WO2022224065A1 - Instrument de musique avec mises en œuvre de clavier - Google Patents

Instrument de musique avec mises en œuvre de clavier Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022224065A1
WO2022224065A1 PCT/IB2022/053109 IB2022053109W WO2022224065A1 WO 2022224065 A1 WO2022224065 A1 WO 2022224065A1 IB 2022053109 W IB2022053109 W IB 2022053109W WO 2022224065 A1 WO2022224065 A1 WO 2022224065A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
instrument
string
keyboard
chord
mode
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2022/053109
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Dmitrii CHUDINOVSKIKH
Original Assignee
Dlt Insight Pte. Ltd.
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 Dlt Insight Pte. Ltd. filed Critical Dlt Insight Pte. Ltd.
Publication of WO2022224065A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022224065A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G10H1/00—Details of electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/0033—Recording/reproducing or transmission of music for electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/0041—Recording/reproducing or transmission of music for electrophonic musical instruments in coded form
    • G10H1/0058—Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system
    • G10H1/0066—Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system using a MIDI interface
    • 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
    • G10H1/02—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos
    • G10H1/04—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation
    • G10H1/053—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only
    • G10H1/055—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only by switches with variable impedance elements
    • G10H1/0551—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only by switches with variable impedance elements using variable capacitors
    • 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
    • G10H1/36—Accompaniment arrangements
    • G10H1/38—Chord
    • G10H1/386—One-finger or one-key chord systems
    • 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
    • G10H2220/251—Keyboards, i.e. configuration of several keys or key-like input devices relative to one another arranged as 2D or 3D arrays; Keyboards ergonomically organised for playing chords or for transposing, e.g. Janko 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
    • G10H2220/281—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 with two contacts, switches or sensor triggering levels along the key kinematic path

Definitions

  • the present invention in at least some embodiments, is of a musical instrument and in particular, of a musical instrument which combines a plurality of instrumental modalities in an electronic device which may feature various keypad implementations.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION US7420114 describes an instrument which features a keyboard for either keyboard instrument playing or guitar strumming. However, the keyboard is a standard piano keyboard. A number of such art known devices are difficult to play because of the keyboard structure and/or because they do not feature multiple options for keyboard playing vs strumming of a guitar type string instrument.
  • an electronic musical instrument comprising a chord keyboard for providing chord functionality and at least one device for providing at least one additional instrument functionality, a processor, a memory for storing a plurality of instructions for execution by said processor, and an audio output; wherein said chord keyboard is laid out according to the Circle of Fifths, wherein said chord keyboard and said at least one device are playable separately or simultaneously; such that sounds are generated according to playing each or both of said chord keyboard and said at least one device and according to execution of said instructions by said processor, such that said sounds are output through said audio output.
  • an electronic musical instrument comprising a chord keyboard for providing chord functionality and a plurality of string pads in a string pad keyboard, a processor, a memory for storing a plurality of instructions for execution by said processor, and an audio output; wherein said chord keyboard is laid out according to the Circle of Fifths, wherein said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads are playable separately or simultaneously; such that sounds are generated according to playing each or both of said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads and according to execution of said instructions by said processor, such that said sounds are output through said audio output.
  • chord functionality is selected according to an instrument mode controlled according to said instructions executed by said processor, wherein said instrument mode is selected from the group consisting of a keyboard instrument, a stringed instrument and a scale.
  • said keyboard instrument mode is for producing sounds from an instrument selected from the group consisting of piano, organ, synthesizer, digital piano and digital organ.
  • said stringed instrument mode is for an instrument selected from the group consisting of guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin, viola, cello, drums, bongos, flute, tuba, trumpet, clarinet, oboe, bass clarinet, French horn, flugelhorn, or other plucked/picked/strummed multi string instrument mode and/or any type of wind, bow played string or percussion instrument.
  • the chord keyboard is laid out ergonomically according to the Circle of Fifths, such that said chord keyboard is laid out in a plurality of columns, at least a portion of which are repeated at both a left end and a right end of said chord keyboard to support ergonomic play.
  • the string pads in said string pad keyboard produce sounds according to said keyboard instrument mode.
  • the instrument further comprises a plurality of control knobs to support selecting and/or adjusting a plurality of settings of the instrument.
  • the control knobs control one or more functions selected from the group consisting of midi channel, the velocity of notes, music scale, and temp of an arpeggio.
  • the instrument further comprises a MIDI signal output for outputting MIDI signals according to commands from said processor, wherein said MIDI signals are output at least partially according to operation of said keyboard and said at least one device.
  • the instrument further comprises a soundboard tone generator module, an audio amplifier and a speaker, wherein said soundboard tone generator module generates tones according to said MIDI signals.
  • the instrument further comprises a sounding box, wherein said keyboard and said at least one device are physically connected to or integrally formed with said sounding box, and wherein said processor, said memory are housed in said sounding box; wherein said audio output further comprises a cover, wherein said cover permits audio to be output from said sounding box and said speaker is contained within said sounding box.
  • the instrument further comprises a gesture pad for stopping sounding of all notes and control 3 MIDI CC channels in solo mode.
  • said gesture pad is for receiving input gestures for producing sounds in strumming instrument mode.
  • the instrument further comprises a navigation pad for controlling at least one mode of the instrument.
  • said at least one mode comprises a pattern sub-mode for enabling a plurality of different rhythm patterns to be played with selected chords.
  • each string pad corresponds to a predetermined sequence of notes of the selected chord and wherein said predetermined sequence of notes is played upon touching the pad corresponding to the desired rhythm.
  • said chord keyboard function comprises muting all currently played notes, selecting a chord and playing the first step of the selected rhythm pattern.
  • said at least one mode comprises guitar mode and wherein complex strumming motions are supported with touching said string pads when the instrument is in guitar mode.
  • the string pads may be touched in a different manner for guitar mode than for a keyboard mode; for the former mode, a lighter touch may be preferred, while for the latter mode, a stronger pressing motion may be preferred.
  • said chord keyboard function comprises muting all currently played notes and selecting a chord.
  • the instrument further comprises a chord keyboard function of playing a base note to second MIDI channel (bass guitar), playing drum kick on press and snare on release, or a combination thereof.
  • said navigation pad and/or said control knobs are used to set note shift and scale, for setting the lowest note being played by the string pads and current musical scale for said string pads.
  • said navigation pad and/or said control knobs are used to set a velocity range for determining a relative volume of instrument audio sound production according to pressure applied to said string pads and/or speed of application of said pressure.
  • the instrument further comprises supporting playing suspended and/or augmented chords.
  • an electronic musical instrument system comprising a first module, said first module comprising a chord keyboard for providing chord functionality and a plurality of string pads in a string pad keyboard, a processor, and a memory for storing a plurality of instructions for execution by said processor; and a second module, said second module comprising an audio output, wherein said first and second modules are physically separate and are in electronic communication; wherein said chord keyboard is laid out according to the Circle of Fifths, wherein said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads are playable separately or simultaneously; such that sounds are generated according to playing each or both of said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads and according to execution of said instructions by said processor, such that said sounds are output through said audio output of said second module.
  • said audio output comprises a synthesizer and a speaker, wherein said synthesizer synthesizes sounds according to instructions executed by said processor and said speaker outputs said sounds.
  • said chord functionality is selected according to an instrument mode controlled according to said instructions executed by said processor, wherein said instrument mode is selected from the group consisting of a keyboard instrument, a stringed instrument and a scale.
  • said keyboard instrument mode is for producing sounds from an instrument selected from the group consisting of piano, organ, synthesizer, digital piano and digital organ.
  • said stringed instrument mode is for an instrument selected from the group consisting of guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin, viola, cello, drums, bongos, flute, tuba, trumpet, clarinet, oboe, bass clarinet, French horn, flugelhorn, or other plucked/picked/strummed multi string instrument mode and/or any type of wind, bow played string or percussion instrument.
  • said chord keyboard is laid out ergonomically according to the Circle of Fifths, such that said chord keyboard is laid out in a plurality of columns, at least a portion of which are repeated at both a left end and a right end of said chord keyboard to support ergonomic play.
  • said string pads in said string pad keyboard produce sounds according to said keyboard instrument mode.
  • the system further comprises a plurality of control knobs to support selecting and/or adjusting a plurality of settings of the instrument.
  • said control knobs control one or more functions selected from the group consisting of midi channel, the velocity of notes, music scale, and temp of an arpeggio.
  • the system further comprises a MIDI signal output for outputting MIDI signals according to commands from said processor, wherein said MIDI signals are output at least partially according to operation of said keyboard and said plurality of string pads.
  • the system further comprises a soundboard tone generator module, an audio amplifier and a speaker, wherein said soundboard tone generator module generates tones according to said MIDI signals.
  • the system further comprises a sounding box, wherein said keyboard and said plurality of string pads are physically connected to or integrally formed with said sounding box, and wherein said processor, said memory are housed in said sounding box; wherein said audio output further comprises a cover, wherein said cover permits audio to be output from said sounding box and said speaker is contained within said sounding box.
  • the system further comprises a gesture pad for stopping sounding of all notes and control 3 MIDI CC channels in solo mode.
  • the system further comprises a gesture pad for receiving input gestures for producing sounds in strumming instrument mode.
  • the system further comprises a navigation pad for controlling at least one mode of the instrument.
  • said at least one mode comprises a pattern sub-mode for enabling a plurality of different rhythm patterns to be played with selected chords.
  • each string pad corresponds to a predetermined sequence of notes of the selected chord and wherein said predetermined sequence of notes is played upon touching the pad corresponding to the desired rhythm.
  • said chord keyboard function comprises muting all currently played notes, selecting a chord and playing the first step of the selected rhythm pattern.
  • said at least one mode comprises guitar mode and wherein complex strumming motions are supported with touching said string pads when the instrument is in guitar mode.
  • said chord keyboard function comprises muting all currently played notes and selecting a chord.
  • the system further comprises a chord keyboard function of playing a base note to second MIDI channel (bass guitar), playing drum kick on press and snare on release, or a combination thereof.
  • said navigation pad and/or said control knobs are used to set note shift and scale, for setting the lowest note being played by the string pads and current musical scale for said string pads.
  • said navigation pad and/or said control knobs are used to set a velocity range for determining a relative volume of instrument audio sound production according to pressure applied to said string pads and/or speed of application of said pressure.
  • the system further comprises supporting playing suspended and/or augmented chords.
  • each string pad is configured with a touch surface and a capacitor; whereupon applying pressure to each string pad applies pressure to said touch surface, leading to an increase in measured capacitive level, such that a higher capacitive level is measured than when said pressure is not applied to said touch surface.
  • said touch surface comprises conductive rubber, and comprises an upper surface and a lower surface; wherein said string paid further comprises a contact point; wherein pressure is applied to said upper surface, causing said lower surface to contact said contact point, increasing said measured capacitive level.
  • said touch surface comprises a plurality of legs and a plurality of contact points; wherein at least one leg is not in contact with a contact point until pressure is applied to said touch surface, after which said at least one leg contacts said contact point, increasing said measured capacitive level.
  • the system further comprises an input capacitive sensor for receiving said capacitive level, wherein said processor measures said capacitive level.
  • the system further comprises a board on which said contact points are disposed, wherein said board comprises material suitable for a PCB (printed circuit board) and said contact points comprise a conductive metal.
  • said second module comprises a plurality of devices, a first device comprising said synthesizer and a second device comprising said speaker; wherein said plurality of devices are physically separate and are in electronic communication at least with said first module.
  • an electronic musical instrument according to the system as described herein, wherein said first and second modules are combined in a single instrument, wherein said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads are playable separately or simultaneously; such that sounds are generated according to playing each or both of said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads and according to execution of said instructions by said processor, such that said sounds are output through said audio output.
  • An electronic musical instrument comprising a chord keyboard for providing chord functionality and a plurality of string pads in a string pad keyboard, a processor, a memory for storing a plurality of instructions for execution by said processor, and an audio output; wherein said chord keyboard is laid out according to the Circle of Fifths, wherein said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads are playable separately or simultaneously; such that sounds are generated according to playing each or both of said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads and according to execution of said instructions by said processor, such that said sounds are output through said audio output.
  • said chord functionality is selected according to an instrument mode controlled according to said instructions executed by said processor, wherein said instrument mode is selected from the group consisting of a keyboard instrument, a stringed instrument and a scale.
  • said keyboard instrument mode is for producing sounds from an instrument selected from the group consisting of piano, organ, synthesizer, digital piano and digital organ.
  • said stringed instrument mode is for an instrument selected from the group consisting of guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin, viola, cello, drums, bongos, flute, tuba, trumpet, clarinet, oboe, bass clarinet, French horn, flugelhorn, or other plucked/picked/strummed multi string instrument mode and/or any type of wind, bow played string or percussion instrument.
  • chord keyboard is laid out ergonomically according to the Circle of Fifths, such that said chord keyboard is laid out in a plurality of columns, at least a portion of which are repeated at both a left end and a right end of said chord keyboard to support ergonomic play.
  • string pads in said string pad keyboard produce sounds according to said keyboard instrument mode.
  • the instrument further comprises a plurality of control knobs to support selecting and/or adjusting a plurality of settings of the instrument.
  • said control knobs control one or more functions selected from the group consisting of midi channel, the velocity of notes, music scale, and temp of an arpeggio.
  • the instrument further comprises a MIDI signal output for outputting MIDI signals according to commands from said processor, wherein said MIDI signals are output at least partially according to operation of said keyboard and said plurality of string pads.
  • the instrument further comprises a soundboard tone generator module, an audio amplifier and a speaker, wherein said soundboard tone generator module generates tones according to said MIDI signals.
  • the instrument further comprises a sounding box, wherein said keyboard and said plurality of string pads are physically connected to or integrally formed with said sounding box, and wherein said processor, said memory are housed in said sounding box; wherein said audio output further comprises a cover, wherein said cover permits audio to be output from said sounding box and said speaker is contained within said sounding box.
  • the instrument further comprises a gesture pad for stopping sounding of all notes and control 3 MIDI CC channels in solo mode.
  • the instrument further comprises a gesture pad for receiving input gestures for producing sounds in strumming instrument mode.
  • the instrument further comprises a navigation pad for controlling at least one mode of the instrument.
  • said at least one mode comprises a pattern sub-mode for enabling a plurality of different rhythm patterns to be played with selected chords.
