Abstract: Provided is an electronic percussion instrument that can facilitate determination of contact of a detection target conductor with a head. An electronic percussion instrument includes: a tubular body portion with an end surface in an axial direction open; a head that covers the open end surface in the axial direction of the body portion and has a front surface adapted to be hit; and a capacitive sensor that has an electrode disposed on a rear surface side of the head, in which the head includes an electrically isolated conductive head, and no conductor connected to a reference potential point is provided between the front surface of the head and the electrode. In this manner, it is possible to facilitate determination of contact of the detection target conductor with the head.

Abstract: Highly expressive and flexibly programmable foot-operated controllers are described. Specific implementations are intended for musical applications and allow musicians an unprecedented degree of control of a wide variety of musical components and subsystems for recording and/or performance.

Abstract: Highly expressive and flexibly programmable foot-operated controllers are described. Specific implementations are intended for musical applications and allow musicians an unprecedented degree of control of a wide variety of musical components and subsystems for recording and/or performance.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic percussion instrument that is capable of simulating a playing technique for an acoustic percussion instrument. A tubular body part is opened on an axial end surface, and a head is attached to the axial end surface to be struck on the front surface. A capacitance sensor includes an electrode that generates a capacitance with respect to a detected conductor, such as a human body, positioned on the front surface side of the head. Because the capacitance sensor detects a change of a capacitance corresponding to a distance between the electrode and the detected conductor, whether the detected conductor approaches (contacts) the head or presses the head can be determined. As a result, the playing technique for the acoustic percussion instrument is simulated.

Abstract: A movement actuated tone effects system is provided for manipulating the electrical signal of an electric instrument by moving the electrical instrument in relation to a set of reference axes. A movement actuated tone effects unit is positioned within the electric instrument or within an effects cartridge attached to the electric instrument via a cartridge receiver. The movement actuated tone effects unit includes a motion sensor unit, a processor, a tone effects circuit, and a power source, wherein the motion sensor unit measures the motion of the electric instrument and generates electrical signals directed to the processor. The processor analyzes the electrical signals, determines the appropriate tone effect to apply, and then directs the tone effects circuit to produce the desired tone effect. The movement actuated tone effects unit may further include an integrated speaker, a signal converter, a transmitter, and a device terminal.

Abstract: An input device includes an input-sensing unit that contains a capacitive input sensor and a sensitivity-sensing unit that contains a capacitive sensitivity sensor. The input-sensing unit senses position information obtained by touch operation of an operation body to the capacitive input sensor. The sensitivity-sensing unit senses sensitivity information obtained by touch operation of the operation body to the capacitive sensitivity sensor. The input device includes a control unit determining whether or not the output level of the position information from the input-sensing unit is adjusted based on the sensitivity information sensed by the sensitivity-sensing unit and a sensitivity-adjusting unit that adjusts an output level of the position information from the input-sensing unit based on a result of the determination of the control unit. The control unit controls the sensitivity-adjusting unit to adjust the output level of the position information received from the input-sensing unit.

Abstract: Highly expressive and flexibly programmable foot-operated controllers are described. Specific implementations are intended for musical applications and allow musicians an unprecedented degree of control of a wide variety of musical components and subsystems for recording and/or performance.

Abstract: A micro-practicing device emulates a portion of a full size instrument. The micro-practicing device includes a fingerboard with fret wires dividing the fingerboard into frets. In order to emulate the portion of the full size instrument, a length of each fret substantially matches lengths of frets of full size instruments. At the same time, the fingerboard is sized to enable increased portability. The device includes capacitive sensors adapted to detect the longitudinal and transverse positions of the user's fingers on the frets, and to communicate that positional information to a body portion. The body portion transmits the positional information to an external musical module, which converts the positional information into musical tones.

Abstract: A dipole microphone array is provided for an acoustical stringed instrument of the type having a body and a plurality of strings spaced from the body. The array includes a plurality of microphone assemblies each having a first and a second microphone. The second microphone is out of phase with the first microphone so as to provide a dipole microphone assembly. Each of the microphone assemblies is mounted on the body of the instrument in close proximity to one of the strings.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cymbal system includes a cymbal and a transducer couplable to the cymbal. The transducer has a sound pressure microphone, and a casing hermetically sealing the sound pressure microphone to prevent communication of air pressure differentials into the sound pressure microphone. The cymbal may be a perforated low volume cymbal. In one embodiment, a method for making a cymbal transducer includes sealing a sound pressure microphone in an airtight enclosure, and configuring the sealed sound pressure microphone for attachment to a cymbal.

