US4649784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for sensing activity for a keyboard and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-01-31
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Granted: 1987-03-17
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Expires: 2005-01-31
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for the monitoring of the manipulation of the keys of an instrument comprises monitoring apparatus which takes the form of a pressure sensing device, associated with each key, that can be fabricated in a configuration compatible with the instrument. According to one embodiment, the pressure sensing devices can be arranged so that the monitoring apparatus can be positioned on a balance rail of a piano keyboard. In this embodiment, the monitoring configuration can be fabricated and conveniently retrofitted to a standard keyboard. The pressure sensing device comprises a resistive element, a conducting element, and a force transducer ink layer separating the resistive and conducting elements. The resistance of the resistive element is monitored and when pressure is applied to the pressure sensing device, a change in resistance can be measured. Because the resistance is a function of pressure, the amount of pressure used to activate the key can be determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert G. Fulks
- 👤 Robert J. Hager
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/785; G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/02; G10H1/04; G10H1/053; G10H1/055; G10H1/0556; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/022; H01H2201/032; H01H2201/036; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for determining activity of a musical instrument comprising: a keyboard, said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and a balance rail supporting said keys; and a pressure sensing device associated with each of said keys, said pressure sensing device providing a change in resistance when said associated key has a force applied thereto, said pressure sensing device is positioned between said keys and said balance rail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for determining activity of a musical instrument comprising: a keyboard, said keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and a balance rail supporting said keys; and a pressure sensing device associated with each of said keys, said pressure sensing device providing a change in resistance when said associated key has a force applied thereto, said pressure sensing device is positioned between said keys and said balance rail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus for determining activity of a musical instrument of claim 1 wherein said change in resistance is determined by the force applied to said associated key.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus for determining activity of a musical instrument of claim 1 wherein said pressure sensing device comprises: a resistive element; a conductive element; and a layer of force transducer ink position between said resistive element and said conductive element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus for determining activity of a musical instrument of claim 1 further including means for distributing a force between each said key and said balance rail more uniformly over said associated pressure sensing device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus for determining activity of a musical instrument of claim 4 wherein a plurality of said pressure sensing devices can be positioned on a keyboard monitoring means, said monitoring means being positioned on said balance rail.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of detecting motion of a key of a musical instrument, said musical instrument comprising a keyboard having a plurality of keys positioned on a balance rail, said method comprising the steps of: p1 positioning a pressure sensing device on said balance rail to be activated upon manipulation of at least one of said keys, said pressure sensing device comprising a planar resistive element, a planar conducting element, and a layer of force transducer ink between said conducting element and said resistive element; and detecting a change in resistance of said pressure sensing device when said at least one key is manipulated.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of detecting motion of a key of a musical instrument, said musical instrument comprising a keyboard having a plurality of keys positioned on a balance rail, said method comprising the steps of: p1 positioning a pressure sensing device on said balance rail to be activated upon manipulation of at least one of said keys, said pressure sensing device comprising a planar resistive element, a planar conducting element, and a layer of force transducer ink between said conducting element and said resistive element; and detecting a change in resistance of said pressure sensing device when said at least one key is manipulated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-03-16 | 1990-09-15 | 1991-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-16 | 1994-09-15 | 1995-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-16 | 1998-09-15 | 1999-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |