Foot Control Patents (Class 84/746)
  • Patent number: 11790878
    Abstract: A guitar effects pedalboard comprises a first attachment region and a second attachment region, the first attachment region comprising a plurality of holes having a first diameter, and the second attachment region comprising a plurality of holes having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Chemistry Design Werks, LLC
    Inventor: Christian Richard Trifilio
  • Patent number: 9226064
    Abstract: A system for wireless control of audio signal switching. The system includes a remote unit, having a physically actuated switch and a remote unit status indicator, and a main unit. The main unit includes a main unit transceiver and one or more relays which may switch the path of the audio signal or provide remote control of external devices, in response to input at the physically actuated switch. The main unit may send status updates to the remote unit, allowing the remote unit to display the current state of the main unit to a user at the remote unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: FXCONNECTX, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Vumbaco, James Arcidiacono
  • Publication number: 20150143979
    Abstract: The present invention includes an electronic cymbal assembly including a hi-hat clutch for mounting a hi-hat to a hi-hat stand post; a top cymbal; a self dampening trigger system attached to the underside of the top cymbal; a bottom cymbal; an input jack box mounted to the underside of the bottom cymbal; and a hi-hat cymbal mounting post. The cymbal assembly may be mounted using a magnetic ring configuration or a threaded pole configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Field Electronic Drums, LLC
    Inventor: William Todd Field
  • Patent number: 9035165
    Abstract: A control pedal includes a pedal body having a foot contact surface at an upper side; at least a sensing unit arranged on the foot contact surface for detecting a touch action and generating a sensor signal according to the detected touch action; a microprocessor arranged in an interior of the pedal body for generating an operation instruction according to the sensor signal; and a transmission unit for transmitting the operation instruction to an electronic device to control a page turning action, sound volume adjustment, or audio mode switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Chiou-Ji Cho
  • Patent number: 9012748
    Abstract: A system for providing wireless connections in configuring an instrument or microphone with audio effects, effects pedal boards, mixers, and other studio equipment. The signal from an audio source such as an instrument or microphone is connected to a main unit, from which it is transmitted via wireless link to a floor unit connected to one or more effects pedals or other studio equipment. After processing, the audio signal is returned via wireless link to the main unit and then routed to an amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: FXCONNECTX, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Vumbaco, James Arcidiacono
  • Publication number: 20150020677
    Abstract: An all-in-one collapsible, transportable live music station for the travelling solo musician performer, containing various needed devices on a central two-wheeled hand truck. The device contains an audio effects pedalboard with foot-controlled music accompaniment effects, a personal self-amplified monitor, a microphone on a boom, and a music stand for holding paper song sheets or computer device serving the equivalent. The device can also contain a side cup holder, a side sheet music trough, an act name banner shingle and a miscellaneous cargo basket. In its stowed state, it is narrow enough to be tipped and wheeled through most standard doorways, and light enough to be lifted by a single person into a vehicle. It can be deployed out for a seated solo musician (most likely a singing guitar player) to comfortably utilize all its features during performances. The device saves much time and effort with gear transport, set-up and breakdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Eugene Joseph Perry
  • Patent number: 8933316
    Abstract: Each of Dampers provided for each of keys is controlled in response to both an operation of a damper pedal and an operation of the corresponding key. For each of the dampers and over one stroke of the pedal in at least one of depressing releasing directions of the pedal, load information indicative of loads imposed on a portion linked to the damper is acquired in association with individual stroke positions of the pedal. Then, for each of the dampers, a half pedal region is identified on the basis of relationship between the stroke positions and the loads corresponding to the stroke positions. The portion linked to the damper may be any suitable portion related to a damper lever moving in an up-down direction in interlocked relation to both of vertical movement of a lifting rail responsive to an operation of the pedal and an operation of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Fujiwara, Yasuhiko Oba
  • Patent number: 8859878
    Abstract: A key depression (i.e., string striking) is performed while a pedal is kept at a set non-key-depressed-state corresponding position (a rest position of a hammer). A string striking velocity immediately before string striking and a string releasing velocity immediately after the string striking are detected, and a coefficient of rebound is calculated on the basis of the detected velocities and stored in association with the current value of the rest position of the hammer. Similar operations are repetitively performed with individual ones of different rest positions of the hammer, wherein each of the different rest positions of the hammer corresponding to each of a plurality of stroke positions within one stroke of the pedal. Thus, a distribution curve of the coefficients of rebound detected in association with the plurality of stroke positions is obtained and a half point of the pedal is identified based on the distribution curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Fujiwara, Yasuhiko Oba
  • Patent number: 8859877
    Abstract: An elongated lifting rail is displaceable to collectively pivot a plurality of damper levers. An actuator is provided beside or underneath the lifting rail for automatically displacing the lifting rail. The lifting rail is displaced, in response to driving of the actuator, to displace the damper levers so that the dampers are moved away from contact with sounding members. Further, a position sensor is provided for detecting a displaced position of the lifting rail, so that position data detected by the position sensor is used for operating position control and/or operating position recording of the dampers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Oba, Yuji Fujiwara, Yoshiya Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8835741
    Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide an electronic foot pedal assembly for turning pages of musical scores in a digital musical score file in a computing device. The method comprises installing a driver application for an electronic foot pedal in a computing device, installing an image viewer application in the computing device, downloading and installing a digital musical score on the computing device, opening the installed digital musical score file in the computing device, stamping the left foot pedal for opening a previous page of musical scores in a digital musical score file, stamping the right foot pedal for opening a next page of musical scores in a digital musical score file and stamping the left foot pedal continuously for opening a home page of musical scores in a digital musical score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Zhang Zhonggang
  • Patent number: 8822806
    Abstract: The present inventive foot-operable apparatus and method comprise a generally rectangular housing comprising at least one internally positioned accelerometer sensor component, and also including at least one pedal-type component oriented toward, and operable by, a user, and advantageously enable the operating user to produce one or more control signals, of one or more types, and within one or more ranges, in response to the user's predetermined interaction(s) therewith. The novel utilization by the present invention of at least one accelerometer sensor component provides it with numerous advantageous features (such as extensive flexibility, ease of adaptation/configuration, etc.), and a wide range of functionality, while facilitating its easier transport and operation, and greatly increasing the reliability thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: New Sensor Corp.
    Inventors: David Cockerell, Michael Matthews
  • Patent number: 8802961
    Abstract: A footswitch controller for an electric stringed musical instrument is provided. In one embodiment, the footswitch controller comprises a foot pedal assembly, base assembly, bottom plate assembly, battery pocket assembly, and compound assembly. The footswitch controller does not directly alter the input sound, but upon activation by a user sends a signal to the digital signal processor within the electric stringed musical instrument to alter the sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Gibson Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry E. Juszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8802962
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for use on a playing surface by a musician using a foot to generate an electrical signal indicative of a bass drum. The device generally comprises a body having a horizontally disposed base, a pivot body secured to the bottom surface of the base, and a strike body secured to the base. The pivot body is adapted to rest upon playing surface allowing body to pivot relative to the playing surface between a first position where the strike body is off the playing surface and a second position where the strike body hits or impacts the playing surface. The device further comprises electronic sensing circuitry adapted to generate an electrical signal indicative of a base drum in response to the strike body hitting the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Loren R. Gulak
  • Patent number: 8748724
    Abstract: Inventive methods and apparatuses for causing one or more effects to be generated based on analysis of an audio signal are disclosed. The apparatuses may be electrically coupled to an audio signal, may analyze the audio signal to determine if a control cue is present in the audio signal, and direct the effects generated by one or more effect generating devices if a control cue is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Michael G. Harmon
  • Patent number: 8742244
    Abstract: An electronic hi-hat cymbal controller is disclosed. The controller includes a hi-hat cymbal stand having a pedal and a shaft. The pedal is configured and arranged to move the shaft. A lower cymbal is mounted to the hi-hat cymbal stand and an upper cymbal is mounted to the shaft. A sensor assembly is mounted to the hi-hat cymbal stand. The sensor assembly is configured and arranged to detect the position of the upper cymbal relative to the lower cymbal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Inmusic Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Wissmuller
  • Patent number: 8723014
    Abstract: A musical tone control device capable of generating a hi-hat sound intended by the performer operates such that, when striking surface position information corresponds to a first position, instructions are provided to stop generating a musical tone with a first timbre (or that satisfies another predetermined condition), when the striking surface position has reached a predetermined second position higher than the first position after instructions are provided to generate the musical tone. Since, the performer's intention is reflected in the transition state of the striking surface position, a musical tone according to the performer's intention can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventor: Ryo Susami