Abstract: A micro-practicing device emulates a portion of a full size instrument. The micro-practicing device includes a fingerboard with fret wires dividing the fingerboard into frets. In order to emulate the portion of the full size instrument, a length of each fret substantially matches lengths of frets of full size instruments. At the same time, the fingerboard is sized to enable increased portability. The device includes capacitive sensors adapted to detect the longitudinal and transverse positions of the user's fingers on the frets, and to communicate that positional information to a body portion. The body portion transmits the positional information to an external musical module, which converts the positional information into musical tones.

Abstract: An electronic instrument simulating a percussion instrument using capacitive touch sensitive sensors. The instrument has an art layer, a sensor layer, a shielding layer, an electronics package and a speaker. The art layer has depictions of one or more percussion instruments. The sensor layer is deposed under the art layer. The sensor layer has one or more instrument sensors, each with one or more capacitive touch sensors. Instrument sensors are positioned underneath one of the depicted percussion instruments in the art layer so that a finger tapping the depicted instrument will trigger the sensor. The capacitive touch sensors are electrically connected to the electronics package configured to detect changes in capacitance when a particular capacitive touch sensor is touched, causing the electronics package to play on the speaker a sound sample of an percussion instrument associated with that capacitive touch sensor.

Abstract: Touch-sensitive musical instruments with one or more strum sensors and one or more fret sensors, wherein each of the one or more strum sensors and the one or more fret sensors includes a capacitive touch sensor. The touch sensitive musical instrument has an audio module configured to generate an audio signal in response to triggering of the one or more strum sensors, the one or more fret sensors, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Touch sensitive musical instruments are described herein including embodiments having: one-sided capacitive touch sensors with conductive ground planes, one-sided capacitive touch sensors with air gaps, one-sided capacitive touch sensors with separating material, and/or one-sided capacitive touch sensors including a combination of conductive ground planes, air gaps, and/or separating material. Embodiments of touch sensitive musical instruments simulating string instruments such as guitars are described.

Abstract: Touch sensitive musical instruments are described herein including embodiments having: one-sided capacitive touch sensors with conductive ground planes, one-sided capacitive touch sensors with air gaps, one-sided capacitive touch sensors with separating material, and/or one-sided capacitive touch sensors including a combination of conductive ground planes, air gaps, and/or separating material. Embodiments of touch sensitive musical instruments simulating string instruments such as guitars are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of an electronic instrument simulating a percussion instrument using capacitive touch sensitive sensors are described herein. Embodiments described comprise an art layer, a sensor layer, a shielding layer, an electronics package and a speaker. The art layer has depictions of one or more percussion instruments. The sensor layer is deposed under the art layer. The sensor layer has one or more instrument sensors, each comprising one or more capacitive touch sensors. Instrument sensors are positioned underneath one of the depicted percussion instruments in the art layer so that a finger tapping the depicted instrument will trigger the sensor. The capacitive touch sensors are electrically connected to the electronics package configured to detect changes in capacitance when a particular capacitive touch sensor is touched, causing the electronics package to play on the speaker a sound sample of an percussion instrument associated with that capacitive touch sensor.

Abstract: Touch sensitive musical instruments are described herein including embodiments having: one-sided capacitive touch sensors with conductive ground planes, one-sided capacitive touch sensors with air gaps, one-sided capacitive touch sensors with separating material, and/or one-sided capacitive touch sensors including a combination of conductive ground planes, air gaps, and/or separating material. Embodiments of touch sensitive musical instruments simulating string instruments such as guitars are described.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method and system for electronic sensing of string instrument input. The method includes receiving a first signal from a peak detection circuit. The peak detection circuit is operable to sense string activation. A second signal is received from one or more capacitive sensors. The second signal may include finger placement information. The method further includes processing the first and the second signals to generate an audio signal and outputting the audio signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of an electronic instrument simulating a percussion instrument using capacitive touch sensitive sensors are described herein. Embodiments described comprise an art layer, a sensor layer, a shielding layer, an electronics package and a speaker. The art layer has depictions of one or more percussion instruments. The sensor layer is deposed under the art layer. The sensor layer has one or more instrument sensors, each comprising one or more capacitive touch sensors. Instrument sensors are positioned underneath one of the depicted percussion instruments in the art layer so that a finger tapping the depicted instrument will trigger the sensor. The capacitive touch sensors are electrically connected to the electronics package configured to detect changes in capacitance when a particular capacitive touch sensor is touched, causing the electronics package to play on the speaker a sound sample of an percussion instrument associated with that capacitive touch sensor.

