Abstract: A digital camera is integrated into the dashboard of an automobile which features the ability to participate in video conference calls with an occupant of the vehicle. The camera will be configured to be in communication with a vehicle microphone, touchscreen and adjustable rollerball control. Wireless communication will also be enabled. The camera is further configured to prohibit operation of the camera while the automobile is not in park.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for implementing user interfaces for interacting with a virtual instrument. For example, a user interface for a virtual instrument may be presented on a display of a device. The user interface may have any suitable number of strings (or keys) associated with a physical instrument. Each string/key may correspond to an associated audio file. Touch input may be received at the user interface. In some embodiments, the touch input may include a location corresponding to a particular string. The associated audio file may be selected based on the location. The associated audio file may be presented (e.g., via a speaker of the device) at a volume that corresponds with the pressure at which the touch input was provided.

Abstract: In a key switch (10), an inner dome (Din) starts to deform once a distal end portion (21) of the inner dome (Din) comes into contact with a base surface (93a) after an outer dome (Dout) starts to deform. A thick portion (25) extending straight and having a uniform wall thickness in a click generating portion (CL) has the thickness less than or equal to the minimum thickness of a thick portion (23) of an after stroke portion (AF). The degree of inclination of the thick portion (25) with respect to a center line (C0) (direction of pressing) is larger than that of the thick portion (23) with respect to the center line (C0) (?c>?a). Before the after stroke portion (AF) undergoes large deformation, the click generating portion (CL) undergoes buckling to cause a sudden decrease in a reaction force and generate a click feeling.

Abstract: A sound production control apparatus by which a sound production mode is controlled on the basis of a player's motion even during a non-playing control operation period. An information obtaining unit 30 obtains detection information by detecting a player's motion. A sound processing unit 36 produces sound on the basis of the detection information obtained in response to operation for generating a sound trigger in the player's motion, and controls a sound production mode on the basis of the detection information obtained in response to operation for generating no sound trigger in the player's motion.

Abstract: Electronic musical instruments as disclosed, include sensors to digitize and alter the sound using FSR sensors in the mouthpieces and other elements of the instrument to mimic the variations available in analog instruments.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for controlling a desired output of an output device. These devices include a first conductor, a second conductor having a varying, predetermined spacing from the first conductor, and a third conductor positioned on the actuator mechanism and having a plurality of interconnecting positions between the first conductor and the second conductor. A predetermined one of a plurality of output signals may be produced when the third conductor connects the first conductor and the second conductor to control the desired output of the output device.

Abstract: A variable resistance device comprises a resistive member having a resistive resilient material. A first conductor is configured to be electrically coupled with the resistive member at a first contact location over a first contact area. A second conductor is configured to be electrically coupled with the resistance member at a second contact location over a second contact area. The first contact location and second contact location are spaced from one another by a distance. The resistance between the first conductor at the first contact location and the second conductor at the second contact location is equal to the sum of a straight resistance component and a parallel path resistance component. At least one of the first location, the second location, the first contact area, and the second contact area is changed to produce a change in resistance between the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices and methods for controlling a desired output of an output device. These systems, devices and methods include connecting an electrical resistance element having a selected one of a plurality of resistance values with an electrical circuit portion having a plurality of electrical components, determining an electrical characteristic associated with the connected electrical circuit portion and the variable resistance element, and generating a control signal based on the electrical characteristic to control the desired output of the output device.

Abstract: A variable impedance device which is connected between the preamplifier of a microphone or electric instrument and a public address system for controlling the signal volume of a musical performance. The variable resistor is controlled by a foot pedal operated by the performer so that his hands are free for an uninterrupted performance. The impedance includes a first section that can be preset manually to provide maximum desired signal volume with the footpedal in one direction (toe depressed on the pedal) and a second section that can be preset to provide minimum desired signal volume (heel depressed on the pedal).

Abstract: A musical tone control information input manipulator comprises a manipulator body, a slide manipulator, and a pressure sensor. One end of the manipulator body is supported so as to be pivotally turnable and the other end thereof is supported by an elastic spring. The slide manipulator is provided on the manipulator body to generate a position signal representing a slide position on the manipulator body. Force acting on the elastic spring is detected by the pressure sensor to generate a pressure signal. The position signal and the pressure signal are respectively used as a bow position signal and a bow pressure signal for a rubbed string instrument such as a violin to generate a musical tone of the rubbed string instrument from an electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: An input keyboard (1) contains a switching device (3) for pushbuttons (22) wherein the contact linings (11.1, 11.2) on a printed circuit board (10) are bridged by a countercontact (16) operated by the pushbutton (22). The countercontact (16) consists of a carbonized plastic foil (14) and an electrically conducting layer (17) on the side facing away from the contact linings. By virtue of this arrangement there comes into being a bridging resistance between the bridged conductor strips (12.1, 12.2) that depends on the operating pressure (P) applied to the pushbutton, this resistance being then used to cause a control circuit arrangement (6) to generate a control command (Bf) for setting a particular function and an adjustment command (Bw) for setting a particular value or adjustment rate.

Abstract: An improved percussive action electronic keyboard for play as a musical instrument of the type having pivoted playing keys having camming surfaces distal from finger contact surfaces thereof, pivoted hammers having cam follower surfaces for following the playing key camming surfaces, hammer stop for stopping the swing of the hammer in response to depression of its associated key, includes an electronic sensor for generating an electrical signal for each key which is related in amplitude to the pressure with which the key is depressed during play of the keyboard, and a scanning keyboard state monitor connected to said sensor including a keyboard scanner for scanning each of the keys of the keyboard to determine if a key event has occurred, an amplitude comparator for determining when a key depression causes a said key depression signal amplitude to pass predetermined minimum and maximum amplitude threshold values, a scan counter for counting the number of scans occurring between the scans when the key depressi

Abstract: A pressure-to-conductance transducer, which avoids dependency on pressure-sensitive properties of particulate materials which may be difficult to formulate in stable form, utilizes instead the principle of translating applied pressure into variation of area and region of contact between a resistively coated Mylar tape element and a pair of adjacent contact plates, connected to controlled circuitry via a cable. In an embodiment for foot control of musical effects, a base mounts the contact plates and a surrounding separable Velcro gasket supporting a semi-rigid pressure sensor plate holding the resistive element closely spaced above the contact plates. A void in the element spans the gap between the contact plates. The conductance value appearing between the contact plates varies with the pressure applied to the sensor plate, ranging from low conductance with light offset pressure to high conductance with heavy overall pressure.

Abstract: A touch response device for an electronic musical instrument includes pressure detector for detecting initial-touch and after-touch of a key. The pressure detector means has two or more response stages that have different response characteristics to key pressure variation. An initial-touch-detector signal is produced when the pressure detecting means is in a first response stage among the response stages, and after-touch-detector signal is produced when the pressure detecting means is in a second response stage among the response stages. According to the invention, initial-touch signal and after-touch signal are generated by the use of one common operation-detector signal produced from the pressure detector means. As a result, the construction of the pressure detecting means is much simplified compared with a conventional touch-response device provided with two separate detectors, one of which detects initial-touch and another of which detects after-touch.

Abstract: An adjustable control apparatus for a potentiometer is provided. The control apparatus comprises a geared sheath which is engageable with the potentiometer of an electronic apparatus. The geared sheath is provided with a response gear nonrotatably mountable thereto. The control apparatus further comprises a control platform having a drive gear rigidly connected thereto. The drive gear is engageable with the response gear of the geared sheath, such that pivoting movement of the drive gear causes a rotational movement of the geared sheath. A foot platform is adjustably but rigidly mounted to the control platform such that pivoting movement of the foot platform causes a corresponding pivoting movement of the control platform which is transmitted to the geared sheath through the drive and response gears.

Abstract: A real-time polyphonic pitch controller and process for controlling notes or tones emanating from signal synthesizers such as used in the performance of music. The controller comprises a body with key controllers, each of which activates a pre-programmed note; a strumming controller which automatically activates selected key controlled notes in a pre-programmed sequence and rate; and controls and displays used for programming and performance. Extending longitudinally from the body is a guitar-like neck graduated by fret markings and over which slides a hand controller incorporating finger levers. Sliding the hand controller creates portamento, vibrato or glissando effects on the notes activated by the key controllers. Also, each finger lever of the hand controller when depressed raises and/or lowers its own peculiar, pre-programmed combination of individually voiced notes by pre-programmed amounts.

Abstract: A touch control apparatus for an electronic keyboard instrument, comprises a sensor having: an elongated insulating sheet having a set of conductive pattern films on a surface thereof, the elongated insulating sheet being folded and the set of conductive pattern films being formed to be spaced apart from each other; and a pressure-sensitive element sandwiched in a space defined by the folded elongated insulating sheet to be in contact with the conductive pattern films. The pressure sensitive element is deformed when a key of the instrument is depressed to deliver an electrical output through the conductive films representing the magnitude of the key depression. The apparatus is superior in easiness of handling the sensor and of assembling the apparatus.

Abstract: An input device for use in a display unit serving as a terminal of a computer has first and second insulating sheets and an insulating spacer sandwiched between the first and second sheets. The first sheet has first terminal leads on its both ends, while the second sheet has second terminal leads which extend in perpendicular relation to the first terminal leads. The upper surface is covered with a flexible, insulating, protective sheet. The spacer includes lattice-like conductors and consists of a material having cells of gas and elasticity and flexibility such as silicone foam. A fixed voltage is alternately applied across both ends of the first sheet and across both ends of the second sheet. When the protective sheet is depressed at a point P as by a depression pen, the position of the point is measured and represented by means of X- and Y-coordinates.

Abstract: A touch-controlled apparatus of the type in which two parts of a circuit component are selectively brought into contact, which includes plural circuit components. In one embodiment the two components (at least one of which must be a potentiometer) are co-planar and longitudinally aligned. In another embodiment two co-planar potentiometers are disposed in parallel side-by-side relation so as to be simultaneously actuated by the same touch pressure. In a third embodiment two or more components are disposed in two different stacked layers for simultaneous or sequential operation. An improved sample and hold output circuit includes only a parallel capacitor, or a series resistor and parallel capacitor, connected to one part of a circuit component. The component may be formed as three folded sections of a single sheet-like member, the sections being foldable into a three-tiered stack.

Abstract: A bounceless switch apparatus having a junction resistance which varies inversely with the pressure applied normally thereto which includes a first conductor member, a pressure-sensitive layer including a semiconducting material covering the first conductor member in intimate electrically conducting contact therewith and a second conductor member positioned in nonelectrically conducting relationship to the pressure-sensitive layer. The pressure-sensitive layer has a first surface with a multiplicity of microprotrusions of the semiconducting material which provide a multiplicity of surface contact locations. As the normally open switch is closed in response to a pressing force applied to urge the second conductor member and the first surface together, the physical contact between the microprotrusions and the second conductor increases thereby variably increasing conduction between the first conductor member and the second conductor member.

Abstract: A data entry device durable enough to withstand the rigors of industrial type usage in which the electronic components are isolated from the external environment is described. The device comprises a molded elastomer keyboard matrix with thin stainless steel keypads. Embedded into the elastomer beneath the keys are small magnets. Solid state Hall-effect switches are mounted at a predetermined distance from the magnets and are separated from them by a magnetically permeable stainless steel sheet which forms part of the enclosure isolating the electronic components from the environment. Depressing one of the keys on the elastomer matrix moves its associated magnet toward the respective Hall-effect device, causing a change in current which may be sensed by other electronic components. Because of the elastomer material, the keys spring back when released.

Abstract: A pressure responsive, variable resistance, analog switch has first and second conductors interleaved in spaced-apart relationship and disposed on a base member. An insulative spacer ring is positioned around and rises above the first and second conductors. A resilient cover sheet is attached to the top of the insulative spacer ring in spaced relationship over the conductors to define an enclosure between the resilient cover sheet and the base member. A pressure sensitive resistive conductor composition is disposed on the resilient cover sheet or on the conductors in the enclosure to interconnect a resistance between the first and second conductors when the resilient cover sheet is depressed against the conductors. The amount of resistance so interconnected varies inversely to the amount of pressure exerted.

Abstract: A pressure responsive, variable resistance, analog switch has first and second conductors interleaved in spaced-apart relationship and disposed on a base member. An insulative spacer ring is positioned around and rises above the first and second conductors. A resilient cover sheet is attached to the top of the insulative spacer ring in spaced relationship over the conductors to define an enclosure between the resilient cover sheet and the base member. A pressure sensitive resistive conductor composition is disposed on the resilient cover sheet or on the conductors in the enclosure to interconnect a resistance between the first and second conductors when the resilient cover sheet is depressed against the conductors. The amount of resistance so interconnected varies inversely to the amount of pressure exerted.

Abstract: A potentiometer comprises a support member having first and second support regions and an intermediate region located therebetween, a resistive member supported on the support member at the first support region thereof and having a longitudinal dimension extending transversely of a line from the first support region to the second support region, and a resilient contact member secured to the support member at the second support region and extending over the intermediate region and terminating superjacent the resistive member.