  • Publication number: 20140123839
    Abstract: A musical instrument effects pedal system and related methods of use are provided. The system includes rotatable control mechanisms mounted on the side of the enclosure, easily manipulated by the foot of the user, for altering the audio signal output by an instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: William N. Gadol, III
  • Patent number: 8704075
    Abstract: A guitar pickup assembly which would allow a guitar player to blend the sound of two or more pickups smoothly as the player desires via the use of a foot pedal. The guitar pickup assembly includes a guitar separately providing the output from a first pickup and a second pickup separately to an actuator, such as a foot pedal, wherein movement of the foot pedal from one position to another position alters the ratio of the signal from the first pickup and the second pickup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Angelo Gournis
  • Patent number: 8680390
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kesumo LLC
    Inventors: Keith McMillen, Conner Lacy
  • Publication number: 20140053714
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to assist a drummer playing a bass drum. The apparatus enables a drummer to combine force applied to a foot plate, frequency applied to a foot plate, and a selected algorithm to output a mechanical force to a bass drum beater. The apparatus provides drummers the ability to produce a variety of desired rhythmic patterns, to change the intensity of the stroke, to vary the tempi so that patterns will be consistent with the music being performed, and to produce a metronomic beat (tempo) when desired. Hence, drummer fatigue is reduced, the drummer can produce more complicated and varying patterns on the fly, and the drummer has the ability to change the stroke to accent beats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Bakbeat, LLC
    Inventor: William T Baker
  • Patent number: 8624099
    Abstract: A foot control for control of musical effects from a musical instrument, the instrument having an electrical signal output operable to send signals to a speaker system, the control having a housing with at least one side wall; a roller rotatably mounted in the housing, a roller surface portion exposed and extending away from the housing for contact by a foot, to enable rotation of the roller by the foot; and, circuitry within the base connectable with the instrument and operable in response to rotation of the roller, to vary signals from the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew T Osborne
  • Publication number: 20140000445
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for use on a playing surface by a musician using a foot to generate an electrical signal indicative of a bass drum. The device generally comprises a body having a horizontally disposed base, a pivot body secured to the bottom surface of the base, and a strike body secured to the base. The pivot body is adapted to rest upon playing surface allowing body to pivot relative to the playing surface between a first position where the strike body is off the playing surface and a second position where the strike body hits or impacts the playing surface. The device further comprises electronic sensing circuitry adapted to generate an electrical signal indicative of a base drum in response to the strike body hitting the playing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Loren R. Gulak
  • Patent number: 8609973
    Abstract: This invention introduces several methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling musician audio effects or musical instruments wirelessly from the performer's footwear. In one embodiment, the performer's foot motions are monitored using a motion detection device and compared against a set of criteria by a microprocessor to activate or deactivate one or more audio effects that are ready or “armed.” Once the foot controller is activated, a radio transmits sampled foot pressure that is used by the Base Unit to modulate all armed audio effects capable of being modulated. Tactile feedback is provided in the footwear as a means to confirm system status changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: CleanStage LLC
    Inventor: John Robert D'Amours
  • Patent number: 8604326
    Abstract: A sustain foot pedal for sustaining a first keyboard and a second keyboard that may have first and second switches is provided. The pedal has an actuating member that may simultaneously activate both the first and second switch. A first keyboard receives a first sustain signal upon activation of the first switch and sustains a first note upon receipt of the first sustain signal. A second keyboard receives a second sustain signal upon activation of the second switch and sustains a second note upon receipt of the second sustain signal. The keyboards are independent from one another such that the first keyboard does not send a signal to the second keyboard to control the second keyboard, and such that the second keyboard does not send a signal to the first keyboard to control the first keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Curtis Mitchell Ellis
  • Publication number: 20130298752
    Abstract: A footswitch controller for an electric stringed musical instrument is provided. In one embodiment, the footswitch controller comprises a foot pedal assembly, base assembly, bottom plate assembly, battery pocket assembly, and compound assembly. The footswitch controller does not directly alter the input sound, but upon activation by a user sends a signal to the digital signal processor within the electric stringed musical instrument to alter the sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Gibson Guitar Corp.
