Musical Button-Field Layout for Alphanumeric Keyboards

• US 20090114078A1
• Filed: 02/09/2006
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thumtronics Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Thumtronics Ltd.
• Inventors: Plamondon, James Lee
• Application Number:
  US11/815,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20090114078A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 84/423.R
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/34 Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/231 Alphanumeric, used for musical purposes or with additional musical features, e.g. typewriter or pc-type keyboard reconfigured such that letters or symbols are assigned to musical notes

Abstract

A computer keyboard including a plurality of buttons for use as an alphanumeric input device, wherein an interval-based isomorphic note layout is mapped to the buttons, and the keyboard is able to function as a music controller input device.

Claims

1. A system for mapping an interval-based isomorphic note layout to an alphanumeric keyboard, said layout including a plurality of notes wherein each said note is assigned to a respective at least one alphanumeric button of said alphanumeric keyboard, said keyboard forming a music controller input device such that operation of a said alphanumeric button produces a signal that can be interpreted by a tone generator to indicate that said note assigned to said alphanumeric button is to be generated, and wherein assigning of said plurality of notes to said respective at least one alphanumeric button maintains the inter-button interval pattern of said isomorphic note-layout.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said layout is a Wicki/Hayden layout.

20. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said keys are velocity sensitive for musical effect.

21. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said keys are pressure sensitive for musical effect.

22. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system can detect simultaneous operation of a plurality of said keys.

23. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said alphanumeric keyboard is an ergonomic keyboard.

3-5. -5. (canceled)

6. A system for mapping a first and second isomorphic note layout to an alphanumeric keyboard, said keyboard including a left button set and a right button set, said left and right button sets each including a plurality of alphanumeric keys, wherein said first note layout is mapped to said left button set, and said second note layout is mapped to said right button set;

wherein each said note of said first isomorphic note layout is assigned to a respective said alphanumeric button of said left button set, wherein assigning of each said note of said first note layout to said respective alphanumeric button maintains the inter-button interval pattern of said first isomorphic note-layout;

wherein each said note of said second isomorphic note layout is assigned to a respective said alphanumeric button of said right button set, wherein assigning of each said note of said second note layout to said respective alphanumeric button maintains the inter-button interval pattern of said second isomorphic note-layout;

said keyboard forming a music controller input device such that operation of a said alphanumeric button produces a signal that can be interpreted by a tone generator to indicate that said note assigned to said alphanumeric button is to be generated.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first and second note layouts are identical.

8. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second note layout is a mirror image of said first note layout.

24. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said keys are velocity sensitive for musical effect.

25. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the current pressure on the keyboard is measured for musical effect.

26. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein each said button is individually pressure sensitive for musical effect.

27. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said system can detect simultaneous operation of a plurality of said keys.

28. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said alphanumeric keyboard is an ergonomic keyboard.

9-13. -13. (canceled)

14. A method of mapping a two dimensional note layout to an alphanumeric keyboard including the steps of:

selecting an isomorphic note layout,

selecting a plurality of keys on said keyboard, and

assigning each musical note in said note layout to a respective said button, such that the arrangement of notes on said keyboard maintains the inter-button interval pattern of said isomorphic note-layout.

15. A system for mapping an isomorphic note layout, said layout including a plurality of notes wherein each said note is assigned to a respective at least one button of a data input device, said data input device forming a music controller input device such that operation of a said button is interpreted by a tone generator that said note assigned to said button is to be generated, and wherein assigning of said plurality of notes to said at least one button maintains the inter-button interval pattern of said isomorphic note-layout.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said data input device is an alphanumeric keyboard and said button is an alphanumeric button on said keyboard.

17. A system for mapping an isomorphic note layout, said layout including a plurality of notes wherein each said note is assigned to a respective at least one alphanumeric button of an alphanumeric keyboard, said keyboard forming a music controller input device such that operation of a said alphanumeric button producer a signal that can be interpreted by a tone generator to indicate that said note assigned to said alphanumeric button is to be generated, and wherein assigning of said plurality of notes to said respective at least one alphanumeric button maintains the inter-button interval pattern of said isomorphic note-layout.

18. A system for mapping a first and second note layout to an alphanumeric keyboard, said keyboard including a left button set and a right button set, said left and right button sets each including a plurality of alphanumeric buttons, wherein said first note layout is mapped to said left button set, and said second note layout is mapped to said right button set;

said first and second note layouts each including a plurality of notes forming a respective isomorphic arrangement;

wherein each said note of said first note layout is assigned to a respective said alphanumeric button of said left button set, wherein assigning of each said note of said first note layout to said respective alphanumeric button maintains the isomorphic arrangement such that each adjacent note assigned to each respective said alphanumeric key of said left key set on said keyboard has a defined musical interval;

wherein each said note of said second note layout is assigned to a respective said alphanumeric button of said right button set, wherein assigning of each said note of said second note layout to said respective alphanumeric button maintains the isomorphic arrangement such that each adjacent said note assigned to each respective said alphanumeric key on said right key set on said keyboard has a defined musical interval;

said keyboard forming a music controller input device such that operation of a said alphanumeric button is interpreted by a music controller that said note assigned to said alphanumeric button is to be generated.

19. An alphanumeric keyboard wherein an interval-based isomorphic note layout is mapped to said keyboard said layout including a plurality of notes wherein each said note is assigned to a respective at least one alphanumeric button of said keyboard, said keyboard forming a music controller input device such that operation of a said alphanumeric button produces a signal that can be interpreted by a tone generator to indicate that said note assigned to said alphanumeric button is to be generated, and wherein assigning of said plurality of notes to said respective at least one alphanumeric button maintains the inter-button interval pattern of said isomorphic note-layout.