Abstract: A 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 or 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: An automatic player piano is a combination between an acoustic piano and an automatic playing system, and a grand piano and an upright piano are used as the acoustic piano; the grand piano has action units prompter than action units of the upright piano so that a half-stroke recorded through the grand piano is not reproducible by the upright piano; the automatic playing system causes the hammers to rotate toward the strings without any escape thereby compensating the poor promptness with the short keystroke of the keys until the rotation of hammers.

Abstract: In order to define movement of a particular key to be automatically operated, first-order trajectory data are generated, on the basis of performance information, which are indicative of variation over time of position, velocity and acceleration components of the particular key. Jerk component related to the movement of the particular key is calculated on the basis of the acceleration component in the first-order trajectory data, and second-order trajectory data are generated by modifying the first-order trajectory data with the calculated jerk component. Then, a drive device for driving the particular key is servo-controlled on the basis of the second-order trajectory data. In this way, nonconstant acceleration (or constant jerk) control, rather than constant acceleration control, can be performed to control driving of the key during a successive key depression, so as to allow the successively-depressed key to operate with an increased smoothness.

Abstract: An automatic player piano prolongs acoustic sounds in playback as if a player pushes down a sostenuto pedal, and a controller is responsive to a first piece of music data information representative of key-on state, a second piece of music data information representative of key-off state, a third piece of music data information representative of pedal-on state and a fourth piece of music data information representative of pedal-off state so as to play a tune by using key actuators associated with the keys; when the first piece of music data information is supplied to the controller for a key, the controller instructs the key actuators to change associated the key from the key-off state to the key-on state; when the second piece of music data information is supplied to the controller without the third piece of music data information for a key, the controller instructs the key actuator to change the key from the key-on state to the key-off state; when the second piece of music data information is supplied to the

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument lowers a key bed together with a keyboard, key action mechanisms and hammer mechanisms in a silent mode, and a stopper mechanism and a make-up mechanism cause the depressed keys to actuate the key action mechanisms and damper mechanisms as similar to an acoustic sound mode, thereby allowing a player to feel the key touch usual in a performance without an acoustic sound.

Abstract: A mechanism for hydraulically actuating a damper assembly in pianos. It includes first, second and third cylinder assemblies interconnected to permit a user to selectively play a piano or use a computer with a suitable interface. The pedal mechanism is coupled to the first cylinder assembly so that the first rod associated with the first piston head moves the hydraulic fluid into the second cylinder assembly which in turn pushes second rod out to release the damper head holding a piano string. Alternatively, the piano can be played with a computer with a solenoid interface that causes the hydraulic fluid inside the third cylinder assembly to go inside the second cylinder assembly or first cylinder assembly causing the same effect as if it was done by activating a pedal. Conduit members connect the different cylinders without causing any incompatibility or interference.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic playing of a piano, the apparatus activating operation terminals in consonance with received play data to play music. The apparatus includes an input device for receiving play data, the play data including soft pedal event information and key event information. The apparatus also includes: a soft pedal history storage unit that, when the soft pedal event information is received from the input device, temporarily holds ON/OFF history of a soft pedal in consonance with the soft pedal event information; a converter that, when the key event information is received from the input device and the soft pedal history storage unit is storing an ON event for the soft pedal, performs a predetermined conversion of key depression force data that is included in the key event information; and a controller that controls the operation terminals in consonance with the key depression force data that has been converted by the converter.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing method and device for an automatic performing piano which not only seizes performance information according to occurrence and timing of an on-event, but also converts the performance information according to actual emission timing in each respective recording and reproducing process steps, thereby achieving accurate performance reproduction with balance and high fidelity. Since a time lag between depression of key and emission of sound varies with the intensity in depressing of the keys, this time lag is incorporated into performance information to be stored, a key drive solenoid can be actuated or terminated in immediate response to the output of key depression or release data, respectively.

Abstract: A device and method prevents the imbalance of emission timing between strong key strokes and weak key strokes in an automatic performing piano by preventing the occurrence of reverse phenomenon and overlap phenomenon by correcting cessation timing according the order or sequence of key strokes. A reverse phenomenon, where cessation timing for one key stroke precedes its counterpart emission timing, is prevented by changing cessation timing to occur after emission timing. An overlap phenomenon, where emission timing for the latter of two successive strokes precedes cessation timing for the former stroke, is prevented by changing the cessation timing to occur prior to the emission timing. The method and device thus achieves reproduction of performance with balanced and controlled sound emission timing and high fidelity in performance reproduction.

Abstract: There is disclosed a solenoid-dashpot assembly for actuating the foot pedals of a player piano. A solenoid having an armature shaft extending beyond the coil area of the solenoid receives a piston element, which, in turn, has an O-ring which co-acts with a dashpot cylinder. Constricted air passage elements are formed in the piston element and are provided with relatively large air passages which have mufflers thereon so that no sound is made when air ingresses or egresses through these constricted passages due to actuation and deactuation of the solenoid. To silence both ends of travel of the solenoid armature, the solenoid is mounted above a base plate on a mounting bracket and the solenoid armature carries a pad extending from a side opposite the dashpot.

Abstract: Pedal actuator and connection assemblies for electronic vorsetzer player piano units incorporating universal connection members between the electronic assemblies and foot pedals for converting a conventional piano to an electronic player piano are disclosed. The connection assemblies include a foot member, one for each foot pedal, which are adapted to transmit actuating forces transmitted from the player piano unit downwardly and on the rear portion of the pedal member pivoting the foot member in the second ball joint to cause an upward force on a lower pedal-engaging surface to thereby engage the lower side of the pedal therewith and thereby permit upward and downward movement of the foot without it slipping off the pedal. At the same time, since there is no positive securement of the connection assembly to the foot pedal, the vorsetzer may be easily and quickly positioned on the piano for converting a standard piano to an electronic player piano.