EP3948842B1

EP3948842B1 - Electronic flute

Info

Publication number: EP3948842B1
Application number: EP20716173.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Davide Mancini
Original assignee: Artinoise Srl
Current assignee: Artinoise Srl
Priority date: 2019-04-05
Filing date: 2020-03-31
Publication date: 2023-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-31
Also published as: WO2020201257A1; CA3169247A1; JP2022526202A; EP3948842A1

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic flute.
Electronic wind instruments are known according to the prior art, which are provided with controls to modify (improve) and control the emission of sounds. Electronic wind instruments are extremely expensive because of the difficulties encountered during production and because of the technology.
US2015/0101477 discloses an electronic flute that comprises a PCB that supports a plurality of proximity sensors disposed in the holes of the body of the flute. The PCB is disposed inside the tubular channel defined by the body of the flute. Obviously, the PCB interferes with the air that flows in the channel of the flute and negatively affects the sound emitted by the flute. US2015/0101477 discloses infrared LEDs that have no signaling function and does not disclose the possibility of using pressure sensors and inclination sensors.
US2006/0283312 discloses a wind instrument, such a transverse flute, which is substantially different from the recorder. In fact, such a wind instrument is provided with keys that are used to cover holes. A position sensor is integrated in each key to detect the closure of the hole. Therefore, the position sensors are not mounted on a PCB. US2006/0283312 generically mentions a pressure sensor, which is not indicated in the drawings, without specifying the place where it is mounted. A system composed of sensors, receptors, and emitters is disposed inside the empty body of the wind instrument in order to detect the keys that are pushed by the user.
US2006/0283312 and US2015/0101477 disclose an electronic instrument that cannot be used as an acoustic instrument because the sensors are disposed inside the empty body of the instrument and interfere with the air flow.
In particular, the instrument disclosed in US2006/0283312 should be equipped with two different mouthpieces according to the type of use (acoustic or electronic use).
EP2017823 discloses an electronic wind instrument, such as a saxophone, which is substantially different from a flute. Such a saxophone comprises sensors that are disposed inside the channel where the air flows and therefore interfere with the sound emitted by the instrument.
JPH01 243096 discloses the use of an inclination sensor in a wind instrument, such as a flute.
The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by disclosing an electronic flute that is inexpensive, versatile and easy to use.
Another purpose of the present invention is to disclose such an electronic flute wherein the electronic components do not alter the structure of the flute and does not interfere with the sound emitted by the flute.
Another purpose of the present invention is to disclose an electronic flue that can communicate with a smart device.
These purposes are achieved according to the invention with the characteristics of the appended independent claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments appear from the dependent claims.
The electronic flute according to the invention is defined by claim 1.
For the sake of clarity, the description of the electronic flute according to the invention continues with reference to the attached drawings, which have a merely illustrative, not limiting value, wherein:

Figs. 1-3 are exploded perspective views of the electronic flute according to the invention from different angles;
Fig. 4 is an axial sectional view of the flute of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a central body and of a first PCB of the flute according to the invention;
Fig. 6 is a top view of the central body;
Fig. 7 is a side view of the central body;
Fig. 8 is a partially interrupted perspective view of the central body and of the first PCB;
Fig. 9 is a top view of the first PCB;
Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the first PCB; and
Fig. 11 is a bottom view of a second PCB.