    Inventor: Henry E. Juszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8546679
    Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument, including: keys; a pedal; an input portion configured to input performance data including tone generation control data that specifies generation and halt of a musical tone and pedal control data that specifies a depression depth of the pedal; a drive portion configured to drive the pedal; and a controller configured to control the drive portion on the basis of the pedal control data in the performance data inputted by the input portion, wherein the controller is configured to control the drive portion such that, where the depression depth of the pedal exceeds a first depth by controlling the drive portion, the pedal is located at a third depth that is shallower than a second depth after the pedal has reached the second depth that is deeper than the first depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Oba, Akinori Kanehara
  • Patent number: 8546676
    Abstract: A pedal device for an electronic percussion instrument, including: a base; a foot board supported at its first end portion to the base and configured to pivot by depression; an arm rotatably supported at its first end at a pivot point located near to a second end portion of the foot board, the arm being pivotable about the pivot point; a mass portion provided near to a second end of the arm; a regulating portion for regulating a locus of displacement of the mass portion when the foot board is moved from a depression start position to a depression end position; and a stopper portion provided on the base for defining the depression end position by contacting the mass portion in a forward stroke of depression, the regulating portion regulating the locus of the displacement of the mass portion so as not to contain a downward component in the forward stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Ryuji Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20130239789
    Abstract: An electronic drum set is provided, which allows a user to give a performance, feeling as if the user is playing acoustic drums. The electronic drum set DS is provided with a foot board, a potentiometer, and CPU. The foot board is pressed down by the user. When the user presses the foot board down, the potentiometer mounted on the foot board obtains an angular rate and angular acceleration of the foot board. CPU determines based on the obtained angular acceleration, a timing, at which an instruction of generating a musical tone is given. Further, CPU controls based on the obtained angular rate, a generating state of a musical tone, the generation of which is instructed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuji Tabata
  • Patent number: 8536438
    Abstract: An effector affixing device affixes an acoustic effector on a plate material. The effector affixing device includes an effector affixing base and a separation member. The effector affixing base is provided with an effector affixing component. The separation member includes supports erected below the vicinities of four corners of the effector affixing base. The effector affixing base and the separation member are separably coupled with each other. The effector affixing base includes a bottom plate and an effector holding piece. The bottom plate supports the effector. The effector holding piece is erected from an edge portion of the bottom plate. The effector affixing device includes a separation space having a height that at least allows shield lines to intersect with each other below the bottom plate in a state that the effector affixing base is coupled with upper portions of the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mizuho Gousei Kogyosyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Goto
  • Patent number: 8525015
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy D. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 8509692
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the real-time wireless transmission of a digital audio signal and control data. A transmitter may be coupled to an audio source. The transmitter includes a processor to combine control data with a digital audio signal from the audio source and the processor wirelessly transmits the combined control data and digital audio signal to a receiver. The receiver includes a processor that is used to receive the combined control data and digital audio signal and to process the control data to perform a user pre-defined function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Line 6, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Ryle, Guy Coker
  • Publication number: 20130180391
    Abstract: An elongated lifting rail is displaceable to collectively pivot a plurality of damper levers. An actuator is provided beside or underneath the lifting rail for automatically displacing the lifting rail. The lifting rail is displaced, in response to driving of the actuator, to displace the damper levers so that the dampers are moved away from contact with sounding members. Further, a position sensor is provided for detecting a displaced position of the lifting rail, so that position data detected by the position sensor is used for operating position control and/or operating position recording of the dampers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: YAMAHA CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130167709
    Abstract: This invention provides a unique foot operated control device for triggering synthesized sounds from an electronic drum, module or any other sound generating module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Jarod Alexander Gibson
  • Patent number: 8471136
    Abstract: An effects pedal including a first stage configured to asymmetrically limit an input signal, and a second stage configured to symmetrically clip the asymmetrically limited signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Fulltone Musical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Fuller
  • Patent number: 8466359
