Abstract: This invention discloses a switching system for any odd or even number of two or more matched vibrations sensors, such that all possible circuits of such sensors that can be produced by the system are humbucking, rejecting external interferences signals. The sensors must be matched, especially with respect to response to external hum and internal impedance, and be capable of being made or arranged so that the responses of individual sensors to vibration can be inverted, compared to another matched sensor, placed in the same physical position, while the interference signal is not. Such that for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 sensors, there exist 1, 6, 25, 90, 301, 966 and 3025 unique humbucking circuits, respectively, with signal outputs that can be either single-ended or differential.

Abstract: A split keyboard with an optional middle section of keys for controlling regular PC input to a host, to play music, and to input and play music with a multiple octave keyboard that when the middle section of keys are removed can be portable to travel. And when working on just the split keyboard inputting data to a host the operator arms are not abducted due to the perpendicular advantage or slide apart keyboard where an operators arms are perpendicular to the keyboard keys.

Abstract: A keyboard circuit (15) of an electric music instrument includes contact transistors (TRk) having at least three terminals as input/output terminals for state detection for each of a plurality of contacts (14a, 14b, and 14c); and wiring units to the contact transistors (TRk) and the contacts (14a, 14b, and 14c). A selector (Sm) and the wiring unit for each of the plurality of contacts (14a, 14b, and 14c) are arranged to be divided into a plurality of layers in three dimensions. Then, the keyboard circuit (15) detects ON/OFF states for each of the contacts (14a, 14b, and 14c) for which the ON/OFF states change in response to a key-pressing operation for each of a plurality of keys (12) and for which at least one is provided to each of the plurality of keys (12).

Abstract: A hammer device of an electronic piano with keys which swing in accordance with key depression, includes a hammer support that is made of a synthetic resin and has a fulcrum shaft, and a hammer having a shaft hole part for being fitted on the fulcrum shaft and configured to pivotally move about the fulcrum shaft in a manner interlocked with the swinging key. The fulcrum shaft has an outer peripheral surface formed by a pair of arcuately-curved surface portions opposite to each other and a pair of planar surface portions each extending between the pair of arcuately-curved surface portions and parallel to each other.

Abstract: A hammer device for an electronic keyboard instrument, enabling prevention of grease or the like from adhering to an actuator portion during mounting of the hammer, to thereby enable speedy hammer mounting work and improve the work efficiency. The hammer device includes a hammer support and hammers arranged side by side in a left-right direction and each pivotally supported by the hammer support to pivotally move in accordance with depression of an associated key. When mounting the hammer to the hammer support, before a shaft hole is engaged with a fulcrum shaft portion, left and right protrusions of the hammer are brought into abutment with respective left and right stopper walls provided close to the respective left and right ends of the fulcrum shaft portion, to thereby prevent the actuator portion from being brought into contact with the fulcrum shaft portion.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard instrument with a hammer action, in which a circuit board for generating electronic musical tones can be disposed at a location for easy maintenance and for effective space utilization. Front and rear bars are bridged between side plates of an instrument main body so as to extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction and reinforce the instrument main body. A hammer action mechanism having hammers for respective keys is disposed rearward of a key-depression part of a keyboard and upward of a rear end portion of the keyboard, and a board tray is bridged between the front and rear bars. The board tray and the circuit board are located upward of the hammer action mechanism.

Abstract: An electronic fingerboard for use on a musical instrument comprises a printed circuit board layer with contact electrodes and electronic sensing components. A first double sided adhesive tape is formed over the printed circuit board layer, and a polyester film membrane having carbon printing on the lower surface thereof is formed above the first double sided adhesive tape. A second double sided adhesive tape is formed above the polyester film membrane, and a silicon rubber overlay is mounted over the second double sided adhesive layer. A polyurethane overspray comprising a non-stick coating is then formed on the silicon rubber overlay.

