EP2434480A1 - Instrument de musique électronique multitouches - Google Patents

Instrument de musique électronique multitouches Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2434480A1
EP2434480A1 EP10178553A EP10178553A EP2434480A1 EP 2434480 A1 EP2434480 A1 EP 2434480A1 EP 10178553 A EP10178553 A EP 10178553A EP 10178553 A EP10178553 A EP 10178553A EP 2434480 A1 EP2434480 A1 EP 2434480A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
key
keys
functional
music
electronic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10178553A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Chia-Yen Lin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP10178553A priority Critical patent/EP2434480A1/fr
Publication of EP2434480A1 publication Critical patent/EP2434480A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H1/00—Details of electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/32—Constructional details
    • G10H1/34—Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/344—Structural association with individual keys
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/135—Musical aspects of games or videogames; Musical instrument-shaped game input interfaces
    • G10H2220/141—Games on or about music, i.e. based on musical knowledge, e.g. musical multimedia quizzes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/155—User input interfaces for electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H2220/221—Keyboards, i.e. configuration of several keys or key-like input devices relative to one another
    • G10H2220/261—Numeric keypad used for musical purposes, e.g. musical input via a telephone or calculator-like keyboard
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/155—User input interfaces for electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H2220/265—Key design details; Special characteristics of individual keys of a keyboard; Key-like musical input devices, e.g. finger sensors, pedals, potentiometers, selectors
    • G10H2220/275—Switching mechanism or sensor details of individual keys, e.g. details of key contacts, hall effect or piezoelectric sensors used for key position or movement sensing purposes; Mounting thereof
    • G10H2220/295—Switch matrix, e.g. contact array common to several keys, the actuated keys being identified by the rows and columns in contact
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2230/00—General physical, ergonomic or hardware implementation of electrophonic musical tools or instruments, e.g. shape or architecture
    • G10H2230/045—Special instrument [spint], i.e. mimicking the ergonomy, shape, sound or other characteristic of a specific acoustic musical instrument category
    • G10H2230/055—Spint toy, i.e. specifically designed for children, e.g. adapted for smaller fingers or simplified in some way; Musical instrument-shaped game input interfaces with simplified control features