  • each string pad corresponds to a predetermined sequence of notes of the selected chord and wherein said predetermined sequence of notes is played upon touching the pad corresponding to the desired rhythm.
  • said chord keyboard function comprises muting all currently played notes, selecting a chord and playing the first step of the selected rhythm pattern.
  • said at least one mode comprise guitar mode and wherein complex strumming motions are supported with touching said string pads when the instrument is in guitar mode.
  • said chord keyboard function comprises muting all currently played notes and selecting a chord.
  • the instrument further comprises a chord keyboard function of playing a base note to second MIDI channel (bass guitar), playing drum kick on press and snare on release, or a combination thereof.
  • said navigation pad and/or said control knobs are used to set note shift and scale, for setting the lowest note being played by the string pads and current musical scale for said string pads.
  • each string pad is configured with a touch surface and a capacitor; whereupon applying pressure to each string pad applies pressure to said touch surface, leading to an increase in measured capacitive level, such that a higher capacitive level is measured than when said pressure is not applied to said touch surface.
  • said touch surface comprises conductive rubber, and comprises an upper surface and a lower surface; wherein said string paid further comprises a contact point; wherein pressure is applied to said upper surface, causing said lower surface to contact said contact point, increasing said measured capacitive level.
  • said touch surface comprises a plurality of legs and a plurality of contact points; wherein at least one leg is not in contact with a contact point until pressure is applied to said touch surface, after which said at least one leg contacts said contact point, increasing said measured capacitive level.
  • the instrument further comprises an input capacitive sensor for receiving said capacitive level, wherein said processor measures said capacitive level.
  • the instrument further comprises a board on which said contact points are disposed, wherein said board comprises material suitable for a PCB (printed circuit board) and said contact points comprise a conductive metal.
  • said chord keyboard, said string pad keyboard, said processor and said memory are provided as a first device, while said audio output is provided as a second device; wherein said first and second devices are in electronic communication; and wherein operation of said chord keyboard, said string pad keyboard or both of said first device causes sounds to be output from said audio output of said second device, according to said instructions stored in said memory and executed by said processor.
  • said audio output comprises a plurality of devices, including at least a first device comprising a synthesizer and at least a second device comprising a speaker.
  • said audio output comprises a synthesizer and a speaker.
  • An electronic musical instrument system comprising a first module, said first module comprising a chord keyboard for providing chord functionality and a plurality of string pads in a string pad keyboard, a processor, and a memory for storing a plurality of instructions for execution by said processor; and a second module, said second module comprising an audio output, wherein said first and second modules are physically separate and are in electronic communication; wherein said chord keyboard is laid out according to the Circle of Fifths, wherein said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads are playable separately or simultaneously; such that sounds are generated according to playing each or both of said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads and according to execution of said instructions by said processor, such that said sounds are output through said audio output of said second module.
  • said audio output comprises a synthesizer and a speaker, wherein said synthesizer synthesizes sounds according to instructions executed by said processor and said speaker outputs said sounds.
  • said second module comprises a plurality of devices, a first device comprising said synthesizer and a second device comprising said speaker; wherein said plurality of devices are physically separate and are in electronic communication at least with said first module.
  • An electronic musical instrument comprising a chord keyboard for providing chord functionality and a plurality of string pads in a string pad keyboard, a processor, a memory for storing a plurality of instructions for execution by said processor, and an audio output; wherein said chord keyboard is laid out according to the Circle of Fifths, wherein said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads are playable separately or simultaneously; such that sounds are generated according to playing each or both of said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads and according to execution of said instructions by said processor, such that said sounds are output through said audio output.
  • said chord functionality is selected according to an instrument mode controlled according to said instructions executed by said processor, wherein said instrument mode is selected from the group consisting of a keyboard instrument, a stringed instrument and a scale.
  • said keyboard instrument mode is for producing sounds from an instrument selected from the group consisting of piano, organ, synthesizer, digital piano and digital organ.
  • said stringed instrument mode is for an instrument selected from the group consisting of guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin, viola, cello, drums, bongos, flute, tuba, trumpet, clarinet, oboe, bass clarinet, French horn, flugelhorn, or other plucked/picked/strummed multi string instrument mode and/or any type of wind, bow played string or percussion instrument.
  • chord keyboard is laid out ergonomically according to the Circle of Fifths, such that said chord keyboard is laid out in a plurality of columns, at least a portion of which are repeated at both a left end and a right end of said chord keyboard to support ergonomic play.
  • string pads in said string pad keyboard produce sounds according to said keyboard instrument mode.
  • the instrument further comprises a plurality of control knobs to support selecting and/or adjusting a plurality of settings of the instrument.
  • said control knobs control one or more functions selected from the group consisting of midi channel, the velocity of notes, music scale, and temp of an arpeggio.
  • the instrument further comprises a MIDI signal output for outputting MIDI signals according to commands from said processor, wherein said MIDI signals are output at least partially according to operation of said keyboard and said plurality of string pads.
  • the instrument further comprises a soundboard tone generator module, an audio amplifier and a speaker, wherein said soundboard tone generator module generates tones according to said MIDI signals.
  • the instrument further comprises a sounding box, wherein said keyboard and said plurality of string pads are physically connected to or integrally formed with said sounding box, and wherein said processor, said memory are housed in said sounding box; wherein said audio output further comprises a cover, wherein said cover permits audio to be output from said sounding box and said speaker is contained within said sounding box.
  • the instrument further comprises a gesture pad for stopping sounding of all notes and control 3 MIDI CC channels in solo mode.
  • the instrument further comprises a gesture pad for receiving input gestures for producing sounds in strumming instrument mode.
  • the instrument further comprises a navigation pad for controlling at least one mode of the instrument.
  • said at least one mode comprises a pattern sub-mode for enabling a plurality of different rhythm patterns to be played with selected chords.
  • each string pad corresponds to a predetermined sequence of notes of the selected chord and wherein said predetermined sequence of notes is played upon touching the pad corresponding to the desired rhythm.
  • said chord keyboard function comprises muting all currently played notes, selecting a chord and playing the first step of the selected rhythm pattern.
  • said at least one mode comprise guitar mode and wherein complex strumming motions are supported with touching said string pads when the instrument is in guitar mode.
  • said chord keyboard function comprises muting all currently played notes and selecting a chord.
  • the instrument further comprises a chord keyboard function of playing a base note to second MIDI channel (bass guitar), playing drum kick on press and snare on release, or a combination thereof.
  • said navigation pad and/or said control knobs are used to set note shift and scale, for setting the lowest note being played by the string pads and current musical scale for said string pads.
  • each string pad is configured with a touch surface and a capacitor; whereupon applying pressure to each string pad applies pressure to said touch surface, leading to an increase in measured capacitive level, such that a higher capacitive level is measured than when said pressure is not applied to said touch surface.
  • said touch surface comprises conductive rubber, and comprises an upper surface and a lower surface; wherein said string paid further comprises a contact point; wherein pressure is applied to said upper surface, causing said lower surface to contact said contact point, increasing said measured capacitive level.
  • said touch surface comprises a plurality of legs and a plurality of contact points; wherein at least one leg is not in contact with a contact point until pressure is applied to said touch surface, after which said at least one leg contacts said contact point, increasing said measured capacitive level.
  • the instrument further comprises an input capacitive sensor for receiving said capacitive level, wherein said processor measures said capacitive level.
  • the instrument further comprises a board on which said contact points are disposed, wherein said board comprises material suitable for a PCB (printed circuit board) and said contact points comprise a conductive metal.
  • said chord keyboard, said string pad keyboard, said processor and said memory are provided as a first device, while said audio output is provided as a second device; wherein said first and second devices are in electronic communication; and wherein operation of said chord keyboard, said string pad keyboard or both of said first device causes sounds to be output from said audio output of said second device, according to said instructions stored in said memory and executed by said processor.
  • said audio output comprises a plurality of devices, including at least a first device comprising a synthesizer and at least a second device comprising a speaker.
  • said audio output comprises a synthesizer and a speaker.
  • An electronic musical instrument system comprising a first module, said first module comprising a chord keyboard for providing chord functionality and a plurality of string pads in a string pad keyboard, a processor, and a memory for storing a plurality of instructions for execution by said processor; and a second module, said second module comprising an audio output, wherein said first and second modules are physically separate and are in electronic communication; wherein said chord keyboard is laid out according to the Circle of Fifths, wherein said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads are playable separately or simultaneously; such that sounds are generated according to playing each or both of said chord keyboard and said plurality of string pads and according to execution of said instructions by said processor, such that said sounds are output through said audio output of said second module.
  • said audio output comprises a synthesizer and a speaker, wherein said synthesizer synthesizes sounds according to instructions executed by said processor and said speaker outputs said sounds.
  • said second module comprises a plurality of devices, a first device comprising said synthesizer and a second device comprising said speaker; wherein said plurality of devices are physically separate and are in electronic communication at least with said first module.
  • selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit.
  • selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system.
  • selected steps of the method and system of the invention could be described as being performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions.
  • a data processor such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions.
  • algorithm may refer to any series of functions, steps, one or more methods or one or more processes, for example for performing data analysis.
  • Implementation of the apparatuses, devices, methods and systems of the present disclosure involve performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof.
  • several selected steps can be implemented by hardware or by software on an operating system, of a firmware, and/or a combination thereof.
  • selected steps of at least some embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented as a chip or circuit (e.g., ASIC).
  • software selected steps of at least some embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented as a number of software instructions being executed by a computer (e.g., a processor of the computer) using an operating system.
  • processor such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions.
  • the processor is configured to execute a predefined set of operations in response to receiving a corresponding instruction selected from a predefined native instruction set of codes.
  • Software e.g., an application, computer instructions which is configured to perform (or cause to be performed) certain functionality may also be referred to as a “module” for performing that functionality, and also may be referred to a “processor” for performing such functionality.
  • module for performing that functionality
  • processor may be a hardware component, or, according to some embodiments, a software component.
  • a processor may also be referred to as a module; in some embodiments, a processor may comprise one or more modules; in some embodiments, a module may comprise computer instructions - which can be a set of instructions, an application, software - which are operable on a computational device (e.g., a processor) to cause the computational device to conduct and/or achieve one or more specific functionality.
  • a computational device e.g., a processor
  • any device featuring a processor which may be referred to as “data processor”; “pre-processor” may also be referred to as “processor” and the ability to execute one or more instructions may be described as a computer, a computational device, and a processor (e.g., see above), including but not limited to a personal computer (PC), a server, a cellular telephone, an IP telephone, a smart phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a thin client, a mobile communication device, a smart watch, head mounted display or other wearable that is able to communicate externally, a virtual or cloud based processor, a pager, and/or a similar device.
  • PC personal computer
  • server a server
  • a cellular telephone an IP telephone
  • smart phone smart phone
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • a thin client a mobile communication device
  • smart watch head mounted display or other wearable that is able to communicate externally, a virtual or cloud based processor, a pager, and/or a similar device.
  • Figures 1A and 1B show non-limiting, exemplary embodiments of the musical instrument
  • Figure 2 shows a non-limiting, exemplary, schematic diagram of one of the keyboards, with a diagram showing a keypad for the keyboard
  • Figure 3 shows a non-limiting, exemplary, schematic diagram of the Circle of Fifths concept
  • Figure 4 shows a non-limiting, exemplary, schematic diagram of another one of the keyboards, with a diagram showing a keypad for the keyboard
  • Figure 5 indicates the octave placements for the keyboard of Figure 4
  • Figure 6 shows a non-limiting, exemplary, schematic diagram of the internal electronics and logic of the musical instrument
  • Figures 7A-7C show non-limiting, exemplary, schematic diagrams of a string pad implementation
  • Figures 8A-8C show non-limiting, exemplary, schematic diagrams of another string pad implementation
  • Figure 9 shows a non-limiting, exemplary schematic diagram of an additional embodiment of the musical instrument.
  • the present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument which features a plurality of different keyboards, to support both piano mode and also guitar mode, with a high degree of native instrument functionality in both modes.
  • the keyboards comprise at least one with buttons and at least one with pads.
  • the musical instrument enables the player to choose the needed chords with one button (or sometimes with two or three buttons together).
  • the layout of the keyboard preferably is determined according to the circle of fifths, and also provides the ability to easily select different chords. This combination makes playing the musical instrument simpler than playing a regular piano keyboard. A novice player for example would be expected to easily be able to play the instrument.
  • a musical instrument 100 preferably comprises a chord keyboard 102, a detailed non-limiting example of which is shown with regard to Figure 2.
  • Chord keyboard 102 supports playing chords according to the mode selected as described in greater detail below.
  • Chord keyboard 102 supports various chord instrument functionalities for a user to play.
  • a string pad keyboard 106 enables playing of musical instrument 100 in guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin, viola, cello, drums, bongos, flute, tuba, trumpet, clarinet, oboe, bass clarinet, French horn, flugelhorn, piano, organ, synthesizer, digital piano or digital organ, or other keyboard instrument mode, or other plucked/picked/strummed multi string instrument mode and/or any type of wind, bow played string or percussion instrument.
  • Each string pad of string pad keyboard 106 may be struck by a finger of the user to cause musical instrument 100 to produce an associated sound. Operation of multiple string pads at once cause multiple associated sounds to be produced at the same time, as for an art known multi string instrument.
  • a non- limiting example of string pad keyboard 106 is shown in more detail with regard to Figures 4 and 5.
  • a plurality of control knobs 104 are also preferably provided, for example to support selecting and/or adjusting a plurality of settings of the instrument such as a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) channel, the velocity of notes, music scale, tempo of an arpeggio and so forth.
  • MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface
  • Control knobs 104 may be implemented for example with the Duppa I2CEncoder V2.1 (http://www.duppa.net/shop/i2cencoder-v2-1/). Each MIDI channel preferably is assigned a MIDI channel number, which is the digital channel parameter for the sound generator (described in greater detail below). MIDI data enables sounds to be triggered or generated by MIDI enabled audio generation devices. MIDI data also provides control parameters for generation of electronic music. The term “velocity of notes” may refer for example to the pressure or force placed by a musician on one of the keypads or string pads.
  • a gesture sensor area 108 may be used for additional controls, for example to support holding musical instrument 100 and “strumming” as for guitar play.
  • gesture sensor area 108 may not be used for “strumming” as for guitar play, but instead may be used to stop the sounding of all notes and control 3 MIDI CC channels in solo mode. Such CC Channels can be used to set expression, vibrato and growl of bow or wind instrument in real time.
  • Other non- limiting examples of gestures include swipes, flicks, taps, hoverings, motions, retinal tracking, and/or any other type of gesture, or any combination thereof.
  • Gesture sensor area 108 may be implemented for example with the Pi Flick Large Standalone 3D Tracking and Gesture Breakout (https://uk.pi-supply.com/products/flick-large-standalone-3d-tracking-gesture- breakout).
  • a screen 110 may be used for toggling between modes or otherwise controlling overall functions of musical instrument 100.
  • Screen 110 may be implemented as a touchscreen for direct scrolling through and toggling of modes, or otherwise controlling one or more functions by the user.
  • Non-limiting examples of such modes are described with regard to the table below.
  • Screen functions and mode selection may be performed according to the list shown below, as a non- limiting example: 1. Mode and sub-mode name, as determined for example according to the table below. 2.
  • String pad MIDI-channel settings MIDI channel number (digital channel parameter for the sound generator), status (on/off, preferably to turn all MIDI signals from the string pad keyboard off or on), and velocity range (this parameter relates to how hard the musician pushes or strikes the string pad key, and/or to the speed of the key press; the range determines whether instrument play is very soft or very loud).
  • the key for the string pad is set according to the chord keyboard; for example if the musician strikes C1 key on the chord keyboard, then the string pad will play C major scale in four octaves.
  • any instrument can be linked to a MIDI channel.
  • the string pads would have a different MIDI channel number than the chord keyboard. 3.
  • musical instrument 100 may further comprise a navigation pad 112 for such scrolling through and toggling of modes, or control of one or more functions by the user.
  • Screen 110 may be implemented for example with the Color 320x240 Touchscreen, 2.8 inch, ILI9341 Controller (https://www.pjrc.com/store/display_ili9341_touch.html).
  • Navigation pad 112 may be implemented for example with the Duppa I2C NavKey (http://www.duppa.net/shop/i2c-navkey/).
  • sounds are produced by an internal speaker (see Figure 1B) through a sound window 114. To produce such sounds, the user may strike a key on chord keyboard 102, a string pad on string pad keyboard 106, or both; or may make one or more gestures through gesture sensor area 108; or a combination thereof.
  • the user preferably enters commands and/or makes adjustments through the operation of screen 110, alone or in combination with control knobs 104 and/or navigation pad 112.
  • the “chord” mode relates for example to a piano, organ or other keyboard instrument, or for producing sounds that may be associated with such instruments.
  • the “guitar” mode relates to a multi string instrument as described herein, for producing sounds typically associated with strumming for playing an instrument. Scale mode may be used for any virtual instrument, for playing any notes of the selected music scale in any order as opposed to playing chords.
  • string pads on string pad keyboard 106 preferably play notes C1, D1, E1, F1, G1, A1, B1, C2, D2 etc.
  • a sub-mode may also be selected. Sub-modes are introduced for convenience. Switching between sub-modes, the main functionality of the instrument does not change, but the String pad function or Chord keyboard function changes. The effect of striking a string pad is described with regard to “String pad function”, while the effect of striking a key on chord keyboard 102 is described with regard to “Chord keyboard function”.
  • operation of gesture sensor area 108 is described with regard to “Gesture sensor”.
  • the pattern sub-mode allows the musician to play different rhythm patterns with selected chords.
  • Each string pad corresponds to a predetermined sequence of notes of the selected chord.
  • the musician may compose the desired rhythmic pattern, thereby causing the musical instrument to produce sounds arranged in that pattern.
  • one such pattern may be produced by holding the "C chord" button. (C, E, G notes in the chord).
  • C E, G notes in the chord.
  • the notes C1 + C2 + E2 + G2 are produced simultaneously.
  • the 2nd pad is touched, then C2 + E2 + G2+ ⁇ 3 are produced.
  • E1 is produced.
  • FIG. 1B shows a top view of musical instrument 100.
  • Internal speaker 122 may comprise a vibration speaker such as for example https://www.amazon.com/Delaman-Vibration-Speaker-Frequency-Resonance/dp/B07H7JS4QN.
  • Internal speaker 122 may be located externally, partially or completely.
  • Internal speaker 122 is optionally and alternatively located internally such that it is between the top and bottom of musical instrument 100. More preferably, the top and bottom of musical instrument 100 comprise a porous material such as wood, so that the top and bottom wooden surfaces emit sound. Sound also emerges through sound window 114. Without wishing to be limited by a single hypothesis, such a preferred construction is expected to provide a good volume of sound that is similar to a real wooden musical instrument. Additionally, Figure 1B shows a side view of one end of musical instrument 100, featuring a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) output jack 116. MIDI output jack 116 enables MIDI digital signals to be output from musical instrument 100, for example for connection to a computational device and/or to an external speaker (not shown).
  • MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface
  • musical instrument 100 also preferably comprises an audio output 120 for outputting audio signals. Such audio signals may be output for headphones, a speaker system or audio recorder, for example.
  • musical instrument 100 preferably comprises a power supply input 118, for example to enable musical instrument 100 to be connected to electrical power.
  • musical instrument 100 preferably comprises an internal battery which is more preferably rechargeable through power supply input 118.
  • Internal speaker 122 is also indicated with a dotted line at the side of musical instrument 100.
  • Figure 2 shows a non-limiting, exemplary, schematic diagram of one of the keyboards, with a diagram showing a keypad for the keyboard.
  • a chord keyboard 200 is shown with exemplary details which may be implemented with regard to the musical instrument of Figures 1A and 1B.
  • Chord keyboard 200 preferably features a plurality of keys 210, with a flat, slightly concave or slightly convex top surface 214.
  • the extent of concavity for example could be as for a manual typewriter key of its keyboard.
  • Top surface 214 is preferably connected to a mount 216, which raises top surface 214 above the surface of chord keyboard 200 and/or the musical instrument (not shown).
  • keys 210 are separated by a bit of space for easy operation, such as for example and without limitation about 3mm.
  • a cross-sectional view 212 shows top surface 214 and mount 216, showing a preferred implementation of a concave surface for top surface 214 and a “T-shaped” cross-sectional shape.
  • Chord keyboard 200 is preferably laid out such that keys 210 are provided in four rows, each row comprising 13 keys 210.
  • the exact identity of the sound produced according to operation of each key 210 depends on the mode and sub-mode selected, as described for example with regard to the above table.
  • the rows and columns are preferably arranged according to the Circle of Fifths, shown in Figure 3.
  • the central chord is column “0”; the columns are then numbered from 0 to 6 to the right, and then from -5 to zero from the left.
  • the column labeled “6” is also labeled “-6” as the Circle of Fifths, as its name suggests, meets in a circle, such that the notes for column “6” are identical to those of column “-6”.
  • Chord keyboard 200 may therefore be considered to be a linear version of the Circle of Fifths, with adjustments made for ease of use.
  • the numbers on top of the columns correspond to the numbers in the innermost circle of the Circle of Fifths diagram in Figure 3.
  • keys 210 are placed in rows as shown. Keys 210 may be labeled with note indicators as shown, although this labeling is not required.
  • the top row shown as a Major row 202 and is labeled with “I” (Roman numeral 1).
  • the next row is a Minor row 204, which is labeled with “II” (Roman numeral 2).
  • Major row 202 and Minor row 204 together handle the chords for “Chord” mode for example.
  • the type of chords may be determined according to the sub-mode as described with regard to the Table above. For example, if the “Chord” mode and “Base note” sub-mode are selected, when the Am button in row 204 is pressed, A1 note sounds (base note of Am-chord) and the Am chord is selected for string pads. While the Am-button is pressed, any strikes of the string pad produce only the notes of Am-chord (A1, C2, E2, A2, C3, E3, A4, etc.).
  • the B1 note sounds (as the base note of B7-chord), but preferably the Am chord is still chosen for string pads audio output.
  • the chord buttons of most melodies would typically expected to be located side by side on the Chord keyboard.
  • the next row is a Minor row 204, which is labeled with “II” (Roman numeral 2).
  • the next row is a 7 th row 206, which is labeled with “III” (Roman numeral 3).
  • the last (bottommost) row is a 7 th from minor row 208, which is labeled with “IV” (Roman numeral 4).
  • chords may be selected by pressing one or more buttons at one time (that is preferably simultaneously) in each column. For example, pressing C1 at the same time as another key in a different column preferably causes the C major chord to be retained or maintained, but would then cause the instrument to generate a different bass note with that chord.
  • This chord-set may be set up through operation of other control features of the instrument.
  • the chord set is selected according the musical instrument whose sounds are to be provided, or according to some other criteria such as selection by the user.
  • Sus2 chords are formed with the second note in the chord lowered one step.
  • Sus4 chords are formed with the second note in the chord raised one step.
  • Both piano and guitar playing may employ add2 or add4 chords, which are added tone chords. These chords feature major triads with an extra note added. Add9 and add11 chords may also be performed when playing the piano, and may be added to the musical instrument as described herein.
  • add2 chords the second tone in the scale is added.
  • add4 chords the fourth tone in the scale is added.
  • Sus2 chords are not identical to add2 chords but may be played in a similar or identical manner.
  • Sus4 chords differ from add4 chords in that sus chords include three notes whereas add4 chords include four notes.
  • Augmented chords feature two “stacks” of major thirds. For example, if a C Maj (major) chord is C – E – G, then a C Aug (augmented) chord is C – E – G#.
  • An augmented chord may also be referred as an augmented triad.
  • Figure 4 shows a non-limiting, exemplary, schematic diagram of another one of the keyboards, with a diagram showing a keypad for the keyboard. The keyboard as shown may be used for implementing the string pad keyboard of Figures 1A and 1B.
  • a string pad keyboard 400 comprises a plurality of keypads 402.
  • string pad keyboard 400 features 4 single pad keypads 402 (labeled as 4, 8, 12 and 16); and 12 double pad keypads 402 (labeled as 1-3, 5-7, 9- 11 and 13-15).
  • One keypad 402 is shown in a close-up mode, preferably comprising at least one (and in this case a plurality of) pads 404.
  • Each pad 404 is preferably arranged to feature a fingertip recess as shown. If a plurality of pads 404, such as two pads 404, are present in a single keypad 402, then preferably the fingertip recesses are separated by a raised portion between them on keypad 402.
  • each pad 404 depresses each pad 404 to cause a sound to be generated, according to the note sounded by depressing or striking that particular keypad 402.
  • a plurality of keypads 402 may be touched, depressed or struck simultaneously to form a chord.
  • the actions caused by touching such pads 404 are described in the modes Table, according to the selected mode/sub-mode. Also in “chord” and “guitar” modes the note of each pad 404 preferably depends on the chosen chord on the chord keyboard.
  • Keypad 402 may be implemented with or connected to various mechanisms to sense velocity of movement downward, as keypad 402 is depressed by a finger of the user; force of movement downward; or a combination thereof.
  • keypad 402 may be implemented with or connected to a piezoelectric sensor for sensing pressure; a capacitance sensor for sensing velocity and optionally also pressure; or a double action implementation, to sense both.
  • a capacitance sensor may for example comprise a capacitive touch surface. Such a sensor detects capacitance and hence detects velocity directly. As the area of contact between the finger and the string pad (keypad 402) increases, the capacitance increases as well. Such an increase in capacitance is an art known phenomenon.
  • the sensor detects such increased capacitance, such that the force of the push is inferred from the speed of the capacitance increase.
  • this method provides velocity detection within a defined range (although that range can be 'shifted').
  • Such a defined range limits the range of push-force detection on the string pad, because it is calculated from the speed of the rise of the capacitance on the string pad surface, between the time when the finger touches the button (pad on keypad 402) and the time when the finger is fully pressed against the button.
  • a double action implementation feature two contacts that are connected in succession as keypad 402 is pushed. By measuring the time between the first contact and the second contact, the speed of pushing keypad 402 can be detected.
  • a non-limiting example of a button featuring such a double action implementation is the Alps Alpine TACT Switch (https://tech.alpsalpine.com/e/products/faq/tact/multi_control.html).
  • Alps Alpine TACT Switch https://tech.alpsalpine.com/e/products/faq/tact/multi_control.html.
  • Figures 7-8 describe additional implementations of keypad 402.
  • Figure 5 indicates the octave placements for the keyboard of Figure 4.
  • a string pad keyboard 500 is a non-limiting exemplary implementation of the string pad keyboard of Figure 4.
  • a plurality of keypads 502 are present, more preferably arranged and implemented as described with regard to the keypads of Figure 4.
  • Every four keypads 502 preferably forms an octave, more preferably with three double pad keypads 502 and one single pad keypad 502 as shown.
  • the octaves are preferably arranged, from left to right, as a first octave 520A, a second octave 520B, a third octave 520C and a fourth octave 520D.
  • Octaves 520A-D are each labeled with Roman numerals I, II, III and IV, respectively.
  • pads sound notes of selected scale in order from left to right and “octave division” doesn’t matter.
  • the shape of the keyboard 500 as an arc, and the shape of the keypads 502 preferably allows the player to reach all the keypads 502 by turning the wrist lying on the surface of the instrument.
  • keypads 502 form a continuous sequence of three keypads 502 in each octave at the bottom, and four keypads in each octave at the top. This arrangement enables the player (user) to play a continuous ascending sequence of notes of both three-note and four-note chords.
  • Figure 6 shows a non-limiting, exemplary, schematic diagram of the internal electronics and logic of the musical instrument. As shown in an internal system 600, a microcontroller 602 is preferably present to control the functions of the electronic musical instrument.
  • Microcontroller 602 may be the only microcontroller but in any case is at least the main microcontroller for controlling the overall functions. Microcontroller 602 may be implemented for example as a Teensy 3.2 (https://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy32.html). Microcontroller 602 is in communication with a gesture sensor 604, which preferably corresponds to the previously described gesture sensor area of Figures 1a and 1B. When the user makes one or more gestures that are detected by gesture sensor 604, the sensor data is provided to microcontroller 602 which may then alter one or more functions of the musical instrument as described herein. Microcontroller 602 is in communication with chord keyboard 608 to receive information regarding which key(s) was depressed or struck on chord keyboard 608.
  • Microcontroller 602 may receive this information indirectly, through a keyboard circuit board 606.
  • Microcontroller 602 is in communication with string pads 610 to receive information regarding which string pad(s) was depressed or struck. This input information is then used to determine the correct sound output.
  • sound may be output through one or more of MIDI output 620, MIDI out port 622, soundboard tone generation module 624, audio amplifier 628 and/or internal speaker 630.
  • Internal speaker 630 was previously described. For audio signals (sound) to be output from internal speaker 630, microcontroller 602 sends MIDI signals to soundboard tone generation module 624, which generates the audio tones.
  • the audio tones are then output to an audio out port 626 (an example of which was shown in Figure 1B), audio amplifier 628 or both. From audio amplifier 628, sound signals are fed to internal speaker 630 which generates the sound.
  • microcontroller 602 causes MIDI digital signals to be output from MIDI output 620 through MIDI out port 622 as previously described, through soundboard tone generation module 624, or a combination thereof. MIDI digital signals may be received by soundboard tone generation module 624 for creating the audio tones.
  • Soundboard tone generation module 624 may be implemented as a DreamBlaster X2 Advanced WaveBlaster + USB Synth (https://www.serdashop.com/DreamBlasterX2).
  • Microcontroller 602 preferably controls the functions of internal battery 614, for example with regard to power operation and consumption, and recharging (including without limitation to a notification of low battery power).
  • Microcontroller 602 preferably controls the display of information through screen 618.
  • screen 618 is not a touchscreen, such that information is not input through screen 618 but is only displayed to the user.
  • Microcontroller 602 also preferably receives input from control knobs and navigation pad 612, for example for setting note shift and scale; for setting the lowest note being played by the string pads and current musical scale for the string pads; for setting a velocity range for determining a relative volume of instrument audio sound production according to pressure applied to the string pads and/or speed of application of such pressure; as well as for other functions as described herein.
  • Microcontroller 602 preferably comprises a processor and a memory (not shown). Functions of the processor preferably relate to those performed by any suitable computational processor, which generally refers to a device or combination of devices having circuitry used for implementing the communication and/or logic functions of a particular system.
  • a processor may include a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, and various analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, and other support circuits and/or combinations of the foregoing. Control and signal processing functions of the system are allocated between these processing devices according to their respective capabilities.
  • the processor may further include functionality to operate one or more software programs based on computer-executable program code thereof, which may be stored in a memory, such as that preferably located in microcontroller 602 in this non-limiting example.
  • a memory such as that preferably located in microcontroller 602 in this non-limiting example.
  • the processor may be "configured to" perform a certain function in a variety of ways, including, for example, by having one or more general-purpose circuits perform the function by executing particular computer-executable program code embodied in computer-readable medium, and/or by having one or more application-specific circuits perform the function.
  • the memory is configured for storing a defined native instruction set of codes.
  • the processor is preferably configured to perform a defined set of basic operations in response to receiving a corresponding basic instruction selected from the defined native instruction set of codes stored in the memory.
  • the memory may store a first set of machine codes selected from the native instruction set for receiving information from the user through any of gesture sensor 604, chord keyboard 608, string pads 610, control knobs and navigation pad 612, screen 618; a second set of machine codes selected from the native instruction set for causing one or more audio sounds to be output, for example through one or more of MIDI output 620, soundboard tone generation module 624, audio amplifier 628 and/or internal speaker 630; and a third set of machine codes selected from the native instruction set for causing one or more additional functions of the musical instrument to be adjusted, for example with regard to the lowest playable note configuration.
  • the first and/or second sets of machine codes may be separated to one or more machine codes.
  • a fourth set of machine codes selected from the native instruction set may be provided for receiving inputs from and/or controlling keyboard circuit board 606 and/or internal battery 614. Such a fourth set of machine codes may also be divided to specific codes for each function.
  • a fifth set of machine codes selected from the native instruction set may be provided for controlling display of information through screen 618.
  • screen 618 is not a touchscreen, such that information is not input through screen 618 but is only displayed to the user.
  • the string pads may be implemented in various ways. Preferred implementations feature the ability to both measure velocity and force (pressure) as a finger of the user presses down on the string pad.
  • the range in which velocity may be measured is large enough to enable the user to quickly go from very 'calm' playing (light touches) to very 'expressive' playing (vigorously hitting the string pads).
  • a capacitive sensor alone may have a limited range.
  • Figures 7-8 describe a plurality of additional implementations which feature detection of velocity and force in a broad range. These implementations feature capacitive sensor detection and also vertical movement of the string pad. Preferably, the extent of vertical movement of the string pad is minimized.
  • the string pad surface is capacitive with a connected capacitance sensor, and the string pad also features vertical movement. When the string pad is pushed down, it touches the second contact, that is connected to the ground via a capacitor.
  • FIG. 7A shows a non-limiting, exemplary, schematic diagram of a string pad implementation.
  • a string pad system 700 features a conductive surface 702, layered over a conductive silicon pad 704.
  • Conductive silicone pad 704 comprises a plurality of legs 706, preferably including at least one shorter leg 706.
  • At least one leg 706 is in contact with a contact surface 708, while none of the shorter legs 706 are in contact with contact surface 708.
  • Contact surface 708 comprises a plurality of contact points 712.
  • Contact points 712 preferably comprise metallic contacts, while the remaining portion of contact surface 708 may comprise suitable circuit board material, such as textolite for example.
  • Contact surface 708 also preferably comprises an additional capacitor contact 714, which may also comprise a metallic contact.
  • Capacitor unit 710 features a capacitor connected to a ground, for providing additional capacitance. In operation, an additional capacitance from capacitor unit 710 is received by a microcontroller 750 as an increase of input capacitive level 752, which measures the level to determine whether a finger of a user is in contact with, and pressing down on, conductive surface 702.
  • input capacitive level 752 is at a nominal level.
  • capacitive level 752 increases, as the finger 720 acts as a capacitor.
  • Finger 720 provides additional capacitance after finger 720 becomes electrically connected to the capacitive level input 752 through the conductive surface 702 and the conductive silicone pad 704.
  • the at least one shorter leg 706 is moved downward to come into contact with contact surface 708.
  • the at least one shorter leg 706 touches the second contact on contact surface 708, which is contact point 714.
  • the capacitance level input 752 received by microcontroller 750 rises significantly as capacitor unit 710 provides additional capacitance.
  • the at least one leg 706 that maintains contact with contact surface 708 is preferably compressed or reduced in length when downward pressure is placed on conductive surface 702 by finger 720 of the user, as shown in Figure 7C.
  • This contact with contact point 714 results in the capacitor unit 710 being electrically connected to the capacitive level input 752 through the conductive silicone pad 704.
  • FIG. 8A-8C show non-limiting, exemplary, schematic diagrams of another string pad implementation.
  • Figure 8A shows the components of the system.
  • a string pad system 800 features a pad 802, made from conductive rubber.
  • Pad 802 features an upper surface 803 for being touched by a finger of the user, and a lower surface 805 above a central contact 806.
  • FIG. 8B and 8C when the finger of the user does not press down on upper surface 803, lower surface 805 is not in contact with contact 806. When the finger of the user does press down on upper surface 803, lower surface 805 is brought into contact with contact 806.
  • Contact 806 sits upon a surface 804, which may for example comprise a suitable circuit board material.
  • Surface 804 also preferably features a plurality of contacts 816.
  • Contact 806 and contacts 816 preferably feature a conductive material such as a metal for example.
  • a capacitor unit 808 is implemented as described above for Figure 7. Until upper surface 803 is touched by the finger of the user, only a nominal level of capacitive input 810 is measured by a microcontroller 812.
  • microcontroller 812 measures an increased level of capacitance input 810. Once lower surface 805 is brought into contact with contact 806, microcontroller 812 measures a significantly higher level of capacitive input 810.
  • the cycle of the three levels of capacitive events as described above occurs as the finger of a user (not shown) first contacts and then presses down on pad 802, and then is no longer in contact with pad 802 (leading to a nominal level of capacitive input 810). This cycle of the three levels of capacitive events enables the velocity of the finger press onto pad 802 to optionally be calculated from the measured delay between the "touch" event and the “pressing down” event.
  • the static force of the pressure may be detected as different leg contacts may be engaged depending on the applied force.
  • Figure 8B shows string pad system 800 after the finger 820 touches the pad 802, but before a finger 820 presses down on pad 802.
  • the measured level of capacitive input is shown as “x”.
  • pad 802 is compressed.
  • Lower surface 805 pushes down on contact 806, increasing the measured level of capacitive input to 2x-3x the level as lower surface 805 comes into contact with contact 806.
  • conductive silicone is used to form the contact surface for the finger, one advantage is that this material acts as both the conductor and the spring that pushes the string pad back up, when the finger is no longer in contact with the string pad surface.
  • the portion of the string pad that touches the contact may also be formed from the same capacitive silicone. Because there is only one contact instead of two contacts, the distance to travel for the string pad may be smaller.
  • a leg or other portion of the contact surface, or another portion that is pressed downward by the finger comprises a spring or other spring-like material.
  • the portion of the string pad that touches the contact may feature a plurality of separate contact points with a corresponding number of independent capacitor units, such as a plurality of legs with a variety of spring-like resilience, a variety of lengths or other differences.
  • the capacitance sensed by the sensor is then different depending on number of capacitor units engaged, which in turn depends on how many of the legs are in contact at any given time.
  • the number of legs in contact is preferably determined according to how much pressure the finger of the user places on the string pad.
  • Figure 9 shows a non-limiting, exemplary schematic diagram of an additional embodiment of the musical instrument.
  • This musical instrument implementation preferably features a controller that is in communication with, and that controls the functions of, a separate device.
  • This separate device may feature audio output, such as a synthesizer and speaker arrangement, for example.
  • the synthesizer and speaker arrangement are in two separate devices.
  • a non-limiting example of the separate device for the synthesizer is the Zynthian device (https://zynthian.org).
  • Microcontroller 902 preferably includes the functions as previously described, for example including but not limited to the ability to control a multi-timbral synthesizer 904 for producing audio sounds.
  • Microcontroller 902 communicates with multi- timbral synthesizer 904, such as the Zynthian device for example, through a MIDI output 906, for example as previously described.
  • Microcontroller 902 is preferably able to receive instructions from the user in terms of the sounds to be produced through one or more musical instrument inputs, which in this non-limiting example preferably comprise a chord keyboard 910 and string pads 914.
  • Chord keyboard 910 preferably communicates with microcontroller 902 through a keyboard circuit board 912.
  • String pads 914 may also feature such a circuit board (not shown) or may communicate directly with microcontroller 902.
  • Chord keyboard 910 and string pads 914 may be contained within the same device as microcontroller 902, or within one or more separate devices (not shown).
  • Microcontroller 902 is also preferably in communication with a screen 908 and a user input 916, which in this non-limiting example preferably comprises control knobs and a navigation pad.
  • Screen 908 and user input 916 may for example be implemented as previously described.
  • Screen 908 and user input 916 may be contained within the same device as microcontroller 902 as shown, or within one or more separate devices (not shown).
  • chord keyboard 910 and string pads 914 for example as described herein
  • the actions of the user are translated by microcontroller 902 into MIDI notes. These MIDI notes are transformed into audible sounds by multi-timbral synthesizer 904, which are then output to a speaker (not shown).
  • Such output sounds may comprise music, such that these actions of the user relate to playing a musical instrument.
  • the user may enter commands and further control the production of the output sounds through interactions with one or both of screen 908 and user input 916.
  • the flexibility of system 900 means that control of an existing electronic musical instrument may be effected through microcontroller 902, for example. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub- combination.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un instrument de musique électronique, comprenant un clavier d'accords pour fournir une fonctionnalité d'accord et une pluralité de pads de corde dans un clavier de pads de corde, un processeur, une mémoire pour stocker une pluralité d'instructions pour une exécution par ledit processeur, et une sortie audio ; ledit clavier d'accords étant disposé selon le cercle des quintes, ledit clavier d'accords et ladite pluralité de pads de corde pouvant être lus séparément ou simultanément ; de telle sorte que des sons sont générés en fonction de la lecture de chaque clavier d'accords et de ladite pluralité de pads de corde et en fonction de l'exécution desdites instructions par ledit processeur, de telle sorte que lesdits sons sont émis à travers ladite sortie audio.
PCT/IB2022/053109 2021-04-23 2022-04-04 Instrument de musique avec mises en œuvre de clavier WO2022224065A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202163179176P 2021-04-23 2021-04-23
US63/179,176 2021-04-23
US202263310530P 2022-02-15 2022-02-15
US63/310,530 2022-02-15

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WO2022224065A1 true WO2022224065A1 (fr) 2022-10-27

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20230178058A1 (en) * 2021-12-06 2023-06-08 Arne Schulze Handheld musical instrument

Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3943812A (en) * 1973-11-02 1976-03-16 Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha Touch responsive sensor in electronic keyboard musical instrument
US20130278380A1 (en) * 2008-10-28 2013-10-24 Apple Inc. Electronic device including finger movement based musical tone generation and related methods
US20150310844A1 (en) * 2011-01-07 2015-10-29 Apple Inc. Intelligent keyboard interface for virtual musical instrument
US20180357991A1 (en) * 2017-06-09 2018-12-13 Jabriffs Limited Musical chord identification, selection and playing method and means for physical and virtual musical instruments
JP6736122B1 (ja) * 2019-06-12 2020-08-05 雄一 永田 和音演奏入力装置、電子楽器、及び、和音演奏入力プログラム

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3943812A (en) * 1973-11-02 1976-03-16 Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha Touch responsive sensor in electronic keyboard musical instrument
US20130278380A1 (en) * 2008-10-28 2013-10-24 Apple Inc. Electronic device including finger movement based musical tone generation and related methods
US20150310844A1 (en) * 2011-01-07 2015-10-29 Apple Inc. Intelligent keyboard interface for virtual musical instrument
US20180357991A1 (en) * 2017-06-09 2018-12-13 Jabriffs Limited Musical chord identification, selection and playing method and means for physical and virtual musical instruments
JP6736122B1 (ja) * 2019-06-12 2020-08-05 雄一 永田 和音演奏入力装置、電子楽器、及び、和音演奏入力プログラム

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20230178058A1 (en) * 2021-12-06 2023-06-08 Arne Schulze Handheld musical instrument
US11893969B2 (en) * 2021-12-06 2024-02-06 Arne Schulze Handheld musical instrument

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