JP3267113B2 - Keyboard device for electronic musical instrument and electronic musical instrument - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard device for various electronic musical instruments including a key for generating a pitch signal, such as an electronic keyboard musical instrument such as an electronic organ, an electronic piano, and a keyboard. It relates to an electronic musical instrument using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electronic musical instrument equipped with a keyboard device, a player selectively presses a large number of white keys and black keys constituting the keyboard device so that an actuator of the pressed key is switched to a key switch. Is turned on, thereby generating a pitch signal corresponding to the key, a tone generator generates a tone signal having a pitch (frequency) corresponding to the pitch signal, and sounds the tone signal by the sound system.

Further, after the key is depressed until the key switch is turned on, the player presses the key deeper or swings it left and right so that the player can inject emotion into the performance sound. Some include an aftertouch control function that can control the volume, tone, or frequency modulation (vibrato) of a musical tone generated by detecting an operation force or a displacement amount.

As another technology flow, various tactile mechanisms have been developed in order to improve the key touch feeling. Among them, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 53-11218, for example, a pressing mechanism is disclosed. Detect the key movement or speed at the time of key,
There is one that controls the braking force applied to the key. According to this, the braking force applied to the key can be adjusted optimally according to the player and the music piece to be played.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional after-touch control function or touch-sensitive mechanism, it is possible to perceive from a finger how or how much a player is pressing a key now. Or, it wasn't tactile, and I heard the performance sound being pronounced and judged it. In particular, in the after touch control, since the displacement stroke of the key is generally small, the operation amount cannot be determined, so that it is difficult to master the playing technique.

When the keyboard device (keyboard) or the musical instrument body is separated from the sounding section such as a speaker and there is no monitor speaker near the player, the player can hear his or her performance sound from a distance. Therefore, it is difficult to perform the performance because it is not possible to immediately perceive the performance result and give feedback, and it is particularly difficult to inject emotions by the after touch control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and enables a player of an electronic musical instrument to directly perceive or touch a key operation state by himself / herself from a key, and to provide an aftertouch with a small displacement stroke. The object of the present invention is to enable a player to immediately judge his or her playing state and to feed back to the performance even when the keyboard device or the musical instrument main body is separated from the sounding unit when performing control.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention is adapted to correspond to a plurality of keys displaced by a key operation and to each of the plurality of keys or a combination thereof. Means for generating a plurality of pitch signals, a sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to the operation force or displacement of the key in accordance with the displacement of the key, and a vibration corresponding to the output of the sensor. Vibration generating means for mechanically vibrating the key by changing the mode.

In place of the vibration generating means, an amplitude control signal generating means for generating an amplitude control signal corresponding to the output of the sensor, and a vibration generating means for applying a mechanical vibration of an amplitude corresponding to the amplitude control signal to the key. Means may be provided. Alternatively, the key may be provided with a modulation control signal generating means for generating a modulation control signal according to the output of the sensor, and a vibration generating means for giving mechanical vibration modulated to the key in accordance with the modulation control signal. . The modulation may be amplitude modulation or frequency modulation, or may be a combination thereof.

[0010] Also, such a keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument,
A tone generating means for generating a tone having a pitch corresponding to the pitch signal generated by the pitch signal generating means; and a tone controlling means for controlling the tone generated thereby in accordance with the output signal of the sensor. We also provide electronic musical instruments.

The electronic musical instrument and keyboard device to which the present invention is applied are not limited to electronic keyboard musical instruments and keyboard devices such as electronic organs and electronic pianos. All equipped with a key (key) for generating a pitch signal, such as an electronic musical instrument operated by a finger, an electronic musical instrument having a valve-shaped key imitating a wind instrument such as a trumpet, and a key mechanism thereof. Electronic musical instrument and its keyboard device (key mechanism unit).

[0012]

The keyboard apparatus for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention thus constructed generates a plurality of pitch signals corresponding to each key or a combination thereof by operating a plurality of keys. With the displacement of the operated key, the sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the operation force or the amount of displacement, and the vibration generating means changes the vibration mode such as amplitude and frequency in accordance with the output of the sensor to switch the key. Make the machine vibrate.

