Method and apparatus for sensing, controlling and recording key motion in a keyboard musical instrument

A key movement and velocity monitoring and control system for a keyboard operated musical instrument, comprising:

• at least one key pivotally mounted along a bottom surface of said at least one key to said instrument;
• a magnet attached to a rear surface of said at least one key for movement upon actuation of said at least one key;
• a magnetic sensor attached to said instrument adjacent said magnet for sensing changes in polarity of said magnet throughout the movement of said at least one key and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the movement;
• an actuation device positioned adjacent a rear portion of said at least one key for actuating said key in a second mode of operation;
• and
• an electrical circuit for initiating said actuation device, and adjusting the actuation of said at least one key dependent upon a determined velocity of said at least one key,
• whereby pre-recorded music may be played back by the keyboard operated musical instrument independent of any possible effects of ambient conditions.

A method for monitoring and controlling a movement and velocity of at least one key of a keyboard operated musical instrument comprising the steps of:

• positioning a magnetic sensor adjacent a magnet attached to a rear portion of the at least one key for monitoring the movement and velocity of said magnet and producing a corresponding electrical signal;
• adjusting the corresponding electrical signal in accordance with a predetermined correction factor dependent upon the position of said magnet relative said sensor;
• initiating the movement of said at least one key utilizing an actuation device;
• comparing the movement and velocity of said magnet as embodied in said adjusted electrical signal to a desired movement and velocity;
• and
• adjusting the movement of said at least one key through said actuation device,
• whereby pre-recorded music may be played back by the keyboard operated musical instrument independent of any possible effects of ambient conditions.

A method for monitoring a movement and velocity of at least one key of a keyboard operated musical instrument comprising the steps of:

• attaching a magnet to a rear portion of the at least one key;
• positioning a magnetic sensor adjacent said magnet for monitoring changes in polarity caused by the movement of said magnet and producing a corresponding electrical signal;
• initiating the movement of said at least one key;
• receiving the corresponding electrical signal utilizing a processor;
• adjusting the electrical signal dependent upon the position of said magnet relative said sensor;
• and
• recording the adjusted electrical signal corresponding to the movement and velocity of said at least one key utilizing a machine readable storage media.

A key movement and velocity monitoring and control system for a keyboard operated musical instrument, comprising:

• at least one key pivotally mounted to said instrument, said key having a forward portion and a rear portion;
• a magnet attached to said rear portion of said at least one key for movement upon actuation of said at least one key;
• a magnetic sensor supported by said instrument adjacent said magnet for sensing the movement of said magnet and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the movement;
• an actuation device positioned adjacent said rear portion of said at least one key for actuating said key in a second mode of operation;
• and
• an electrical circuit for initiating said actuation device, receiving said electrical signal produced by said magnetic sensor, determining the velocity of said at least one key throughout actuation, and adjusting the actuation of said at least one key dependent upon said determined velocity;
• wherein said electrical circuit includes a plurality of processors for recording said velocity of said keys for playback in a first mode of operation and adjusting said velocity of said keys during playback in a second mode of operation,
• whereby pre-recorded music may be played back by the keyboard operated musical instrument independent of any possible effects of ambient conditions.

A keyboard operated musical instrument key motion sensing and recording apparatus, comprising:

• a magnet attached to a rear surface of at least one key pivotally mounted to a bottom surface of said at least one key to a key bed supported by the instrument for movement upon actuation of the at least one key;
• means attached to the instrument and facing said magnet for sensing changes in polarity of said magnet throughout the movement of the at least one key without contact and producing electrical signals corresponding to the sensed polarity of said magnet and indicative of key position;
• and
• means for receiving said electrical signals produced by said magnetic sensor and determining a velocity of said at least one key,
• whereby key movement and velocity data for said at least one key may be recorded.