Abstract: A media application for providing outputs (e.g., audio outputs) in response to inputs received from an input device is provided. The media application may connect input mechanisms of an input device with parameters of channel strips (e.g., which may define output sounds) using an intermediate screen object. The media application may first assign an input mechanism to a screen object, and separately map a screen object to a channel strip parameter. The media application may map a screen object to several channel strips simultaneously such that, based on the value of the screen object, the volume of each of the several channel strips changes. The media application may provide a graphical representation of available channel strips using layers. As the media application accesses a channel strip, the appearance of the portion of the layer associated with the channel strip may change.

Abstract: There is provided a touch detecting device of a keyboard instrument, which makes it possible not only to enhance the mounting density of a plurality of optical sensors, but also to detect touch information of a key with high accuracy without being affected by light from the other optical sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the keyboard system that can determine accurate key operation. The system provides immediate processing of the data input streams from various strike sources, the key stroke depth data, the key strike speed data, the key strike acceleration data. The movement state volume V can be calculated using a formula shown below, based on the key strike depth D, the key speed S, the key acceleration A, the coefficient a, b, c, and constant d. V=a*D+b*S+c*A+d. When the volume level exceeds the predetermined level A, the system determines that the key has been pressed. When it is determined that the key has been pressed, the “note-on” information is outputted to the sound source. The velocity value included in the “note-on” information is calculated with reference to the velocity curve based on the key speed when it is determined that the key has been pressed.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard instrument which is capable of easily carrying out an arpeggio performance rich in variety by a simple operation on a touch strip. The electronic keyboard instrument has a belt-like touch strip on which a player slides his finger while touching it to carry out an arpeggio performance. A CPU causes musical tones of respective pitch names included in respective designated component pitch names to be sounded, in a predetermined arpeggio pattern having a predetermined sounding order, according to detected touch positions on the touch strip, for the arpeggio performance. A musical tone generating circuit for generating musical tones for the arpeggio performance is switched between first and second tone generator circuits for generating musical tones based on key-on information detected on swingable keys and a third tone generator circuit dedicated to generation of musical tones for the arpeggio performance.

Abstract: An optical modulator is hung from a key moved on a key trajectory so as to be moved together with the key, and a light beam, which is stationary with respect to a key bed, is radiated through the optical modulator; a large number of miniature refractors are formed on the light output surface of the optical modulator, and the density of miniature refractors per unit area is varied in a direction in which the optical modulator is moved together with the key so that the current key position is converted to the amount of light passing through the optical modulator; since the miniature refractors and other portions of optical modulator have a unitary structure, a molding process is used for the optical modulator, and the molding process make the production cost low.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling actuators in a mechanical reproducing piano or other instrument. In one implementation, a single finite state machine is provided to control all the actuators. The finite state machine may be or include a shift register or a toggle register, which increases the operating speed. When a note is to be played, the desired dynamic is mapped into a start vector and a stop vector. The actuator is turned on when the state of the finite state machine is equal to the start vector, and is turned off when the state of the finite state machine is equal to the stop vector. Furthermore, the period of the finite state machine is adjusted to be directly proportional to the supply voltage. This allows notes to be played at the desired dynamics even when the supply voltage fluctuates.

Abstract: Embodiments of an electronic, frameless, musical keyboard with the ability to couple to other frameless musical keyboards are described. In one embodiment, a first musical keyboard section includes an arrangement of black and white keys, similar to a layout of a piano keyboard, disposed over a base. The keys at the left and/or right sides of the keyboard section have exposed sides, so that a second keyboard section can be integrated with the first keyboard section to give the appearance of a single keyboard. To integrate the first keyboard section with the second keyboard section, the base of the first keyboard section extends past the right-most key to a width and length that is substantially equal to the dimensions of a left-most key from the second keyboard section. The left-most key can then be laid to rest over the extended base portion. The reserved space formed by the base of the first keyboard section having dimensions of a key (e.g.

Abstract: A portable electronic key easily findable even if dropped into water. The portable electronic key includes an upper cover and a lower cover, a hermetically sealed space is formed, in which electrical equipment such as a board, a battery, and an antenna are arranged. The upper cover and the lower cover are formed of foam resin, and a grain pattern is given to surfaces thereof. A specific gravity of the entire electronic key is set at 1 or less, thus enabling the portable electronic key to float on the surface of the water.

Abstract: An invention extending functionality and applications of traditional music keyboards. Individual musical keyboard keys may have individual key displacement sensors measuring key travel. Individual keys may further include surface sensors measuring two additional parameters, creating three independent continuous parameters essential for controlled rendering of vowel sounds and orchestral timbre spaces. Surface sensors may comprise pressure sensor arrays, which, via geometric image-processing, may produce five to six readily controlled independent parameters per key, useful in controlling expressive soloing and long-duration background sounds. Per-key pressure sensor arrays may comprise mass-produced modular components including intelligent distributed image processing to simplify manufacturing and substantially reduce cost. Synthesized tactile feedback may render variable keyboard actions or create ‘multi-level’ key travel functionality. Outgoing MIDI signals may also be provided.

Abstract: Keys of an acoustic piano require balancers for cancellation of a part of self weight of the action units/hammers; however, the balancers are liable to be dropped off due to the aged deterioration of the wooden bars; in order to keep the balancers stable in the keys against the aged deterioration, the balancer is plastically deformed so as to bite into the wooden bar, the balancer, which is formed with thorns, is rotated so as to make the thorns bite into the wooden bar, the balancer is shaped into a configuration different from the holes so as to exert resilient force on the inner surface in a direction in parallel to the grain of wood, or the balancer is inserted into a constricted hole so as to strongly exert the resilient force on the inner surface, thereby being prevented from the dropping off from the keys.

Abstract: A 2 manual musical keyboard with the pitch progression on one of the manuals reversed. The keys on these manuals are segregated into 2 groups of 2 different heights in the same way as a standard musical keyboard. The key configurations on these manuals have 12 semi-tones linearly distributed across 12 keys of alternating heights. Instead of the traditional 7 lower keys (white) and 5 upper keys (black), this arrangement has 6 lower keys and 6 upper keys. The notation system for this unique keyboard is a dual character set. Six unique characters for the upper keys and six unique characters for the lower keys. The musical staff for this unique keyboard will have six lines assigned to one character set and the six spaces assigned to the other character set.

Abstract: An integrated computer and music keyboard module includes a key assembled base, on a first side of which a plurality of music keys are parallelly arranged. The key assembled base is provided on at least one lateral end with a connecting member for turnably connecting at least one extended module thereto. The extended module includes an extended key assembled base, on a first side of which a plurality of music keys are arranged, and on a second side of which a plurality of computer keys are arranged. When the extended module is turned about the connecting member to an extended position, a music keyboard is shown; and when the extended module is turned to a folded position, the computer keys are exposed to serve as a computer keyboard.

Abstract: An illuminated keyboard with illuminated figures being formed on the top surface of the keyboard including: a top cover, a bottom cover, a plurality of keys and an electroluminescent board. The top cover accommodates the keys and is combined with the bottom cover. The electroluminescent board is installed between the top cover and the bottom cover. The electroluminescent board includes at least one figured pattern to be displayed on a top surface of the keyboard on the top cover when the electroluminescent board is electrified to give light.

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: An operation detection switch capable of reproducing the manner of performance in which the speed of depressing an operating portion changes in the middle of a key action and of achieving a reduced manufacturing cost. The operation detection switch includes a switch main body and legs. A fulcrum projection, a first extending portion, protrusion and a second extending portion are provided in sequence along one end to the other end of and extending from the switch main body. Furthermore, a pressure projection is provided on the other end of the switch main body. Movable contacts corresponding to fixed contacts formed on a printed circuit board are formed at the tips of the first and the second extending portions. The operation detection switch and the printed circuit board constitute a detection device for detecting the depressing action of the key.

