at a first position to implement a first mode for the piano system. 
     In some embodiments, the first position is located between the linkage structures and the strings. 
     In some embodiments, the elastic structure may be placed at the first position to prevent an interaction between at least one of the linkage structures and the strings when one or more of the keys are depressed. 
     In some embodiments, the piano system may further include a switch configured to switch between the first mode and a second mode. 
     In some embodiments, the muting unit may be configured to place the at least one elastic structure at a second position for implementing the second mode, wherein the second position is not located between the linkage structures and the strings. 
     In some embodiments, the muting unit may further include a board configured to mount one or more elastic structures. 
     In some embodiments, the muting unit may be further configured to: place the board at the first position to implement the first mode, and place the board at the second position to implement the second mode. 
     In some embodiments, the board may be operationally coupled to an action mechanism for moving between the first position and the second position. 
     In some embodiments, the elastic structure may include at least one of a spring, an elastic strip, or an elastic buffer. 
     In some embodiments, the piano system may further include one or more sensors configured to record information relating to a first interaction between at least one of the linkage structures and the elastic structure in the first mode. 
     In some embodiments, the information may include at least one of pressure information, motion information, or compression information. 
     In some embodiments, the sensors may include at least one of a pressure sensor, a speed sensor, an accelerometer, or a mechanical sensor. 
     In some embodiments, the piano system may further include a processor configured to: generate one or more parameters based on the information, generate a plurality of characteristic values of a sound based on the plurality of parameters, and generate a sound control signal based on the plurality of characteristic values. 
     In some embodiments, the piano system may further include a peripheral device configured to generate a sound based on the sound control signal. 
     In some embodiments, the piano system may provide one or more muting functions in the first mode. 
     In some embodiments, the linkage structures may correspond to the strings to generate a sound in the second mode. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method may include switching a piano system to a first mode, and providing at least one muting function to implement the first mode using a muting unit, wherein providing the muting function may include placing an elastic structure at a first position to prevent an interaction between a linkage structure and a string of the piano system when a key of the piano system is depressed, and wherein the first position may be located between the linkage structure and the string. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further include switching the piano system to a second mode, and placing the elastic structure at a second position to implement the second mode, wherein the second position may be not located between the linkage structure and the string. 
     In some embodiments, providing the muting function may further include placing a board mounting the elastic structure at the first position. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further include recording information relating to a first interaction between the linkage structure and the elastic structure in the first mode. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further include generating multiple parameters based on the information, generating multiple characteristic values of a sound based on the parameters, and generating a sound control signal based on the characteristic values. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further include generating a sound in a peripheral device of the piano system based on the sound control signal. 
     Additional features will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The features of the present disclosure may be realized and attained by practice or use of various aspects of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations set forth in the detailed examples discussed below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure is further described in terms of exemplary embodiments. These exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings. These embodiments are non-limiting exemplary embodiments, in which like reference numerals represent similar structures throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an application scenario of a piano system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary piano system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary control module according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary processor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary physical module according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary acoustic component according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary acoustic component implementing the silent mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8 -A and  8 -B illustrate examples of acoustic component and muting unit implementing the silent mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 9 -A and  9 -B are diagrams illustrating mechanisms for implementing an exemplary acoustic component in the silent mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an exemplary process for implementing a silent mode for a piano system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart of an exemplary process for providing audio content for a piano system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant disclosure. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, systems, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirits and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown, but to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the claims. 
     It will be understood that the term “system,” “unit,” “module,” and/or “block” used herein are one method to distinguish different components, elements, parts, section or assembly of different level in ascending order. However, the terms may be displaced by other expression if they may achieve the same purpose. 
     It will be understood that when a unit, module or block is referred to as being “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another unit, module, or block, it may be directly on, connected or coupled to the other unit, module, or block, or intervening unit, module, or block may be present, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purposes of describing particular examples and embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “include,” and/or “comprise,” when used in this disclosure, specify the presence of integers, devices, behaviors, stated features, steps, elements, operations, and/or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other integers, devices, behaviors, features, steps, elements, operations, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The terms “user” and “player” may be interchangeable throughout the present disclosure, referring to any human being, robot, or any other machine capable of playing the piano. The terms “music” and “sound” may be interchangeable. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an application scenario of a piano system  100  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the piano system  100  described below is merely provided for illustrative purposes, and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the piano system  100  may include one or more peripheral devices  120 , a piano  130 , and/or any other suitable component to implement various functions described in the present disclosure. 
