Abstract: In a music synthesis system, a scanning apparatus repeatedly scans a physical attribute of a vibrating object at a sequence of points of the vibrating object so as to repeatedly generate corresponding sequences of values. The music synthesis system generates an audio frequency waveform whose shape corresponds to the sequences of values. The vibrating object may be a physical object or a simulated object. The system may include a sensor for receiving user input, and means for mapping the user input into a stimulus signal that is applied to the vibrating object. In a preferred embodiment, the object vibrates and is manipulated by the user at haptic frequencies (0 to 15 hertz), while the sequences of scanned values are cyclically read at an audio frequencies so as to generate an audio frequency waveform whose timbre varies at the haptic frequencies associated with the object's vibration.

Abstract: A position sensor is used in conjunction with one or more batons, each baton having a transmitter that transmits a distinct radio frequency signal at a position in space. The position sensor determines the current position of each baton transmitter in terms of X, Y, and Z coordinates. The position sensor includes a tablet having a flat support member, with at least two pairs of electrodes coupled to the flat support member. Each of the electrodes is a separate antenna. A first pair of the electrodes is shaped so that the amount of capacitive coupling between each baton transmitter and the first pair of electrodes corresponds to the position of the baton transmitter with respect to the X axis. A second pair of the electrodes is shaped so that the amount of capacitive coupling between each baton transmitter and the second pair of electrodes corresponds to the position of the baton transmitter with respect to the Y axis.

Abstract: An electronic drum has two or more batons, each baton having a transmitter which transmits a distinct radio frequency signal at a position in space. The electronic drum determines the current X, Y, and Z coordinates of each baton transmitter. To determine the position of each baton transmitter, the drum includes a tablet which has a flat support member at a predefined position, with at least two pairs of electrodes coupled to the flat support member. A first pair of the electrodes is shaped so that the amount of capacitive coupling between each baton transmitter and one of the first pair of electrodes corresponds to the position of the baton transmitter with respect to the X axis. A second pair of electrodes is shaped so that the amount of capacitive coupling between each baton transmitter and one of the second pair of electrodes corresponds to the position of the baton transmitter with respect to the Y axis.

Abstract: A pickup is disclosed for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of strings. The pickup includes a bridge member having a surface which supports the strings at predefined positions along the surface, a plurality of bimorphic piezoelectric elements embedded in the bridge member at locations corresponding to the predefined positions along the surface of the bridge member, and connection wires for conveying the electric signals generated by said bimorphic piezoelectric element. Each bimorphic piezoelectric element has two oppositely polarized piezoelectric layers, separated by a metallic layer. The bimorphic piezoelectric elements are embedded in the bridge member so that the principal direction of vibrations of the corresponding string is normal to the metallic layer which separates the two piezoelectric layers of the bimorphic element.

Abstract: A light-spot-emitting stylus (21) is utilized by an operator to write graphical information on the surface of a simple multilayer planar transducer device (10) that includes a photoconductive layer (16) sandwiched between a transparent conductive layer (14) and a resistive layer (18) that includes spaced-apart electrodes (23 through 32 . . . ). In response to the writing spot, the transducer device generates electrical output signals indicative of successive coordinate positions of the spot on the transducer surface. In turn, these signals are transmitted to a remote location where the originally written graphical information is reconstructed. Moreover, by positioning the transducer on the face of a display unit (51), the information being written on the transducer can be viewed by the operator during the writing process.