Abstract: A key top switch for an electronic musical instrument which can be manufactured at a low cost is provided for preventing noise due to bouncing between an operation panel and a key top, and permitting accurate and easy positioning of the key top at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction and horizontal direction of the operation panel. The key top switch is disposed in an operation panel of an electronic musical instrument. The key top switch comprises a switch board attached on a back side of the operation panel, and a key top sandwiched between the operation panel and the switch board. The key top includes a contact member in contact with the switch board, and a resilient arm for urging the contact member toward the switch board.

Abstract: An optical sensor array includes plural sensor heads arranged on a supporting plate at intervals for monitoring moving objects such as black/white keys of a composite keyboard musical instrument; the sensor head has resiliently deformable arms on both side portions thereof and a locating hole/guide groove are formed in the reverse surface portion of the sensor head, and an expander, a grip and projections are formed in the supporting plate; when a worker slides the sensor head on the expander, the resiliently deformable arms make the gap wider so that the grip is pinched between the resiliently deformable arms and that the projections are engaged with the locating hole and guide groove, whereby the sensor head is easily fixed to and located at a predetermined position on the supporting plate.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic keyboard musical instrument that gives the performance feeling closer to that given by an acoustic piano and enables techniques of expression closer to those used when playing the acoustic piano. Touch information is generated based on first information output when an ON event of a first (deep) SW of a switch section occurs, and a tone generator section generates a musical tone according to the touch. When an OFF event of a third (shallow) SW of the switch section occurs during key release, the musical tone being generated is progressively damped, and at the same time a musical tone having a predetermined characteristic is generated. The OFF event of the third SW is made equivalent to a damper-leaving position in a key stroke of an acoustic piano keyboard.

Abstract: An operation detection switch capable of reproducing the manner of performance in which the speed of depressing an operating portion changes in the middle of a key action and of achieving a reduced manufacturing cost. The operation detection switch includes a switch main body and legs. A fulcrum projection, a first extending portion, protrusion and a second extending portion are provided in sequence along one end to the other end of and extending from the switch main body. Furthermore, a pressure projection is provided on the other end of the switch main body. Movable contacts corresponding to fixed contacts formed on a printed circuit board are formed at the tips of the first and the second extending portions. The operation detection switch and the printed circuit board constitute a detection device for detecting the depressing action of the key.

Abstract: A key top switch for an electronic musical instrument which can be manufactured at a low cost is provided for preventing noise due to bouncing between an operation panel and a key top, and permitting accurate and easy positioning of the key top at a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction and horizontal direction of the operation panel. The key top switch is disposed in an operation panel of an electronic musical instrument. The key top switch comprises a switch board attached on a back side of the operation panel, and a key top sandwiched between the operation panel and the switch board. The key top includes a contact member in contact with the switch board, and a resilient arm for urging the contact member toward the switch board.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for chording. One embodiment of an apparatus comprises a user-wearable support element, in the form of a glove having finger and thumb portions. An output generating element in the form of a switch is provided corresponding to each finger and thumb portion of the glove. An activator is provided for each finger and thumb portion of the glove. In one embodiment, each activator comprises a wire having one end connected to the glove and a second end arranged to activate the switch corresponding to its respective finger or thumb portion. Movement of each finger and thumb into one or more positions causes the respective activator to activate its respective switch. In one embodiment, the outputs generated by the switches are input to a signal controller. The signal controller is arranged to provide a second output dependent upon the inputs from the various switches. In one embodiment, the second output is determined from a map and comprises alphanumeric data.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument is equipped with solenoid-operated key actuators for guiding a player in fingering on the keyboard, and the solenoid-operated key actuators stop the keys at terminative positions on the way to the end positions, wherein key sensors supplies detecting signal representative of the keys reaching the terminative positions to a controller so that the controller removes the driving signals from the solenoid-operated key actuators immediately before the escape of jacks from the hammers.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for chording. One embodiment of an apparatus comprises a user-wearable support element, in the form of a glove having finger and thumb portions. An output generating element in the form of a switch is provided corresponding to each finger and thumb portion of the glove. An activator is provided for each finger and thumb portion of the glove. In one embodiment, each activator comprises a wire having one end connected to the glove and a second end arranged to activate the switch corresponding to its respective finger or thumb portion. Movement of each finger and thumb into one or more positions causes the respective activator to activate its respective switch. In one embodiment, the outputs generated by the switches are input to a signal controller. The signal controller is arranged to provide a second output dependent upon the inputs from the various switches. In one embodiment, the second output is determined from a map and comprises alphanumeric data.

Abstract: A composite part for an electronic musical instrument which allows the center of a drill to be immediately and reliably positioned on a rivet during disassembly, thereby making it possible to significantly improve the efficiency of disassembling works and accordingly promote reuse of resources. The composite part is composed of first and second members each having a rivet inserting hole, and a rivet having a head and a shaft. The rivet is inserted through the rivet inserting holes of the first and second members, and a leading end portion of the shaft is caulked to join the first and second members together. The rivet is formed with a guiding recess formed on a surface of at least one of the head and the caulked leading end portion of the shaft for guiding a drill for cutting the rivet when the first and second members are disassembled.

Abstract: A silent electronic keyboard instrument for operation in conjunction with a synthesizer for transmitting sound only electronically to a headphone terminal, and exhibiting keyboard operation substantially duplicative of acoustic piano keyboard operation.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument includes a plurality of keys turnable between a rest position and an end position, an electronic sound generating system responsive to the motion of the key so as to generate an electronic sound and a key touch generator for offering resistance against the motion of the key, and the key touch generator has a magnetic plate attached to a side surface of each key, a stationary electromagnetic actuator generating electromagnetic force so as to attract the magnetic plate thereto and a controller responsive to a key position signal representative of a current key position so as to change the magnitude of a driving signal supplied to the electromagnetic actuator, thereby varying the resistance like the key of an acoustic piano.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument stores first key touch data codes representative of a first reaction component and grouped into first data groups by a key velocity, second key touch data codes representative of a second reaction component and grouped into second data groups by a key position and third key touch data codes representative of a third reaction component and grouped into third data groups by the key position, and produces a digital key position signal representative of current key position, a digital key velocity signal representative of current key velocity and a digital key acceleration signal representative of current key acceleration so that a solenoid-operated actuator generates a resistance against the key motion on the basis of the first key touch data code selected by using the digital key position signal and the digital key velocity signal, the second key touch data code selected by using the digital key velocity signal and the digital key position signal and the third key touch

Abstract: A piano set having automatic playing keys comprises a bracket having a plurality of fixing columns and mounting sockets. A gear set, linkage set of a gear set driven by a motor and connecting shaft of the keyboard are rotationally mounted thereon. The bracket further includes a controlling circuitry which includes a printed circuit board, a battery set, a microswitch and a speaker and which are electrically connected. The keyboard set includes an upper fixing board and a lower fixing board by which a plurality of keys are movably fixed therebetween. Each of the keys is aligned with a driving gear of the connecting shaft. The upper cover is provided with a front recess in which a fallboard is pivotally disposed thereof by means of a fixing plate. The fallboard is provided with a pair of pressing tabs at both sides. When the fallboard is uncovered, those two pressing tabs will trigger on the microswitch such that the motor is powered to drive the gear set and connecting shaft and the connecting rods.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard key apparatus to simulate the feel of escapement includes a longitudinally extending key preferably pivotally mounted on a supporting base, a spring apparatus flexibly disposed between the base and the key for resisting depression of the key with a variable resistive force, a latching apparatus to latch the spring apparatus in connection to the base, and an unlatching apparatus to unlatch the spring apparatus from connection to the base with a predetermined amount of resistive force. The latching apparatus may be a magnetic apparatus disposed between the base and the spring apparatus having one of a magnetic element and a magnetically attracted element fixedly connected to the base and the other fixedly connected to the key.

Abstract: An acoustic upright piano, an electronic sound system and a hammer stopper form in combination a keyboard musical instrument for generating acoustic sounds in an acoustic sound mode and electronic sounds in an electronic sound mode, and the hammer stopper has a rotatable shaft extending in a lower space under damper blocks of damper assemblies, cushion members projecting into an upper space over the damper blocks and connecting brackets provided between the rotatable shaft and the cushion members, thereby perfectly interrupting hammer motions before an impact on strings in the electronic sound mode.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument includes an acoustic piano for generating acoustic sounds, an electronic system for generating electronic sounds and a silent system for selecting one of the acoustic sounds and the electronic sounds, and the electronic system is equipped with key sensors and hammer sensors so as to determine a loudness of the electronic sound and a timing for a tone-generation from a key position signal or a hammer position signal depending upon a fingering on a keyboard.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument selectively enters into an acoustic sound mode for generating acoustic piano tones and an electronic sound mode for generating electronic sounds instead of the acoustic piano tones, and a stopper is changed between a free position and a blocking position by an actuator controlled through detection with photo-interrupters, thereby eliminating aged deterioration from the position control between the free position and the blocking position.

Abstract: A hammer sensor of a keyboard musical instrument monitors a hammer action from a home position to a rebounding point on a stopper or strings, and a controller determines a hammer velocity and a time at an intermediate point on a trajectory of the hammer in a recording mode; the controller delays the time so as to determine a key-on timing, and an electronic system reproduce the acoustic or electronic sound at the key-on timing in a playback mode so as to reproduce the acoustic or electronic sound at the same timing as the original sound.

Abstract: An musical tone control device, employed by an electronic keyboard instrument, comprises a keyboard frame, a stopper member and a sensor. The keyboard frame is located beneath an arrangement of keys in the keyboard and is provided to support the keys in a vertical direction as well as in a horizontal direction. The key is normally pressed upward by a key-return spring. The stopper member comprises a base part, a flexible part, having flexibility In a selected direction, and an edge portion which are assembled together. The base part is fixed to the keyboard frame. The edge portion of the stopper member provides at least a lower-limit stopper for the key. The sensor is attached to the flexible part so as to sense a deformation of the stopper member in the selected direction. An output of the sensor is used to control a musical tone in terms of a specific musical parameter such as pitch.

Abstract: In order to allow a player to perform a music without an acoustic sound, a stopper blocks hammer shanks before impacts of hammer heads to strings, and recesses substantially conformal to the hammer shanks are formed in cushion members of the stopper for improving durability of the cushion members.

Abstract: An acoustic piano, an electronic sound producing system and a controlling system form a keyboard instrument for selectively producing acoustic sounds and electronically synthesized sounds, and the controlling system has a catcher stopper for restricting rotations of catchers before hammer heads strike sets of strings in the electronic sound producing mode, thereby giving the unique piano key-touch to a player without mixing noise with the synthesized sounds.

Abstract: A hammer stopper is moved into and outof an orbit of an extension of a hammer shank depending upon an operation mode, and the extension rebounds on the hammer stopper in an electronic sound producing mode between an escape of a jack from a butt and a strike of a hammer head at a set of strings so that a player performs a music through synthesized sounds without sacrifice of the piano key-touch.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus for an electronic keyboard musical instrument comprising a wooden key which is swingably supported by a fulcrum on a metallic keyboard chassis and which is returned from its depressed position by returning means, a precisely constructed balance rail of metal or plastic is provided on the metallic keyboard chassis, and the wooden key is directly supported by the balance rail.

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.