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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field

Bar for controlling pitch, assignable MIDI functions, and product specific controls on an electronic musical keyboard with thumb

Problem Solved

For over 50 years most electronic music synthesizers have used two wheels (FIG. 1) or a joystick type of controller (FIG. 2) on the left side (FIG. 1a, 2a&2b) of the keyboard for manually changing the pitch (up and down), and adding MIDI effects such as modulation, tone, resonance, etc., while performing. Many of these keyboards are generally used for solos, and are played with the right hand only, but require the left hand to operate these controllers for articulation. Many musicians play multiple keyboards, and do not have a hand to spare. Keyboards already have numerous foot pedals for normal performance, so that is not really an option, and is also less precise for these effects.

My invention allows the performer to use the thumb of his playing hand to control both of these operations, leaving the other hand for playing another keyboard, visual expression, communication or direction, or other technical adjustments. More importantly, it allows a disabled person, with only one arm, to be just as proficient, as a person with two.

The working prototype that I have presented in this document, has electronic controls that correspond to this particular manufacturer, is attached externally, and is patched into the existing pitch bend/mod wheel circuit, replacing the existing wheel controls. It still allows for detailed editing of the parameters through the keyboard's control system, as it did for the original control wheels.

This is an improvement of abandoned PROVISIONAL PATENT No. 62/244,564 filed by Craig Eliot Jackson on Oct. 21, 2015.

A new PROVISIONAL Application No. 63/145,566 was filed on Feb. 4, 2021. It allows for control over two functions simultaneously, where as the previous version allowed only one.

Related Art

1. U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,002MUSIC SYNTHESIZER ADJUNCTThis bar type controller require would major modifications to past and current electronic keyboards to be installed. As keyboards vary in the size of chassis/cabinet for the number of keys that it contains, this would require manufacturing many more parts to install this device.2. U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,053MUSIC SYNTHESIZER WITH MULTIPLE MOVABLE BARSThis bar type controller would also require would major modifications to past and current electronic keyboards to be installed. As keyboards vary in the size of chassis/cabinet for the number of keys that it contains, this would require manufacturing many more parts to install this device.3. United States Patent Application Publication US 2015/0310762 A1METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUSES TO CONVEY CHORDED INPUTThis device has no common design, function, or operational characteristics to the THUMB BAR CONTROLLER.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Electronic keyboards are able to create new and mimic natural, unnatural, industrial, electronic and musical sounds. There are other factors other than the initial sound that is made by playing a key on a keyboard, that sometimes need to be controlled. The Thumb Bar Controller allows for controlling pitch, adding vibrato, changing tonal quality, and changing many other functions of the sound that need to be controlled without the use of the other hand or a foot. This is important, as many keyboard performers play multiple keyboards, use feet for other devices, or may only have the use of one hand when playing the keyboard.

The Thumb Bar Controller (FIG. 3) is non-specific in size, dimensions or shape, so that it may be developed for most any manufacturer's synthesizer. It runs the width of the keyboard playing area, (plus whatever is needed for the lever attachment), rests horizontally just below the top of the keys, and approximately one inch away from the keys, where it does not interfere with normal performance, and is convenient for the performer's thumb to move it, up, down (Y axis), and/or, in and out (X axis).

It is most suitable for forty-nine key or less synthesizers, that are mainly used for solo performance and generally played with only one hand, but is not exclusive to these types. Because of the amazing strength and control of the human thumb, this makes for remarkably precise adjustments. It is also more natural, as musical sound articulation is often applied when sustaining a note.

The Thumb Bar controller rests in the center and out position in front of the keyboard, through the use of spring mechanisms on telescoping levers connected on each end, where it produces no change, unless specifically programmed to do otherwise in the operating system of the keyboard. The telescoping levers (FIG. 4) are connected to a rotary potentiometer or digital encoder (FIG. 5) for the Y axis controller, and a sliding potentiometer or digital encoder (FIG. 6) for the X axis controller, allowing the performer to simulataneously change two different control voltages (or any type of electronic control signal), while performing, with the use of his or her thumb on the playing hand.