    Abstract: A pedal device includes a pedal chassis 9 provided in a pedal case 8, a pedal 10 that moves by rotating in the up-down direction with respect to the pedal chassis 9, and a rotation holding mechanism 11 that holds the back portion of the pedal 10 to the pedal chassis 9 such that the back portion of the pedal 10 is movable in the up-down direction. Therefore, when the pedal 10 is depressed, the back portion of the pedal 10 is moved downward by the rotation holding mechanism 11, according to the rotational movement of the pedal 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kimio Sakai
  • Patent number: 8461446
    Abstract: This invention provides a unique foot operated control device for triggering synthesized sounds from an electronic drum module or any other sound generating module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Jarod Alexander Gibson
  • Publication number: 20130125736
    Abstract: A foot control for control of musical effects from a musical instrument, the instrument having an electrical signal output operable to send signals to a speaker system, the control having a housing with at least one side wall; a roller rotatably mounted in the housing, a roller surface portion exposed and extending away from the housing for contact by a foot, to enable rotation of the roller by the foot; and, circuitry within the base connectable with the instrument and operable in response to rotation of the roller, to vary signals from the instrument
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew T. Osborne
  • Publication number: 20130118340
    Abstract: This invention introduces several methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling musician audio effects or musical instruments wirelessly from the performer's footwear. In one embodiment, the performer's foot motions are monitored using a motion detection device and compared against a set of criteria by a microprocessor to activate or deactivate one or more audio effects that are ready or “armed.” Once the foot controller is activated, a radio transmits sampled foot pressure that is used by the Base Unit to modulate all armed audio effects capable of being modulated. Tactile feedback is provided in the footwear as a means to confirm system status changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: John Robert D'Amours
  • Patent number: 8389848
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to assist a drummer playing a bass drum. The apparatus enables a drummer to combine force applied to a foot plate, frequency applied to a foot plate, and a selected algorithm to output a mechanical force to a bass drum beater. The apparatus provides drummers the ability to produce a variety of desired rhythmic patterns, to change the intensity of the stroke, to vary the tempi so that patterns will be consistent with the music being performed, and to produce a metronomic beat (tempo) when desired. Hence, drummer fatigue is reduced, the drummer can produce more complicated and varying patterns on the fly, and the drummer has the ability to change the stroke to accent beats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: BakBeat, LLC
    Inventor: William Thomas Baker
  • Patent number: 8378204
    Abstract: A pedal device for an electronic keyboard apparatus adds sound effects to musical notes generated by the electronic keyboard apparatus in response to an operator depressing the pedal device. A first reaction force application device is configured to apply a first reaction force countering a depression of the pedal by the operator from an initial state to a specified state to produce a first reaction force, wherein the first reaction force increases as the pedal is depressed from the initial state to the specified state. A second reaction force application device that is configured to apply a second reaction force countering a depression of the pedal by the operator after the specified state, wherein after the specified state the first reaction force and the second reaction force are applied to the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Arayama
  • Patent number: 8338689
    Abstract: An electric instrument music control device is provided having at least two multi-axis position sensors. One sensor is a reference multi-axis position sensor having at least one axis held in a fixed position. Another sensor is a moveable multi-axis position sensor rotatable about at least one axis corresponding to the at least one axis of the reference multi-axis position sensor. The electric music control device also includes a processor in communication with both the reference multi-axis position sensor and the moveable multi-axis position sensor. The processor calculates an angular difference in response to receiving the angular position of the at least one axis of the reference multi-axis position sensor and the angular position of the at least one axis of the moveable multi-axis position sensor. The angular difference correlates to a music effect of an electric instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Telonics Pro Audio LLC
    Inventor: David W. Beaty
  • Patent number: 8324494
    Abstract: A MIDI signal generator adapted for foot pedal operated percussion synthesis having, inter alia, independent volume, reverb, loop, fill, tempo and style controls. An important feature is the ability to cycle through a series of pre-selected rhythm loops. Each rhythm loop further has a subset of associated fills that are initiated with specific touches to the foot pedal. The device is computer integrated to match any of the stored rhythm loops with any subset of fills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: David Packouz
  • Publication number: 20120297963
    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 powder 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy D. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 8319089
