A sensing system for a keyboard. Each key sensor comprises passive and active resonant circuits. The passive resonant circuit has a resonant frequency and the active resonant circuit excites the passive resonant circuit at the resonant frequency. A sensor driver drives the active resonant circuit with an RF drive signal, a multiplexing system multiplexes the drive signal such that simultaneously driven key sensors are separated by at least (k-1) keys, and a detector detects a level of RF signal from a driven key sensor for sensing a position and/or velocity of a key.

A signal generation method implemented by a computer system includes: generating an audio signal in response to a manipulation of each of a first key and a second key; and controlling generation of the audio signal based on a reference point that is a position of the first key at a time point of a manipulation of the second key, based on the second key being manipulated during a manipulation of the first key.

A system and method for a laptop computer chassis that integrates a MIDI controller. The laptop is specifically designed for music producers, and it combines a standard laptop computer with producer hardware into one design. The laptop computer features a standard keyboard and buttons, but replaces the lower portion with a MIDI controller. The system functions together through the use of a DAW, but will also be compatible with other 3.sup.rd party products.

A musical keyboard touch sensor pad having a plurality of integrated sensors disposed in an array is disclosed. The plurality of integrated sensors represents a keyboard key. A processor is electronically coupled to the plurality of integrated sensors. The processor is programmed to receive signals from several of the plurality of integrated sensors and to generate a sound signal based on input from the several of the plurality of integrated sensors. The output is variable based on the number in the plurality and the location of the plurality in the array. An audio output device is electronically coupled to the processor to generate a sound based on the sound signal. A keyboard using a plurality of the sensor pads as well as a method of generating sounds from the keyboard are also disclosed.

An apparatus includes a first resonant circuit including a first coil mounted to a movable member; a second resonant circuit including a second coil facing the first coil and generating a magnetic field upon supply of an electric current and outputs a detection signal of a voltage level depending on a relative position of the second coil to a position of the first coil; and a first equivalent circuit equivalent to the second resonant circuit in a case where a distance between the first and second coils is infinite and a second equivalent circuit equivalent to the second resonant circuit in a case where the distance is zero. A processor corrects the detection signal based on an output signal output from the first equivalent circuit and an output signal output from the second equivalent circuit, and calculates, based on the corrected detection signal, a displacement amount of the movable member.

An electronic portable keyboard instrument includes: a lower casing that includes a plurality of supporting members that support the fulcrums of a plurality of hammers, and a plurality of reinforcing members arranged in the first direction, each reinforcing member having a shape of rib that is erected upward from the lower casing and that is running in a length direction of the keys, wherein each of the plurality of supporting members sandwiches, from sides in the first direction, the corresponding hammer at the fulcrum so as to restrict movement of the hammer in the first direction, and wherein each of the reinforcing members is disposed in a gap between adjacent hammers, and a portion of the reinforcing members that corresponds to the weights of the adjacent hammers in position is lower than any other portions of the reinforcing member to avoid contacting the weights of the adjacent hammers.

When a harmony function is on state, a generator determines a chord based on one or more notes of depressed keys in a chord kea area, automatically generates one or more additional notes having pitches which harmonizes the pitch of the note of the depressed key in a performance key area according to the determined chord, and inputs the “note of the pressed key in the performance key area+additional notes” to an assignment controller. The assignment controller assigns plural parts (timbres) to the inputted notes, and sounds the notes in timbres of the plural parts according to the assignment. That is, tone generation assignment process is performed regarding not only notes according to performance operation by a user but also automatically generated additional notes.

A children's toy with capacitive touch interactivity. The children's toy generally includes a user input overlay panel and one or more capacitive touch sensors. The overlay panel may be formed from a capacitive touch conductive natural organic material such as wood. The toy can be shaped and ornamented to resemble a musical instrument and configured to play music in response to user input applied to the user input overlay panel and sensed by the capacitive touch sensors.

An operation detection device for a key operation of a keyboard device includes a conductive unit configured to be disposed on each of keys, a substrate configured to be disposed facing each of the keys in a pressing direction of the keys. The substrate is provided with a sensor including at least first and second coils, the sensor being configured to be disposed spaced from one key so that at least one of the first or second coil outputs a signal corresponding to a distance between the one key and the respective sensor. The operation detection device includes a detection unit configured to detect a displacement of the one key in at least one of a yaw direction or a roll direction based on signals output from the first and second coils during a key pressing stroke of the one key.

An input device includes a first operating element and a first sensor. The first sensor includes a first conductor, a first coil, and a first magnetic material forming an open magnetic circuit together with the first coil. A positional relationship between the first coil and the first magnetic material is fixed. A first distance between a first end portion of the first magnetic material and the first conductor varies according to the amount of operation on the first operating element. The first sensor outputs a first signal corresponding to the first distance.