Abstract: A percussion detecting apparatus capable of enhancing an effect of disturbance interception by intercepting a micro-vibration conveyed from a support frame. A pad member has a pad having a back-side surface to which a base is fixed, and a percussion sensor is disposed on a back-side surface of the base. The pad member is supported by a frame via fixing members integral with the pad member and intervening members made of silicon rubber. Vertical protrusions having different protrusion heights are formed on an upper surface of a flange of each intervening member, and horizontal protrusions are formed on an inner peripheral surface of a through-hole of each intervening member. When the pad member in an unstruck state, each fixing member is in contact with a corresponding one of the intervening members only at the vertical and horizontal protrusions of the intervening member.

Abstract: An enhanced toy produces repeating, decaying notes in response to applied pressure. The tone of each note is determined, based on the location at which a user applies pressure. The initial amplitude of each note is proportional to the intensity, as measured by a stress sensor. The toy periodically repeats each note, attenuating the amplitude of each successive repetition by a decay factor. The toy may alter the notes associated with each of a plurality of locations. For example, if all currently repeating notes have decayed below a predetermined threshold, the currently available set of notes may be exchanged for a new set of notes, e.g. with different tones or timbres. The stress sensors may comprise flexible capacitors within the toy. As the user applies pressure, the geometry of one or more capacitors deform, altering the measured capacitance, through which the intensity of the applied pressure is determined.

Abstract: An amplifier for electric guitar including a Cut control for attenuating high frequencies whose operation is expanded via a switch to alternately function as a Master Volume control.

Abstract: Musical instruments are described including a first portion designed to be operated by one hand of a player and a second portion designed to be operated by the other hand. The two portions include means within each for sensing hand and/or finger activity, position or movement, and one of the portions is adapted to produce an output signal corresponding to the music being played by the user. The two portions may be physically connected together or they may be separate, each including its own power supply to enable it to operate, and for the two portions to communicate with one another. The invention is of particular value in the construction of practice instruments which do not need to include a sound box, and can thus be very compact, especially if the two parts, such as a fingerboard (20) and a body (82) with strings (83) mounted on it are connected by a telescopic neck (60A).

Abstract: A device for accurately detecting key operation speed with a simple configuration in which a plurality of alternating signals, which have mutually differing phases, is supplied to transmission electrodes. From this, capacitance between reception electrodes and the transmission electrodes is changed by a key pressing operation, and the phases of the alternating signals induced in the reception electrodes are compared and discriminated.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method and system for electronic sensing of string instrument input. The method includes receiving a first signal from a peak detection circuit. The peak detection circuit is operable to sense string activation. A second signal is received from one or more capacitive sensors. The second signal may include finger placement information. The method further includes processing the first and the second signals to generate an audio signal and outputting the audio signal.

Abstract: A guitar-family-characteristic-sound selector switch (63) is incorporated into an electric guitar and used in conjunction with the normal guitar pickup selector switch (62) and the volume and tone controls. This guitar-family-characteristic-sound selector switch invokes different pickup (61) combinations and resistance/capacitance/inductance circuitry (68) in order to generate sounds characteristic of at least two other guitars in addition to the normal sound of the host guitar. In one implementation, the family selector switch is a single user controllable switch that makes the system is intuitive in that a single guitar-family-characteristic-sound selector switch is all that needs to be operated to put the guitar in the mode of sounding like one of three or more styles of guitars following such selection; the pickup selector, volume and tone controls are used in the usual manner.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a novel technique used to create electronic apparel that is powered by batteries and generates light, or sound in reaction to various sensors on the garment. The wearer through the use of various options or effects can further modify the output through the use of various options or effects. The electronic apparel includes an image of an instrument and a keypad that allows for user control of sounds generated by electronic circuits incorporated in the garment. Sound generation circuitry and speakers are coupled to the keypad in an electronic assembly that is detachably coupled to the garment in such a way as to allow regular washing of the garment without any damage to the electronic devices.

Abstract: An improved transducer structure for musical instruments, principally for stringed instruments, permitting the production of an electrical analog signal which faithfully reproduces sound waves conducted to a sensor from the surface of the instrument through the attachment surface of the transducer and air borne sound waves incident on the elevated structure of the transducer, with nominal distortion. The sensors which are effective using this transducer technology include piezo-electrical sensors, magnetic sensors and capacitive pickups are made part of a symmetric resonant structure none of whose sides are parallel.

