Abstract: Keyboard apparatus includes: a key supported for pivoting movement about a pivot point; a mass member for imparting a reaction force to performance operation of the key in interlocked relation to the key; a transmission member provided in abutment with both of the key and mass member to transmit a load from one of the key and mass member to the other; and an electromagnetic actuator for driving, via a fixed coil, the transmission member toward at least one of the key and mass member. Good key touch feeling can be achieved not only by a load applied from the mass member to the key but also through load control by the actuator. Thus, it is possible to faithfully reproduce a key touch feeling approximate to that in a natural keyboard instrument, such as an acoustic piano, with a simple construction and facilitated control.

Abstract: In order to improve a touch of a key of a keyboard musical instrument by using a key actuating apparatus which actuates the key supported so as to be rotationally movable with regard to a frame of the keyboard musical apparatus, a key actuating apparatus (1) includes: a plunger (15) which is moved on an arc or curved line in correspondence with a rotational motion of a key (3); and a solenoid (7) including electro magnets (17 and 19) which are fixed to the frame and which are substantially in a cylindrical shape into which the plunger is inserted. The plunger (15) is formed in an arc or curved shape extended in a direction of a rotational motion of the plunger (15). A head end (15b) arranged on the plunger (15) in a lengthwise direction is made from a magnetic body.

Abstract: A computer portion 70 determines main reaction force RF0 by use of a main reaction force table storing main reaction forces which vary according to the velocity and the depth of a depression of the key 11. The computer portion 70 determines first ancillary reaction force RF1 by use of a first ancillary reaction force table storing first ancillary reaction forces which vary according to the amount of depression of a lever 32 of a pedal apparatus 30. The computer portion 70 adds the first ancillary reaction force RF1 to the main reaction force RF0 to obtain a composite reaction force to control a solenoid 21 on the basis of the composite reaction force so that a reaction force which is to be exerted on the key 11 will be the composite reaction force.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument has a solenoid including a plunger and a coil into which the plunger is inserted, a drive unit for applying voltage to the solenoid, and a key which moves together with the plunger, and on which a force generated by the solenoid is exerted. The drive unit includes a position detector for detecting position of the key in the direction in which the key is depressed or released. By varying voltage which is to be applied to the solenoid in accordance with the position of the key detected by the position detector while the key is in motion, the drive unit varies the force which is to be generated by the solenoid.

Abstract: Three valve assemblies are linked with finger buttons and inserted into a pipe structure of a trumpet for changing the length of air column, and a supporting system assists a player in fingering on the finger buttons; sensors are adhered to the finger buttons so as to supply a detecting signal representative of force exerted on the finger buttons by the player to a controlling unit; when the force exceeds over a threshold, the controlling unit energizes actuators connected to the valve assemblies so as to make the player feel the valve assemblies lightly changed.

Abstract: An approach of a finger of a player to a key in order to conduct an operation for playing music is sensed to exert an external force which resists a depression of the key before the finger whose approach has been sensed touches the key. As a result, the touch feeling of keys of an acoustic piano perceived by a player right after depressions of the keys is realized.

Abstract: An electrolytic solution, for use in an electrolytic capacitor, comprising a solvent and a solute wherein water accounts for 20 to 100% by weight of the solvent and the total solute content is from 1.5 to 44% by weight, and an electrolytic capacitor comprising a capacitor element, a case containing the capacitor element, and a sealant with which the case is sealed, the capacitor element comprising a pair of electrode foils each comprising a dielectric, a separator for isolating the electrode foils from each other, and the above electrolytic solution filled between the electrode foils.

Abstract: The electrical properties and high-temperature characteristics of an electrolytic capacitor are rendered satisfactory by addition of a compound with an unsaturated bond-containing chain which serves to absorb hydrogen gas generated by reaction between the aluminum electrode foil and the electrolyte solution. The electrolytic capacitor contains the unsaturated compound which allows hydrogen addition, or the electrolytic solution, which comprises a solvent composed of 10-80 wt % of an organic solvent and 90-20 wt % water and at least one electrolyte selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids or their salts and inorganic acids or their salts, also comprises one or more unsaturated compounds which are water-soluble or soluble in polar and protic polar solvents.

Abstract: In order to improve a touch of a key of a keyboard musical instrument by using a key actuating apparatus which actuates the key supported so as to be rotationally movable with regard to a frame of the keyboard musical apparatus, a key actuating apparatus (1) includes: a plunger (15) which is moved on an arc or curved line in correspondence with a rotational motion of a key (3); and a solenoid (7) including electro magnets (17 and 19) which are fixed to the frame and which are substantially in a cylindrical shape into which the plunger is inserted. The plunger (15) is formed in an arc or curved shape extended in a direction of a rotational motion of the plunger (15). A head end (15b) arranged on the plunger (15) in a lengthwise direction is made from a magnetic body.

Abstract: Reactive force control apparatus for a pedal comprises: a movement detection section that detects movement of the pedal; a solenoid that produces a reactive force in response to operation of the pedal; a reference reactive force impartment table defining intensities of the reactive force corresponding to amounts of the operation of the pedal; a setting value input section operable to input a setting value for changing the reactive force responsive to the operation of the pedal; and a control section that controls the reactive force to the pedal by changing content of the table, on the basis of the input setting value, to thereby create a changed reactive force impartment table, so that the reactive force to the pedal is controlled on the basis of the changed table and detected movement of the pedal.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus 100 has plural keys 10 and 11, plural electronic actuators 30, and plural link mechanisms 40. Each of the keys 10 and 11 extends in the longitudinal direction, and pivots in the vertical direction about a support C1 by the operation of depressing the keys and the operation of releasing the keys. Each of the electronic actuators 30 has a movable member 31 that displaces in the vertical direction in interlocking with the pivot movement of each of the keys, and applies a reaction force against the operation of depressing the keys 10 and 11. Each of the link mechanisms 40 links each of the keys 10 and 11 and the movable member of each of the electronic actuators 30 in such a manner that power can be transmitted.

Abstract: This invention provides a non-contact type IC card that can prevent electrostatic discharge failure of an IC chip caused by static electricity generated in a metal reflective layer. In a non-contact type IC card, an inlet sheet on which an antenna and an IC chip connected to the antenna are mounted is embedded in a card base member and a metal reflective layer (which corresponds to a hologram-magnetic recording layer) is laminated on the surface of the card base member. The non-contact type IC card includes conductive members that are embedded in the card base member. The conductive members attract static electricity generated in the metal reflective layer, and discharge the static electricity from a second surface of the card base member (the surface of the card) opposite to a first surface of the card base member (the back surface of the card) on which the metal reflective layer is laminated.

Abstract: Different kinds of control tables in which action of a pedal 4 is associated with reaction force exerted on the pedal 4 by an actuator 7 are stored in a memory of an electronic keyboard musical instrument 26. The different kinds of control tables are designed to include a half pedal range. A CPU 40 selects one of the different kinds of control tables in accordance with player's manipulation of setting operators 28 to obtain a reaction force exerted on the pedal 4 by the actuator 7 from the selected control table, the reaction force being associated with an action detected by an action detecting portion 6. The CPU 40 also controls the actuator 7 such that the actuator 7 exerts the obtained reaction force on the pedal 4.

Abstract: An electrolytic capacitor using an electrolytic solution constituted by a solvent consisting of from 20 to 80 wt % of an organic solvent and from 80 to 20 wt % of water, the electrolytic capacitor comprising a nitro or nitroso compound except for nitrophenol, nitrobenzoic acid, dinitrobenzoic acid, nitrophenone and nitroanisole, in a portion inside the capacitor other than in the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic capacitor exhibits a low impedance, excellent low temperature stability and good life characteristics, and further, is excellent in the effect to absorb a hydrogen gas, even when use is made of an electrolyte solution employing mixed solvent having a great water content and when an electrolytic capacitor is used under a high temperature condition.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus 100 has plural keys 10 and 11, plural electronic actuators 30, and plural link mechanisms 40. Each of the keys 10 and 11 extends in the longitudinal direction, and pivots in the vertical direction about a support C1 by the operation of depressing the keys and the operation of releasing the keys. Each of the electronic actuators 30 has a movable member 31 that displaces in the vertical direction in interlocking with the pivot movement of each of the keys, and applies a reaction force against the operation of depressing the keys 10 and 11. Each of the link mechanisms 40 links each of the keys 10 and 11 and the movable member of each of the electronic actuators 30 in such a manner that power can be transmitted.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus 100 includes plural keys 10 and 11, electronic actuators 40, reflection plates 51, and optical sensors 52. Each of the plural keys 10 and 11 extends in the longitudinal direction, and pivots in the vertical direction about a support in accordance with the key depression and key release. Each of the plural electronic actuators 40 has a movable member 41 that displaces in the vertical direction in interlocking with the pivot movement of each of the keys 10 and 11 so as to apply a reaction force against the operation of depressing the keys 10 and 11. Each of the plural reflection plates 51 is fixed to the movable member 41 of the electronic actuator 40, wherein the reflection surface thereof faces in the lateral direction of each of the keys 10 and 11. The light reflectance of each of the reflection plates 51 changes along the displacing direction of the movable member 41.

Abstract: In order to improve a touch of a key of a keyboard musical instrument by using a key actuating apparatus which actuates the key supported so as to be rotationally movable with regard to a frame of the keyboard musical apparatus, a key actuating apparatus (1) includes: a plunger (15) which is moved on an arc or curved line in correspondence with a rotational motion of a key (3); and a solenoid (7) including electro magnets (17 and 19) which are fixed to the frame and which are substantially in a cylindrical shape into which the plunger is inserted. The plunger (15) is formed in an arc or curved shape extended in a direction of a rotational motion of the plunger (15). A head end (15b) arranged on the plunger (15) in a lengthwise direction is made from a magnetic body.

Abstract: A player changes the pitch of tones produced through a trombone by controlling the breath and a slide, and the control of slide is not easy for children, handicapped persons and old players; a supporting system is combined with the trombone, and includes a manipulating board fitted to an appropriate portion of the trombone close to the slide, a driving mechanism connected to the slide and a controlling unit connected to the manipulating board and driving mechanism; when the player wishes to change the pitch of tones through the sliding motion of the slide, he moves a lever on the manipulating board by a distance shorter than a target stroke of the slide, and the controlling unit calculates the target stroke so as to supply a driving signal to the driving mechanism; and the driving mechanism exerts force on the slide so as to assist the player in varying the length of the column of air.

Abstract: An approach of a finger of a player to a key in order to conduct an operation for playing music is sensed to exert an external force which resists a depression of the key before the finger whose approach has been sensed touches the key. As a result, the touch feeling of keys of an acoustic piano perceived by a player right after depressions of the keys is realized.

Abstract: A saxophone has a complicated key mechanism for selectively closing and opening tone holes, and fingering on touch buttons and keys is not easy for children, handicapped persons and old players; a supporting system is combined with the saxophone so as to assist a human player in fingering, and includes sensors, actuators and a controlling unit; while the human player is fingering on the touch buttons and keys, the sensors inform the controlling unit of changes of the depressed touch buttons and depressed keys, and the controlling unit supplies driving signals to the actuators associated with the tone holes to be closed so as to permit the human player easily and quickly to play music tunes.