Provided is a keyboard device that can suppress a reduction in the operability of a key. A rear guiding member comprises a pair of guiding surfaces that, in a side view of a key, face forward and rearward and are formed along an arc that is convex toward the front. The key comprises a pair of sliding surfaces that slide against the pair of guiding surfaces. Due to this sliding of the guiding surfaces and the sliding surfaces, rotation of the key can be guided while displacement of the key in the front-rear direction is regulated. Consequently, because forward and rearward displacement of the key during key pressing can be suppressed, a reduction in operability (feeling of touch) during pressing of the key can be suppressed.

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.

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.

An improved musical instrument is disclosed. The musical instrument includes at least one key assembly and at least two sets of sensors. The sensors sense one or more attributes pertaining to a force exerted on the at least one key assembly. A control unit is provided to determine amount of force sensed by sensors based on the sensed one or more attributes, and to determine location, at which the force on the at least one key assembly is exerted based on the determined amount of force sensed by the sensors. The control unit is configured to generated signals based on the determined amount of force sensed by the sensors, and the determined location. The generated signals are associated with one or more acoustic parameters.

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.

Provided is a keyboard device that can suppress a reduction in the operability of a key. A rear guiding member comprises a pair of guiding surfaces that, in a side view of a key, face forward and rearward and are formed along an arc that is convex toward the front. The key comprises a pair of sliding surfaces that slide against the pair of guiding surfaces. Due to this sliding of the guiding surfaces and the sliding surfaces, rotation of the key can be guided while displacement of the key in the front-rear direction is regulated. Consequently, because forward and rearward displacement of the key during key pressing can be suppressed, a reduction in operability (feeling of touch) during pressing of the key can be suppressed.

A detection system for a keyboard instrument includes a movable member that is displaceable in response to a user playing operation of the keyboard instrument. The detection system includes: (i) a detectable portion of a magnetic or conductive body that is disposed on the movable member; (ii) a detection board including: a detection coil disposed facing the detectable portion; and a detection circuit configured to generate a detection signal depending on a distance between the detection coil and the detectable portion; (iii) a control board, which is discrete from the detection board, including a control integrated circuit configured to generate, based on the detection signal, displacement data indicating a position of the movable member; and (iv) a wiring portion including a wiring configured to transmit the detection signal from the detection board to the control board.

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.

A musical keyboard instrument includes a key displaceable in response to a playing operation, a detection system including a magnetic body disposed on or in the key, and a coil facing and spaced from the magnetic body and configured to generate a magnetic field in response to receiving a supply of current, wherein the detection system is configured to generate a detection signal with a level that depends on a distance between the magnetic body and the coil, and an electromagnetic shield configured to block electromagnetic waves emitted from the detection system.

A detection system is used in a musical keyboard instrument that includes a key, the displacement of which changes in accordance with a playing operation. The detection system includes a detectable portion configured to be disposed on the movable member and including a first coil; a signal generator including a second coil configured to be disposed spaced from the first coil and configured to, in a state where the second coil receives a supply of current: generate a magnetic field; and generate a detection signal with a level depending on a distance between the detectable portion and the second coil; and a magnetic body disposed on at least one of the movable member or the signal generator.