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to an apparatus which can be played as a musical instrument and can also be played as an electronic handheld game.
  • a conventional keyboard instrument such as piano and electronic organ, includes multiple keys and each of the keys corresponds to a specific music note. Therefore, the keyboard instrument needs many keys to cover several music notes. For example, almost every modern piano has 36 black keys and 52 white keys. Inevitably, the keyboard instrument is bulky, and therefore less portable.
  • a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a lightweight and portable electronic music instrument for children to produce sound, compose music, play simple melodies and play various electronic games as well.
  • the present invention provides a compact electronic music instrument which can be easily held by children.
  • the electronic music instrument has a plurality of keys including operational keys and functional keys distributed in multiple rows.
  • the rows of keys may be arranged in a matrix layout or a non-matrix layout. Numbers, letters, words, or patterns can be provided on the surfaces of the operational keys and the function keys.
  • Each of the operational keys corresponds to at least one music note, such as Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La and Si.
  • the functional keys are adapted for adjusting a tone up or down. When one of the operational keys is pressed down, a sound corresponding to a specific music note is generated. The user can raise or lower the tone of the sound by pressing the functional key.
  • the functional keys may also perform other functions, such as replaying, inputting and setting.
  • the electronic music instrument according to the present invention allows the children to compose music and play melodies.
  • the electronic music instrument includes a circuit board having an integrated circuit (IC).
  • the IC saves at least seven electronic sounds corresponding to music notes in a diatonic scale and has preset functional programs for ascending or descending the tones. When one of the operational keys is pressed, the IC generates a sound corresponding to a specific music note. The user can save a composed melody in the IC and replay it later.
  • the IC of the electronic music instrument according to the present invention is adapted for saving a plurality of software games. The user can select a game, and uses the operation keys and functional keys to play the selected game.
  • the electronic music instrument may include a volume switch for turning on or shutting off an audio output of the IC, and adjusting the volume of the audio output.
  • the electronic music instrument further includes a power supply and game selection switch electrically connected to the circuit board. The power supply and game selection switch allows the user to turn on/off the power and select the game software.
  • the electronic music instrument may further include a setting and saving switch.
  • numbers, letters, words, or patterns are provided on the surfaces of the operational keys and functional keys for the children to memorize or identify music notes.
  • the operational keys and the functional keys are arranged in a 3 by 3 matrix.
  • the electronic music instrument may also include more than nine keys that are arranged in a larger matrix.
  • the operational keys and functional keys may also be arbitrarily arranged in a non-matrix layout.
  • the circuit board is further provided with a plurality of light emitting units.
  • the light emitting units are adapted for generating various lights of certain colors for certain time intervals corresponding to various electronic sounds.
  • the electronic music instrument according to the present invention needs fewer keys, but still can play music across a wide range. Moreover, the electronic music instrument is also provided with a plurality of games, which are not available in the conventional keyboard instrument.
  • a multi-key electronic music instrument is configured with a compact size suitable for children to hold and play by hands.
  • the electronic music instrument includes a main body 1 and a circuit board 2 having an integrated circuit (IC) 3 disposed inside the main body 1.
  • the main body 1 includes a plurality of keys with seven operational keys 11 and two functional keys 11a disposed thereon and distributed in a matrix layout.
  • Each of the operational keys 11 has a first conduction portion 111 disposed under the operational key 11, and each of the functional keys 11a has a second conduction portion 111a disposed under the functional key 111.
  • the operational keys 11 and the functional keys 11a may be members discrete from each other or may be a single layer made of silicone or rubber material.
  • the surface of the single layer is divided into a plurality of pressing zones, which include the operational keys 11 and the functional keys 11a, by printed grids, protruded ridges or recessed grooves.
  • the main body 1 has an inner space to receive the circuit board 2, a battery chamber 16 and a speaker 17.
  • the circuit board 2 is electrically connected with batteries disposed in the battery chamber 16.
  • a plurality of switches such as a power supply and game selection switch 12, a setting and saving switch 13 and a volume adjusting switch 14, are arranged at a lateral side of the main body 1.
  • the circuit board 2 comprises a plurality of first electrical connection points 21 corresponding to the first conduction portions 111 of the operational keys 11 and a plurality of second electrical connection points 22 corresponding to the second conduction portions 111a of the functional keys 11a.
  • the IC 3 saves at least seven sounds corresponding to seven music notes in a diatonic scale including Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La and Si.
  • the IC 3 also includes a plurality of functional programs.
  • Each of the first electrical connection points 21 corresponds to at least one music note. Referring to Fig. 5 , when one of the operational keys 11 is pressed to make the first conduction portion 111 of the pressed operational key 11 in contact with the corresponding first electrical connection point 21, the IC 3 generates an electronic sound corresponding to the pressed operational key 11 through the speaker 17. When one of the functional keys 11a is pressed, the IC 3 would run the corresponding functional program.
  • the volume switch 14 can control the IC 3 to turn on and turn off an audio output and adjust the volume of the audio output.
  • the functional programs have functions including ascending tone of the music note, descending tone of the music note, replaying melody, entering melody, setting up functions, etc.
  • the functional keys 11a can also perform other functions, such as replay, input and setting. For example, when a functional key 11a corresponding to the replaying function is pressed, the last played music is replayed. When a functional key 11a corresponding to the inputting function is pressed after playing a melody, the played melody is saved in the IC 3. Further, the functional key 11a can set miscellaneous functions, such as setting the rhythm of the music. For example, the music can be played in the rhythm of jazz, heavy metal, pop, rap, rock, etc. The functional key 11a can also set other functions regarding the electronic music instrument.
  • Numbers i.e. Figs. 1 and 2
  • letters, words, or patterns can be provided on the surfaces of the operational keys 11 and the functional keys 11a.