    Abstract: This invention provides an oscillatory, magnetically-activated position sensor. Magnetic flux linkages between a magnet and an inductor having a magnetic core modulate the core permeability, and thus inductance, responsive to mechanical position. An electronic oscillator comprises the inductor as part of a tank circuit. The amplitude and frequency of the oscillator is therefore responsive to mechanical position. Circuitry for generating a sensor output signal responsive to oscillator amplitude, and thus to mechanical position is provided. Matrix operation of sensors is taught. A key position sensor for a musical instrument clavier is taught. A clavier key comprising plural inventive sensors invention is taught. A touch adjusting mechanism for a clavier key comprising inventive sensors is provided. A clavier piston comprising a sensor according to this invention is provided. A stop action magnet comprising a sensor according to this invention is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: William Henry Morong
  • Patent number: 8288643
    Abstract: Different kinds of control tables in which action of a pedal 4 is associated with reaction force exerted on the pedal 4 by an actuator 7 are stored in a memory of an electronic keyboard musical instrument 26. The different kinds of control tables are designed to include a half pedal range. A CPU 40 selects one of the different kinds of control tables in accordance with player's manipulation of setting operators 28 to obtain a reaction force exerted on the pedal 4 by the actuator 7 from the selected control table, the reaction force being associated with an action detected by an action detecting portion 6. The CPU 40 also controls the actuator 7 such that the actuator 7 exerts the obtained reaction force on the pedal 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiko Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20120255425
    Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument, including: keys; a pedal; an input portion configured to input performance data including tone generation control data that specifies generation and halt of a musical tone and pedal control data that specifies a depression depth of the pedal; a drive portion configured to drive the pedal; and a controller configured to control the drive portion on the basis of the pedal control data in the performance data inputted by the input portion, wherein the controller is configured to control the drive portion such that, where the depression depth of the pedal exceeds a first depth by controlling the drive portion, the pedal is located at a third depth that is shallower than a second depth after the pedal has reached the second depth that is deeper than the first depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Oba, Akinori Kanehara
  • Publication number: 20120222542
    Abstract: A pedal device for an electronic percussion instrument, including: a base; a foot board pivotable in a pivotable range between lower and upper limit positions; and an elastically holding mechanism for holding the foot board such that the foot board keeps an equilibrium state at an initial position within the pivotable range, the foot board being configured such that (a) when the foot board is located between the initial and the upper limit positions, it is given by the mechanism a return force having a linear characteristic with respect to a change of its pivot angle, the return force being for permitting the foot board to return to the initial position, and (b) when the foot board is located between the initial and the lower limit positions or between: an intermediate position and the lower limit position, the foot board is given the return force having a nonlinear characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryuji HASHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 8242347
    Abstract: Detection outputs value based on outputs of a sensor for detecting a depressed position of a pedal are input via the input section; meanwhile, a detection output value corresponding to a non-depressed state of the pedal is set as an offset value. The detection output value, input via the input section, is adjusted with the offset value, so as to provide an adjusted detection output value corresponding to an actual depressed amount of the pedal. The adjusted detection output value is converted into a control value corresponding to the depressed amount of the pedal. Thus, the offset value is variably set in accordance with an individual difference, aging, etc. of the pedal, so that the detection output value adjusted with such an offset value can be a value having unevenness in the sensor outputs, which may have occurred due to an individual difference, aging, etc. of the pedal, automatically compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiko Ikeya, Daisuke Suzuki, Takeshi Komano
  • Publication number: 20120192703
    Abstract: An effects pedal including a first stage configured to asymmetrically limit an input signal, and a second stage configured to symmetrically clip the asymmetrically limited signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Michael FULLER
  • Patent number: 8222509
    Abstract: A pedal device of an electronic keyboard musical instrument comprises a pedal lever swingable according to a depressing manipulation and a reaction force exerting unit for exerting on the pedal lever a reaction force of an amount which depends on an amount of the swing of the pedal lever. The reaction force exerting unit comprises, as an integral unit, a first movable member to be displaced via a thrust rod transferring the swing of the pedal lever, a first urging member which urges the first movable member in a direction to exert the reaction force on the pedal lever, a second movable member to be displaced by the first movable member after the swing of the pedal lever exceeds a predetermined amount, and a second urging member which urges the second movable member in the direction to exert the reaction force on the pedal lever. The first movable member, the second movable member, the first urging member and the second urging member are arranged coaxially around a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Muramatsu, Hisashi Takeyama