Therefore, if an electronic musical instrument is constructed using this keyboard device, the player can directly sense the operation state of the key by the mechanical vibration of the pressed key from his / her finger and feed it back to the performance. Therefore, the aftertouch control playing method intended by the player can be easily realized. In particular, in the case of an electronic musical instrument that generates a musical tone having a pitch corresponding to a pitch signal generated by key depression and controls the musical tone in accordance with the output signal of the sensor, the degree of the control is directly sensed with a finger. Therefore, intended musical tone control can be easily performed.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a keyboard apparatus for an electronic musical instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the main part in a non-key pressed state, and FIG. It is a principal part side view of a key state.

In FIG. 1, 1W is a white key, 1B is a black key, and only one key is shown. However, in practice, seven white keys 1W and five black keys 1B per octave are used. Are arranged in parallel, and their rear ends are swingably supported on the keyboard frame 2 by a fulcrum structure (not shown),
A return force to the illustrated non-pressed position is given by a key return spring.

The structure according to the present invention described below is as follows.
The arrangement of the white key 1W and the black key 1B is almost the same, although there is a slight difference in their arrangement. Therefore, in the following description and FIGS. 2 and 3, the white key 1W and the black key 1B are collectively referred to as keys. 1
That.

An actuator 1a is provided on a lower surface of a central portion of each key 1 in a longitudinal direction, and a protrusion 1b is provided on a lower surface in the vicinity of an operation portion so as to extend downward. A dome-shaped key switch 4 is provided on a switch board 3 provided on the keyboard frame 2 so as to face each actuator 1a. An iron piece 5 serving as one electrode is fixed to the lower surface of the protrusion 1b, and an iron piece 6 serving as the other electrode is opposed thereto.
Is fixed to the upper end of an electromagnetic magnet 7 fixed on the keyboard frame 2, and an elastic resistor 8 made of conductive rubber or the like is attached to the upper surface of the iron piece 6.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electromagnetic magnet 7 has a coil 7 connected to an iron core 7a via an insulating material (not shown).
b is a vibration generating means wound around the coil b.
Is connected to one output terminal c of the AC power supply 9, the other end b is connected to the iron piece 6, and the other output terminal d of the AC power supply 9 is connected to the iron piece 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the iron pieces 5 and 6 and the elastic resistor 8 constitute a sensor 10 including a switch SW and a variable resistor VR, and the sensor 10 and the electromagnetic magnet 7 are connected in series with the AC power supply 9. It is connected to the.

According to this embodiment configured as described above,
In the non-key pressed state, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the actuator 1a is separated from the key switch 4, the key switch 4 is turned off, and the iron piece 5 of the projection 1b is also separated from the elastic resistor 8. 4, the switch SW shown in FIG. 4 is off, and the electromagnetic magnet 7 is not energized, so that no vibration is generated. In this state, when the player presses the key 1 with the finger 15 in the direction of arrow M as shown in FIG. 3, the actuator 1a contacts the key switch 4 and turns it on. Thereby, a pitch signal corresponding to the depressed key is generated.

At this time, the iron piece 5 of the projection 1b also comes into contact with the elastic resistor 8 as shown in FIG. 3, and the switch SW of FIG. 4 is turned on. The frequency alternating current flows through the coil 7b of the electromagnetic magnet 7 through the elastic resistor 8, and the electromagnetic magnet 7 starts to vibrate. The vibration is transmitted to the key 1 via the iron piece 6, the elastic resistor 8 and the iron piece 5, and causes the key 1 to vibrate mechanically. The player feels the vibration of the key with the finger 15 being pressed, and
The start of control can be sensed.

However, since the elastic resistor 8 is hardly crushed in the initial stage, the resistance between the iron pieces 5 and 6, that is, FIG.
Since the resistance value of the variable resistor VR of the sensor 10 is large, the value of the alternating current flowing through the electromagnetic magnet 7 is small.
Therefore, the amplitude of the vibration generated by the electromagnetic magnet 7 is small.