Abstract: This invention relates to the method and apparatus for electrostatic pickup of sound from stringed musical instruments to addresses the unique requirements of acoustic stringed musical instruments with a portable, detachable, safe-to-handle, easy-to-use, low-noise, electrostatic pickup that captures the tone of the musical instrument, is usable with common musical sound systems, avoids acoustic feedback problems associated with air microphones in live settings, and is easy to manufacture using current common materials and practices.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the displacement of a movable member of an electronic musical instrument. The apparatus has superior mechanical durability compared to displacement sensors of the past and can withstand long-term use. The apparatus includes a sensor that provides a detectable electrical characteristic having a value and a spring that, when compressed upon displacement of the movable member acts with the sensor, causing the value of the electrical characteristic to change. The value of the electrical characteristic represents the amount of displacement of the movable member and is used by a controller of the electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: An electronic system can generate music related data based on capacitive sensed inputs. The system can include a plurality of capacitance sensor inputs for receiving connection to a plurality of capacitance sensors. At least one activation input can be included for receiving at least one activation signal generated in response to a physical action on the system. A control section can be coupled to the capacitive sensor inputs and the at least one activation input, the control section including at least one processor for sensing the capacitance at each capacitive sense input and generating sense position information therefrom.

Abstract: A system electronically detects and registers contact, especially in contact sport embodiments. An example contacting instrument includes a switch, a tone generator and a conductive mesh. An example detecting instrument includes a conductive mesh and a tone decoder. In a contact sport embodiment, each combatant possesses, for example, as part of the combatant's respective uniform, one or more contacting instruments and one or more detecting instruments embedded in prescribed contact zones. The basic goal of a combatant is to strike a contact zone of their opponent with one of their contacting instruments. The detecting instrument will recognize the tone, thereby recognizing a hit.

Abstract: A system electronically detects and registers contact, especially in contact sport embodiments. An example contacting instrument includes a switch, a tone generator and a conductive mesh. An example detecting instrument includes a conductive mesh and a tone decoder. In a contact sport embodiment, each combatant possesses, for example, as part of the combatant's respective uniform, one or more contacting instruments and one or more detecting instruments embedded in prescribed contact zones. The basic goal of a combatant is to strike a contact zone of their opponent with one of their contacting instruments. The detecting instrument will recognize the tone, thereby recognizing a hit.

Abstract: Film of dielectric material, which film contains gas bubbles preferably of a flat shape. To achieve improved electrical properties, the film is given a large internal unipolar charge, which is created by charging the film by means of an electric field intensive enough to produce partial discharges in the gas bubbles and to cause the charges to move into the dielectric material of the film.

Abstract: A system electronically detects and registers contact, especially in contact sport embodiments. An example contacting instrument includes a switch, a tone generator and a conductive mesh. An example detecting instrument includes a conductive mesh and a tone decoder. In a contact sport embodiment, each combatant possesses, for example, as part of the combatant's respective uniform, one or more contacting instruments and one or more detecting instruments embedded in prescribed contact zones. The basic goal of a combatant is to strike a contact zone of their opponent with one of their contacting instruments. The detecting instrument will recognize the tone, thereby recognizing a hit.

Abstract: A system electronically detects and registers contact, especially in contact sport embodiments. An example contacting instrument includes a switch, a tone generator and a conductive mesh. An example detecting instrument includes a conductive mesh and a tone decoder. In a contact sport embodiment, each combatant possesses, for example, as part of the combatant's respective uniform, one or more contacting instruments and one or more detecting instruments embedded in prescribed contact zones. The basic goal of a combatant is to strike a contact zone of their opponent with one of their contacting instruments. The detecting instrument will recognize the tone, thereby recognizing a hit.

Abstract: Transducer for converting mechanical stress into electric signals, which transducer is composed of at least one electromechanical sheet and is capable of converting mechanical stress into electric signals and in which transducer at least one of the electrodes required by the electromechanical sheet is disposed on the surface of one or more thin and flexible dielectric materials, said electrodes forming electrically conductive surfaces of the transducer for connecting the transducer to a signal processing device, and which transducer is constructed of a unitary, thin and flexible layered sheet structure and has the same width throughout its length.

Abstract: Stringed musical instrument transducer for converting string vibrations into electric signals, which transducer is composed of at least one electromechanical sheet (107,108) and is capable of converting string and instruments vibrations into electric signals and in which transducer at least one of the electrodes required by the electromechanical sheet is disposed on the surface of one or more thin and flexible dielectric materials, said electrodes (109) forming electrically conductive surfaces of the transducer for connecting the transducer to a signal processing device, and which transducer is constructed of a unitary, thin and flexible layered sheet structure and has the same width throughout its length.

