Abstract: A method for the use of the white keys of a musical keyboard such as a MIDI keyboard for the playing a selected scale whereby all while keys of the keyboard are remapped to the selected scale such that adjacent keys of the keyboard can be used to play adjacent notes of the selected scale. There is also disclosed a method for providing a functional aspect to at least one black key of a musical keyboard such as a MIDI keyboard, wherein upon a key of the keyboard being pressed, a first check is conducted to determine if a user has activated the selected scale setting; and if the selected scale function has been activated, a second check is conducted to determine if the key is a black key or a white key. If the key is a black key a second lookup table is checked based on a MIDI message for the black key to determine a corresponding functional aspect corresponding to the black key.

Abstract: An alphanumeric keyboard for use with a host computer is disclosed the alphanumeric keyboard has a plurality of alphanumeric keys; and a sound reproducing system. The sound reproducing system includes a data processor for controlling operating functions of the sound reproducing system; and an audio processor for receiving at least one of a plurality of audio input and providing at least one analog audio output. There is also a keyboard controller for sensing use of one or more of the plurality of alphanumeric keys and passing of keyboard scan code to the host computer. The keyboard controller further enables the use of predetermined keys of the plurality of alphanumeric keys for providing user input to the control of the operating function.

Abstract: A musical keyboard having associated therewith a alphanumeric keyboard having a plurality of alphanumeric keys, the musical keyboard having a musical keys each being for producing a musical sound, and music function keys for producing musical effects, At least one of the alphanumeric keys is able to be used to modify a result of one or more of the music function keys and musical keys. The music function keys have functionality to produce the musical effect. The modification is only affective while the alphanumeric key is pressed after the musical function key has been pressed. The modification is to change the musical sound produced by the musical keys, and a further modification can be effected by relatively rapid hits of the one key of the plurality of alphanumeric keys. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A musical keyboard system for an electronic musical instrument, the keyboard system including a sensor arrangement for determining the amplitude of a note produced by a key of the musical keyboard, the sensor arrangement including a first sensor for providing an indication of a first time when movement of the key activates the first sensor, a second sensor for providing an indication of a second time when movement of the key activates the second sensor, a calculating device for determining the time difference between the second time and the first time, and an amplitude determining device for determining into which range of a plurality of ranges of time differences the time difference falls, and which amplitude of a plurality of amplitudes corresponds to the range. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable radio module for use with a plurality of different host apparatus, the radio module including a receiver for receiving a radio signal and able to be controlled by a user interface irrespective of the nature of the host apparatus. Also disclosed is a radio module for use with a plurality of host apparatus, the portable radio module including a receiver for receiving a radio signal able to be controlled by a user interface, and having a non-volatile memory for storage at least one radio station memory preset. The radio station memory preset is entered once only by a user and can be used with the host irrespective of the host.

Abstract: The game pad 100 of the present invention allows a user 340 to control games requiring a keyboard 401 or a joystick, applications requiring a mouse input, and DVD-players 332. The game pad 100 provides complete application-specific programmability by the use of a translator module 368 and keymap files 362. A user 340 can customize the game pad 100 to generate the commands used by an application 366 by defining a keymap file 362 for the application 366. Then, the activation of a game or application 366 is detected, and the corresponding keymap file 362 is loaded into memory, thus allowing the game pad 100 to seamlessly control the application using the user-defined commands. Multiple keystrokes or commands may be assigned to each button 110, and multiple keymap files 362 may be created for each application 366.