I have presented a real world, operational, proof or concept prototype, built with available materials from the hardware store (FIG. 7). In some instances, I have used temporary sources of spring control, to avoid the expense of specific manufacturing/design parameters, to compensate for weight of materials.

The bar assembly can be attached in numerous ways, could use a variety of spring type mechanisms to control it in the fashion I present. It can be mounted externally and patched into the existing pitch bend/mod wheel circuit, replacing the existing wheel controls, or made as an integral part of the keyboard, with openings for the levers and movement required. It still allows for detailed editing of the parameters through the keyboard's control system, as it did for the original control wheels.

Because of the movement of the bar below the keyboard, the Thumb Bar Controller, may require some rethinking of how the keyboard is mounted, but the capabilities of this new controller far outweigh the traditional designs, and should spur some new designs in keyboard stands and accessories.

The MIDI spec provides hundreds of electronic control functions, for adding effects or articulating electronic and musical sounds, two of which can be programmed to be controlled with the Thumb Bar Controller. With the recent advent of MIDI 2.0, this allows many new capabilities for this new controller.

With the capabilities of injection molding, 3-D printing, and modern manufacturing techniques, there are certainly numerous ways of manufacturing this new type of control assembly.

With Bluetooth and other low power wireless transmitters and receivers being introduced, an attachable/removable version could be implemented by third party manufacturers, to conform to the keyboard manufacturer's specifications.

The Version of the Invention Discussed Here Includes

1. Thumb Bar Controller (cylindrical, square, flat, trapezoidal, irregular, textured for thumb)2. Left and right telescoping controller levers3. Rotary center tap control voltage potentiometer or encoder4. Slide control voltage potentiometer or encoder5. Connecting cables6. Mounting plates7. Coiled springs8. Torsion springs9. Screws

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OF THE INVENTION

(FIG. 1) Wheel type assembly for controlling pitch bend and MIDI effects.

(FIG. 1a) Wheel type assembly as mounted on left side of musical keyboard.

(FIG. 2) Joystick type assembly for controlling pitch bend and MIDI effects.

(FIG. 2a) Joystick type assembly as mounted on left side of musical keyboard.

(FIG. 2b) Typical electronic musical keyboard without Thumb Bar Controller.

(FIG. 3) Direction and range of movement. of Thumb Bar Controller.

(FIG. 4) Thumb Bar Controller connected to telescoping levers.

(FIG. 5) Levers attached to rotary potentiometer and held in position by spring.

(FIG. 5a) Center tap type rotary potentiometer.

(FIG. 5b) Torsion spring.

(FIG. 6) Levers attached to sliding potentiometer.

(FIG. 6a) Sliding potentiometer.

(FIG. 7) General Operation overview/Thumb Bar Controller at rest position.

(FIG. 8) Front view of Thumb Bar Controller.

(FIG. 9) Side view of Thumb Bar Controller.

(FIG. 10) Center tap type rotary potentiometer.

(FIG. 10a) Side view of Y axis movement up.

(FIG. 10b) Torsion spring in up position.

(FIG. 10c) Torsion spring.

(FIG. 10d) Front view of Y axis movement up.

(FIG. 11) Center tap type rotary potentiometer.

(FIG. 11a) Side view of Y axis movement down.

(FIG. 11b) Torsion spring in down position.

(FIG. 11c) Torsion spring.

(FIG. 11d) Front view of Y axis movement down.

(FIG. 12) Thumb Bar Controller at X axis rest showing sliding potentiometer.

(FIG. 12a) Sliding potentiometer.

(FIG. 12b) Thumb Bar Controller at X axis pushed in position.

(FIG. 13) Front view of Thumb Bar Controller at Center/In position.

(FIG. 13a) Side view of Thumb Bar Controller at Center/In position.

(FIG. 14) Front view of Thumb Bar Controller at Up/In position.

(FIG. 14a) Side view of Thumb Bar Controller at Up/In position.

(FIG. 15) Front view of Thumb Bar Controller at Down/In position.

(FIG. 15a) Side view of Thumb Bar Controller at Down/In position.