Abstract: Faithful replication of a drummer's hits on an electric drum, free of cogeneration of spurious signals by acoustic coupling of the drum pick-up with extraneous energy sources such as nearby musical instruments is achieved by employing as the drum hit pick-up a variable resistance transducer comprising a foamed dielectric matrix, e.g. polymer, having electroconductive particles therein, sandwiched between conductive members one of which is contiguous with the drum head.

Abstract: A multiple touch switch apparatus has at least one multiple segment conductor ply on the top surface of a support ply. The segments are electrically insulated from each other by their lateral displacement but are immediately adjacent so that a selected one or more of the segments can be contacted in response to a single transverse touch force. A second support ply has a unitary conduction ply on its bottom surface spaced apart from, but facing, the multiple segment conductor ply. At least the second support ply and the unitary conduction ply are resilient deformable into contact with one or more segments of the multiple segment conductor ply. Each of the multiple segment conductors or the unitary conduction ply or both may incorporate a conductor layer and a pressure sensitive semiconductor composition layer disposed thereon. The semiconductor layer provides a pressure sensitive variable contact resistance in series with the switch.

Abstract: A multi-function touch switch apparatus has a first semiconductor composition layer disposed on top of a first conductor layer which is affixed to a first base member. A second semiconductor composition layer opposing the first semiconductor in spaced relationship thereto is disposed on a second conductor layer which is itself disposed on the bottom surface of a second support member. A third conductor layer is also disposed on the top surface of the second support member in opposing spaced-apart relationship to a fourth conductor layer disposed on the bottom surface of a third support member. The second and third support members and the affixed conductor layers and semiconductor layers are resiliently deformable in a transverse axis in response to a transverse touch force to thereby cause electrical contact between the second and third conductor layers to provide a closed switch and the first and second semiconductor layers to provide a closed switch in series with a pressure sensitive resistance.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument incorporates one or more pressure sensitive push-button controllers actuable independent of the keys or other note selecting elements of the instrument to vary a corresponding number of musical parameters. The specific controllers provide a sensitive, smooth, repeatable parameter variation in response to both the location and the force of the player's touch.

Abstract: A manually operated pressure sensitive button assembly is arranged by the side of the keyboard on the top front panel of the instrument, each button being electrically and operationally coupled to an associated element in the main processing system of musical tone signals, in order to control musical tone components such as tone pitch, tone color, tone volume and modulation effect quite concurrently with minimal interruption of the manual operation on the keyboard.

Abstract: An apertured insulating strip permits closing a circuit only at contact points defined by the apertures between a low resistance conductor and a high resistance conductor in an electronic circuit of the type which produces musical notes each having a frequency dependent upon the resistance downstream of a particular contact point.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive multiple resistor element is proposed whereby two or more variations of resistance can be obtained simultaneously by applying a single compressive force. It comprises an anisotropically electroconductive composite sheet exhibiting varied resistance between its opposite surface as a result of the compressive force applied thereto, a set of electrodes provided on one surface of the composite sheet, another set of electrodes provided on the other surface, and a means for applying the compressive force to the composite sheet through the electrodes. The anisotropically electroconductive composite sheet is formed of an electrically insulating rubbery elastomer as the matrix within which many electroconductive fibers are dispersed and oriented in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to a touch response sensor for an electronic musical instrument which may control the volume, pitch, tone-color or the like of the musical tones produced by the instrument upon depression of the key responsive to the key depressing pressure. In order to detect the key depressing pressure, the touch response sensor has an electrically conductive resilient member having two legs downwardly extending therefrom for producing resistance variations between contact pieces provided on a base plate under the resilient member in response to the key depressing pressure. The contact pieces are, for example, connected via lines to a voltage-controlled variable-frequency oscillator circuit, voltage-controlled variable filter circuit, voltage-controlled variable gain amplifier circuit or the like so as to vary the volume and the like of the tones in accordance with the key depressing pressure.

Abstract: A control apparatus for determining the pitch of the sound produced by an electronic music synthesizer incorporates a conductive ribbon having a manually adjustable contact with a second conductive element, the second element comprising an elongate helically wound resistance element supported by being cemented in a groove in a base member.

Abstract: A voltage divider device capable of providing any voltage in a preselected range of voltages, which voltage may be set by a touch of the finger is disclosed. The device includes a control element without frictional contacts and a voltage storage circuit controlled by the control element. A circuit including the device is described and embodiments of the device providing a visual indication of the setting of the device are disclosed.