Thereafter, when the key 1 is further pushed in the direction of arrow M, the iron piece 5 compresses and deforms the elastic resistor 8 as shown by the phantom line in FIG. As the distance between the iron pieces 5 and 6 decreases, the resistance value of the variable resistor VR of the sensor 10 in FIG. 4 decreases, and the value of the alternating current flowing through the electromagnetic magnet 7 increases.

Therefore, the amplitude of the vibration generated by the electromagnetic magnet 7 increases. The amplitude of the mechanical vibration of the key 1 sensed by the player with the finger 15 also increases, and the player can sense the operation amount with a direct contact sense. Further, an AC signal having an amplitude corresponding to the operation force or displacement of the key 1 is extracted as an output signal S of the sensor 10 from the connection point between the iron piece 6 and the coil 7b. In this embodiment, the mechanical vibration of the key when the key is released after the key is touched after the key is pressed is, for example, shown in FIG.
The amplitude changes as shown in FIG.

[Example of Electronic Musical Instrument Using Keyboard Device of First Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of an electronic musical instrument using this keyboard device. The vibration generator in this figure
4 is a portion composed of the AC power supply 9, the sensor 10, and the electromagnetic magnet shown in FIG.
It is provided for each. Reference numeral 12 denotes a sound source unit to which a key switch 4 for each key is connected, which generates a tone signal having a pitch corresponding to a pitch signal when the key switch 4 is turned on, and forms an envelope, a tone color, and various types of sound. An effect is added and output, and the sound is generated by a sound system including the amplifier 13 and the speaker 14.

Further, a control data generating section 15 for generating control data by inputting an output signal S of the sensor to each vibration generating section 11 is provided. The corresponding control data is transmitted to the sound source unit 12
After-touch control for controlling the volume, tone, or frequency modulation (vibrato) of the generated musical tone. According to this embodiment, the player can directly sense the degree of control of the after touch control with the finger by the change of the vibration mode of the key 1, that is, the change of the amplitude, so that the intended musical tone control can be easily performed. be able to.

The above-described embodiment is an example of an electronic musical instrument capable of simultaneously generating a plurality of musical tones of different pitches by simultaneously pressing a plurality of keys, and a vibration generator is separately provided for each key. However, in the case of a monophonic electronic musical instrument, a common vibration generator may be provided for all keys. In this case, the iron piece 6 and the elastic resistor 8 are arranged below the protrusion 1b of each key 1 as a continuous body extending in the key arrangement direction, and vibration is generated by one or several electromagnetic magnets 7. What is necessary is just to make it generate | occur | produce.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing only a vibration generator of a keyboard apparatus for an electronic musical instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIGS. Are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the vibration generator. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 20 denotes a sheet switch, 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a cushion sensor, which is affixed to the upper end surface of the electromagnetic magnet 7 serving as a vibration generating means, in the order of the cushion sensor 21 and the sheet switch 20, and the protrusion 1b of each key.
Are arranged to face each other.

The sheet switch 20 includes two sheets 20a and 20b made of polyester, and a polyester spacer 20c interposed between the sheets 20a and 20b to keep an interval therebetween.
A pair of fixed contacts 20d formed at a slight interval on the upper surface of the lower sheet 20a, and an upper sheet 20b
And a movable contact 20e formed so as to face the fixed contact 20d. The cushion sensor 21
Electrodes 21b and 21c are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the conductive rubber 21a, and the electrodes 21c are adhered to the upper end surface of the electromagnetic magnet 7 via an insulating sheet 21d.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 22 denotes a resistor,
V is connected in series with the cushion sensor 21 between the V and the ground, and a divided voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the cushion sensor 21 is output from the connection point as an output signal S corresponding to the operating force or displacement amount of the key after touch. I do.