With reference to the Figures, an electronic flute according to the invention, which is generally indicated with reference numeral 100, is disclosed.
The flute (100) comprises a central body (1), a lower cover (2) and an upper cover (3).
With reference to Fig. 4, the central body (1) has a channel (10) that extends longitudinally from an inlet (1 0a) to an outlet hole (10b). The user blows in the inlet (10a) to introduce air in the channel (10). It must be noted that the channel (10) has no obstacles or electronic components, in such a way to permit a free circulation of the air, without negatively affecting the sound. In this way, the central body (1) can operate as a standard recorder.
The central body (1) has a planar upper wall (11) wherein seven holes (12) in communication with the channel (10) are obtained. The holes (12) are aligned and are suitable for being closed by the user's fingers in order to generate the desired notes. Shanks (12a) protrude in upper position from the upper wall (11) around the holes (12). Seats (13) for LEDs are obtained in the upper wall (13) near the shanks (12a).
The central body (1) has a planar lower wall (14) wherein a lower hole (15) in communication with the channel (10) is obtained. The lower hole (15) is suitable for being closed by the user's thumb. A lower shank (15a) protrudes in lower position from the lower wall (14) around the lower hole (15).
An outlet composed of a rectangular hole (16) in communication with the channel (10) for the emission of air is obtained in the upper wall (11) of the central body, near the inlet (10a). A labium (9) (shown in Fig. 3) is disposed inside the channel (10), in the inlet (10) in correspondence of the rectangular hole (16) 3) in order to generate vibrations and generate a sound.
A rectangular frame (16a) surrounds the rectangular hole (16) of the labium and protrudes in upper position.
A hole (17) for a pressure sensor is obtained on the upper wall (11), between the inlet (10a) and the rectangular hole (16) for the labium. The hole (17) for the pressure sensor is in communication with the channel (10).
A rectangular opening (18) is obtained in the upper wall (11) between the rectangular hole (16) and the holes (12) for the notes.
The central body has planar side walls (19). A longitudinal rib (19a) protrudes outwards from each side wall to generate a reference element for the upper cover and the lower cover.
The lower cover (2) is shaped as a semi-body comprising a planar lower wall (20) and two side walls (21) that diverge in upper position from the lower wall. A lower hole (22) is obtained in the lower wall (20) in correspondence of the lower hole (15) of the central body. The lower hole (22) of the lower cover is engaged by the lower shank (15a) of the central body.
The lower cover (2) has a recessed seat (23) disposed in rear position, in correspondence of the inlet (11) of the central body. The recessed seat (23) is suitable for receiving a battery (B).
The upper cover (3) is shaped as a semi-body comprising a planar upper wall (30) and two side walls (31).
Seven holes (32) are obtained in the upper wall (30) of the upper cover in correspondence of the holes (12) of the notes of the central body. The seven holes (32) of the upper cover are engaged by the shanks (12a) of the central body.
A rectangular hole (33) is obtained in the upper wall (30) of the upper cover in correspondence of the rectangular hole (16) of the labium of the central body. The rectangular hole (33) of the upper cover is engaged by the rectangular frame (16a) of the central body.
A bridge (34) protrudes above the upper wall (30) of the upper cover. The bridge (34) is provided with three windows or recessed seats (35) with rectangular shape to receive keys or buttons, and with three holes to receive LEDs.
Following is a description of the electronics of the flute (100). The flute (100) comprises a first printed circuit board (PCB) (5) and a second printed circuit board (PCB) (6).
The first PCB (5) is disposed in sandwich configuration between the upper wall (11) of the central body and the upper wall (30) of the upper cover. The second PCB (6) is disposed in sandwich configuration between the lower wall (20) of the lower cover and the lower wall (14) of the central body.
The first PCB (5) has an upper side (50a) (Fig. 9) directed towards the upper cover (4) and a lower side (50b) directed towards the central body (1).
The first PCB (5) has seven holes (51) that receive the shanks (12a) of the central body, in such a way that the holes (12) of the notes of the central body are in communication with the exterior. A proximity sensor (52) is disposed in correspondence of each hole (51) of the first PCB to detect the moment when the user's finger approaches the hole (51) in order to close the hole (51). The proximity sensor (52) is a capacitive sensor that is obtained by means of an annular pad of conductive material deposited on the upper side (50a) of the first PCB around the hole (51). Advantageously, two or more proximity sensors (52) can be disposed in correspondence of some of the holes (51) to detect two or more positions of the user's finger.
The first PCB (5) has a rectangular hole (53) that receives the rectangular frame (16a) of the central body, in such a way that the rectangular hole (16) for the labium of the central body is in communication with the exterior.
Three keys (54) are obtained on the upper side (50a) of the first PCB. The keys (54) are engaged in the windows (35) of the bridge (34) of the upper cover in order to be accessible for the user. The keys (54) can be of touch type.
A LED array (7) is mounted on the upper side (50a) of the first PCB near the keys (54). The LED array (7) comprises three signaling LEDs (70) that are engaged in the holes (36) of the bridge (34) of the upper cover in order to be visible for the user. The signaling LEDs (70) indicate the state of the flute (100).
With reference to Figs. 8 and 11, learning LEDs (L1, L2) are mounted in the lower side (50b) of the first PCB near each one of the holes (51) of the first PCB. Advantageously, two learning LEDs (L1, L2) are provided for each hole (51). The learning LEDs (L1, L2) must emit a visible light for the user in such a way that the user knows which keys to press.
The learning LEDs (L1, L2) are recessed in the seats (13) obtained in the upper wall of the central body and are in contact with or proximal to the shank (12a). In order for the light of the learning LEDs (L1, L2) to be visible for the user, the central body (1) or at least the shanks (12a) are made of a light-transmitting material, such a translucent or opalescent material, whereas the upper cover (3) is made of a matt material. In this way, the light emitted by the learning LEDs (L1, L2) is transmitted by the shank (12a) that is illuminated and is visible on the upper cover (3).
A pressure sensor (55) is disposed on the lower side (50b) of the first PCB near one end of the first PCB. The pressure sensor (55) is disposed inside the hole (17) of the central body. The pressure sensor communicates with the channel (10) of the central body, near the inlet (10a), but does not protrude in the channel (10) and consequently does not interfere with the air that flows in the channel (10), permitting a laminar air flow that hits the labium to generate an air vibration that emits a sound.
Moreover, the provision of the pressure sensor (55) in a hole (17) in the upper wall (11) of the central body prevents the condensation that is generated in the flute during use from getting in contact with the pressure sensor, damaging the pressure sensor or causing an incorrect pressure detection.
A USB port (56) for a USB cable used to recharge the battery (B), a connector (57) for a cable used to connect the second PCB (6), an inclination detector (58) and a control unit (4) are mounted in the lower side (50b) of the first PCB. The inclination detector (58) can be an accelerometer.
The USB port (56), the connector (57), the inclination detector (58) and the control unit (4) are disposed in the seat (18) of the upper wall of the central body.
The second PCB (6) has an upper side (60a) directed towards the lower wall (14) of the central body and a lower side (60b) directed towards the lower cover (2).
The second PCB (6) has a hole (61) that receives the lower shank (15a) of the central body, in such a way that the lower hole (15) of the central body is in communication with the exterior. At least one proximity sensor (62) is disposed in correspondence of the hole (61) of the second PCB to detect when the user's finger approaches the hole (61) in order to close the hole (61). Advantageously, two proximity sensors (62) are provided in such a way to detect when the hole is completely closed or when the hole is partially closed. The proximity sensor (62) is a capacitive sensor that is obtained by means of an annular pad of conductive material deposited on the lower side (50a) of the first PCB around the hole (51).
A first connector (63) for connection to the battery (B) and a second connector (64) for connection to the connector (57) of the first PCB by means of a cable (8) are mounted on the second PCB (6). For illustrative purposes, the cable (8) can be a 4-pole flat cable. Obviously, the cable (8) is passed outside the central body (1) in order not to interfere inside the channel (10) of the central body.
In order to assemble the flute (100), the first PCB (5) is disposed between the central body (1) and the upper cover (3), the second PCB (6) is disposed between the lower cover (2) and the central body and the two covers (2, 3) are coupled in such a way to enclose the central body (1). Such a coupling can be performed by means of click means provided in the lateral walls of the covers of the central body. Alternatively, the edges of the side walls of the covers and of the central body can be mutually coupled by means of gluing or welding.
The control unit (4) is electrically connected to the proximity sensors (52, 62), to the pressure sensor (55) and to the inclination sensor (58) to receive information from the sensors. The control unit (4) is a microprocessor.
The control unit (4) comprises a sound generator (Q) that is suitable for synthesizing sound information according to electrical signals received from the control unit (4). The sound generator (Q) consists in a chip suitable for synthesizing the signals that come from the control unit (4). The sound generator (Q) can be programmed via software to emulate different types of tones or different types of music instruments.
The control unit (4) also comprises a transceiver (40) suitable for connecting in wireless mode to a smart device, such a cellular telephone. The transceiver (40) can be connected to the smart device, for example with a Bluetooth system. In such a case, an app is installed on the smart device and cooperates with the control unit (4) in such a way to control the operation of the flute (1). Such an app is especially useful to control the learning LEDs (L1, L2).
The keys (54) are used for switch on/off and for the configuration of the power supply device (2). The signaling LEDs (70) operate as indicators of the state of the flute. For example, the signaling LEDs can indicate the switching- on of the flute (100), the state of the battery, the operation mode of the flute (100), etc.
The keys (54) are connected to a switch connected to the control unit (4). Each key (54) can be used to choose an operation mode of the music instrument (100). The switch is electrically connected to the control unit (4) to transmit information on the pressed key, in such a way to define the operation mode of the music instrument (100).
The learning LEDs (L1, L2) are connected to the control unit (4) in order to indicate the correct execution, or to inform in advance the holes to be closed during the execution of a music piece. Moreover, by providing two LEDs (L1, L2) on each hole, the correct execution can be indicated when the flute (100) is played by a left-handed user and when the flute (1) is played by a righthanded user.

