Patent · US Expired

Keyboard unit for electronic musical instrument having a key motion detectors

US5495074A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
5References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 18, 1993
Grant dateFeb 27, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 18, 2013

Classification

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

Abstract

A keyboard unit for an electronic musical instrument is constructed by a plurality of keys, a key frame, a plurality of key guides and a pressure sensor. On the key frame, a plurality of keys are arranged such that each of them can freely rotate about the predetermined fulcrum point. The key guides are provided on the key frame, while each of the key guides supports each of the keys such that each of the keys can slide along guide surfaces of each of the key guides when the key is depressed. The pressure sensor is provided at the guide surface of the key guide. This pressure sensor senses the pressure applied thereto in a lateral direction corresponding to a disposing direction of the keys in the keyboard unit when the key is depressed. When the key is moved in the lateral direction while being depressed down, the pressure sensor senses the pressure applied to the key in the lateral direction so that the predetermined musical parameter (e.g., tone pitch) of the musical tone to be generated is controlled responsive to the sensed pressure. The pressure sensor can be made by use of the pressure-sensitive rubber or pressure-sensitive ink, of which resistance is altered responsive to th…

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