Reference numeral 23 denotes an oscillator which oscillates and outputs a low frequency signal when the sheet switch 20 is turned on. 24 is FM
The modulator frequency-modulates a low-frequency signal input from the oscillator 23 according to a frequency-modulated signal from a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and outputs the result. The electromagnetic magnet 7 is excited by the frequency-modulated low-frequency signal to generate mechanical vibration. The VCO 25 changes the voltage of the signal S to F
The frequency of the frequency modulation signal given to the M modulator 24 is changed.

According to this embodiment, when the projection 1b of the key is lowered by pressing the key and the sheet switch 20 is pressed, the movable contact 20e contacts the pair of fixed contacts 20d and the sheet switch 20 is turned on. . Thereby, the oscillator 2
3 starts oscillating and outputs a low-frequency signal, which is frequency-modulated by the FM modulator 24 to supply an exciting current to the electromagnetic magnet 7, and the electromagnetic magnet 7 starts to vibrate. The vibration is buffered via the cushion sensor 21 and the seat switch 20 and transmitted to the key, causing the key to vibrate mechanically.

At this time, initially, the cushion sensor 21
Is not pressed, its resistance is relatively large,
The voltage of the signal S in FIG. 8 is low. Therefore, VCO2
Since the oscillation frequency of No. 5, that is, the frequency of the modulation signal applied to the FM modulator 24 is low, the depth of the FM modulation is small.

Thereafter, when the key is further depressed, the cushion sensor 21 is compressed and its resistance value decreases, so that the voltage of the signal S in FIG. 8 increases and the oscillation frequency of the VCO 25 increases. As a result, the depth of the frequency modulation by the FM modulator 24 is increased, and the degree of the frequency modulation vibration by the electromagnetic magnet 7 is also increased, and this is transmitted to the key. It can be sensed by a change in the aspect, that is, a change in the depth of the frequency modulation.

The modulation frequency may be changed instead of changing the frequency modulation depth of the low-frequency signal applied to the electromagnetic magnet 7 by changing the voltage of the signal S. In this case, the modulation frequency may increase as the key is pressed deeper, or may decrease as the key is pressed.

When an electronic musical instrument is constructed using the keyboard device of the second embodiment, the vibration generator 11 is replaced by the one shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in the same manner as that shown in FIG. It can be replaced. Then, an output signal S, which is a voltage divided by the cushion sensor 21 and the resistor 22, is input to the sound source unit 12 through the control data generation unit 15 in FIG.
The tone signal generated there is controlled.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Although the shape is different from that of the embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 3 for convenience of explanation. In the fourth embodiment, a fulcrum 1e formed at the lower rear end of the key 1 is inserted into a through hole 2e of the keyboard frame 2 and is rockably locked. A key return spring 30 made of a worn and worn coil spring gives the key 1 an upward return behavior.

A switch board 3 is disposed at a position close to a key guide 31 on the keyboard frame 2, and a key switch 4 having a bowl-shaped bulging portion 4 a corresponding to each key 1 thereon.
When the lower surface 1f of the key 1 presses the bulging portion 4a by the key pressing operation, the movable contact 4b conducts between the pair of fixed contacts 4c, 4c formed on the switch substrate 3, and the key Switch 4 is turned on. As a result, a pitch signal corresponding to a depressed key is generated as in the above-described embodiments.

Below the keyboard frame 2 of this embodiment,
A sub-frame 32 is provided in parallel with the keyboard frame 2 and fixed to an instrument body (not shown). A rigid block 33 is fixed to the lower surface of the keyboard frame 2 for each key, and an electromagnetic magnet 7 which is a vibrator is fixed to the sub-frame 32 so as to face the rigid block 33. It is sandwiched via rubber pieces 35, 35.

An intermediate stopper 36 made of felt or the like is adhered to the upper surface of the distal end portion of the leaf spring 34, and an upper limit stopper 37 is adhered to the lower surface thereof, and the sheet switch 20 similar to that shown in FIG. Is affixed.
The distal end of the leaf spring 34 is inserted into a U-shaped groove 1d of a stopper piece 1c extending downward at a lower portion near the operating portion of the key 1, and the upper surface of the groove 1d has an upper limit as shown in the figure. By contacting the lower surface of the stopper 37, the return rotation of the key 1 by the key return spring 30 is regulated so that the heights of the keys 1 in the non-pressed state are uniform. In this state, a first opening portion having a distance d1 is formed between the lower surface of the groove 1d and the sheet switch 20.

The stopper piece 1c of the sub-frame 32
Is bent upward at the end opposite to the lower end stopper portion 32a.
Is formed, and the lower surface of the stopper piece 1c of the key 1 comes into contact with the tip of the lower limit stopper portion 32a at the end of the key pressing operation.
The lowering limit of is regulated. Stopper piece 1c
When the lower surface of the groove 1d abuts on the upper surface of the sheet switch 20, a second clearance portion having a distance d2 is formed between the lower surface of the stopper piece 1c (shown by a virtual line) and the upper end of the lower limit stopper portion 32a. You.

Further, a rubber sensor member 38 having a bowl-shaped flexible bulging portion 38a is provided on the sub-frame 32 at a position close to the tip of the leaf spring 34 of each key. A photosensor 38e in which a light emitting diode 38c and a phototransistor 38d are embedded adjacent to each other is provided, and a reflecting surface 38g is formed on the lower surface of a pressing portion 38f provided on the top of the bulging portion 38a to face the photosensor 38e. ing. The upper surface of the pressing portion 38f is always in contact with the lower surface of the leaf spring 34.

FIG. 10 is a circuit configuration diagram of the vibration generator of the third embodiment, and portions corresponding to FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the photo sensor 38e of the rubber sensor member 38 shown in FIG. 9 is used instead of the cushion sensor 21 in FIG. 8 (second embodiment).
The light emitting diode 38c is constantly energized from the DC power supply + V via the protective resistor 26 to emit light, receives light reflected from the reflecting surface 38g of the rubber sensor member 38 shown in FIG. The divided voltage generated by the changing phototransistor 38d and the resistor 22 is output as an output signal S corresponding to the operating force or displacement of the key 1 after touching.

The oscillation frequency of the VCO 25 is controlled by the signal S, and the oscillation output is used as the frequency modulation signal of the FM modulator 24, and the oscillator (OSC) 23 converts the low frequency signal oscillated by turning on the sheet switch 20 to the FM modulator. 2
The frequency modulation by 4 and application to the electromagnetic magnet 7 to generate mechanical vibrations in the electromagnetic magnet 7 are the same as in the case of FIG.

According to the third embodiment, when the key 1 in FIG. 9 is depressed in the direction indicated by the arrow M, d of the first opening portion
The key switch 4 is turned on within one stroke to generate a pitch signal corresponding to the key. And the stopper piece 1 of the key 1
When the upper surface of the groove 1d of FIG. 1c contacts the sheet switch 20 and turns it on, the oscillator 23 of FIG. 10 oscillates and outputs a low-frequency signal, which is frequency-modulated by the FM modulator 24 and is subjected to frequency modulation. A low-frequency AC current is passed through to generate mechanical vibration.

The mechanical vibration caused by the electromagnetic magnet 7 is
The key 1 is mechanically vibrated by being transmitted to the leaf spring 34 via the rubber piece 35 and further to the stopper 1c of the key 1 via the intermediate stopper 36 and the sheet switch 20. The player can feel the vibration from his finger and can sense that the key is turned on.

At the initial stage of the key-on, the leaf spring 34 has not yet been bent, so that the pressing portion 38f of the rubber sensor member 38 is not pressed, and the position of the reflecting surface 38g is high. Since the number is small, the resistance value is large. Therefore, the resistance 2
2, the output signal S, which is a divided voltage of 2, is low, the oscillation frequency of the VCO 25 is low, and the depth of the frequency FM modulation by the FM modulator 24 is shallow.

After that, when the key 1 is further pushed in the direction of arrow M, the groove 1d of the stopper piece 1c is made in accordance with the pushing amount.
The upper surface of the plate spring 34 presses the distal end of the leaf spring 34 via the sheet switch 20 and the intermediate stopper 36 to bend. As a result, the pressing portion 38f of the rubber sensor member 38 is pressed and descends, and the reflection surface 38g approaches the photosensor 38e, so that the amount of light received by the phototransistor 38d increases and the resistance value decreases. Thereby, the voltage of the output signal S in FIG. 10 increases, the oscillation frequency of the VCO 25 increases, and the depth of frequency modulation by the FM modulator 24 increases.

Accordingly, the vibration mode of the mechanical vibration by the electromagnetic magnet 7 changes so that the modulation depth of the FM modulation becomes deep, and the vibration is transmitted to the key 1 and the vibration mode of the key 1 also changes. The user can directly recognize the degree (depth) of the key depression based on the vibration state.

Then, the key 1 is touched by aftertouch as shown in FIG.
When the button is pressed down by the stroke of d2 of the second opening portion shown in (1), the lower surface of the stopper piece 1c abuts on the lower limit stopper portion 32a of the sub-frame 32, and its lowering is stopped.
The key 1 is also vibrated by the electromagnetic magnet 7 when the key 1 is returned in the range of the second opening portion and when the key 1 is repeatedly moved up and down, and the vibration mode, that is, the depth of the FM modulation is changed.

When an electronic musical instrument is constituted by the keyboard device of this embodiment, the vibration generator 11 may be replaced with the one shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 in the same manner as that shown in FIG. Then, the phototransistor 38d of FIG.
The output signal S, which is a voltage divided by the resistor 22 and the resistor 22, is input to the tone generator 12 through the control data generator 15 in FIG. 5, and the tone signal generated there is controlled.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of a vibration generator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and portions corresponding to those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals. This vibration generator differs from that shown in FIG. 10 only in that an AM modulator 27 is used instead of the FM modulator 24.
5 is used as a means for generating an amplitude modulation signal, and the low frequency signal applied to the electromagnetic magnet 7 is amplitude modulated. Therefore, a mechanical vibration amplitude-modulated according to the after touch operation amount of the key 1 is applied to the key 1.

[Another Example of Electronic Musical Instrument to which the Present Invention is Applied]
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a use state of a handheld electronic musical instrument using the keyboard device according to the present invention.

This handheld electronic musical instrument 40 has four pushbutton keys 42 corresponding to the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger and the little finger on the upper surface 41a of the main body 41 having a triangular prism shape, and one side surface 41b corresponding to the thumb. A push button key 42 is provided, and the support band 43 is passed through the palm of the hand and held as shown. When each of the push button keys 42 is pressed by a finger, a pitch signal corresponding to the combination is generated, and a tone signal of the pitch is formed by an internal sound source unit. Then, a musical sound is generated by a sound system connected to the inside or the outside.

The push button key 42 in this case is also a kind of key, and constitutes a keyboard device provided with a key switch for generating a pitch signal by pressing the key. By providing the vibration generating section as described in each of the embodiments, mechanical vibration is generated by pressing each of the push button keys 42, and the vibration mode changes depending on the depth of the pressing, and the player changes the vibration mode with a finger. Can be recognized directly.

Further, the amplitude of the vibration or the degree of modulation can be controlled by the sensor output signal corresponding to the operation force or operation amount of each push button key 42, and the generated musical tone can be controlled. The present invention further provides a pitch signal generator for generating a plurality of pitch signals corresponding to each key or a combination thereof, such as an electronic musical instrument having a valve-shaped key simulating a wind instrument such as a trumpet, and a key mechanism thereof. The present invention can be applied to all electronic musical instruments having a means and a keyboard device (key mechanism unit) thereof.

Further, after touching of the key is performed not only when the key is further pushed in the normal key pressing direction, but also by changing the arrangement of the sensors, the key is pressed in a direction orthogonal to the normal key pressing direction (horizontal direction or front and rear direction). When operating the key, mechanical vibration can be applied to the key.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a player performs aftertouch control, a machine whose vibration mode changes depending on the operating force or displacement (depth of depression) of the key. Because vibration occurs in the key,
It can be recognized as feedback information directly from the finger. Therefore, even when the keyboard device or the musical instrument main body and the sounding section such as the speaker are separated from each other, the player can easily perform the emotion injection by the after touch control.

Furthermore, even a person with a disability in one or both of the eyes and ears can perceive a key press by a tactile sensation from a finger due to the vibration during key operation, which makes it easier to play an electronic keyboard instrument. New applications can be opened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a first embodiment of a keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a main part of the keyless state.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a main part of the key depressed state.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the vibration generator.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of an electronic musical instrument using the keyboard device shown in FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key vibration waveform at the time of a key pressing operation according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing only a vibration generator of a second embodiment of the keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a circuit configuration diagram of the vibration generator.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a third embodiment of a keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the vibration generator.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of a vibration generator of a keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of another electronic musical instrument embodying the present invention in use.

[Description of Signs] 1 ... Key, 1a ... Actuator, 1b ... Protrusion, 1c ... Stopper piece, 2 ... Keyboard frame, 3 ... Switch board, 4 ...
Key switch, 5, 6 ... iron piece, 7: electromagnetic magnet, 8
... Elastic resistor, 9 ... AC power supply, 10 ... Sensor, 11 ... Vibration generator, 12 ... Sound generator, 13 ... Amplifier, 14 ... Speaker, 15 ... Control data generator, 20 ... Sheet switch,
21: cushion sensor, 22: resistor, 23: oscillator (OSC), 24: FM modulator, 25: voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), 27: AM modulator, 30: key return spring,
31 key guide, 32 subframe, 32a lower limit stopper, 33 rigid block, 34 leaf spring, 35
Rubber piece, 36: middle stopper, 37: upper limit stopper, 3
8 ... Rubber sensor member, 38e ... Photo sensor, 40 ...
Electronic musical instrument in hand, 41: Main body, 42: Push button key, 43: Support band

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of keys displaced by a key operation, pitch signal generating means for generating a plurality of pitch signals corresponding to each of the plurality of keys or a combination thereof, and And a sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to an operation force or a displacement amount of the key, and vibration generating means for mechanically vibrating the key by changing a vibration mode according to an output of the sensor. Keyboard device for electronic musical instruments. 2. A plurality of keys displaced by a key operation, pitch signal generating means for generating a plurality of pitch signals respectively corresponding to the plurality of keys or a combination thereof, and A sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to the operation force or displacement of the key, an amplitude control signal generating means for generating an amplitude control signal corresponding to the output of the sensor, and an amplitude control signal generated by the means. A keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument, comprising: vibration generating means for applying mechanical vibration of an amplitude to the key. 3. A plurality of keys displaced by a key operation, pitch signal generating means for generating a plurality of pitch signals corresponding to each of the plurality of keys or a combination thereof, and A sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to the operation force or displacement of the key; a modulation control signal generating means for generating a modulation control signal in accordance with the output of the sensor; and a modulation control signal generated by the means. A keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument, comprising: vibration generating means for applying modulated mechanical vibration to the key. 4. The modulation control signal generating means generates an amplitude modulation control signal according to an output of the sensor, and the vibration generating means generates an amplitude modulation control signal generated by the modulation control signal generating means. 4. A keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument according to claim 3, wherein said key device is a means for applying mechanical vibration amplitude-modulated in accordance with said key to said key. 5. The frequency modulation control signal generated by the modulation control signal generating means, wherein the modulation control signal generating means generates a frequency modulation control signal according to the output of the sensor. 4. The keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the key device is a means for applying mechanical vibration frequency-modulated to the key. 6. A keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a musical sound generating means for generating a musical sound having a pitch corresponding to each of the plurality of pitch signals, and An electronic musical instrument comprising: a musical tone control means for controlling a generated musical tone in accordance with an output signal of the sensor.