The present disclosure relates to a sensor comprising a resonant circuit, a driver, a drive enable circuit, a sample-and-hold-circuit, and a measurement circuit. The resonant circuit comprises a passive load and an active circuit, at least one of the active circuit and passive load tuned to resonate at a resonant frequency. The driver is configured to drive the active circuit to output an RF signal at the resonant frequency, while the drive enable circuit generates a control signal to enable and disable the driver. The sample-and-hold circuit is configured to hold a peak level of the amplitude signal, and the measurement circuit detects a relative position and/or movement between the passive load and active circuit based on the held peak level. Corresponding systems, methods and apparatus are also described.
G01B 7/00 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
G01D 5/20 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying inductance, e.g. by a movable armature
G10H 1/055 - Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decayMeans for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only by switches with variable impedance elements
H03K 17/95 - Proximity switches using a magnetic detector
H03K 17/97 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a magnetic movable element
H03K 17/972 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a magnetic movable element having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard
A method and corresponding system for providing a depressed state signal from a keyboard or button. The method comprises sensing movement of an actuator of the keyboard or button, determining, during depression of the actuator, a velocity of the actuator at a depression sense position of the actuator and at a first time, processing the determined velocity to predict when the actuator will reach a second depression sense position of the actuator at a later point during depression of the actuator, and generating the depressed state signal with a timing based on the prediction of when the actuator will reach the second depression sense position. A complementary method and system provides a released state signal.
G06F 3/0362 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the userAccessories therefor with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
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.
G10H 1/055 - Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decayMeans for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only by switches with variable impedance elements
H03K 17/972 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a magnetic movable element having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard
G10H 1/34 - Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
H03K 17/97 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a magnetic movable element
4.
DISPLACEMENT OR PRESSURE SENSING SYSTEM FOR A TOUCHPAD OR KEYBOARD
Displacement or Pressure Sensing System for a Touchpad or KeyboardThe present invention generally relates to a displacement or pressure sensor, to a sensing system comprising a plurality of such sensors, and to a temperature compensation method for such a sensor or sensing system. Some embodiments are in particular suitable for a keyboard, touch pad or touch screen eg for a computer or musical instrument. An embodiment the sensor comprises: a transmitter comprising an open loop antenna and having an input node to receive an RF drive signal to drive the antenna to transmit an RF signal; a receiver separated from the antenna, the receiver comprising an inductor to receive the RF signal and having at least one output node to output an output RF signal, wherein the receiver is configured to generate the output RF signal having at least one of a phase and amplitude dependent on a position of the antenna relative to a position of the inductor.
G01L 1/12 - Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations in the magnetic properties of materials resulting from the application of stress
G01D 5/20 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying inductance, e.g. by a movable armature
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
G01L 9/10 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means by making use of variations in inductance
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
G10H 1/34 - Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
H03K 17/965 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch
The present disclosure relates to a sensor comprising a resonant circuit, a driver, a drive enable circuit, a sample-and-hold-circuit, and a measurement circuit. The resonant circuit comprises a passive load and an active circuit, at least one of the active circuit and passive load tuned to resonate at a resonant frequency. The driver is configured to drive the active circuit to output an RF signal at the resonant frequency, while the drive enable circuit generates a control signal to enable and disable the driver. The sample-and-hold circuit is configured to hold a peak level of the amplitude signal, and the measurement circuit detects a relative position and/or movement between the passive load and active circuit based on the held peak level. Corresponding systems, methods and apparatus are also described.
G01D 5/20 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying inductance, e.g. by a movable armature
G01B 7/00 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
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.
G10H 1/055 - Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decayMeans for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only by switches with variable impedance elements
G10H 1/34 - Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
H03K 17/972 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a magnetic movable element having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard
H03K 17/97 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a magnetic movable element
A method and corresponding system for providing a depressed state signal from a keyboard or button. The method comprises sensing movement of an actuator of the keyboard or button, determining, during depression of the actuator, a velocity of the actuator at a depression sense position of the actuator and at a first time, processing the determined velocity to predict when the actuator will reach a second depression sense position of the actuator at a later point during depression of the actuator, and generating the depressed state signal with a timing based on the prediction of when the actuator will reach the second depression sense position. A complementary method and system provides a released state signal.
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
A63F 13/20 - Input arrangements for video game devices
G06F 3/0338 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the userAccessories therefor with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
H03K 17/965 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch
G10H 1/34 - Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
An electronic drum, comprising: a bottom member; a drum head; a drum sensor comprising: a passive resonant circuit mounted on the drum head and having a resonant frequency; and an active resonant circuit mounted on the bottom member and configured to excite the passive resonant circuit at the resonant frequency; a sensor driver to drive the active resonant circuit with an RF drive signal at the resonant frequency; and a detector to detect a level of RF signal from the driven active resonant circuit for sensing a position and/or velocity of the drum head; and a signal processor, coupled to the detector, configured to process the detected level of RF signal to sense a position and/or velocity of the drum head for determining when the drum head is hit.
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
G06F 3/023 - Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
H03K 17/95 - Proximity switches using a magnetic detector
G10H 3/14 - Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussion instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent device using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
A sensing system for a computer input device. The sensing system comprises an actuator to attach to a key top or button. The actuator is moveable along an axis or hinged. The sensing system further comprises a biasing element to exert a biasing force on the actuator directed along the axis. The sensing system further comprises an actuator motion sensor associated with the actuator. The actuator motion sensor comprises a passive resonant circuit configured to be moved by the actuator and having a resonant frequency, an active resonant circuit configured to excite the passive resonant circuit at the resonant frequency, a sensor driver to drive the active resonant circuit with an RF drive signal at the resonant frequency, and a detector to detect a level of RF signal from a driven actuator motion sensor for sensing a position and/or velocity of the actuator.
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
G06F 3/023 - Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
H03K 17/95 - Proximity switches using a magnetic detector
G10H 3/14 - Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussion instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent device using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
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.
G10H 1/00 - Details of electrophonic musical instruments
G10H 1/34 - Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
G10H 1/055 - Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decayMeans for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only by switches with variable impedance elements
H03K 17/972 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a magnetic movable element having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard
H03K 17/97 - Switches controlled by moving an element forming part of the switch using a magnetic movable element
A sensing system for a computer input device. The sensing system comprises an actuator to attach to a key top or button. The actuator is moveable along an axis or hinged. The sensing system further comprises a biasing element to exert a biasing force on the actuator directed along the axis. The sensing system further comprises an actuator motion sensor associated with the actuator. The actuator motion sensor comprises a passive resonant circuit configured to be moved by the actuator and having a resonant frequency, an active resonant circuit configured to excite the passive resonant circuit at the resonant frequency, a sensor driver to drive the active resonant circuit with an RF drive signal at the resonant frequency, and a detector to detect a level of RF signal from a driven actuator motion sensor for sensing a position and/or velocity of the actuator.
An electronic drum, comprising: a bottom member; a drumhead; a drum sensor comprising: a passive resonant circuit mounted on the drum head and having a resonant frequency; and an active resonant circuit mounted on the bottom member and configured to excite the passive resonant circuit at the resonant frequency; a sensor driver to drive the active resonant circuit with an RF drive signal at the resonant frequency; and a detector to detect a level of RF signal from the driven active resonant circuit for sensing a position and/or velocity of the drum head; and a signal processor, coupled to the detector, configured to process the detected level of RF signal to sense a position and/or velocity of the drum head for determining when the drum head is hit.
G10H 1/055 - Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decayMeans for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only by switches with variable impedance elements
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
G10H 1/34 - Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
G10H 3/14 - Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussion instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent device using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
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. At least the active resonant circuit, and optionally also the passive resonant circuit, comprises one or more coils with windings in opposite senses. A sensor driver drives the active resonant circuit with an RF drive signal at the resonant frequency, 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. The combination of coils with opposite sense windings and multiplexed sensor addressing facilitates the use of multiple sensors in close proximity.
G10H 1/055 - Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decayMeans for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only by switches with variable impedance elements
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
15 - Musical instruments
Goods & Services
Electronic and electrical systems; sensors for determining
position; computer hardware and software; all of the
aforesaid goods for use in musical keyboards, computer
keyboards, and audiovisual control panels. Musical instruments; keys for musical instruments; keyboards
for musical instruments; pianos; organs; music synthesizers.
We describe a musical effect device comprising drive electronics to drive a first tuned resonant circuit at a resonant frequency, a moveable mechanical control associated with a second, passive tuned resonant circuit and read-out electronics coupled to the first tuned resonant circuit to sense a position of the control. A first frequency of resonance of the first tuned resonant circuit matches a second frequency of resonance of the second, passive tuned circuit, and the first and second frequency resonance match a resonant frequency of the drive signal. The first tuned resonant circuit has an input coupled to the drive electronics, an output coupled to the read-out electronics and a resonant LC circuit coupled in series between the input and output. The variable output signal is dependent on an amplitude of a signal at the output of the first tuned resonant circuit.
G01P 3/00 - Measuring linear or angular speedMeasuring differences of linear or angular speeds
G10H 1/00 - Details of electrophonic musical instruments
G10H 1/055 - Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decayMeans for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only by switches with variable impedance elements
G10H 1/34 - Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
