Abstract: An intuitive music composition game platform with various modes of operation in a single reader system and a music mash up collectable card game and method using cards with tags and unique identifications. A single reading platform includes a cover for card storage and for supporting a smart device platform for reading many Near Field communication (NFC) embedded cards, with stacking features and colored light indicated input lanes selection for user identification and selection. Various game modes include individual, studio mix, party modes game play features in music mash up collectable card games, which may be used together with or independent of accessory devices as controllers, or smart device user interfaces with Bluetooth™ or Wi-Fi for communicating user selection and operation.

Abstract: An audio coupling device is disclosed that includes a connector for an electric musical instrument, a connector for a handheld computing device, and a connector for headphones. The device may also include electrical decoupling and shielding mechanisms.

Abstract: A customizable electronic musical instrument comprising a mounting frame for securing a plurality of user-installable electronic musical modules of various types including a type for generating at least one real-time control signal responsive to user operation, a type for generating audio signals, responsive to a real-time control signal, and a for processing audio signals responsive to at least one of a real-time control signal. The instrument can transmit electrical signals to an external system and can include internal sound amplification. The instrument can include one or more of a keyboard, touchpad, strumpad, impact sensor, slider control, expression wheel, joystick, ribbon controller, button, switch, pressure sensor, multiple-position selector, knob potentiometer, and music synthesizer elements. Signals may be routed among modules by a switch or bus.

Abstract: An input apparatus including: a first operation detecting section provided on a first operating section which detects acceleration and angular speed based on movement of the first operating section; a second operation detecting section provided on a second operating section which detects acceleration and angular speed based on movement of the second operating section; a judging section which judges whether or not the first and second operating sections have been held together, based on the accelerations and the angular speeds detected by the first and second operation detecting sections; a detecting section which detects a change operation based on the accelerations and the angular speeds detected by the first and second operation detecting sections, when the judging section judges that the first and second operating sections have been held together; and a changing section which changes a predetermined parameter in accordance with the change operation detected by the detecting section.

Abstract: A DC battery powered sound effect pedal housing with sound effect circuitry mounted therein and a battery terminal connector for being connected to battery terminals for powering the circuitry, a base and an adapter frame removably mounted intermediate the housing and the base with the adapter having said frame and an adapter power cord mounted to frame for transmitting DC power to the battery terminal connector whereby a conventional DC battery power sound effect pedal is converted to one being powered from an online AC power source without physically changing the base and housing. A convention power cord is used be powered from an AC power source to provide a DC power output that is plugged into the jack of the adapter power cord.

Abstract: A signal distribution system for a customizable aggregated musical instrument is described. The signal distribution system interfaces with a plurality of individual musical modules secured in a mounting frame having a plurality of mounting locations, each mounting location adapted to receive an individual musical module, and includes at least one instrument interface adapted to transmit interface signals to an external system and a signal routing infrastructure. Outgoing instrument interface signals include at least one of an outgoing audio signal, MIDI control signal, computer data signal, and video signal. Incoming instrument interface signals include at least one of an audio signal, MIDI control signal, computer data signal, and video signal. The musical instrument also includes at least one of an audio signal processing element, audio signal mixing element, audio sound production element, control signal processing element, control signal merging element, and controllable audio signal synthesizer element.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument which is placed on a supporting surface when it is used, includes an instrument main unit which includes a keyboard having a plurality of keys and which generates electrical signals in response to depressions of the keys, a speaker which has a front side and a rear side and which produces sounds corresponding to the electrical signals from the instrument main unit, and an instrument main unit supporting member which is placed on the supporting surface. The instrument main unit supporting member includes an outer surface facing an external space, an internal space surrounded by the outer surface and housing the instrument main unit at a position apart upward from the supporting surface, and an opening formed in the outer surface and communicating the internal space with the external space. The speaker is attached to the outer surface with the front side facing the opening.

Abstract: A digital piano having a dock for a handheld computing device is disclosed. The digital piano includes a keyboard having a number of keys and at least one speaker. A sound engine is operative to make audio signal in response to key presses on the plurality of keys of the keyboard. The sound engine includes an audio output to transmit the audio signal. A dock is configured and arranged to connect to a handheld computing device. The handheld computing device has an audio port and a music program running thereon operative to play musical accompaniment to the pianist. A summing circuit is provided that has an input electrically connected to the audio port of the handheld computing device and audio output of the sound engine and an output electrically connected to the at least one speaker.

Abstract: A playback apparatus is provided that includes an operation plane, a detection unit to detect which of contact relationship including first contact relationship, second contact relationship with a higher degree of contact than the first contact relationship and third contact relationship with a higher degree of contact than the second contact relationship the operation plane and an operation object have, a creation unit to create a list screen of content data for selecting content data based on movement of the operation object with respect to the operation plane in the first contact relationship, a playback unit to play back content data, and a playback control unit to cause the playback unit to play back content data selected on the list screen when becoming the second contact relationship from the first contact relationship if contact relationship becomes the third contact relationship from the second contact relationship.

Abstract: In normal mode or expansion mode, a normal load table 53 or an expansion load table 54 is selected, respectively, to store half area start position HS and half area end position HE as effect-switchable positions. The selected load table is referenced to generate and output drive signals so as to obtain depression reaction force F according to position ST. In accordance with player's depression/release of keys, musical tone signals are generated on the basis of waveform data 51 and envelope data 52 corresponding to the manipulated keys, designated basic tone color and depression area to carry out tone emission/tone-vanishing processes. Both the characteristics of musical tones and the rate of change in the reaction force switch at the effect-switchable positions.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a keyboard having a plurality of keys, a top board located in the rear of the keyboard and having a space for placing external equipment, a music stand that is erected on the top board, and a plurality of connection terminals that are located in the rear of the music stand and on a top surface of the top board, and that are freely connected with and disconnected from the external equipment.

Abstract: This invention allows for easy field-customization of mainstream and exotic electronic musical instruments with extensive support for the easy creation of aggregated instruments. This invention leverages extensive functional customization of instruments within mainstream accepted instrument modalities as well as opening a wide range of completely new instrument modalities. The invention further facilitates entirely new manufacturing, marketing, and sales paradigms permitting a broad range of open industry development and commerce, thus making an individual musician's creation of new exotic instrument arrangements an economically viable sector for both mass manufacturing and the niche cottage industry. New opportunities are provided for the creation of multiple-vendor standardizations, multiple-vendor manufacturing, multiple-vendor competitive features, etc.

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: Key frame has a key support section that pivotably supports thereon a plurality of keys. Hammer structures are pivotably provided in corresponding relation to and below the keys, each of which pivots in interlocked relation to depression operation of a corresponding one of the keys. On a rear portion of the key frame, there is provided an upper stopper that is elongated and extends in a direction where the keys are arranged. The upper stopper defines an upper end limit of pivoting movement of each of the hammer structures. Opening portion is formed between the key support section and the upper stopper. Wiring cable connected to a circuit board, having switches corresponding to the keys, is run below the key support section, then passed through the opening portion and thence drawn upwardly beyond the upper stopper so that it is led out to a region above the upper stopper.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard instrument which enables an instrument frame to be shared by different types of electronic keyboard instruments, and facilitates separate mounting and removal of a keyboard unit and a tone-generating unit. A frame assembly (FAS) has a pair of left and right frame bodies (LFM and RFM) and upper and lower connecting members (20AS and 30AS). The frame assembly is configured such that the two frame bodies are connected together via the connecting members. A pair of keyboard unit-holding parts (16La and 16Ra) are provided respectively on the two frame bodies of the frame assembly. The keyboard unit-holding parts are capable of selectively holding one of a plurality of types of keyboard units (KB). A pair of speaker unit-holding parts (17La and 17Ra) are provided respectively on the two frame bodies, separately from the keyboard unit-holding parts. The speaker unit-holding parts are capable of selectively holding one of a plurality of types of speaker units (SP).