     The piano system  100  may be and/or include a musical instrument with a keyboard (e.g., a piano, an organ, an accordion, a synthesizer, an electronic keyboard, etc.), a string musical instrument (e.g., a guitar, a zither, a koto, etc.), or the like, or any combination thereof. For example, the piano system  100  may include a piano  130  with one or more keys and/or pedals. In some embodiments, the piano system  100  may generate sounds when a user  110  plays piano  130 . Alternatively or additionally, the piano system  100  can automatically generate sounds and/or audio content for playback. In some embodiments, the piano system  100  may implement one or more muting functions. For example, the volume of sounds generated by the piano system  100  may be adjusted, reduced, etc. during a user&#39;s performance. As another example, the sounds can be muted. The piano system  100  can obtain information about the performance (also referred to herein as “performance information”) and can generate audio content based on the performance information. The performance information may include, for example, information about one or more piano keys that are pressed, timing information about one or more piano keys (e.g., a time instant corresponding to depression of one or more piano keys by a user, a time instant corresponding to release of one or more piano keys, a duration of the depression, etc.), the pressure applied to one or more piano keys by a user, one or more operation sequences of piano keys, timing information about a user&#39;s application of one or more pedals of a piano, one or more musical notes produced during the performance, etc. In some embodiments, playback of the audio content can be provided by peripheral device  120 . As referred to herein, a piano may be an acoustic piano, an electric piano, an electronic piano, a digital piano, and/or any other musical instrument with a keyboard. In some embodiments, the piano may be a grand piano, an upright piano, a square piano, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the piano system  100  may have one or more working modes, such as a normal mode, a silent mode, a headset mode, or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, in the normal mode, the piano system  100  can produce piano sounds without providing one or more muting functions. In some embodiments, in the silent mode, the piano system  100  can provide one or more muting functions. For example, the piano system  100  can reduce the volume of the sounds produced by a piano of the piano system  100 . More particularly, for example, the sounds produced by the piano in the silent mode may be quieter than those produced in the normal mode. As another example, the piano system  100  can mute the piano (e.g., by preventing interactions between linkage structures and strings of the piano). In some embodiments, in the headset mode, the piano system  100  can generate media content (e.g., video content, audio content, graphics, etc.) based on a user&#39;s performance of the piano and can provide playback of the media content. 
     The piano system  100  may implement multiple working modes and can switch between the working modes based on user selections. For example, the piano system  100  can prompt user  110  to select one or more of the working modes (e.g., by providing a switch, presenting one or more user interfaces, etc.). In response to receiving a user selection of one or more working modes (e.g., via a switch), the piano system  100  can implement the selected working mode(s). In some embodiments, the piano system  100  can implement multiple working modes (e.g., the headset mode and the silent mode) simultaneously. 
     In some embodiments, the user  110  may be a human user, a robot, a computing device, or any other user that is capable of operating the piano system  100 . The user  110  may depress or release one or more keys and/or pedals of the piano system  100  using one or more parts of the user&#39;s body when playing. For example, the user  110  may depress or release one or more keys in the piano system  100  to play music by fingers. The user  100  may depress or release one or more pedals of the piano system  100  to play music by one or both feet. 
     In some embodiments, the peripheral device  120  may receive a sound control signal from the piano system  100 . The peripheral device  120  may generate and/or play a sound according to the received sound control signal. In some embodiments, the peripheral device  120  may facilitate the user  110  to enjoy the sound/music during the playing of the piano system  100 . In some embodiments, the peripheral device  120  may include one or more input devices and/or output devices, or the like. For example, the input device may include, a microphone, a camera, a keyboard (e.g., a computer keyboard), a touch-sensitive device, or the like, or any combination thereof. The output device may include, an audio player, an earphone, a stereo, loudspeaker, headphone, headset, or the like, or any combination thereof. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary piano system  100  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the piano system  100  may include a control module  210  and a physical module  220 . 
     The control module  210  may control the piano system  100 . Controlling herein may include switching the physical module  220  between different working modes, processing information relating to signals generated within the piano system  100 , generating a sound and/or audio content, recording the sound and/or storing the audio content, storing information relating to the piano system  100 , or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the signal generated within the piano system  100  may include information about one or more interactions between one or more components inside and/or outside the piano system  100  on other component(s) inside the piano system  100 . The interactions may include one or more physical interactions, such as compression, extrusion, rebound, or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the control module  210  can include one or more units as described in connection with  FIGS. 3 and 4  below. 
     The physical module  220  may generate a sound in the piano system  100 . In some embodiments, the physical module  210  may include one or more piano actions, muting units, keyboards, pedals, protective cases, soundboards, strings, or the like, or a combination thereof. For example, each of the piano actions may include, one or more keys, wippens, repetition levers, jacks, linkage structures, strings, dampers, or the like, or a combination thereof. A linkage structure may include one or more mechanic mechanisms that can sense motion of one or more keys of the piano system  100  and/or translate the motion of the key(s) into motion of one or more other components of the piano system  100 . In pianos with acoustic strings, the linkage structure may impact the string(s) to generate a sound. The linkage structure may be in direct or indirect contact with the key(s). At rest, the linkage structure does not have to be in contact with the string(s). The linkage structure may receive a depression of the key(s) by a user through the wippen(s). The linkage structure may move towards one or more strings after it receives the depression of the key(s). The linkage structure in a digital piano may simulate the touch and feel of an acoustic piano. The linage structure may include one or more hammers (e.g., as in acoustic pianos), weighted keys (e.g., as in digital pianos), hammer actions (e.g., as in digital pianos), etc. The linage structure may have one or more parts. The one or more parts may be connected through shaft(s), spring(s), gear(s), rail(s), screw(s), etc. Each part may be made of various materials. The various materials may include wood, plastics, metals, alloys, ceramics, etc. In some embodiments, the physical module  220  can include one or more units as described in connection with  FIGS. 5 and 7  below. In some embodiments, the physical module  220  may include an elastic structure to lower or mute the sounds generated in the piano system  100 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary control module  210  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The control module  210  may include one or more sensors  310 , an I/O interface  320 , a processor  330 , and a storage  340 . 
     In some embodiments, the sensor(s)  310  may detect, receive, process, record, etc. information relating to interactions between components of the piano system  100 . The interactions may include, for example, an interaction between a linkage structure and an elastic structure, an interaction between a linkage structure and one or more strings, etc. As referred to herein, an interaction between a first component and a second component of the piano system  100  may include any contact between the first component and the second component. The contact may be direct or indirect. The contact may last for any period of time. Information about such interaction may include any information about the first component, the second component, and/or any other component of the piano system  100  before, during, and/or after the interaction. The information may include, for example, pressure data, motion data, compression data, etc. In some embodiments, the pressure data may include any data and/or information relating to a force applied to a first component of the piano system  100  by one or more other components of the piano system  100  (e.g., a second component of the piano system  100 ). For example, the pressure data may include data and/or information about a pressure applied to one or more strings by a linkage structure, a pressure applied to an elastic structure by a linkage structure, a pressure applied to a key pressed by a user, etc. The pressure data may include, for example, an area over which the pressure acts, a value of the pressure, a duration of the pressure, a direction of the pressure, an amount of a force related to the pressure, etc. The motion data can include any information and/or data about movement of one or more linkage structures, strings, elastic structures, and/or any other component of the piano system  100 . For example, the motion data can include a speed and/or velocity of a linkage structure related to the interaction (e.g., a speed at which the linkage structure strikes a string), a velocity of one or more points of a string during an interaction between the string and a linkage structure, etc. As another example, the motion data can include an acceleration of the linkage structure during the interaction, an acceleration of the elastic structure, etc. The compression data may include data and/or information about the elastic structure when the elastic structure is compressed or stretched. For example, the compression data can include a compressed length, area, or volume of the elastic structure, etc. In some embodiments, the sensor(s)  310  may record an amount of pressure applied to a string when a linkage structure strikes the string. In some embodiments, the sensor(s)  310  may be and/or include a pressure sensor, a speed sensor, an accelerometer, a mechanical sensor, or the like, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the sensor(s)  310  may be coupled with one or more keys, linkage structures, strings, and/or any other component of the piano system  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the I/O interface  320  may provide one or more interfaces to facilitate communications between the piano system  100  and a user  110 , an external device, or a peripheral device  120 . The I/O interface  320  may provide a sound signal, a condition of the piano system  100 , a current status of the piano system  100 , and/or a menu for the user  110 . Thus, the user  110  may select certain working modes/functions/features of the piano system  100 , and the I/O interface  320  may receive the selection of the user  110 . In some embodiments, the I/O interface  320  may facilitate the piano system  100  to receive an input provided by the user  110 . The input may be an image, a sound/voice, a gesture, a touch, a biometric input, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the I/O interface  320  may provide one or more interfaces for the peripheral device  120  to be connected with the piano system  100 . In some embodiments, the peripheral device  120  may include an input device and/or output device, or the like. For example, the input device may include a microphone, a camera, a keyboard (e.g., a computer keyboard), a touch-sensitive device, or the like. The output device may include, a display, a stereo, a loudspeaker, a headset, an earphone, or the like. In some embodiments, the loudspeaker and/or headset may be used for playing a sound generated by the piano system  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the processor  330  may process the information transmitted from the sensor  310  and/or I/O interface  320 . The processing may include calculation of the pressure to generate parameters relating to a sound, comparison of parameters with one or more reference values, generation of a sound based on parameters, smoothing of the sound, conducting a judgment according to the input, or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the processor  330  may process the pressure information (e.g., values of pressure at different locations and/or at different times, etc.) to generate one or more parameters. Further, the processor  320  may translate the parameters into a sound control signal indicative of a sound. In some embodiments, the processed information (e.g., sound control signal) may be sent to the I/O interface  320  and/or the storage  340 . In some embodiments, the processor  330  may include a microcontroller, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), an application-specific instruction-set processor (ASIP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), a microcontroller unit, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an acorn reduced instruction set computing (RISC) machine (ARM), or any other suitable circuit or processor capable of executing computer program instructions, or the like, or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the storage  340  may store information associated with the piano system  100 . The information may include the user profile, computer program instructions, presets, system parameters, parameters relating to a sound, information relating to interactions between components of the piano system  100 , etc. In some embodiments, the user profile may relate to the proficiency, preferences, characteristics, music genre, favorite music, and/or favorite composers of a human user. In some embodiments, the computer program instructions may relate to working modes, volume control, spatial positions of the components inside the piano system  100 , pressure, mapping rules (e.g., from a pressure to a sound), distance adjustment, or the like, or a combination thereof. The distance adjustment may further include position adjustment of a board  622  shown in  FIG. 6 . In some embodiments, the presets may relate to the working modes, functions, menus of the piano system  100 . The presets may be set by the piano manufacturer or the user/player. In some embodiments, the system parameters may relate to the characteristics, specifications, features of the physical module  220  and/or control module  210 . In some embodiments, the information relating to the interactions may include the pressure data relating to a depression of a key, a strike of a linkage structure on a string, the speed of the linkage structure, the acceleration of the linkage structure, or the like, or a combination thereof. The information may be collected by the sensor  310  (e.g., a pressure sensor, a speed sensor, an accelerometer, or a mechanical sensor). 
     In some embodiments, storage  340  may store information received from the user  110 , the Internet, the physical module  220 , the sensor  310  and the processor  330 , via the I/O interface  320 . Furthermore, the storage  340  may communicate with other modules or units in piano system  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the storage  340  may include one or more storage media such as magnetic or optical media. The storage media may include disk (fixed or removable), tape, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, Blu-Ray, etc. In some embodiments, the storage  340  may include volatile or non-volatile memory media such as RAM (e.g., synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), double data rate (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, etc.) SDRAM, low-power DDR (LPDDR2, etc.) SDRAM, Rambus DRAM (RDRAM), static RAM (SRAM)), ROM, nonvolatile memory (e.g. flash memory) accessible via a peripheral interface such as a USB interface, etc. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary processor  330  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the processor  330  may include a calculation unit  410 , a mapping unit  420 , and a synthesis unit  430 . 
     In some embodiments, the calculation unit  410  may process information relating to interactions between components of the piano system  100 . In some embodiments, the calculation unit  410  may further generate one or more parameters relating to a sound based on the information. In some embodiments, the pressure data in accordance with the current pressure may be processed according to certain algorithm to generate one or more parameters (e.g. the maximal value of the pressure, the minimal value of the pressure, the variation of the pressure over time, the duration of the pressure, the frequency of the pressure variation, the total impulse of the pressure during a certain period, etc.). In some embodiments, the parameters may be sent to mapping unit  420  for further processing. 
     In some embodiments, the mapping unit  420  may convert the parameters into one or more characteristic values relating to a sound. Each of the characteristic values may include any value related to a sound, such as a frequency of the sound (e.g., a music tone), an amplitude (e.g., a volume of the sound), a duration of the sound, a pitch of the sound, or the like, or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, conversion between the parameters and the characteristic values can be made based on one or more mapping rules. Each of the mapping rules may be and/or include one or more computer executable rules. Each of the mapping rules can represent a relationship between one or more of the parameters and one or more characteristic values of a sound. In some embodiments, the relationship may be expressed as one or more functions, data sheets, executable instructions, etc. In some embodiments, the mapping unit  420  may convert the parameters based on the relationship between the parameters and the characteristic values. For example, the mapping unit  420  may determine the sound frequency based on the frequency of the pressure (e.g., the pressure of string(s) or an elastic structure struck by a linkage structure) variation. As another example, the mapping unit  420  may determine the duration of sound based on the duration of pressure. As still another example, the mapping unit  420  can determine the sound volume based on the total impulse of the pressure, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the synthesis unit  430  may generate a sound control signal based on one or more of the characteristic values provided by the mapping unit  420 . The sound control signal may be and/or include a frequency waveform, a time-domain audio spectrum, an electricity waveform, a digital translation information, a pulse code modulation (PCM) of the sound, etc. In some embodiments, a specific music tone may correspond to a waveform with a specific frequency, a sound volume may correspond to the amplitude of a waveform. In some embodiments, the synthesis unit  430  may extract the music tone (and/or sound volume, etc.) from the characteristic values, and synthesis corresponding waveform(s). In some embodiments, the sound control signal may be expressed by one or more audio formats, for example, waveform audio file format (WAV), audio interchange file format (AIFF), adaptive transform acoustic coding (ATRAC), MP3, etc. The sound control signal may be used by the peripheral device  120 , such as an audio player, a loudspeaker or a headset, to play a sound/music. For example, the peripheral device  120  (e.g., an audio player) may convert the sound control signal into audio content based on one or more algorithms, according to the audio format. As another example, the peripheral device  120  (e.g., a loudspeaker, a headset, etc.) may convert the audio content into sounds. In some embodiments, the synthesis unit  430  may transmit the sound control signal to the I/O interface  320 . The peripheral device  120  may receive the sound control signal via the I/O interface  320 . In some embodiments, the synthesis unit  430  may transmit the sound control signal to the storage  340  for storing. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary physical module  220  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The physical module  220  can include any suitable component for generating sounds in the piano system  100 . For example, the physical module  220  may include one or more keyboards  510 , one or more pedals  520 , one or more switches  530 , an acoustic component  540 , a housing (not shown in  FIG. 5 ), soundboards (not shown), or the like, or any combination thereof. 
     Keyboard(s)  510  may include one or more keys (e.g., white keys, black keys, etc.). In some embodiments, each of the keys may correspond to a musical note. 
     Each of pedal(s)  520  may be or include a foot-operated lever that can modify the piano&#39;s sound. For example, pedal(s)  520  may include a soft pedal (e.g., a una corda pedal) that may be operated to cause the piano to produce a softer and more ethereal tone. As another example, pedal(s)  520  may include a sostenuto pedal that may be operated to sustain selected notes. As still another example, pedal(s)  520  may include a sustaining pedal (e.g., a damper pedal) that may be operated to make notes played continue to sound until the pedal is released. In some embodiments, each of pedal(s)  520  may be and/or include an input device that can receive user input entered by a user&#39;s foot, feet, etc. Pedal(s)  520  can receive the user input and cause one or more functions of the piano system  100  to be implemented based on the user input. For example, a user may select a working mode of the piano system  100  using one or more pedals  520 . As another example, a muting function can be implemented in response to one or more operations of pedal(s)  520  by a user. 
     Pedal(s)  520  may be positioned in any suitable manner for user operation. For example, one or more of pedals  520  can be positioned below the keyboard  510  and can be operated by a user&#39;s foot and/or feet. Pedal(s)  520  may be configured to contact with one or more dampers and/or muting unit  620  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). In some embodiments, the position of pedal  520  may be adjustable so that the sound generated by the acoustic component  540  may be tuned. In some embodiments, physical module  220  may include more than one pedal  520 . 
     Switch(es)  530  may provide a user with one or more working modes of the piano system  100  and may include mechanisms for receiving a user selection of one or more of the working modes. For example, switch(es)  530  may be and/or include one or more buttons, knobs, pedals, and/or any other device that can be used to receive a user selection of one or more working modes. In some embodiments, the working modes may include, for example, listening mode (e.g., headset mode and/or public mode) and play mode (e.g. volume control mode and/or normal mode). In some embodiments, the switch(es)  530  may be operationally coupled to one or more components of physical module  220  and/or piano system  100  to control the components to implement one or more functions. For example, the switch(es)  530  may be electrically and/or mechanically coupled to one or more of the components. The switch(es)  530  may be operationally coupled to one or more of the components via a direct connection, one or more intermediate devices, and/or in any other manner. In some embodiments, switch(es)  530  may be operationally coupled to muting unit  620  to control the muting unit  620  to implement one or more muting functions (e.g., by controlling one or more portions of the muting unit  620  to move between/among different positions). For example, switch(es)  530  can be mechanically coupled to muting unit  620  (e.g., via a direct connection or any connection). In some embodiments, switch(es)  530  may contact with one or more portions of muting unit  620  (e.g., one or more components of muting unit  620  as illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9B ). 
