US6066795A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Techniques of using computer keyboard as musical instrument keyboard
Assignee: Yamaha Corp
•
Filing: 1999-02-18
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Granted: 2000-05-23
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Expires: 2019-02-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard, the apparatus having: a computer keyboard having a plurality of keys for generating key information upon operation of each key; a unit for switching between an enable state and a disabled state of a musical instrument keyboard function; and a MIDI data generating unit for generating MIDI data corresponding to the key information upon operation of each key of the computer keyboard if the musical instrument keyboard function is in the enabled state.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaki Hara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:36
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/32; G10H1/34; G10H1/0033; G10H1/0041; G10H1/0058; G10H1/0066; G10H2210/00; G10H2210/155; G10H2210/195; G10H2210/221; G10H2210/225; G10H2220/00; G10H2220/155; G10H2220/221; G10H2220/231
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard, the apparatus comprising: a computer keyboard having a plurality of keys for generating key information upon operation of each key; switching device which switches between an enable state and a disabled state of a musical instrument keyboard function; and MIDI data generator which generates MIDI data corresponding to the key information upon operation of each key of said computer keyboard if the musical instrument keyboard function is in the enabled state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard, the apparatus comprising: a computer keyboard having a plurality of keys for generating key information upon operation of each key; switching device which switches between an enable state and a disabled state of a musical instrument keyboard function; and MIDI data generator which generates MIDI data corresponding to the key information upon operation of each key of said computer keyboard if the musical instrument keyboard function is in the enabled state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said switching device enables or disables the musical instrument keyboard function by operating a particular key of said computer keyboard.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said computer keyboard has a layout of keys according to standards institute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising a display which displays an indication that the musical instrument keyboard function is being enabled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising keyboard assigning device which assigns at least a one-stage keyboard or a two-stage keyboard to said computer keyboard, wherein said MIDI data generator generates a note-on event in a first compass when a key in a first area of said computer keyboard is operated, and generates a note-on event in a second compass when a key in a second area of said computer keyboard is operated, respectively when the two-stage keyboard is assigned.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said MIDI data generator generates a note-on event in a certain compass, and the apparatus further comprises compass shifting device which shifts a compass of an note-on event generated by said MIDI data generator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising velocity changing device which changes a velocity value, wherein said MIDI data generator generates a note-on event containing an initial velocity value or a changed velocity value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising musical tone characteristic designating device which designates musical characteristics including a change of a parameter with time, a target parameter value, and a time taken to reach the target parameter value, wherein said MIDI data generator generates the MIDI data in accordance with the change of a parameter with time, the target parameter value, and the time taken to reach the target parameter value, respectively designated by said musical tone characteristic designating device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said computer keyboard includes ten-keys, the apparatus further comprises numerical number designating device which designates a numerical number entered by a key of the ten-keys as a parameter of the MIDI data, and said MIDI data generator generates the MIDI data including the designated parameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising function assigning device which assigns a predetermined function to each of said computer keyboard, wherein said MIDI data generator generates the MIDI data having a function entered by a key and assigned by said function assigning device to the key.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising a MIDI interface capable of transmitting the MIDI data to an external apparatus and transmission instruction device which instructs to transmit the MIDI data generated by said MIDI data generator to the external apparatus via said MIDI interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising sound generating device which generates sound in accordance with the MIDI data generated by said MIDI data generator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 1, further comprising storage device having a MIDI data storage area designated as an area for storing the MIDI data, wherein said storage device stores the MIDI data generated by said MIDI data generator in the MIDI data storage area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus capable of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 6, wherein said compass shifting device shifts the compass by operating a key of said computer keyboard.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard, according to claim 2, wherein said switching device switches between the enabled state and the disabled state of the musical instrument keyboard function by operating two or more keys of said computer keyboard at the same time.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument key board, comprising the steps of: (a) switching between an enable state and a disabled state of a musical instrument keyboard function; (b) generating key information upon operation of each key of a plurality of keys of a computer keyboard; and (c) generating MIDI data corresponding to the key information upon operation of each key of the computer keyboard if the musical instrument keyboard function is in the enabled state.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument key board, comprising the steps of: (a) switching between an enable state and a disabled state of a musical instrument keyboard function; (b) generating key information upon operation of each key of a plurality of keys of a computer keyboard; and (c) generating MIDI data corresponding to the key information upon operation of each key of the computer keyboard if the musical instrument keyboard function is in the enabled state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 16, wherein said step (a) enables or disables the musical instrument keyboard function by operating a particular key of the computer keyboard.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 16, wherein the computer keyboard has a layout of keys according to standards institute.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 16, further comprising a step of: (d) displaying an indication that the musical instrument keyboard function is being enabled.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
