Game drum having micro electrical mechanical system pressure sensing module

• US 8,287,376 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2010
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Lan, Hai, Chen, Ga-Lane, Chou, Tai-Hsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Hylinski, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US12/813,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20110172011A1
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 463 36- 37, 702/138, 844/11.R
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/814 Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8047 Music games
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/561 Piezoresistive transducers, i.e. exhibiting vibration, pressure, force or movement -dependent resistance, e.g. strain gauges, carbon-doped elastomers or polymers for piezoresistive drumpads, carbon microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/321 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 3/146 using a membrane, e.g. a drum; Pick-up means for vibrating surfaces, e.g. housing of an instrument

Abstract

A game drum includes a drum body, a compressible member and a MEMS pressure sensing module. The drum body includes an output interface circuit for coupling with a terminal electronic device. The compressible member is accommodated in the accommodating room of the drum body. The MEMS pressure sensing module includes a MEMS sensor, located under the compressible member, for sensing a pressure applied on the compressible member and converting the pressure values into electronic signals, a processing unit for calculating a value of the pressure according to the electronic signals, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the processing unit and the transmitting unit. The processing unit is connected with the output interface circuit such that a user is able to obtain the pressure value from the terminal electronic apparatus.

Claims

1. A game drum, comprising:

a drum body having an output interface circuit for coupling with a terminal electronic device and defining an accommodating room;

a compressible member accommodated in the accommodating room; and

a MEMS pressure sensing module, comprising;

a MEMS sensor under the compressible member, configured for sensing a pressure value of the pressure applied on the compressible member and converting the pressure value of the pressure into a plurality of electronic signals;

a processing unit for calculating the pressure value of the pressure according to the electronic signals, and the processing unit being connected with the output interface circuit such that a user is able to obtain the pressure value of the pressure from the terminal electronic apparatus; and

a power supply unit for supplying power to the processing unit;

wherein the MEMS pressure sensing module further comprises a transmitting unit and a control unit, the transmitting unit and the control unit are electrically connected with the output interface circuit;

the transmitting unit is capable of transmitting the pressure value to the control unit, and the control unit is capable of storing the pressure value;

wherein the MEMS pressure sensing module further comprises an A/C transducer interconnecting with the processing unit and the power supply unit;

wherein the output interface circuit, the MEMS sensor, the processing unit, the power supply unit, the transmitting unit, the control unit and the A/C transducer are integrated on a printed circuit board accommodated in the drum body;

wherein the terminal electronic device is mounted in and exposed from the drum body.

2. The game drum of claim 1, wherein the compressible member defines an opening, and the MEMS sensor seals the opening.

3. The game drum of claim 1, wherein the compressible member comprises a drumhead beating surface and a fixed surface opposite to the beating surface, the drumhead beating surface seals the accommodating room and the fixed surface contacts the MEMS sensor.

4. The game drum of claim 1, further comprising a cover, wherein the cover seals the accommodating room, and the compressible member contacts the cover.

5. The game drum of claim 1, further comprising a terminal electronic device for notifying the pressure value, wherein the terminal electronic device couples with the output interface circuit.

6. The game drum of claim 1, wherein the terminal electronic device wirelessly connects with the control unit.

7. A game drum, comprising:

a drum body defining an accommodating space;

a compressible member received in the accommodating space;

a MEMS pressure sensing module comprising a MEMS sensor configured for sensing a pressure applied to the compressible member and converting the pressure into electronic signals, a processing unit configured for calculating a value of the pressure according to the electronic signals, and a power supply unit configured for supplying power to the processing unit; and

a terminal electronic device configured for displaying the value of the pressure, the terminal electronic device being mounted in and exposed from the drum body.

8. The game drum of claim 7, wherein the MEMS pressure sensing module further comprises a transmitting unit and a control unit;

the transmitting unit is electrically connected to the processing unit, and is configured for transmitting the value of the pressure calculated by the processing unit to the control unit;

the control unit is electrically connected to the terminal electronic device through an output interface circuit, and is configured for controlling the terminal electronic device to display the value of the pressure.

9. The game drum of claim 8, wherein the MEMS pressure sensing module further comprises a transducer interconnecting with the processing unit and the power supply unit, the transducer is configured for converting a voltage of the power supply unit into a rated voltage for the processing unit.

10. The game drum of claim 9, wherein the output interface circuit, the MEMS sensor, the processing unit, the power supply unit, the transmitting unit, the control unit and the transducer are integrated on a printed circuit board received in the accommodating space of the drum body.

11. The game drum of claim 7, wherein the compressible member comprises a drumhead beating surface and a fixed surface opposite to the beating surface, the fixed surface defines an opening, the MEMS sensor supports the compressible member and seals the opening of the fixed surface.

12. The game drum of claim 11, wherein the compressible member is configured for producing an airflow when the pressure is applied thereon by beating the drumhead beating surface, the airflow provides an impact force corresponding to the pressure, and the MEMS sensor senses the pressure according to the impact force.

13. A game drum, comprising:

a drum body defining an accommodating space;

a compressible member received in the accommodating space;

a MEMS pressure sensing module comprising a MEMS sensor configured for sensing a pressure applied to the compressible member and converting the pressure into electronic signals, and a processing unit configured for calculating a value of the pressure according to the electronic signals; and

a terminal electronic device configured for displaying the value of the pressure;

wherein the compressible member is configured for producing an airflow when the pressure is applied to the compressible member, the airflow provides an impact force corresponding to the pressure applied to the compressible member, and the MEMS sensor senses the pressure according to the impact force;

wherein the terminal electronic device is mounted in and exposed from the drum body.

14. The game drum of claim 13, wherein the compressible member comprises a drumhead beating surface and a fixed surface opposite to the beating surface, the pressure is applied to the compressible member by beating the drumhead beating surface.

15. The game drum of claim 14, wherein the fixed surface defines an opening, the MEMS sensor supports the compressible member and seals the opening of the fixed surface.

16. The game drum of claim 15, wherein the airflow passes through the opening and applies the impact force onto the MEMS sensor.

17. The game drum of claim 13, wherein the MEMS pressure sensing module further comprises a transmitting unit and a control unit;

the transmitting unit is electrically connected to the processing unit, and is configured for transmitting the value of the pressure calculated by the processing unit to the control unit;

the control unit is electrically connected to the terminal electronic device through an output interface circuit, and is configured for controlling the terminal electronic device to display the value of the pressure.

18. The game drum of claim 17, wherein the MEMS pressure sensing module further comprises a power supply unit configured for supplying a voltage;

and a transducer interconnecting with the processing unit and the power supply unit, and the transducer is configured for converting the voltage of the power supply unit into a rated voltage for the processing unit.

19. The game drum of claim 18, wherein the output interface circuit, the MEMS sensor, the processing unit, the power supply unit, the transmitting unit, and the control unit and the transducer are integrated on a printed circuit board received in the accommodating space of the drum body.