     Acoustic component  540  may generate sounds in piano system  100 . In some embodiments, the acoustic component  540  may be operationally coupled to the switch(es)  530 , keyboard(s)  510 , pedal(s)  520 , and/or any other component of physical module  220  and/or piano system  100 . For example, the acoustic component  540  may be mechanically coupled to one or more components of physical module  220  and/or piano system  100 . In some embodiments, one or more portions of acoustic component  540  (e.g., one or more components of acoustic component  540  as described in connection with  FIGS. 6-9B ) may contact with the sensor(s)  310  in the control module  210 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more of pedal(s)  520  and switch(s)  530  may be integrated on a single device. For example, operations of a pedal by a user may cause the piano system  100  to switch between different working modes (e.g., a normal mode, a silent mode, etc.). 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary acoustic component  540  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Acoustic component  540  may include a generation unit  610 , a muting unit  620 , and/or any other suitable component for producing sounds in the piano system  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the generation unit  610  may generate sounds when user  110  plays a piano of the piano system  100 . In some embodiments, generation unit  610  may include one or more linkage structures  611  and strings  612 . A linkage structure  611  may include a link and a block. Block may be in connection with one end of link. Each linkage structure  611  may be associated with one or more keys of the piano. The other end of link of linkage structure  611  may be in connection with the one or more keys of the piano. A linkage structure  611  may be positioned at a resting position when its corresponding key is not depressed. When a user depresses the key, the linkage structure  611  may move towards the string  612  from the resting position. The linkage structure  611  may strike the string  612  at a speed (e.g., several meters per second). The string  612  may vibrate to generate a sound. As will be discussed in connection with  FIGS. 8 -A and  8 -B, linkage structure(s)  611  may include linkage structures  611   a - 611   n  and strings  612  may include strings  612   a - 612   n.    
     The muting unit  620  can provide one or more muting functions for the piano system  100 . For example, the muting unit  620  can reduce the volume of sounds produced by the piano system  100  (e.g., sounds produced by generation unit  610 ). As another example, the muting unit  620  can mute one or more portions of the generation unit  610 . More particularly, for example, the muting unit  620  can prevent generation of sounds by one or more strings of the generation unit  610 . In some embodiments, the muting functions can be implemented by preventing interactions between one or more strings and their corresponding linkage structures (e.g., by preventing the strings from being impacted by the linkage structures). 
     In some embodiments, muting unit  620  may include one or more elastic structures  621 , boards  622 , and/or any other component for implementing muting functions. In some embodiments, each of the elastic structures  621  may include one or more springs, such as springs  631   a - 631   n  illustrated in  FIG. 8 -A. In some embodiments, each of the elastic structures  621  may include one or more elastic strips, such as elastic strips  641   a - 641   n  illustrated in  FIG. 8 -B. In some embodiments, the muting unit  620  may be operationally coupled to the switch  530 . In some embodiments, when the switch  530  is switched to a particular working mode of the piano system  100 , positioning information of one or more components of muting unit  620  (e.g., the location, direction, and/or orientation) may be adjusted to implement the working mode. In some embodiments, the muting unit  620  may be movable or detachable from the piano. 
     The elastic structure  621  may be elastic. The length, shape, and/or volume of the elastic structure  621  may be reduced or compressed when the elastic structure  621  is struck by the linkage structure  611 . The elastic structure  621  may include one or more springs (e.g., springs  631   a - 631   n  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 -A), elastic strips (e.g., elastic strips  641   a - 641   n  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 -B), elastic buffers, etc. The springs may include a coil spring, a flat spring, a machined spring, a serpentine spring, a tension spring, a torsion spring, a coil spring, a flat spring, a serpentine spring, a helical spring, a leaf spring, a gas spring, a torsion spring, a wave spring, or the like, or a combination thereof. The elastic structure  621  may be made of any suitable material, such as, metal/alloy (e.g., steel, copper, aluminum, any alloy, etc.), polymers (e.g., rubbers, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, etc.), composite materials (e.g., cork, metal-carbon fiber composite, composite ceramic and metal matrices, fiber-reinforced polymers, etc.), etc. The elastic structure  621  can have any suitable shape. For example, the elastic structure  621  may have a two-dimensional shape (e.g., triangular, square, rectangular, circular, etc.), a three-dimensional shape (e.g., hollow sphere, hollow cube, coiled tube, etc.), or the like. 
     The board  622  may be a housing in which the elastic structures  621  are mounted. The board  622  may be made of a variety of materials, such as, metals, plastics, wood, pottery, porcelain, ceramics, or the like, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the board may have an oblong shape with a substantially uniform thickness. 
     In some embodiments, the board  622  may be placed at various positions to implement various working modes of the piano system  100 . For example, to implement the silent mode, the board  622  may be placed at a first position between the linkage structure(s)  611  and the string(s)  612  to prevent interactions between the linkage structure(s)  611  and the string(s)  612 . More particularly, for example, the board at the first position may intercept the linkage structure(s)  611  before it strikes the string(s)  612 . When a user depresses a key, the linkage structure(s)  611  may move towards the string(s)  612 . The linkage structure(s)  611  may strike the elastic structure(s)  621  mounted on the board  622 , generating a sound. The generated sound may be quieter than a sound generated when the linkage structure(s)  611  strikes the string(s)  612 . After the interaction with the elastic structure(s)  621 , the linkage structure(s)  611  may move backward to its resting position. 
     As another example, to implement a working mode other than the silent mode, the board  622  may be placed at a second position. In some embodiments, the second position is not located between the linkage structure(s)  611  and the string(s)  612 . As such, string(s)  612  may be accessible by the linkage structure(s)  611 . More particularly, for example, when a user depresses a key, the linkage structure(s)  611  may move towards the string(s)  612  and may interact with the string(s)  612  (e.g., by striking one or more strings  612 ). The string(s)  612  may then vibrate and generate a sound. After the interaction, the linkage structure may move backward to its resting position. 
     In some embodiments, the board  622  may be mechanically coupled with an action mechanism (not shown in the figures) that can cause the board to move between the positions and/or to be located at one or more of the positions. In some embodiments, the action mechanism may be and/or include a gear, an arm, a lock, or the like, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the action mechanism may be operationally coupled to the switch  530 . When a working mode is selected using the switch  530 , the switch  530  can cause the action mechanism to place the board  622  at one or more positions to implement the selected working mode. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary acoustic component  540  implementing the silent mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, to implement the silent mode, one or more components of muting unit  620  may be positioned between the strings  612  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) and linkage structures  611 . For example, in the silent mode, the elastic structure  621  mounted on the board  622  may be positioned between the strings  612  and linkage structures  611 . In some embodiments, the elastic structure  621  may be positioned close to the linkage structures  611  in a trajectory of linkage structures  611  moving towards the strings  612 . Furthermore, one or more legs  701  may support the physical module  220  to keep balance. For example, the legs  701  may be positioned near two ends (e.g., the left end and the right end) of the physical module  220 . In some embodiments, one end  701 - 1  of the leg  701  may be in contact with the ground. Another end  701 - 2  of the leg  701  may be fixed with the board  622  of the muting unit  620 . 