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: A system and a method for sensing the location of a remote object relative to a base object involve integrating inductive loop antennas with variable loop density into the base object and utilizing the antennas to transmit energy to and receive energy from an LC resonant circuit that is integrated into the remote object. The amplitude of a signal generated by the inductive loop antennas in response to energy received from the LC circuit identifies the location of the LC circuit relative to the antennas. Preferably, the sensing system is integrated into an electronic percussion instrument, where the keys of the instrument are formed with overlapping inductive loop antennas and the mallets used to activate the keys are formed with LC resonant circuits integrated into the mallet heads.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit, for each string of a musical instrument which string is individually tuned to a frequency, includes a transducer adjacent to the string and an equalizer connected to an output circuit. To emulate an acoustic instrument, the equalizer is set to emphasize a signal present in a frequency range of the tuned frequency of the string and/or its harmonics. It also de-emphasizes at least low end frequencies below the operating range of the string. A mid-range frequency device is provided in the equalizer to produce characteristic mid-range response for a specific acoustic instrument. If the transducer produces an inherent resonance at a characteristic frequency, the equalizer will also de-emphasize the inherent resonance produced by the transducer at the characteristic frequency of the transducer.

Abstract: Stringed musical instrument transducer for converting vibrations into electric signals. The transducer is composed of at least one transducer element (118) at least one dielectric film (107, 108), on at least one side of the transducer element, at least one signal electrode (109) and at least two ground electrodes (111-113), the transducer element having a transducer part (116) and a connection element part (115). The transducer element is an electret film containing a permanent electric charge. The film is a cell type electret film. The transducer part has a laminated structure. At least the signal electrode is a film like layer, disposed on the surface of the dielectric film.

Abstract: A signal control apparatus includes an electrically resistive strip (4) allowing close proximity of a finger. A signal can be coupled into the strip, and a signal output (V1) can be detected at one end of the strip. The structure (1, 3) for coupling a signal into the strip (4) produces a high frequency signal in the strip and a signal output (V2) can be detected at the other end of the strip. These outputs (V1, V2) are dependent, in use, on the position along the strip of a finger in close proximity thereto and provide, by capacitive coupling to the strip (4), a leakage path for some of the signal. The last position of a finger along the strip (4) can be visually indicated when that finger has been removed. The strip (4) is on the underside of an insulating plate (10), the upper side of which has a path (11) for a finger to follow.

Abstract: An electrical simulator of a plectrum instrument, including:a microprocessor (3) which is suitable to convert a chord set up on a keyboard (13), received by means of a standardized signal, into a chord which is identical but is, in terms of fingering and number of strings, of the type obtained on the instrument to be imitated;elements (7,19), equal in number to the strings of the instrument to be imitated, which are suitable to sequentially undergo a change in state caused by the hand of a user (12) who performs a movement that is identical to the one made to obtain the sound of the instrument to be imitated, and are suitable to send, as a consequence of said change, a signal to said microprocessor (3) to transmit said chord to a sound card by means of a standardized signal.

Abstract: A control circuit for use with a guitar or other musical instrument having an electromechanical pickup for converting natural vibrations of the instrument into electrical signals amplified or otherwise conditioned by a sound system to produce a derivative sound, controls a given parameter, such as the loudness or intensity, of the derivative sound and includes one or more pads of electrically conductive material fixed to the instrument and defining one or more discrete areas on the outer surface of the instrument which are sensitive to such discrete areas being touched by or brought into close proximity to a finger, hand or other body part of the performer, thereby allowing the performer to easily and quickly make changes in the given parameter of the derivative sound.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention is an apparatus for measuring the position of a point with respect to at least one axis. The apparatus includes a reference electrode located at the reference point and at least one axial electrode fixed along the at least one axis. The axial electrode has a signal transmission property, such as resistivity, as measured between a first end and a point along the axis, which signal transmission property varies with the location of the point of measurement. The axial electrode is coupled to the reference electrode, typically capacitively. The apparatus also includes means for applying an electric signal to the reference electrode; means for measuring an output electric signal at the first end of the at least one axial electrode; and means for evaluating the relation between the output electric signal and the input electric signal to determine the position of the reference point relative to the axis.

Abstract: An improved acoustic instrument is disclosed. The improvement includes a condenser microphone carried within the body of the acoustic instrument so as to primarily detect acoustical vibrations of the interior air column in contradiction to the mechanical vibrations of the instrument itself to generate electrical signals corresponding to the sounds of the instrument. The electrical signals can then be suitably amplified for connection to a conventional speaker to provide sound truly representing the acoustic sound within the instrument.

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.