Sensor module, system of modules for a piano keyboard, and corresponding method
AssigneePocketpiano. S.L.
InventorJosep Bergada Bombi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Different aspects of the invention implement a sensor module that can be configured as a keyboard module or as a pedal module, allowing to connect a plurality of keyboard and pedal modules to assemble a configuration to the user's liking, such as, for example, the usual configuration of an 87-key piano together with two pedals. The sensor module transmits information about detected key or pedal strokes to a computer application for playback, either aural or visual. At the same time, the sensor module allows, both in the keyboard module and pedal module configuration, to transmit the feeling of playing a real piano.
Claims22
A sensor, configurable as a piano keyboard member or a piano pedal member, for transmitting a feeling of playing a real piano, the sensor comprising:
- at least one push button;
- at least one signal generator configured to generate a signal indicative of musical dynamics performed when the push button is pressed, the signal comprising other parameters depending on whether it comes from a keyboard member or a pedal member;
- and
- at least one membrane in contact with the push button and positioned between the push button and the signal generator, the membrane comprising at least one protrusion comprising a first protrusion stage and a second protrusion stage, wherein the first protrusion stage is configured to be longer than the second protrusion stage, thereby enabling each protrusion to deform in two stages under an effect of the push button pressure,
- wherein the signal generated by the at least one signal generator is indicative of one of a plurality of musical dynamics based on a number of time sections elapsing between the deformation of the two stages within a time interval or between two time intervals.
A method of a sensor that is configurable as a piano keyboard member or a piano pedal member, for transmitting a feeling of playing a real piano, the sensor comprising at least one push button, at least one signal generator, and at least one membrane in contact with the push button and positioned between the push button and the signal generator, the at least one membrane comprising at least one protrusion comprising a first protrusion stage and a second protrusion stage, wherein the first protrusion stage is configured to be longer than the second protrusion stage, thereby enabling each protrusion to deform in two stages under an effect of the push button pressure, the method comprising generating a signal indicative of one of a plurality of musical dynamics based on a number of time sections elapsing between the deformation of the two stages within a time interval or between two time intervals, the signal comprising other parameters depending on whether it comes from a keyboard member or a pedal member.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations including generating a signal indicative of one of a plurality of musical dynamics performed when a push button is pressed by deforming at least one membrane under an effect of the push button pressure, the at least one membrane comprising at least one protrusion comprising a first protrusion stage and a second protrusion stage, wherein the first protrusion stage is configured to be longer than the second protrusion stage, thereby enabling each protrusion to deform in two stages, wherein generating the signal indicative of one of a plurality of musical dynamics is based on a number of time sections elapsing between the deformation of the two stages within a time interval or between two time intervals, the signal comprising other parameters depending on whether it comes from a keyboard member or a pedal member, wherein the push button is part of a sensor that is configurable as a piano keyboard member or a piano pedal member, for transmitting a feeling of playing a real piano, and wherein the membrane is in contact with the push button and positioned between the push button and a signal generator.
A modular system comprising one or more sensors, wherein
- each sensor comprises:
- at least one push button;
- at least one signal generator configured to generate a signal indicative of one of a plurality of musical dynamics performed when the push button is pressed;
- and
- at least one membrane in contact with the push button and positioned between the push button and the signal generator, the membrane configured to deform under an effect of the push button pressure, the at least one membrane comprising at least one protrusion comprising a first protrusion stage and a second protrusion stage, wherein the first protrusion stage is configured to be longer than the second protrusion stage, thereby enabling each protrusion to deform in two stages,
- wherein generating the signal indicative of one of a plurality of musical dynamics is based on a number of time sections elapsing between the deformation of the two stages within a time interval or between two time intervals, the signal comprising other parameters depending on whether it comes from a keyboard member or a pedal member, and
- wherein at least one sensor is configured as a keyboard member for reproducing a piano or as a pedal member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.