Claims

Electronic flute (100) comprising:
- a central body (1),

- a lower cover (2) and an upper cover (3) that enclose the central body,

- a first printed circuit board (PCB) (5) disposed between the central body (1) and the upper cover (3),

- a second printed circuit board (PCB) (6) disposed between the lower cover (2) and the central body,

- a control unit (4) connected to the first and to the second PCB (5, 6), and

- a battery (B) connected to the control unit (4);
wherein said central body (1) comprises:
- a channel (10) that extends longitudinally from an inlet (10a) to an outlet hole (10b),

- a planar upper wall (11) wherein holes (12) in communication with the channel (10) are obtained, being suitable for being closed by the user's fingers to generate the desired notes,

- shanks (12a) that protrude in upper position from the upper wall (11) around the holes (12) of the notes,

- a planar lower wall (14) wherein a lower hole (15) in communication with the channel (10) is obtained, it being suitable for being closed by the user's thumb, and

- a lower shank (15a) that protrudes in lower position from the lower wall (14) around the lower hole (15);

said first PCB (5) comprises through holes (51) and proximity sensors (52) disposed around said holes (51) to detect when the hole (51) is approached by the user's finger to close the hole (51); said first PCB being disposed on the upper wall (11) of the central body, in such a way that the shanks (12a) of the central body penetrate the holes (51) of the first PCB;

said upper cover (3) comprising holes (32) wherein said shanks (12a) of the central body are engaged;

said second PCB (6) comprises a through hole (61) and at least one proximity sensor (62) disposed around said hole (61) of the second PCB to detect when the hole (61) of the second PCB is approached by the user's finger; said second PCB being disposed under the lower wall (14) of the central body, in such a way that the lower shank (15a) of the central body penetrates the hole (61) of the second PCB; and

said lower cover (2) comprising a hole (22) wherein said lower shank (15a) of the central body is engaged.
The electronic flute (100) of claim 1, wherein the first PCB (5) has an upper side (50a) directed towards the upper cover and a lower side (50b) directed towards the central body and each proximity sensor (52) of the first PCB is a capacitive sensor obtained by means of an annular pad of conductive material deposited on the upper side (50a) of the first PCB, around the hole (51) of the first PCB;
the second PCB (6) has an upper side (60a) directed towards the central body and a lower side (60b) directed towards the lower cover and each proximity sensor (62) of the second PCB is a capacitive sensor obtained by means of an annular pad of conductive material deposited on the lower side (60b) of the second PCB, around the hole (61) of the second PCB.
The electronic flute (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper wall (11) of said central body has a rectangular hole (16) in communication with the channel (10) of the central body for the emission of air and a rectangular frame (16a) that surrounds the rectangular hole (16) and protrudes in upper position in order to be engaged in a rectangular hole (53) of the first PCB and in a rectangular hole (33) of the upper cover.
The electronic flute (100) of claim 2 or 3, comprising a pressure sensor (53) mounted on the lower side (50a) of the first PCB and disposed in a hole (17) obtained in the upper wall (11) of the central body, near the inlet (10a) in communication with the channel (10) of the central body, in such a way that said pressure sensor (53) does not protrude in the channel (10) of the central body.
The electronic flute (100) of any one of claims 2 to 4, comprising learning LEDs (L1, L2) mounted on the lower side (50b) of the first PCB near said holes (51) of the first PCB and engaged in seats (13) obtained in the upper wall of the central body near said shanks (12a) of the central body, wherein said shanks (12a) of the central body are made of a light-transmitting material so that the light emitted by a learning LED illuminates said shank (12a) and makes said shank (12a) visible on the upper cover (3).
The electronic flute (100) of any one of claims 2 to 5, comprising keys (54) mounted on said upper side (50a) of the first PCB and a bridge (34) that protrudes from said upper cover (3); said bridge (34) comprising windows (35) in correspondence of said keys (54), in such a way that the user can press the keys.
The electronic flute (100) of claim 6, comprising a LED array (7) mounted on the upper side (50a) of the first PCB, near the keys (54); said LED array (7) comprises signaling LEDs (70) that are engaged in holes (36) obtained in the bridge (34) of the upper cover in order to be visible for the user.
The electronic flute (100) of any one of claims 2 to 7, comprising an inclination detector (58) mounted in the lower side (50b) of the first PCB, near the control unit (4); wherein said central body (1) has a rectangular opening (18) obtained in the upper wall (11) to receive said control unit (4) and said inclination detector (58).
The electronic flute (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first PCB (5) is electrically connected to the second PCB (6) by means of an electric cable (8) that is passed outside said central body (1) and is disposed inside the lower and upper cover.
The electronic flute (100) of claims 8 and 9, comprising:
- a connector (57) mounted on the lower side (50b) of the first PCB, near the control unit (4) for connection with said electric cable (8) connected to the second PCB, and

- a USB port (56) mounted in the lower side (50b) of the first PCB, near the control unit (4) to recharge the battery (B),
wherein the connector (57) and the USB port are disposed in said rectangular opening (18) obtained in the upper wall (11) of the central body.
The electronic flute (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said battery (B) is housed in a recessed seat (23) of said lower cover and is electrically connected to said second PCB (6).
The electronic flute (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control unit (4) comprises a sound generator (Q) suitable for emitting a sound signal and a transceiver (40) suitable for being connected in wireless mode with a smart device.