  • the user can easily memorize or identify music notes.
  • Fig. 7 "Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La and Si” representing the music notes are provided on the surfaces of the operational keys 11, and "#" representing a sharp and "b” representing a flat are provided on the surfaces of the functional keys 11a.
  • the operational keys 11 and the functional keys 11a mentioned above are arranged in a 3 by 3 matrix.
  • the operational keys 11 are distributed in at least two rows. Based on the 3 by 3 matrix layout, the electronic music instrument may increase or reduce the number of the keys according to the requirement.
  • the operational keys 11 and the functional keys 11a are not limited to nine keys.
  • the electronic music instrument may have only eight keys arranged in a 3 by 3 matrix with one element missing.
  • the electronic music instrument may have ten keys that include nine keys in a 3 by 3 matrix and one key positioned adjacent to the matrix.
  • the operational keys 11 corresponding to the music notes of Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La and Si may be arranged in various orders.
  • the operational keys 11 corresponding to the music notes of Do, Re and Mi may be arranged from left to right or from right to left at a top row of the 3 by 3 matrix.
  • the operational keys 11 corresponding to the music notes of Fa, So and La may be arranged from left to right or from right to left at a middle row of the matrix.
  • the operational key 11 corresponding to the music note of Si may be arranged at a bottom row of the matrix.
  • the circuit board 2 may further include a plurality of light emitting units 15 (e.g., a light emitting diode, LED) disposed corresponding to the operational keys 11 and functional keys 11a.
  • the light emitting units 15 are adapted for emitting various lights of certain colors for certain time intervals corresponding to the music. The emitted light transmits through the operational keys 11 and the functional keys 11a made of light transmitting materials for achieving a brilliant visual effect.
  • the user can practice to compose simple melodies and learn music when playing a game.
  • the IC 3 is in an editing state.
  • the user plays a melody by pressing operational keys 11 and the functional keys 11a, and then presses the setting and saving switch 13 again to save the melody.
  • the preset functional program would save the played melody in the IC 3.
  • the user can practice to compose the music.
  • the user can replay the saved melody by pressing two certain operational keys 11, two certain functional keys 11a, or one of the operational keys 11 with one of the functional keys 11a at the same time.
  • the preset functional program saved in the IC 3 would replay the saved melody.
  • the IC 3 may further include software of at least one electronic game, such as "Whack the Mole”, “Bingo”, “Memory game”, “Tic-Tac-Toe”, “Carousel Lamp”, etc.
  • the operational keys 11 and the functional keys 11a work as control keys.
  • the power supply and game selection switch 12 is provided at the lateral side of the main body 1.
  • the power supply and game selection switch 12 is adapted for turning on/off the power and selecting one of the games to play.
  • the operational key 11 and functional key 11a randomly flash and may also generate an electronic sound.
  • the user successfully presses the flashing key before it extinguishes it is taken as the user' s successful hit of a mole and a different sound is generated as a confirmation of hit.
  • the user presses at least one operational key 11 or functional key 11a, and then presses the setting and saving switch 13 to save the previous selection.
  • the user presses the setting and saving switch 13 again, and then the operational keys 11 or the functional keys 11a emit light one by one in a predetermined sequence for a random time interval.
  • the operational keys 11 and the functional keys 11a stop flashing.
  • At least one key 11, 11a is randomly picked by the preset program and the picked key 11, 11a emits light. If the key 11, 11a picked by the preset program is the same as the previously selected key 11, 11a pressed by the user, the user wins the Bingo game.
  • the operational keys 11 flash one by one in a randomly generated sequence and the sound of the corresponding music notes is generated.
  • the flashing stops after a time interval.
  • the user is expected to press the operational keys 11 in the same sequence of the previous flashed operational keys 11 and the generated sounds. If the user presses the operational keys 11 in a correct sequence, the user can play the next round of the Memory Game with a higher level that has more flashed operational keys 11. If the user presses the operational keys 11 in an incorrect sequence, the user can play the next round of the Memory Game with a lower level that has less flashed operational keys 11.
  • a first player selects to press one of the operational keys 11 or functional keys 11a, and then the pressed operational key 11 or functional key 11 a emits light of a first color. Then, a second player selects to press one of the other operational keys 11 or functional keys 11a, and the pressed operational key 11 or functional key 11a emits light of a second color.
  • the two players alternatively press the other operational keys 11 and functional keys 11a in accordance with the foregoing order until one of the two players successfully links the operational keys 11 or functional keys 11a on the main body 1 into a straight line.
  • the operational keys 11 and the functional keys 11a sequentially flash and the sounds are generated for aesthetic and hearing entertainment.
  • the operational keys 11 and the functional keys 11a extinguish after a predetermined time interval.
  • an electronic music instrument includes a triangular main body 1.
  • the main body 1 includes nine triangular keys, which have seven operational keys 11 marked with numbers 1-7 and two functional keys 11a marked with "#" and "b", disposed thereon.
  • the operational keys 11 marked with numbers 1-7 are pressed, electronic sounds corresponding to the musical notes of Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La and Si in a diatonic scale are generated respectively.
  • the functional key 11a marked with "#” or "b” is pressed once and one of the operational keys 11 is immediately pressed thereafter, the electronic sound corresponding to the pressed operational key 11 is generated with a semitone above or below.
  • the electronic sound corresponding to the pressed operational key 11 is generated with an octave above or below.
  • the functional key 11a marked with "#” or “b” is consecutively pressed three times and one of the operational keys 11 is immediately pressed thereafter, the electronic sound corresponding to the pressed operational key 11 is generated with two octaves above or below.
  • the operational keys 11 corresponding to the music note of Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La and Si are arranged from a top row to a bottom row and from the left to the right.
  • the operational keys 11 corresponding to the music note of Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La and Si may also be arranged from a top row to a bottom row and from the right to the left.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
EP10178553A 2010-09-23 2010-09-23 Instrument de musique électronique multitouches Withdrawn EP2434480A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10178553A EP2434480A1 (fr) 2010-09-23 2010-09-23 Instrument de musique électronique multitouches