90 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 16, further comprising a step of: (e) assigning at least a one-stage keyboard or a two-stage keyboard to the computer keyboard, wherein said step (c) generates a note-on event in a first compass when a key in a first area of the computer keyboard is operated, and generates a note-on event in a second compass when a key in a second area of the computer keyboard is operated, respectively when the two-stage keyboard is assigned.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 16, wherein said step (c) generates a note-on event in a certain compass, and the method further comprises a step of: (f) shifting a compass of an note-on event generated by said step (c).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 16, further comprising a step of: (g) changing a velocity value, wherein said step (c) generates a note-on event containing an initial velocity value or a changed velocity value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 16, further comprising a step of: (h) designating musical characteristics including a change of a parameter with time, a target parameter value, and a time taken to reach the target parameter value, wherein said step (c) generates the MIDI data in accordance with the change of a parameter with time, the target parameter value, and the time taken to reach the target parameter value, respectively designated at said step (h).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 16, wherein the computer keyboard includes ten-keys, and the method further comprises a step of: (i) designating a numerical number entered by a key of the ten-keys as a parameter of the MIDI data, wherein said step (c) generates the MIDI data including the designated parameter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 16, further comprising a step of: (j) assigning a predetermined function to each of the computer keyboard, wherein said step (c) generates the MIDI data having a function entered by a key and assigned at said step (j) to the key.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 16, further comprising a step of: (k) transmitting the MIDI generated at said step (c) to an external apparatus via a MIDI interface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 16, further comprising a step of: (l) generating sound in accordance with the MIDI data generated at said step (c).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard according to claim 16, further comprising a step of (m) storing the MIDI data generated at said step (c) in a MIDI data storage area designated as an area for storing the MIDI data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
82 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, the program comprising the steps of: (a) switching between an enable state and a disabled state of a musical instrument keyboard function; (b) generating key information upon operation of each key of a plurality of keys of a computer keyboard; and (c) generating MIDI data corresponding to the key information upon operation of each key of the computer keyboard if the musical instrument keyboard function is in the enabled state.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
82 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, the program comprising the steps of: (a) switching between an enable state and a disabled state of a musical instrument keyboard function; (b) generating key information upon operation of each key of a plurality of keys of a computer keyboard; and (c) generating MIDI data corresponding to the key information upon operation of each key of the computer keyboard if the musical instrument keyboard function is in the enabled state.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, according to claim 29, wherein said step (a) enables or disables the musical instrument keyboard function by operating a particular key of the computer keyboard.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, according to claim 29, wherein the computer keyboard has a layout of keys according to standards institute.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, according to claim 29, wherein the program further comprises a step of: (d) displaying an indication that the musical instrument keyboard function is being enabled.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
93 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, according to claim 29, wherein the program further comprises a step of: (e) assigning at least a one-stage keyboard or a two-stage keyboard to the computer keyboard, wherein said step (c) generates a note-on event in a first compass when a key in a first area of the computer keyboard is operated, and generates a note-on event in a second compass when a key in a second area of the computer keyboard is operated, respectively when the two-stage keyboard is assigned.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
49 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, according to claim 29, wherein said step (c) generates a note-on event in a certain compass, and the program further comprises a step of: (f) shifting a compass of an note-on event generated by said step (c).
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
47 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, according to claim 29, wherein the program further comprises a step of: (g) changing a velocity value, wherein said step (c) generates a note-on event containing an initial velocity value or a changed velocity value.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
88 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, according to claim 29, wherein the program further comprises a step of: (h) designating musical characteristics including a change of a parameter with time, a target parameter value, and a time taken to reach the target parameter value, wherein said step (c) generates the MIDI data in accordance with the change of a parameter with time, the target parameter value, and the time taken to reach the target parameter value, respectively designated at said step (h).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
55 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, according to claim 29, wherein the program further comprises a step of: (i) designating a numerical number entered by a key of the ten-keys as a parameter of the MIDI data, wherein said step (c) generates the MIDI data including the designated parameter.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
59 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, according to claim 29, wherein the program further comprises a step of: (j) assigning a predetermined function to each of the computer keyboard, wherein said step (c) generates the MIDI data having a function entered by a key and assigned at said step (j) to the key.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
41 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, according to claim 29, wherein the program further comprises a step of: (k) transmitting the MIDI generated at said step (c) to an external apparatus via a MIDI interface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, according to claim 29, wherein the program further comprises a step of: (l) generating sound in accordance with the MIDI data generated at said step (c).
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
49 words
A storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer, according to claim 29, wherein the program further comprises a step of: (m) storing the MIDI data generated at said step (c) in a MIDI data storage area designated as an area for storing the MIDI data.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard, the apparatus comprising: a computer keyboard having a plurality of keys for generating key information upon operation of each key; means for switching between an enable state and a disabled state of a musical instrument keyboard function; and MIDI data generating means for generating MIDI data corresponding to the key information upon operation of each key of said computer keyboard if the musical instrument keyboard function is in the enabled state.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for using a computer keyboard as a musical instrument keyboard, the apparatus comprising: a computer keyboard having a plurality of keys for generating key information upon operation of each key; means for switching between an enable state and a disabled state of a musical instrument keyboard function; and MIDI data generating means for generating MIDI data corresponding to the key information upon operation of each key of said computer keyboard if the musical instrument keyboard function is in the enabled state.
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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) | 2003-05-23 | 2003-11-22 | 2004-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-23 | 2007-11-22 | 2008-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-23 | 2011-11-22 | 2012-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |