Hand musical tone control apparatus

• US 5,313,010 A
• Filed: 11/04/1992
• Issued: 05/17/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
• Inventors: Obata, Masahiko, Masabuchi, Takamichi, Matsushima, Shunichi, Suzuki, Hideo, Sakama, Masao
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DONELS, JEFFREY
• Application Number:
  US07/971,674
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 84/600, 84/644, 84/670, 84/718, 84/743, 338/64, 338/68, 338/178
• US Class Current: 84/600
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/00 Details of electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/055 by switches with variable impedance elements
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/32 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/191 Tremolo, tremulando, trill or mordent effects, i.e. repeatedly alternating stepwise in pitch between two note pitches or chords, without any portamento between the two notes other common forms of tremolo, e.g. same note repetition, bisbigliando, amplitude tremolo, tremulants, percussion roll G10H2210/161 or G10H2210/205
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/201 Vibrato, i.e. rapid, repetitive and smooth variation of amplitude, pitch or timbre within a note or chord discontinuities, note sequences or separate note onsets during the variation G10H2210/161; tremolo, i.e. stepwise pitch alternation G10H2210/191
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/225 Portamento, i.e. smooth continuously variable pitch-bend, without emphasis of each chromatic pitch during the pitch change, which only stops at the end of the pitch shift, as obtained, e.g. by a MIDI pitch wheel or trombone pitch bend with emphasis of each chromatic pitch during pitch change, e.g. glissando, G10H2210/221
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/315 for joystick-like proportional control of musical input; Videogame input devices used for musical input or control, e.g. gamepad, joysticks joysticks per se G06F3/033, G05G9/047, A63F13/20
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/321 Garment sensors, i.e. musical control means with trigger surfaces or joint angle sensors, worn as a garment by the player, e.g. bracelet, intelligent clothing vital parameter sensing G10H2220/371; wearable interfaces in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/311 MIDI transmission G10H2240/056 takes precedence

Abstract

A musical tone control apparatus has grips and elbow angle detectors, in which the grips are hand held and provided with push-button switches and an actuator, both of which are operated by fingers to generate musical tone control data having variations of musical tone. While the elbow angle detectors are provided with an angle detector for measuring an angle of the elbow during a performance, and generating musical tone control data with the variations corresponding to the angle of the elbow. Each variation is determined by function assignments which correspond to each of the fingers and elbows. The function assignments are preloaded in a memory device, such as a depth of vibrato, a speed of tremolo, a range of pitch-bend, and the like. Accordingly, the musical tone control apparatus transfers musical tone control data having variations to a musical tone generating apparatus to produce a musical tone from a speaker.

Claims

1. A musical tone control apparatus for controlling a musical tone in correspondence with a movement of a part of a performer, comprising:

a holding member adapted to be held by a hand of the performer;

a push-button switch, operable by the performer'"'"'s hand holding the holding member, for designating generation of a tone, said push-button switch being placed on the holding member;

an actuator including first detecting means for detecting a movement of a performer'"'"'s operation in an x-axis direction, and second detecting means for detecting movement of a performer'"'"'s operation in a y-axis direction, said actuator designating a continuously changeable value defining a point on an x-y plane, defined by said x axis and said y-axis, in response to a detected value by said first detecting means, and a detected value by said second detecting means, said actuator being placed on said holding member and being operable by the performer'"'"'s hand holding the holding member;

conversion means for converting said continuously changeable value into a control signal representing a magnitude of the movement; and

control data generating means for generating musical tone control data imparting an effect on the generated musical tone designated by said push button switch in accordance with said control signal.

2. A musical tone control apparatus according to claim 1 in which the holding member includes a grip adapted to be held by a hand and the push-button switch and actuator are arranged on the grip and operated by the fingers.

3. A musical tone control apparatus according to claim 2 in which the conversion means comprises a plurality of rotary type variable resistors which generate a signal corresponding to a movement of the actuator.

4. A musical tone control apparatus according to claim 1 in which the control data generating means has given function assignments which corresponds to each of the fingers, and which supplies musical tone control data supplied from one of the push-button switches and the combination of the rotary type variable resistors.

5. A musical tone control apparatus for controlling a musical tone in correspondence with a movement of a part of a performer, comprising:

a holding member adapted to be held by a hand of the performer including a grip adapted to be held by a hand;

a push-button switch on the grip and operable by the performer'"'"'s fingers while holding the holding member, for designating generation of a tone, said push-button switch being placed on the holding member;

an actuator mounted on the holding member and operable by the performer'"'"'s fingers while holding the holding member, for designating a continuously changing value in response to movement thereof;

conversion means for converting said continuously changing value designated by said actuator into a control signal representing a magnitude of the movement, said actuator and said conversion means including;

a rectangular case;

a conversion bar;

two conversion members, each having a hole elongated along a longitudinal direction thereof, both conversion members slidably intersecting each other substantially at right angles with the holes aligned to form a hole into which the conversion bar is inserted, an inserted end of the conversion bar being supported at a pivotal point, and wherein both ends of each of the conversion members are pivotally supported to the rectangular case; and

a rotary type variable resistor, mounted on an end of each conversion member, whereby each of the rotary type variable resistors rotates to change resistance value when the conversion bar moves in a predetermined direction; and

control data generating means for generating musical tone control data imparting an effect on the generated musical tone designated by said push button switch in accordance with said control signal.

6. A musical tone control apparatus for controlling a musical tone in correspondence with a movement of a part of a performer, comprising:

a holding member adapted to be held by a hand of the performer including a grip adapted to be held by a hand;

a push-button switch on the grip and operable by the performer'"'"'s fingers while holding the holding member, for designating generation of a tone, said push-button switch being placed on the holding member;

an actuator mounted on the holding member and operable by the performer'"'"'s fingers while holding the holding member, for designating a continuously changing value in response to movement thereof;

conversion means for converting said continuously changing value designated by said actuator into a control signal representing a magnitude of the movement, wherein said actuator and said conversion means including;

a flexible cover plate;

two slide variable resistors each having a resistor portion and an operating bar, each of the operating bars perpendicularly extending from each of the resistor portions and slidably intersecting each other substantially at right angles so as to be movable along each of the resistor portions;

a slide member mounted on an intersecting portion of the operating bars to slidably guide the operating bars when moving along each of the resistor portions; and

an operating button mounted on the slide member so as to be slidably moved on a curved surface under guidance of the flexible cover plate; and

control data generating means for generating musical tone control data imparting an effect on the generated musical tone designated by said push button switch in accordance with said control signal.

7. A musical tone control apparatus according to claim 6 in which the function assignment comprises at least one of:

a range of octave;

a range of pitch-bend;

a range of tone volume;

a scale including a half tone;

a depth of vibrato;

a range of tempo;

a speed of tremolo;

a depth of tremolo; and

the like.

8. A musical tone control apparatus comprising:

a case adapted to be gripped by a performer'"'"'s hand;

a plurality of first operators operated by each finger to generate a first signal representing a generation of a tone, the first operators being mounted on the case;

inputting means, including;

a rectangular type frame incorporated in the case;

at least two transposing portions movably mounted on each of two pairs of opposing inside walls of the frame, in which each of the transposing portions intersect each other;

a second operator mounted on an intersecting portion of the transposing portions, thereby moving one of the transposing portions forward and backward and the other left and right; and

at least two rotatively type variable resistors mounted on the inside walls for outputting second signals corresponding to the magnitude of the movements in relation to each of the transposing portions, the rotatively type variable resistors being rotated by each of the transposing portions; and

musical tone control data generating means for generating musical control data to control the musical tone generating apparatus based on the first signal output from the first operators and the second signal output from the rotatively type variable resistors.

9. A signal supplying apparatus mounted on a case gripped by a hand, and having a plurality of first operators operated by each finger for supplying signals representing a generation of a tone to an electronic apparatus, the signal supplying apparatus comprising:

a substrate member mounted inside of the case;

at least two slidably variable resistors each having a second operator, each of the second operators being mounted on the substrate member and intersecting each other;

retaining member for retaining the intersecting portion of the second operators with a predetermined margin; and

third operator mounted on the retaining member for moving the second operators.

10. A musical tone control apparatus for controlling a musical tone in correspondence with a movement of a part of a performer, comprising:

a holding member adapted to be held by a hand of the performer;

a push-button switch, operable by the performer'"'"'s hand holding the holding member, for outputting a tone generation signal, said push-button switch being placed on the holding member;

an actuator including first detecting means for detecting a movement of a performer'"'"'s operation in an x-axis direction, and second detecting means for detecting movement of a performer'"'"'s operation in a y-axis direction, said actuator designating a continuously changeable value defining a point on an x-y plane, defined by said x axis and said y-axis, in response to a detected value by said first detecting means, and a detected value by said second detecting means, said actuator being placed on said holding member and being operable by the performer'"'"'s hand holding the holding member; and

control data generating means for generating musical tone control data of a musical tone determined based on said tone generation signal and continuously changing signal.

11. A musical tone control apparatus for controlling a musical tone in correspondence with a movement of a part of a performer, comprising:

a holding member adapted to be held by a hand of the performer;

a push-button switch, operable by the performer'"'"'s hand holding the holding member, for designating generation of a tone, said push-button switch being placed on the holding member;

an actuator, operably by the performer'"'"'s hand holding the holding member, for designating a continuously changing value in response to movement thereof, said actuator being placed on the holding member;

conversion means for converting said continuously changing value into a control signal representing a magnitude of the movement, said conversion means including a flexible cover plate, two slide variable resistors, each having a resistor portion and an operating bar, each of the operating bars perpendicularly extending from each of the resistor portions and slidably intersecting each other substantially at right angles so as to be movable along each of the resistor portions, a slide member mounted on an intersecting portion of the operating bars to slidably guide the operating bars when moving along each of the resistor portions, both of said operating bars having holes aligned to form a hole into which said slide member is inserted, an inserted end of said slide member being supported at a pivotal point, and wherein both ends of each of the operating bars are pivotally supported to the rectangular case, and an operating button mounted on the slide member so as to be slidably moved on a curved surface under guidance of the flexible cover plate; and

control data generating means for generating musical tone control data imparting an effect on the generated musical tone designated by said push button switch in accordance with said control signal.

12. An electronic musical instrument comprising:

(a) detection means, attached to various portions of a human body, for detecting movement of said body portions and for creating an output signal responsive to said movement of said body portions;

(b) control signal generation means responsive to said output signal of said detection means for generating a control signal, wherein said control signal comprises data designating the chord for the accompaniment tone, said data including root data and type data for said chord; and

(c) automatic accompaniment means for generating accompaniment tone in response to said control signal.

13. An electronic musical instrument according to claim 12, wherein said control signal comprises data designating the tempo of the accompaniment tone.

14. A musical tone control apparatus for controlling a musical tone in correspondence with a movement of a part of a performer, comprising:

(a) a holding member adapted to be held by a hand of the performer;

(b) plural switches, operable by the performer'"'"'s hand holding the holding member, for generating first signals indicating an operated switch among said plural switches, said plural switches being placed on the holding member;

(c) angle detector attached to an elbow of the performer for generating second signals corresponding to a bending angle of the elbow; and

(d) control means for receiving said first signals and said second signals, and for generating note data representing tone pitch of musical tone to be generated, wherein said second signals define note range and said first signals define each one of said note data in said note range, and generating control signals controlling the generation of musical tone of said note data in response to each operation of said plural switches.

15. A musical tone control apparatus for controlling a musical tone in accordance with a movement of a part of a performer, comprising:

(a) a holding member adapted to be held by a hand of the performer;

(b) plural switches, operable by the performer'"'"'s hand holding the holding member, for generating a signal indicating an operated switch among said plural switches, said plural switches being placed on the holding member;

(c) an actuator including first detecting means for detecting a movement of a performer'"'"'s operation in an x-axis direction, and second detecting means for detecting movement of a performer'"'"'s operation in a y-axis direction, said actuator designating a continuously changeable value defining a point on an x-y plane, defined by said x axis and said y-axis, in response to a detected value by said first detecting means, and detected value by said second detecting means, said actuator being placed on said holding member and being operable by the performer'"'"'s hand holding the holding member; and

(d) control data generating means for generating first control data designating generation of musical tone having a pitch corresponding to each one of said plural switches in response to said signal, and generating second control data based on said continuously changeable value, said second control data controlling pitch bend of said musical tone being generated according to said first control data.

16. A musical tone control apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said second control data of said control data generating means further controls tone color of said musical tone being generated according to said first control data.

17. A musical tone control apparatus for controlling a musical tone in accordance with a movement of a part of a performer, comprising:

(a) a holding member adapted to be held by a hand of the performer;

(b) plural switches, operable by the performer'"'"'s hand holding the holding member, for generating a signal indicating an operated switch among said plural switches, said plural switches placed on the holding member;

(c) an actuator including first detecting means for detecting a movement of a performer'"'"'s operation in an x-axis direction, and second detecting means for detecting movement of a performer'"'"'s operation in a y-axis direction, said actuator designating a continuously changeable value defining a point on an x-y plane, defined by said x axis and said y-axis, in response to a detected value by said first detecting means, and detected value by said second detecting means, said actuator being placed on said holding member and being operable by the performer'"'"'s hand holding the holding member; and

(d) control data generating means for generating first control data designating generation of musical tones having a pitch corresponding to each one of said plural switches in response to said signal, and generating second control data based on said continuously changeable value designated by said actuator, said second control data controlling modulation effect imparted to said musical tone being generated according to said first control data.

18. A musical tone control apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said modulation effect controlled by said second control data is at least one of vibrato and tremolo.

19. A musical tone control apparatus according to claim 18, wherein an element of said modulation effect controlled by said second control data is at least one of speed and depth of said modulation effect.