       FIGS. 8 -A and  8 -B illustrate examples of acoustic component  540  and muting unit  620  implementing the silent mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 -A, the elastic structures  621  may include one or more springs  631   a - 631   n  and one or more boards  622 . To implement the silent mode, the muting unit  620  may be placed in a first position between linkage structures  611   a - 611   n  and strings  612   a - 612   n . The springs  631   a - 631   n  may be included in the elastic structure  621 . Multiple springs  631   a - 631   n  may or may not be connected with each other. The springs  631   a - 631   n  may or may not be evenly spaced. In some embodiments, one or more trestles  802  may support the board(s)  622 . One or more linkage structures  611   a - 611   n  may correspond to one or more strings ( 612   a - 612   n ). For example, one linkage structure (e.g.,  611   a ) may correspond to one string (e.g.,  612   a ). In some embodiments, one linkage structure (e.g.,  611   a ) may correspond to multiple strings (e.g.,  612   a - 612   n ). In some embodiments, each of linkage structures  611   a - 611   n  may correspond to one or more springs  631   a - 631   n . For example, a linkage structure (e.g.,  611   a ) may be associated with one spring (e.g.,  631   a ). In some embodiments, a linkage structure (e.g.,  611   a ) may correspond to multiple springs (e.g.,  631   a - 631   n ). 
     In some embodiments, each of springs  631   a - 631   n  may be compressed from its equilibrium length when struck by one or more linkage structures  611   a - 611   n . The equilibrium length may refer to a length of the spring when the spring is free of external forces. As a result of the compression, the springs (e.g.,  631   a - 631   n ) may exert a restoring force with a direction opposite to the compression. The restoring force may depend on the compression data relating to the springs (e.g.,  631   a - 631   n ). For example, the restoring force may be determined based on the Hooke&#39;s Law. More particularly, for example, the restoring force may be linearly proportional to the length variation from the compressed length of a spring (e.g.,  631   a ) to its equilibrium length. The ratio between the restoring force and the length variation may be referred to as a “force constant.” In some embodiments, the force constant of the elastic structure  621  may be set by adjusting one or more features of the elastic structure  621  and/or the springs  631   a - 631   n , such as the dimension, shape, structure, material, etc. of the elastic structure  621  and/or springs  631   a - 631   n . In some embodiments, elastic structure  621  may include one or more elastic strips  641   a - 641   n  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 -B. The force constant may be set by adjusting the shape, dimension, and/or any other feature of the springs  631   a - 631   n  or elastic strips  641   a - 641   n . For example, the elastic trips  641   a - 641   n  may be configured in a V-shaped formation. As another example, the springs  631   a - 631   n  may be in the shape of a coiled tube, generated by sweeping a circle about the path of a helix. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 -B, the muting unit  620  may include one or more elastic structures  621 , each of which may further include one or more elastic strips  641   a - 641   n . The components of the piano system  100  may be arranged as described in  FIG. 8 -A. In some embodiments, the elastic strips  641   a - 641   n  may be positioned between the strings  612   a - 612   n  and the linkage structures  611   a - 611   n  in the silent mode. In some embodiments, the elastic strips  641   a - 641   n  may be straight or curved. The elastic strips may generate a restoring force when interacting with and/or compressed by the linkage structures  611   a - 611   n , and the linkage structures  611   a - 611   n  may rebound as a result of the restoring force. In some embodiments, the silent mode may be implemented using one or more mechanisms described in connection with  FIGS. 9 -A and  9 -B. 
       FIGS. 9 -A and  9 -B are diagrams illustrating mechanisms for implementing an exemplary acoustic component  540  in the silent mode according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 -A, to implement the silent mode, the board  622  mounting the spring  621  may be positioned between the string  612  and the linkage structure  611 . When the linkage structure  611  is at a resting position, the spring  621  may be separated from the linkage structure  611  by an initial distance of L 1 . The string  612  may be parallel to the board  622  with a distance of L 2 . One or more sensors (e.g., one or more sensors  310  of  FIG. 3 ) may be configured to acquire information relating to one or more physical quantities, such as pressure, speed, acceleration, etc. In some embodiments, the sensor  310  may acquire pressure information on the linkage structure  611 . In some embodiments, the pressure information may relate to a force applied to a first component by a second component. For example, the pressure information may include information about a pressure acted on an elastic structure  621  (e.g., springs  631   a - 631   n , elastic strips  641   a - 641   n , etc.) by a linkage structure. The sensors may be positioned and/or arranged in any suitable manner to detect the motion information. For example, one or more of the sensors  310  can be positioned on the tip of the linkage structure(s)  611 . As another example, one or more of the sensors  310  may be positioned inside or on the surface of the elastic structure  621  (e.g., springs  631   a - 631   n , elastic strips  641   a - 641   n , etc.) or the board  622 . 
     When a user  110  depresses a key in the keyboard  510 , the pressure may be transmitted to a linkage structure  611 . The linkage structure  611  may be then accelerated and start to move towards the elastic structure  621  on the board  622 . The linkage structure may strike on the elastic structure  621  at a velocity of V h . The striking impact may cause the linkage structure to decelerate, and the elastic structure  621  may be compressed. The compression may reach a maximum when the linkage structure  611  and elastic structure  621  stops moving. After the maximal compression, the elastic structure  621  may rebound and push the linkage structure  611 . The linkage structure  611  may move backward to its original position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 -B, when the linkage structure  611  strikes on the elastic structure  621 , the elastic structure  621  may be compressed along its axial direction. When the elastic structure  621  stops being compressed, its compression may reach a maximum. The distance between compressed elastic structure  621  and the linkage structure  611  may be L 1 ′, which may be greater than the length L 1 . The difference between the two distances L 1  and L 1 ′ may be denoted as ΔL 1 , which may indicate the compressed length of the elastic structure  621  (e.g., the displacement of ΔL 1 ). As the result of compression, the elastic structure  621  may exert a restoring force on the linkage structure  611 . The restoring force may cause the linkage structure  611  to accelerate and move backward to its original position. The restoring force may be further transmitted to the key associated with the linkage structure  611  and cause the user  110  to feel the resilient linkage structure  611 . The sensor  310  may acquire pressure data before, during, and/or after the impact. The acquired pressure data may be used by the processor  330  to generate one or more parameters relating to the impact in the silent mode. 
     In some embodiments, the restoring force of the elastic structure  621  may be calculated according to equation (1) shown below:
 