Abstract: A training apparatus for guiding and independently teaching a user to quickly play a guitar by interpreting stored encoded MIDI music data to guide the user's hands by illuminating sequences of desired finger positions on the frets of a guitar to play the music.

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: A device for composing and arranging music comprising a sensor part and a plurality of blocks which may be releasably connected to the sensor part. A distribution of blocks, each belonging to one of a number of sub-populations of blocks on the sensor part, represents a composition or arrangement comprising musical features being dependant upon the sub-population(s) and the position of the block(s). Further, a device for building an instrument using blocks having activating means for activating the musical features of the block(s). The device may be used as an educational toy being easy to use for e.g. children. The device may be connected to a computer and to a global computer network so as to enable the device to communicate with other similar devices.

Abstract: An electronic piano is provided in which activation of a keyboard (7) and foot pedals (8) causes sound to be generated and output via a pair of conventional cone loudspeakers (210-212) each comprising a tweeter (214), a woofer (216) and a base (218). Simultaneously with the activation of the conventional cone loudspeakers (210, 212), sound corresponding to the notes played by using the keyboard (7) is also generated and output via two distributed mode loudspeakers (220, 222) which are arranged to output sound through the inducement of resonant vibrations. The conventional cone loudspeakers (210-212) act as a series of discrete point sound sources. The distributed mode loudspeakers (220, 222) act as diffuse point sources generating sound across the entire surface area of the panels (220, 222). The air disturbance patterns propagated by the two different types of sound source result in sound more closely emulating the sound generated by a conventional high quality acoustic grand piano.

Abstract: A musical device includes a body and at least one actuator mechanism. In one embodiment, the musical device can generate an audio output in response to activation by a user of the actuator mechanism. In one embodiment, the musical device body includes multiple parts that can be moved relative to each other. The parts enable the musical device to resemble one or more musical instruments.

Abstract: A modular amplification system consisting of a plurality of pre-amplifying modules for allowing a user to select at will, a particular module as desired. The modular amplification system includes a chassis which houses a power supply for supplying low and high voltages to each of the pre-amplifying modules, support circuitry and interconnections for accessing the audio and control signals as required. Additionally, each of the pre-amplifying modules is designed, so that it contains the circuitry required for proper amplification of various musical instruments. The pre-amplifying module is selected from a vacuum tube amplifier, an analog and/or digital solid state amplifier, and analog or digital signal processing unit. The pre-amplifying module is then inserted into the chassis by an edge connector and suitable bolts which allows ease of installation and removal. Any combination of different pre-amplifying modules may be used which can then be selected by a user.

Abstract: An electronic musical synthesizer comprising a keyboard assembly including at least one main keyboard controller and one or more support keyboard controllers. The main keyboard controller includes ergonomically configured keypads each of which include two keyrows, wherein each keyrow preferably comprises either five keys or six keys. The keyboard assembly through the plurality of keyboard controllers operatively communicates with a processor assembly comprising a retrieve processor and an assemble processor each of which communicate with the keyboard assembly to receive different MIDI language, key-velocity primary parameters including pitch, velocity and channel.

Abstract: A portable and self-contained device for generating melodies. The electronics and battery are contained within an ergonometrically designed housing. Five switches assemblies are also housed therein with the switch actuators protruding out from the housing and being cooperatively positioned to permit a user to readily actuate them to generate one of up to 32 possible combinations that correspond to the musical notes of at least two octaves. A speaker is also housed inside the housing.

Abstract: A device which can be used to control a musical performance contains a sensor which outputs an electrical signal. The sensor may be formed by providing a fixed contact and a hollow contact, wherein movement of the device causes the contacts to meet. Other features of the device include a user-adjustable sensitivity feature, a button for starting/stopping, and a sliding switch for sending volume information to the playback devices. The device may be provided as part of a system which includes a score-following apparatus.

Abstract: A control apparatus comprises a rod-like member having a gripping portion at its distal end, a support member for supporting the rod-like member, the gripping portion being movable along an axial direction of the rod-like member, and moving amount detectors for detecting moving amounts of the gripping portion. The control apparatus inputs a control signal to a control object on the basis of a detection value of the moving amount detectors. An electronic musical instrument has a control apparatus as a performance operation member for controlling electronic tone generation parameters in correspondence with a performance function, and a sound source for generating an electronic tone on the basis of inputs from a keyboard and the performance operation member.

Abstract: A musical tone controlling apparatus includes a tone generation instruction device, a detection device, tonal parameter generation device and a tone signal forming device. The tone generation instruction device outputs a tone generation start signal in accordance with a playing action of a performer. The detection device detects a movement or a state of the performer's body and generates a detection signal in accordance with the detected result. The tonal parameter generation device generates a first tonal parameter in accordance with the detection signal when the tone generation start signal is received and generates a second tonal parameter in accordance with the detection signal after the tone generation start signal has been received. The tone signal forming device controls the tone signal formation of a musical tone to be generated in accordance with the first tonal parameter and the second tonal parameter.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument including: a scraper operator having a predetermined operation length in a predetermined operation direction, for detecting at least one of access, contact, and push of an operating member, and generating a plurality of signals to be detected within the range of the operation length; a time interval generating unit for receiving the signals detected by the scraper operator and generating a time interval signal representing a time difference between consecutively detected signals; and a tone signal synthesizer for generating a tone signal in accordance with the detected signal and the time interval signal each time the scraper operator generates the signal to be detected. Signals indicating the position, speed, and acceleration are derived from a plurality of consecutive signals time sequentially detected, providing various control ways of musical tone signals.

Abstract: An electronic dance floor system (10) that consists of a dance floor (12) having at least two dancing sections (14) with each section further having at least four composite pad assemblies (16). Each of the assemblies (16) is connected through a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) converter (100) to a MIDI equipped sound source (102). When a dancer, during his or her dance routine, steps on selected assemblies (16), an electrical switch module (34) embedded in each assembly triggers the MIDI converter which, in turn, energizes the sound source. Thus, by stepping on selected assemblies (16) a dancer can produce sounds that compliment the dancer's stepping routine. The system (10) can also be designed to include a pair of tapping shoes (110). The shoes independently allow a sound(s) to be produced that enhances the sound(s) produced by the dance floor (12).

Abstract: An electronic piano with a pedal, which can control various parameters by the pedal. The electronic piano has a mode switch for selecting a mode, and the electoronic piano switches parameters to be controlled by the pedal according to the selected mode by the mode switch. The pedal can provide not one but a variety of parameter control functions. Further, an electronic piano with first and second pedals, wherein a relationship between the up/down operation of the first pedal and an increase/decrease in parameter to be controlled is set to be opposite to a relationship between the up/down operation of the second pedal and the increase/decrease in parameter to be controlled.

Abstract: The electronic musical instrument is constructed such as to detect key-on/key-off performed by physical flexion movements of fingers through a pair of performing gloves 1 and 2 so as to effect generation and erase of musical tones in real timings practically matching with fingering performance. An A/D converter 3 converts signals from bend sensors 10 of the performing gloves 1, 2 into digital flexion data. A controller 4 processes the digital flexion data such as to detect a stop motion of a finger to judge a key-on event according to bending velocity information calculated from the sequentially sampled flexion data, thereby generating musical tones. Further, the controller 4 detects a maximum angle according to the flexion data of the finger restored from the key-on state so as to judge a key-off event according to an off-threshold level correlated to the maximum bend depth to thereby erase musical tones.

Abstract: A musical tone control apparatus controls a musical tone corresponding to a movement itself of an object and the like which is detected by a detector Such detector detects also a moving speed, a moving force, a moving angle or an intensity of given impulse of the object. In the case where the detector is mounted in the vicinity of a player's joint, the detector detects a revolving or bending angle of the player's joint. Hence, the musical tone can be controlled based on such angle of the player's joint. Thus, through this musical tone control apparatus, the player can generate a musical tone having, for example, a desirable tone pitch, a desirable volume and a desirable tone color based on the movement of the object or the player's joint.

Abstract: Sound signal generator, comprising a housing (1,2) containing a microcontroller for the storage and control of reproduction of several sound messages, and a loudspeaker for reproducing the said sound messages connected to the in lieu thereof microcontroller. The housing of the sound-signal generator also carries, over at least a portion of its outer wall, a keyboard associated with the microcontroller and formed by selection keys (3) respectively bearing identification symbols for the sound messages stored in the microcontroller.

Abstract: A musical tone control apparatus in an electronic musical instrument having a hollow body portion for controlling a musical tone or musical tone factors to be generated in accordance with operation of the player.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic teaching, accompaniment and practice music apparatus which is independent of a played musical instrument. The apparatus includes devices for digital sound production, tempo setting, accompaniment, operation and input of digital note data, which are connected by means of a control unit, which is connected with an electro-acoustical device for acoustical reproduction of the note sequences corresponding to the input piece of music via a digital-analog converter. There is an optical display device which is connected with a piano keyboard or a guitar fingerboard or represents these, for optical display of the note sequences played.

Abstract: A hammer movement detection device for detecting the movement of a hammer which strikes strings provided for each key of a keyboard musical instrument. The hammer movement detection device radiates light onto a hammer shank which moves with the hammer and detects at least the displacement of the hammer shank based on the light reflected from the hammmer shank. The movement detection device may be attached to a shank rail which supports the hammer shank in a freely rotatable manner. The hammer movement detection device may be supported using a fixed member which is supported above the hammer shank and below the pin board which is connected to the frame which supports the strings which are struck by the hammer.

Abstract: Musical instruments usually require a high level of skill on the part of the operator. In the case of electronic instruments, playing an instrument often involves the depressing of keys on a keyboard. In the present invention, an apparatus for the generation of musical sounds is described which is instead based on monitoring motions of the body, especially the natural motion of swinging the arms and legs. The monitoring of body motion depends on the use of an acceleration sensor in a hand-held element, or on the use of an acceleration sensor contained in a detachable housing which is held by a "Velcro" (Trademark) type fastener to a part of the body. The signal from the acceleration sensor is transmitted via a cable or a wireless transmitter to a musical tone signal generating circuit which is contained, along with batteries, in a belt-shaped casing which may be worn by the user.

Abstract: A musical-tone-control apparatus having digit members worn along the fingers and contracting and expanding in the longitudinal directions of the digit members in response to the bending and straightening of the fingers. The bending of the digit members is detected by detectors coupled to the digit members and the generation of musical tones is controlled on the basis of the detected signal, i.e. the bending of the fingers. The contraction and expansion of the digit members facilitates the bending and straightening of the fingers. The digit members can also rotate in a plane of the hand to further facilitate the movement of the fingers. The digit members are made to bend about the axes positioned on the third joint of the fingers or the second joint of the thumb (the joint just below the root of the fingers or the thumb), which makes the bending of the digit much easier.

Abstract: The wear for controlling a musical tone consists of a wear worn by a player, a main body and at least one detector for detecting a certain movement of the player. The main body is mounted at a player's waist, and the detector is mounted at a player's joint by use of a mounting member such as a plane fastener. Hence, the mounting position of the detector can be freely adjusted. The main body and the detector are connected by use of wires which may be sewed in the wear. In addition, the detector may constitute a supporter which can be freely mounted at the player's joint. When the detector detects the movement of the player, such as a bending angle of the player's joint, a tone pitch, a tone volume or a tone color of the musical tone to be generated is controlled based on the detected movement of the player.

