Patent · US Expired

Musical keyboard using planar coil arrays

US4580478A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
6References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 6, 1984
Grant dateApr 8, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 6, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S84/07
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

There is disclosed a key which is particularly adapted for use in a musical keyboard. The key includes a top pivotable member which acts as a key surface and which is pivoted to move with respect to a reference plane. The key contains on a bottom surface a magnetic field effecting member. Located beneath the key on the reference plane is a rigid board containing a planar coil configuration. As the hinge member is moved towards the rigid board, the member affects the magnetic field of the planar coil configuration to vary the inductance as well as the magnetic coupling in other arrangements. A plurality of such keys are employed as the keys in a musical keyboard and are associated with frequency determining circuits such as oscillators to provide output frequencies necessary for the control of music. The planar coil configuration, in conjunction with the member of the movable board, operates as a position sensor to enable a manufacturer to provide many functions necessary for operation in an electronic musical instrument.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.