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10178553A EP2434480A1 (fr) 2010-09-23 2010-09-23 Instrument de musique électronique multitouches

Publications (1)

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EP2434480A1 true EP2434480A1 (fr) 2012-03-28

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EP10178553A Withdrawn EP2434480A1 (fr) 2010-09-23 2010-09-23 Instrument de musique électronique multitouches

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8822803B2 (en) 2012-09-12 2014-09-02 Ableton Ag Dynamic diatonic instrument

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5425719A (en) * 1977-07-28 1979-02-26 Seiko Epson Corp Electronic portable musical instrument with calcuculator
GB2087622A (en) * 1980-11-13 1982-05-26 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Musical electronic calculator
US4450743A (en) * 1977-02-28 1984-05-29 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Electronic musical instrument with musical information input means
US4646609A (en) * 1984-05-21 1987-03-03 Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha Data input apparatus
FR2652432A1 (fr) * 1989-09-26 1991-03-29 Zamith Richard Dispositif portatif d'aide a l'harmonie.
US20030209130A1 (en) * 2002-05-09 2003-11-13 Anderson Clifton L. Musical-instrument controller with triad-forming note-trigger convergence points
US20060230909A1 (en) * 2005-04-18 2006-10-19 Lg Electronics Inc. Operating method of a music composing device

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4450743A (en) * 1977-02-28 1984-05-29 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Electronic musical instrument with musical information input means
JPS5425719A (en) * 1977-07-28 1979-02-26 Seiko Epson Corp Electronic portable musical instrument with calcuculator
GB2087622A (en) * 1980-11-13 1982-05-26 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Musical electronic calculator
US4646609A (en) * 1984-05-21 1987-03-03 Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha Data input apparatus
FR2652432A1 (fr) * 1989-09-26 1991-03-29 Zamith Richard Dispositif portatif d'aide a l'harmonie.
US20030209130A1 (en) * 2002-05-09 2003-11-13 Anderson Clifton L. Musical-instrument controller with triad-forming note-trigger convergence points
US20060230909A1 (en) * 2005-04-18 2006-10-19 Lg Electronics Inc. Operating method of a music composing device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8822803B2 (en) 2012-09-12 2014-09-02 Ableton Ag Dynamic diatonic instrument

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