Abstract: A keyboard instrument is provided, comprising a keyboard housing having a top and a bottom; a handle attached to and extending from the bottom of the keyboard housing; a keyboard having a plurality of keys operatively attached to the top of the housing; a plurality of keyboard controls, mounted on the keyboard housing; a sound component housing; at least one speaker mounted in the sound component housing; a synthesizer, mounted within the sound component housing; and keyboard, sound component and communications circuitry. The instrument may include a volume expression control mounted in the handle, enabling user to control volume expression while maintaining the instrument in a horizontally oriented plane.

Abstract: The musical tone control apparatus generates a musical tone control signal in response to a motion at a certain part of a human body, preferably a bending motion at an articulation of a finger, wherein it includes a light emitting element, a photo-conductive member and a light receiving element. The light emitted from the light emitting element is transmitted through the photo-conductive member whose light transmission rate varies in response to the force applied thereon, so that the amount of the light transmitted through the photoconductive member is reduced. Such reduced amount of the transmitted light is received by the light receiving element. Based on the received light, the musical tone control signal is generated. Thus, by bending the photo-conductive member, the musical tone control signal can be varied. Preferably, the light emitting element is a photodiode, the photo-conductive member is an optical fiber, and the light receiving element is a phototransistor.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating an enveloped tone signal includes a digital portion for generating an alternating logical wave form at the desired frequency, and a start pulse for initiating the tone; and an analog portion responsive to the alternating logical wave form and the start pulse for creating the tone, the analog portion including a capacitor responsive to the start pulse for storing a charge and a switching device connected to the capacitor and responsive to the alternating logical wave form for repeatedly bleeding off a portion of the charge from the capacitor in synchronization with the alternating logical wave form, and a transducer connected to the capacitor for producing the enveloped tone signal.

Abstract: An electronic muscial instrument for use in a stringed instrument such as a guitar, a guitar synthesizer or a violin. Two modes can be selectively set by a mode setting operation conducted on a mode setting section. Even if the same fingering operation is performed, a pitch designated by the fingering operation differs depending on which one of the two modes is currently set.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument comprises a plural number of component blocks capable of being coupled mechanically and electrically in succession and each having therein musical tone elements control means and at least one of the blocks having also musical tone signal generating means. Time range or tonal range of generated musical tones are changed according to how many blocks are connected consecutively in a predetermined or a selected order. The blocks can generate a series of musical tones in a sequence corresponding to a connecting sequence when a switch arranged on the leading block is operated, and a desired musical piece can be performed by operating performance operating means of each block. The electric musical instrument also can be used as an educational toy allowing infants to learn music while amusing and is convenient for transportation since it can be easily dismembered into each block.

Abstract: A manually played control device mounted on the playing board of an electronic keyboard instrument, to be played by one hand of a player while the other hand plays the main keys. The main keys produce usual control signals whereas the control device produces electrical control or sound signals for the variation, supplementing and completion of the control signals produced by the main keys. A plurality of continuous and/or gradual control signals can be played simultaneously for a subtle control and shaping of sound parameters, such as volume, pitch, timbre and noise, through the use of a control handle which is movable in several directions and in several planes and is sensitive to the variable load by the player's hand.

Abstract: A finger switch is mounted at a player's finger so as to detect bending and stretching actions of a player's finger. Such finger switch at least consists of a thin plate made of plastic materials which is mounted on the back of the player's finger, a push button mounted on the thin plate near a center portion of the player's finger and a movable member which can be moved along the thin plate in response to the bending and stretching actions of the player's finger. When the player bends his finger, the movable member is moved toward the push button so that the push button will be pushed by the movable member. By mounting a plurality of such finger switches on the fingers of the player, a musical scale or a tone pitch of a musical tone to be generated can be controlled based on a combination of on/off states of the push buttons.