 F   r   =k×ΔL   1 .  (1)
 
     According to equation (1) (Hooke law), F r  may refer to the restoring force, and F r  may be proportional to a displacement ΔL 1  and the force constant k of the elastic structure  621 . The displacement ΔL 1  may represent a distance by which the elastic structure  621  is extended or compressed by the restoring force F r . For example, the displacement of ΔL 1  may be a difference between the compressed length of an elastic structure  621  and its equilibrium length. 
     The length variation may depend on the velocity V h  of the linkage structure  611 . In some embodiments, the displacement ΔL 1  may be calculated according to equation (2): 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     Δ 
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       L 
                       1 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       
                         
                           V 
                           h 
                         
                         ⁡ 
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               M 
                               h 
                             
                             k 
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                       
                         1 
                         / 
                         2 
                       
                     
                     . 
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   2 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     Here, M h  may refer to the mass of the linkage structure  611 . 
     Based on equations (1) and (2), the restoring force F r  may be calculated as: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     F 
                     r 
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       k 
                       ⁢ 
                       
                           
                       
                       ⁢ 
                       
                         
                           
                             V 
                             h 
                           
                           ⁡ 
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 M 
                                 h 
                               
                               k 
                             
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                           1 
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                           2 
                         
                       
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         
                           
                             V 
                             h 
                           
                           ⁡ 
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               kM 
                               h 
                             
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                           1 
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                           2 
                         
                       
                       . 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   3 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     According to equation (3), the restoring force may depend on the velocity of the linkage structure  611  and the force constant of the elastic structure  621 . An elastic structure  621  having a greater force constant k may exert a greater restoring force. A greater restoring force may cause the user  110  to feel stronger rebound when releasing the key. 
     In some embodiments, the distance L 1  between the elastic structure  621  and the linkage structure  611  may be set or adjusted according to the force constant of the elastic structure  621 . In some embodiments, the distance between the board  622  and the linkage structure  611  may be set or adjusted according to the force constant of the elastic structure  621 . 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an exemplary process  1000  for implementing a silent mode for a piano system (e.g., the piano system  100 ) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In step  1010 , a processor (e.g., the processor  330  of  FIG. 3 ) may receive information relating to an interaction between an elastic structure (e.g., the elastic structure  621  of  FIG. 7 , the springs  631   a - 631   n  of  FIG. 8 -A, the elastic strips  641   a - 641   n  of  FIG. 8 -B) and a linkage structure (e.g., the linkage structure  611  of  FIG. 7 , the linkage structures  611   a - 611   n  of  FIGS. 8 -A and  8 -B). The interaction may include contact with one or more portions of the elastic structure by the linkage structure. For example, when a key of the piano system is depressed, a linkage structure associated with the depressed key may move towards the elastic structure. The linkage structure may strike on the elastic structure. The linkage structure may stay in contact with the elastic structure for any time period. In some embodiments, the information may include pressure on the linkage structure, pressure on the elastic structure, a speed of the linkage structure, an acceleration of the linkage structure, the compression of the elastic structure, etc. In some embodiments, the information may be acquired by one or more sensor(s)  310 . 
     In some embodiments, the processor  330  may pre-process the received information. The pre-processing may include de-noising, smoothing, filtering, clipping, transformation of units, etc. The pre-processing may enhance the reliability or usability of the received information. 
     In step  1020 , the processor  330  may generate one or more parameters based on the information received in step  1010 . The parameter(s) may relate to the pressure, speed, acceleration of the linkage structure  611 , etc. The parameter(s) may include, for example, the maximal value of the pressure, the minimal value of the pressure, the variation of the pressure over time, the duration of the pressure, the total impulse of the pressure during a certain period, etc. In some embodiments, the processor  330  may process the information according to one or more functions, data sheets, etc. that describe the relationship between the parameter(s) and the received information. 
     In step  1030 , the processor  330  may generate a sound control signal based on the parameter(s) generated in step  1020 . The sound control signal may include one or more characteristics of an electronic sound. The characteristics may include a frequency, a frequency spectrum, a duration, an amplitude, a volume, a pitch, etc. In some embodiments, the parameters relating to the pressure data may be translated into a sound control signal using a certain algorithm. The translation may include, without limitation, Fourier transformation, Laplacian transformation, wavelet transformation, modulation (e.g., pulse code modulation or PCM), waveform processing, or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the sound control signal may be used by a sound-generating device, such as an audio player, a loudspeaker, an earphone, or a microphone, to produce a sound. For example, the peripheral device  120  (e.g., an audio player) may convert the sound control signal into audio content based on one or more algorithms, according to the audio format. As another example, the peripheral device  120  (e.g., a loudspeaker, a headset, etc.) may convert the audio content into sounds. In some embodiments, the sound control signal may be encoded, encrypted, or compressed. In some embodiments, the sound control signal may be stored in storage  340  after its generation. 
     In some embodiments, the piano system  100  may output the sound control signal to a peripheral device (e.g., the peripheral device  120 ). The peripheral device may convert the sound control signal to an electronic sound. In some embodiments, the electronic sound may be played according to the sound control signal by the periphery device (e.g., an audio player, a headset, a loudspeaker, etc.). 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart of an exemplary process  1100  for providing audio content for a piano system (e.g., the piano system  100 ) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In step  1110 , the processor  330  may receive pressure data. The pressure data may include one or more values of the pressure on a component of the piano system  100 . The component may be and/or include a key, a linkage structure  611 , a string  612 , etc. In some embodiments, the processor  330  may obtain the pressure information from the sensor  310  in a real-time manner, periodically, or from the storage  340  via the I/O interface  320 . 
     In step  1120 , the processor  330  may generate one or more parameters by processing the pressure data received in step  1110 . The parameter(s) may relate to the pressure data. The parameter(s) may be and/or include a value of the pressure, a derivative of the pressure, a gradient of the pressure, a frequency of the pressure variation, etc. The value of the pressure may be and/or include a maximal value, a minimal value, an average value, a median value, etc. The derivative of the pressure may be and/or include a time derivative, which may be a derivative of the pressure with respect to time. The gradient of the pressure may be and/or include a gradient along a spatial direction. In some embodiments, the parameter(s) may be generated based on a certain algorithm. The algorithm may include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponentiation, logarithm, derivation, integration, differentiation, Fourier transformation, Laplace transformation, wavelet transformation, linear regression, fitting, smoothing, or the like, or a combination thereof. 
     In step  1130 , the processor  330  may generate one or more characteristic values relating to a sound based on the parameter(s) generated in step  1120 . The characteristic value(s) may be and/or include one or more sound frequencies (i.e., music tone), duration of sound, amplitude (i.e., sound volume), a pitch of the sound, etc. The generation of characteristic value(s) may be in accord with one or more certain mapping rules. In some embodiments, the mapping rule(s) may be determined based on the relationship between characteristic value(s) and parameter(s). In some embodiments, the relationship may be expressed as one or more functions, data sheets, etc. In some embodiments, the parameter(s) may be converted to characteristic value(s) based on the relationship. For example, the sound frequency may be determined based on the frequency of the pressure variation. As another example, the duration of sound may be determined based on the duration of pressure. As still another example, the sound volume may be determined based on the total impulse of the pressure, etc. 
     In step  1140 , the processor  330  may generate a sound control signal based on the characteristic values generated in step  1130 . The sound control signal may be a frequency waveform, a time-domain audio spectrum, an electricity waveform, a digital translation information, a pulse code modulation (PCM) of the sound, etc. The generation of the sound control signal may be based on a certain transition rule. In some embodiments, the transition rule may be determined based on the relationship between the sound control signal and the characteristic values. In some embodiments, a specific music tone may correspond to a waveform with a specific frequency, a sound volume may correspond to the amplitude of a waveform. In some embodiments, the sound frequency (and/or sound volume, etc.) may be extracted from the characteristic values, and corresponding waveform(s) may be synthesized. In some embodiments, the sound control signal may be expressed by one or more audio formats, for example, waveform audio file format (WAV), audio interchange file format (AIFF), adaptive transform acoustic coding (ATRAC), MP3, etc. In some embodiments, the sound control signal may be encoded, encrypted, or compressed. In some embodiments, the sound control signal may be stored in storage  340  after its generation. In some embodiments, the sound control signal may be used by the peripheral device  120 , such as an audio player, a loudspeaker or a headset, to play a sound/music. For example, the peripheral device  120  (e.g., an audio player) may convert the sound control signal into audio content based on one or more algorithms, according to the audio format. As another example, the peripheral device  120  (e.g., a loudspeaker, a headset, etc.) may convert the audio content into sounds. 
     The above description may serve for an illustrative purpose, it is not intended that it should be limited to any particulars or embodiments. The scope of the disclosure herein is not to be determined from the detailed description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the embodiments shown and described herein are only illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and that various modifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art could implement various other feature combinations without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. 
     The various methods and techniques described above provide a number of ways to carry out the application. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all objectives or advantages described can be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods can be performed in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objectives or advantages as taught or suggested herein. A variety of alternatives are mentioned herein. It is to be understood that some preferred embodiments specifically include one, another, or several features, while others specifically exclude one, another, or several features, while still others mitigate a particular feature by inclusion of one, another, or several advantageous features. 
     Although the application has been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the application extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and modifications and equivalents thereof. 
     The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (for example, “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the application and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the application otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the application. 
     Preferred embodiments of this application are described herein. Variations on those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. It is contemplated that skilled artisans can employ such variations as appropriate, and the application can be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, many embodiments of this application include all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the application unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     Furthermore, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefore, is not intended to limit the claimed processes and methods to any order except as may be specified in the claims. Although the above disclosure discusses through various examples what is currently considered to be a variety of useful embodiments of the disclosure, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose, and that the appended claims are not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, are intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. For example, although the implementation of various components described above may be embodied in a hardware device, it may also be implemented as a software-only solution—e.g., an installation on an existing server or mobile device. 
     Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the foregoing description of embodiments of the present disclosure, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various embodiments. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, claimed subject matter may lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment.