GB2178216A - Mechanical/electronic synthesiser keyboard mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A Mechanical/Electronic keyboard mechanism is capable of producing information in the form of two electrical signals directly representative of the speed at which a single key of a keyboard instrument is depressed. This data is produced by one switch turning (OFF) and then a second switch turning (ON) as the key is depressed by the player. The time lapse between the first signal and the second signal varies, depending on how quickly the key was depressed (i.e. how hard the key was struck by the player). This information is infinitely variable and is directly representative of the way in which the key was played. This information could therefore be used to switch (ON) or play an infinite variety of synthesised or prerecorded sounds. The switches may be micro-switches or may employ photo-electric cells. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATIONMechanical/electronic synthesiser keyboard mechanismThis invention relates to a mechanical/electronic keyboard mechanism capable of reproducing all types of recorded sounds (Digital orAnalogue) in an infinitely variable number of ways.

All keyboard instruments, i.e. piano, organ, harpsicord, and electronic organ/synthesiser reproduce sounds when the keys are depressed. The way in which they reproduce the sound varies. For example with a conventional pipe organ when the keys are depressed the player has, in effect, turned or switched that note on for the period of time that he holds the key down. With a piano the player does the same but he can play that note in an infinite number of ways depending on how hard he plays the note, i.e. strikes the key.

With this in mind this invention provides a way in which a keyboard player can reproduce the subtle variety of different sounds from a single note.

At present there are many keyboard instuments that are variable in the way they can reproduce the notes and these are referred to as TOUCH SENSITIVE. They can vary the sound of a single note by means of a pressure pad which changes the note as pressure on the key increases or decreases.

This invention differs from these in the way in which it transfers the players operation of the key into the sound that is created.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1 shows in perspective, a keyboard instrument namely an electronic organ;Figure 2 shows an enlarged single key from that keyboard as seen from the side;Figure 3 show the same as Fig. 2 but this time with the key in the depressed position;Figure 4 shows two possible ways of monitoring the movement electrically or electronically; andFigure 5 shows a hypothetical graph of the resulting information.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 2. This shows one single key of a keyboard instrument as seen from the side. The mechanism comprises, a base plate, fulcrum and two stops that limit the movement of the key. There is a counterbalance weight to return the key to the horizontal position when it is not being depressed at point (A) by the player. It is likely that a return spring may also be introduced to assist the counterbalance weight in a working model of this keyboard.

Fig. 3 shows the same arrangement but this time the key is depressed at point (A) and it should be noticed that the extended part of the key at point (B) has moved the distance indicated in the drawing. If point (A) is released i.e. the players finger is removed, the counterbalance weight will return the key to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 4 shows two of the many possible ways in which this movement can be monitored electrically or electronically.

Diagram (C) shows the keys movement being monitored by two micro switches.

i.e.

with the key not depressed the bottom switch is (ON) and the top swtich is (OFF) with the key depressed the bottom switch is (OFF) and the top switch is (ON)Diagram (D) shows the keys movement being monitored by two sets of photo electric cells.

i.e.

with the key not depressed the top sensor is (ON) the bottom sensor is (OFF) with the key depressed the top sensor is (OFF) the bottom sensor is (ON)There are many ways of monitoring the keys movement electrically or electronically.

The most accurate and reliable method should be employed in any production model of this keyboard. It is therefore likly that a fibre optic light source and sensor would be used.

Which ever method is used to monitor the depression and release of the key the resulting information would be utilised in this way.

Namely the top and bottom switches will turn (ON) and (OFF) as the key is played. It is this action and the monitoring of the time passage between one switch activating and the second switch activating that is the embodyment of this invention.

If the key is played softly the time laspe between the switching will be relatively slow.

If the key is played loudly and is therefore struck harder the time lapse will be shorter.

All variations of playing that key in terms of very loudly to very softly can therefore be expressed in time.

If a graph of this was produced with TIMELAPSED plotted against LOUDNESS OF NOTE it would look similar to the hypothetical graph shown in Fig. 5.

1. A Mechanical/Electronic Keyboard mechanism capable of measuring an infinite number of ways in which an individual key can be played. This measurement being expressed electrically in terms of time lapse between one switch activating and then a second switch activating.

2. A Mechanical/Electronic Keyboard mechanism as Claim 1 and also capable of measuring an infinite number of ways in which an individual key can be played. This measurement being expressed electrically in terms of time lapse between two, or more, switches being activated one after the other as a single

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Mechanical/electronic synthesiser keyboard mechanism This invention relates to a mechanical/electronic keyboard mechanism capable of reproducing all types of recorded sounds (Digital or Analogue) in an infinitely variable number of ways. All keyboard instruments, i.e. piano, organ, harpsicord, and electronic organ/synthesiser reproduce sounds when the keys are depressed. The way in which they reproduce the sound varies. For example with a conventional pipe organ when the keys are depressed the player has, in effect, turned or switched that note on for the period of time that he holds the key down. With a piano the player does the same but he can play that note in an infinite number of ways depending on how hard he plays the note, i.e. strikes the key. With this in mind this invention provides a way in which a keyboard player can reproduce the subtle variety of different sounds from a single note. At present there are many keyboard instuments that are variable in the way they can reproduce the notes and these are referred to as TOUCH SENSITIVE. They can vary the sound of a single note by means of a pressure pad which changes the note as pressure on the key increases or decreases. This invention differs from these in the way in which it transfers the players operation of the key into the sound that is created. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, a keyboard instrument namely an electronic organ; Figure 2 shows an enlarged single key from that keyboard as seen from the side; Figure 3 show the same as Fig. 2 but this time with the key in the depressed position; Figure 4 shows two possible ways of monitoring the movement electrically or electronically; and Figure 5 shows a hypothetical graph of the resulting information. Referring to the drawing, Fig. 2. This shows one single key of a keyboard instrument as seen from the side. The mechanism comprises, a base plate, fulcrum and two stops that limit the movement of the key. There is a counterbalance weight to return the key to the horizontal position when it is not being depressed at point (A) by the player. It is likely that a return spring may also be introduced to assist the counterbalance weight in a working model of this keyboard. Fig. 3 shows the same arrangement but this time the key is depressed at point (A) and it should be noticed that the extended part of the key at point (B) has moved the distance indicated in the drawing. If point (A) is released i.e. the players finger is removed, the counterbalance weight will return the key to the position shown in Fig. 1. Figure 4 shows two of the many possible ways in which this movement can be monitored electrically or electronically. Diagram (C) shows the keys movement being monitored by two micro switches. i.e. with the key not depressed the bottom switch is (ON) and the top swtich is (OFF) with the key depressed the bottom switch is (OFF) and the top switch is (ON) Diagram (D) shows the keys movement being monitored by two sets of photo electric cells. i.e. with the key not depressed the top sensor is (ON) the bottom sensor is (OFF) with the key depressed the top sensor is (OFF) the bottom sensor is (ON) There are many ways of monitoring the keys movement electrically or electronically. The most accurate and reliable method should be employed in any production model of this keyboard. It is therefore likly that a fibre optic light source and sensor would be used. Which ever method is used to monitor the depression and release of the key the resulting information would be utilised in this way. Namely the top and bottom switches will turn (ON) and (OFF) as the key is played. It is this action and the monitoring of the time passage between one switch activating and the second switch activating that is the embodyment of this invention. If the key is played softly the time laspe between the switching will be relatively slow. If the key is played loudly and is therefore struck harder the time lapse will be shorter. All variations of playing that key in terms of very loudly to very softly can therefore be expressed in time. If a graph of this was produced with TIME LAPSED plotted against LOUDNESS OF NOTE it would look similar to the hypothetical graph shown in Fig. 5. CLAIMS

1. A Mechanical/Electronic Keyboard mechanism capable of measuring an infinite number of ways in which an individual key can be played. This measurement being expressed electrically in terms of time lapse between one switch activating and then a second switch activating.

2. A Mechanical/Electronic Keyboard mechanism as Claim 1 and also capable of measuring an infinite number of ways in which an individual key can be played. This measurement being expressed electrically in terms of time lapse between two, or more, switches being activated one after the other as a single key is depressed.

3. A Mechanical/Electronic Keyboard mechanism as Claim 1 or Claim 2 and also capable of producing data directly representative of the speed in which a single key of a keyboard instrument is depressed.