Detection device for key operation of keyboard device and keyboard device

Abstract

Provided is a device (101) for detecting a key operation of a keyboard device, the device comprising: a key-side conductive part (20) provided to each of a plurality of keys (13); a substrate (15) provided so as to face the plurality of keys (13) in the pressing direction of the plurality of keys (13); at least two signal output units (31, 32) which are provided on the substrate (15) so as to correspond to at least two signal output units (31, 32) for one of the plurality of keys (13), each of the at least two signal output units (31, 32) having a coil and outputting a signal corresponding to the distance from the conductive unit (20) provided in the corresponding key (13); and a detection unit (50) that detects the displacement of the corresponding key (13) in at least one of the yaw direction and the roll direction on the basis of the signals output from the at least two signal output units (31, 32) during the push stroke.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese national application No. 202080078270.8 (a detection device for key operations of a keyboard device, a method for detecting key operations, and a keyboard device) filed on November 20, 2020, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a detection device for key operations of a keyboard device, a method for detecting key operations, and a keyboard device having the detection device. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, a keyboard instrument is known in which two pressure sensors are arranged in the key arrangement direction for each key in a frame, and sound is controlled based on the difference or sum of the outputs of the two sensors (Patent Document 1). This keyboard instrument uses the two sensors as horizontal sensors. For example, pitch bend, portamento, and other sound controls are performed based on the difference between the two, and the volume is controlled based on the sum of the two. In addition, key operations are detected by key switches.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4375302

[0005] Patent Document 2: International Publication Patent Gazette "WO2019 / 122867A1" Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, in Patent Document 1, a contact-type sensor is used, and for the roll (yaw, roll) of a key, it cannot be detected unless it is in the key pressing end stage.

[0007] On the other hand, as a non-contact sensor, a keyboard device is known in which a resonant circuit having a coil is provided between a key and a substrate, and the position and speed of the key are detected based on a signal output from the resonant circuit provided on the substrate (Patent Document 2). The resonant circuit of Patent Document 2 can detect the position and speed of the key in the key pressing direction. However, it cannot detect the roll of the key (displacement in the yaw direction or roll direction).

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a detection device for key operations of a keyboard device that can detect the displacement of a key in the yaw direction or roll direction even in the middle of the key pressing stroke.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection device for key operations of a keyboard device, comprising: a conductive portion provided for each of a plurality of keys; a substrate provided to face the plurality of keys in the pressing direction of the plurality of keys; at least two signal output portions provided on the substrate in such a manner that at least two signal output portions correspond to one key among the plurality of keys, each of the at least two signal output portions having a coil and outputting a signal corresponding to a distance from the conductive portion provided for the corresponding key; and a detection portion that, during a key pressing stroke, detects displacement in at least one of a yaw direction or a roll direction of the corresponding key based on signals output from the at least two signal output portions.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, even during key pressing, displacement in the yaw direction or the roll direction of a key can be detected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a keyboard device.

[0012] Figure 2 is a partial front view of a keyboard portion of a keyboard device.

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a main part of an operation detection device.

[0014] Figure 4 is a schematic top view showing a structural example of a key-side conductive portion and a sensor portion.

[0015] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a first conductive portion when viewed from above.

[0016] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a first signal output portion when viewed from above.

[0017] Figure 7 is a circuit diagram of a first conductive portion.

[0018] Figure 8 is a circuit diagram of a first signal output portion.

[0019] Figure 9 is a schematic front view of one key and a corresponding sensor portion.

[0020] Figure 10 is a schematic front view of one key and a corresponding sensor portion.

[0021] Figure 11 is a schematic top view showing a structural example of a key-side conductive portion and a sensor portion.

[0022] Figure 12It is a schematic top view showing a structural example of a first modified example of the key-side conductive portion and the sensor portion.

[0023] Figure 13 It is a schematic top view showing a structural example of a second modified example of the key-side conductive portion and the sensor portion.

[0024] Figure 14 It is a schematic top view showing a structural example of a third modified example of the key-side conductive portion and the sensor portion.

[0025] Figure 15 It is a schematic top view showing a structural example of a fourth modified example of the key-side conductive portion and the sensor portion.

[0026] Figure 16 It is a schematic top view showing a structural example of a fifth modified example of the key-side conductive portion and the sensor portion. Detailed implementation mode

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 It is a schematic side view of a keyboard device applying an operation detection device for a key according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 It is a view focusing on one key 13 among a plurality of keys 13 of the keyboard device 100. In Figure 1 it, the front end side in the length direction of the key 13 is the front, and the key pressing surface (front surface) side is the upper side. The direction of observation from the front side of the key 13 where the performer is located is called the left-right direction. Therefore, the key arrangement direction is the same as the left-right direction. The keyboard device 100 is suitable for application to an electronic keyboard instrument, but is also suitable as a device that outputs a sound signal without generating sound.

[0029] The key 13 can rotate in the up-down direction around a fulcrum 12 fixed to the frame 11. The key 13 has a protruding portion 16 and a protruding portion 17. A key-side conductive portion 20 described later is provided at the front end (lower end) of the protruding portion 16. A circuit board 15 is provided on the frame 11. The circuit board 15 is disposed opposite to each key 13 in the pressing direction of the plurality of keys 13. On the circuit board 15, a plurality of sensor portions 30 described later are respectively arranged corresponding to the key-side conductive portions 20.

[0030] A spiral spring 14 is installed between the key 13 and the frame 11 in a compressed state. The spiral spring 14 always pushes the key 13 upward. A lower stopper 18 is provided on the frame 11 opposite to the protruding portion 17. The key 13 in the non-operating state is restricted by abutting against an upper stopper (not shown) Figure 1The initial position (non-key position) shown. If the player presses the key 13, the helical spring 14 is compressed, and the protrusion 17 abuts against the lower stopper 18. The lower limit position of the key stroke of the protrusion 17 is restricted by the lower stopper 18. The lower stopper 18 can elastically deform within a specified range and is elastically deformed by being pressed by the protrusion 17. The position where the lower stopper 18 elastically deforms within the specified range becomes the lowest limit position of the key stroke of the protrusion 17. It is also possible to separately provide a stopper for specifying the lowest limit position apart from the lower stopper 18. If the player releases the key 13 from the key-pressed end state where the lower stopper 18 is pressed by the protrusion 17, the key 13 returns to the initial position due to the force of the helical spring 14.

[0031] During the key stroke of the key 13, the key-side conductive part 20 approaches the sensor part 30, and during the key release stroke of the key 13, the key-side conductive part 20 moves away from the sensor part 30. Here, even when the protrusion 17 reaches the lowest limit position, the key-side conductive part 20 does not contact the sensor part 30. Therefore, the key-side conductive part 20 and the sensor part 30 are always non-contact. As will be described later in detail, the key-side conductive part 20 has a pair of conductive parts 21, 22( Figure 3 ). The sensor part 30 has, for example, two (a pair of) signal output parts 31, 32( Figure 3 ), as a plurality of signal output parts that output signals corresponding to the distance from the key-side conductive part 20 of the corresponding key 13.

[0032] Figure 2 is a partial front view of the keyboard part of the keyboard device 100. The plurality of keys 13 include a plurality of white keys 13W and a plurality of black keys 13B. The plurality of keys 13 are arranged in the left-right direction (key arrangement direction) when viewed from the player. The structure of each key 13 and its corresponding key-side conductive part 20 and sensor part 30 is common. As Figure 2 shown, the front end part of the key 13 swings in the stroke direction, that is, the pitch direction, by a pressing operation and a releasing operation. The key 13 mainly displaces in the pitch direction, but strictly speaking, it also displaces in the yaw direction and the roll direction. That is, the key 13 can also displace in the yaw direction due to a force in the left-right direction. And, due to a force in the left-right direction acting on the key 13, or when the key 13 is pressed near the end position in the width direction, the key 13 can displace in the direction of rotation (roll direction) with the axis along the length direction as the center. The displacement in the yaw direction and the roll direction (so-called roll) is generated due to a combined force.

[0033] Conventionally, aftertouch generated by further operating a key at the end stage of key pressing has been used for sound control, enabling the expansion of sound expression. Typically, an increase or decrease in the force in the stroke direction at the end stage of key pressing is detected as aftertouch. In addition to this, sometimes at the end stage of key pressing, after the protrusion 17 comes into contact with the lower stopper 18, the player intentionally causes a roll, thereby generating aftertouch. As will be described in detail later, in the present embodiment, by combining the key-side conductive portion 20 and the sensor portion 30, it is possible to detect not only the stroke position of the key 13 but also the displacement in the yaw direction or the roll direction in a non-contact manner. Moreover, the above displacement can be detected not only at the end stage of key pressing but also during key pressing or during key release.

[0034] In addition, although the key 13 mainly displaces in the pitch direction, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4375302, etc., the structure of the key 13 may be designed to also displace in the roll direction and the yaw direction.

[0035] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the main part of the operation detection device 101. The operation detection device 101 includes, in addition to the key-side conductive portion 20 and the sensor portion 30, an addition operation portion 51, a subtraction operation portion 52, and a control portion 50. The detection portion of the present invention mainly includes the addition operation portion 51, the subtraction operation portion 52, and the control portion 50. Although not shown, the control portion 50 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a timer, etc. The sound generation portion 53 includes a sound source circuit and an effect circuit. The control portion 50 controls the sound generation performed by the sound generation portion 53 based on the detection results of the operations of the respective keys 13 detected by the sensor portion 30. For example, the control portion 50 controls the sound generation and silencing based on the detection results in the pitch direction, and controls the effect of the sound to be emitted based on the detection results related to the displacement in the yaw direction or the roll direction. The details of the effect imparting will be described later.

[0036] Figure 4 It is a schematic top view showing a structural example of the key-side conductive portion 20 and the sensor portion 30. In Figure 4 it, the key-side conductive portion 20 is shown as a projection view obtained by top view (planar view). Figure 4 To the left of Figure 4In the figure, illustrations of capacitors and resistors are omitted. The key-side conductive part 20 includes a pair of conductive parts (the first conductive part 21 and the second conductive part 22). The first conductive part 21 and the second conductive part 22 are arranged and disposed in the key arrangement direction. The first conductive part 21 is a circuit of a coil having two spiral parts (winding parts 23 and 24) connected. The second conductive part 22 is also a circuit of a coil having two spiral parts (winding parts 25 and 26) connected.

[0037] The sensor part 30 is provided corresponding to each key 13 and includes a pair of signal output parts (the first signal output part 31 and the second signal output part 32). The first signal output part 31 is a circuit of a coil having two spiral parts (winding parts 33 and 34) connected. The second signal output part 32 is also a circuit of a coil having two spiral parts (winding parts 35 and 36) connected. The structures of the first conductive part 21 and the second conductive part 22 are common. The structures of the first signal output part 31 and the second signal output part 32 are common. In Figures 5 - 8 the detailed structures of the first conductive part 21 and the first signal output part 31 are described as representatives.

[0038] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the first conductive part 21 when viewed from above. The first conductive part 21 has an eight-shaped coil C21 as a whole. The coil C21 is disposed in a planar shape at the front end of the protruding part 16 of the key 13. The coil C21 is continuous from the via hole 27 to the via hole 28 via the capacitor 29. And, the via holes 27 and 28 are directly coupled on the back surface of the substrate. The winding part 23 and the winding part 24 are adjacent to each other. Let the center-of-gravity positions of the winding parts 23 and 24 be the centers of gravity G1 and G2, respectively. In addition, the centers of gravity G1 and G2 are defined as the center-of-gravity positions of the figures having a substantially circular contour shape of the winding parts 23 and 24. Or, the centers of gravity G1 and G2 can also be defined as the mass-based centers of gravity of the winding parts 23 and 24, respectively. The straight line L1 passing through the centers of gravity G1 and G2 is substantially parallel to the length direction of the key 13. The straight line L2 ( Figure 4 ) passing through the centers of gravity G1 and G2 of the winding parts 25 and 26 of the second conductive part 22 is also substantially parallel to the length direction of the key 13. Therefore, the first conductive part 21 and the second conductive part 22 are arranged such that the straight lines L1 and L2 are substantially parallel.

[0039] Figure 6It is an enlarged view of the first signal output unit 31 when viewed from above. The first signal output unit 31 as a whole has a figure-eight-shaped coil C31. The coil C31 is arranged in a planar shape on the circuit board 15. The coil C31 is continuous from the via hole 37 to the via hole 38 via the capacitors 39, 40. And, the via hole 37 and the via hole 38 are directly coupled on the back surface of the substrate. A resistor 41 is connected to the capacitor 39, and a resistor 42 is connected to the capacitor 40. It is not necessary to provide the resistors 41, 42. The winding portions 33 and 34 are adjacent to each other. Let the centroid positions of the winding portions 33, 34 be the centroids G3, G4 respectively. In addition, the definition of the centroids G3, G4 is the same as that of the centroids G1, G2. The straight line L3 passing through the centroids G3, G4 is substantially parallel to the length direction of the key 13. The straight line L4 ( Figure 4 ) passing through the centroids G1, G2 of the winding portions 35, 36 of the second signal output unit 32 is also substantially parallel to the length direction of the key 13. Therefore, the first signal output unit 31 and the second signal output unit 32 are arranged such that the straight lines L3, L4 are substantially parallel. In addition, as Figure 4 shown, the interval between the straight lines L3, L4 is larger than the interval between the straight lines L1, L2.

[0040] As Figure 5 shown, the spiral directions of the winding portions 23, 24 with their centers as the reference points are the same as each other. That is, the spiral direction of the winding portion 23 when the via hole 28 close to the centroid G1 is regarded as the starting point is the right-handed rotation (clockwise) direction. The spiral direction of the winding portion 24 when the via hole 27 close to the centroid G2 is regarded as the starting point is also the right-handed rotation direction. According to such a relationship, the direction of the magnetic flux when a current flows in a certain direction through the coil C21 becomes opposite in the winding portion 23 and the winding portion 24. Similarly, as Figure 6 shown, the spiral directions of the winding portions 33, 34 with their centers as the reference points are the same as each other. The direction of the magnetic flux when a current flows in a certain direction through the coil C31 becomes opposite in the winding portion 33 and the winding portion 34.

[0041] Figure 7 is the circuit diagram of the first conductive portion 21. Figure 8 is the circuit diagram of the first signal output unit 31. The first conductive portion 21 is configured as a resonant circuit on the passive side. The first conductive portion 21 is a closed circuit. The first signal output unit 31 is configured as a resonant circuit on the active side. These resonant circuits are basically the same as the structure disclosed in WO2019 / 122867A1.

[0042] In the first signal output unit 31, the input-side terminal 44 is connected to a drive circuit (not shown). The detection signal is taken out from the output-side terminal 43. As Figure 3As shown, the detection signal from the second signal output unit 32 is input to the + terminal of the addition operation unit 51 and the + terminal of the subtraction operation unit 52. The detection signal from the first signal output unit 31 is input to the other + terminal of the addition operation unit 51 and the - terminal of the subtraction operation unit 52. In addition, in order to correct the phase deviation between the detection signal from the first signal output unit 31 and the detection signal from the second signal output unit 32, their respective outputs can also be input to the addition operation unit 51 and the subtraction operation unit 52 via a smoothing circuit (not shown). The addition operation unit 51 outputs the sum of the detection signals from the first signal output unit 31 and the second signal output unit 32 to the control unit 50. The subtraction operation unit 52 outputs the difference between the detection signal from the first signal output unit 31 and the detection signal from the second signal output unit 32 to the control unit 50. These detection signals are continuous quantities.

[0043] The outputs of the signal output units 31 and 32 are, for example, voltage values. In a state where the signal output units 31 and 32 are driven at a specified resonance frequency, if the first conductive part 21 approaches the first signal output unit 31, in the first conductive part 21, a current flows in a direction to cancel the magnetic flux generated in the first signal output unit 31. As a result, the magnetic flux of the first signal output unit 31 changes and the voltage changes. Therefore, the detection signal can be taken out as a voltage value. Corresponding to the first conductive part 21 approaching the first signal output unit 31, the output of the first signal output unit 31 becomes smaller. Similarly, if the second conductive part 22 approaches the second signal output unit 32, correspondingly, the output of the second signal output unit 32 becomes smaller. That is, the outputs (voltages) of the signal output units 31 and 32 change corresponding to the distances from the corresponding conductive parts 21 and 22, and the shorter the distance, the smaller their outputs (voltages). In addition, as the outputs of the signal output units 31 and 32, changes in resonance signals or current values can also be used.

[0044] In particular, as described above, both the coil C21 and the coil C31 are in an 8-shaped configuration. Therefore, the relationship between the first signal output unit 31 and the first conductive part 21 is as follows. First, in a state where upward magnetic flux is generated from the winding part 33 of the first signal output unit 31 and downward magnetic flux is generated from the winding part 34, if the first conductive part 21 approaches the first signal output unit 31, a current flows in the winding part 23 of the first conductive part 21 in a direction to cancel the upward magnetic flux from the winding part 33. As a result, upward magnetic flux is generated in the winding part 24 of the first conductive part 21, and thus the downward magnetic flux of the winding part 34 of the first signal output unit 31 becomes weaker. Therefore, compared with a structure where the winding directions of the winding part 33 and the winding part 34 are opposite, the change in the output of the first signal output unit 31 becomes larger. As a result, the sensitivity of the sensor becomes higher.

[0045] In addition, from the viewpoint of suppressing crosstalk, the resonance frequencies can also be made different between the first signal output unit 31 and the second signal output unit 32. Further, as disclosed in WO2019 / 122867A1, the resonance frequencies can also be made different between the plurality of sensor units 30. In particular, the resonance frequencies can be made different between the sensor units 30 corresponding to adjacent keys 13. Further, as disclosed in WO2019 / 122867A1 and Japanese Patent No. 4375302, when driving each sensor unit 30, time-division processing can be performed using a multiplexer and a demultiplexer. For example, the plurality of sensor units 30 are grouped by key regions so that physically adjacent sensor units 30 are not driven simultaneously. For example, in each group, the sensor units 30 in the lower region can be sequentially driven one by one simultaneously in each group.

[0046] Figure 9 , Figure 10 is a schematic front view of one key 13 and the corresponding sensor unit 30. The stroke position and the roll (displacement in the yaw direction or the roll direction) of the key 13 are detected as follows.

[0047] First, when the key-side conductive portion 20 approaches the sensor unit 30 by a key operation, as Figure 3 shown, the detection signals of the signal output units 31 and 32 are input to the addition operation unit 51 and the subtraction operation unit 52. The control unit 50 detects the stroke position of the key 13 based on the sum of the detection signals of the signal output units 31 and 32 input from the addition operation unit 51. At this time, for example, the smaller the sum of the detection signals of the signal output units 31 and 32, the deeper the stroke position is detected.

[0048] In parallel with this, the control unit 50 detects the magnitude of the roll of the key 13 based on the difference between the detection signals of the signal output units 31 and 32 input from the subtraction operation unit 52. At this time, the larger the difference between the detection signals of the signal output units 31 and 32, the larger the roll is detected. As Figure 9 shown, if the right part of the key surface of the key 13 is pressed, the key 13 rolls to the right. In this case, the distance between the first conductive portion 21 and the first signal output unit 31 becomes shorter than the distance between the second conductive portion 22 and the second signal output unit 32. Therefore, compared with the second signal output unit 32, the first signal output unit 31 outputs a smaller detection signal, and thus the difference between the detection signals becomes larger. As a result, the control unit 50 can detect the roll direction and the magnitude of the roll displacement of the key 13.

[0049] As described above, as Figure 4As shown, the distance between the straight lines L3 and L4 is greater than the distance between the straight lines L1 and L2. That is, the first signal output unit 31 is arranged to be shifted to the right in the key arrangement direction with respect to the first conductive unit 21, and the second signal output unit 32 is arranged to be shifted to the left (in the direction opposite to the first signal output unit 31) in the key arrangement direction with respect to the second conductive unit 22. As Figure 10 shown, if a force is applied to the key 13 to the right, the key 13 is displaced to the right in the horizontal direction. In this case, in the projection viewed from above, the overlapping area of the first conductive unit 21 and the first signal output unit 31 is larger than the overlapping area of the second conductive unit 22 and the second signal output unit 32. Therefore, the magnetic flux of the first conductive unit 21 acting on the first signal output unit 31 is stronger than the magnetic flux of the second conductive unit 22 acting on the second signal output unit 32. In this way, compared with the second signal output unit 32, the first signal output unit 31 outputs a smaller detection signal, so the difference between the detection signals becomes larger. As a result, the control unit 50 can detect the magnitude of the displacement of the key 13 in the yaw direction.

[0050] With such a shifted arrangement, the difference between the detection signals of the signal output units 31 and 32 when the key 13 is displaced in the horizontal direction becomes larger, so the sensitivity of the detection related to the yaw direction becomes higher. The roll displacement and the yaw displacement are displacements that are generated complexly, and it is also difficult for the performer to be aware of both and perform. Therefore, it does not make much sense to distinguish the roll displacement and the yaw displacement in the displacement detection. Therefore, the control unit 50 detects the roll displacement and the yaw displacement complexly as roll, which is beneficial for effect control.

[0051] In addition, the shifting direction of the first signal output unit 31 with respect to the first conductive unit 21 and the shifting direction of the second signal output unit 32 with respect to the second conductive unit 22 may also be Figure 4 opposite to the structure illustrated. In addition, the shifted arrangement is not necessary, and the distance between the straight lines L1 and L2 and the distance between the straight lines L3 and L4 may be the same, and the first conductive unit 21, the second conductive unit 22, the first signal output unit 31, and the second signal output unit 32 may be arranged such that the straight lines L1 and L2 and the straight lines L3 and L4 overlap respectively. In this case, from the viewpoint of suppressing crosstalk, it is preferable to arrange the key-side conductive unit 20 and the sensor unit 30 such that the center of gravity G1 and the center of gravity G3 coincide, and the center of gravity G2 and the center of gravity G4 coincide.

[0052] The control unit 50 detects the stroke position of the key 13 at any time during the key press and release processes. When the stroke position of the key 13 becomes deeper than the first specified position, the control unit 50 causes a note-on event to occur and makes the sound generation unit 53 start sounding. After the start of sounding, the control unit 50 performs key-off distance control that imparts effects such as vibrato based on the detected magnitude of the roll. For example, the greater the roll of the key 13, the greater the degree of the effect imparted by the control unit 50, or the shorter the period. In addition, not only at the end of the key press, but also during the key press and release processes, the detection results can be used for the control of effect imparting.

[0053] In addition, during the sounding process, when the stroke position of the key 13 in the release stroke becomes shallower than the second specified position (shallower than the first specified position), the control unit 50 causes the sound generation unit 53 to start muting. In addition, the control unit 50 can also detect the key press speed based on the time required for the key 13 to reach the first specified position from the third specified position (shallower than the first specified position) and use it for sound control such as volume. Similarly, the release speed can also be detected during the release operation and used for sound control. In addition, there is no limitation on the effect parameters of the control.

[0054] Figure 4 The configuration shown can be applied to either the white key 13W or the black key 13B, but it is difficult to implement if the key width is narrow. Figure 4 The configuration shown is suitable for the white key 13W. For the configuration suitable for the black key 13B with a narrow key width, it is described in Figure 11 It is described in

[0055] Figure 11 It is a schematic top view showing a structural example of the key-side conductive portion 20 and the sensor portion 30. In Figure 11 It, the key-side conductive portion 20 is shown as a projection view when viewed from above. In addition, in Figure 11 It, the illustration of the capacitor and the resistor is omitted. The structures of the first conductive portion 21, the second conductive portion 22, the first signal output portion 31, and the second signal output portion 32 are the same as the structures described in Figure 4 It is the same as the structure described in

[0056] As Figure 11 shown, the straight lines L1 and L2 are on a straight line, and the conductive portions 21 and 22 are arranged in a straight line in the key length direction. Figure 11behind the keyboard device 100 having the fulcrum 12 on the left side in the key length direction. On the other hand, the signal output parts 31 and 32 are also arranged in the key length direction, but not on a straight line. That is, the straight line L3 is located at a position more to the right than the straight line L1, and the first signal output part 31 is arranged by being shifted to the right in the key arrangement direction with respect to the first conductive part 21. The straight line L4 is located at a position more to the left than the straight line L2, and the second signal output part 32 is arranged by being shifted to the left (in the direction opposite to the first signal output part 31) in the key arrangement direction with respect to the second conductive part 22. By such a shifted arrangement, regarding improving the detection sensitivity related to the yaw direction, it can achieve the same effect as the arrangement shown in Figure 4 In addition, in the white key 13W, the arrangement shown in Figure 11 can also be adopted. In addition, in Figure 11 the straight lines L1 and L2 are added for comparison with respect to the signal output parts 31 and 32.

[0057] According to the present embodiment, for each of the plurality of keys 13, the key-side conductive parts 20 are provided as a pair of conductive parts. The sensor parts 30 (a pair of signal output parts 31 and 32) are provided on the circuit board 15 corresponding to the respective keys 13. The sensor parts 30 output signals corresponding to the distances from the key-side conductive parts 20 of the corresponding keys 13. The control part 50 detects at least one of the displacement in the yaw direction or the roll direction of the corresponding key 13 based on the signals output from the sensor parts 30 during the key pressing stroke. Therefore, it is also possible to detect the displacement in the yaw direction or the roll direction of the key during the key pressing.

[0058] In particular, it is also possible to detect the tilting of the key 13 during the key pressing stroke and the releasing stroke. Therefore, not limited to the key-back distance control, during the key operation, the detection result can also contribute to the sound control and can be applied to rich sound expressions.

[0059] In addition, the control part 50 detects the stroke position of the corresponding key 13 based on the signals output from the signal output parts 31 and 32. For example, the control part 50 detects the stroke based on the sum of the signals respectively output from the signal output parts 31 and 32, and detects the displacement in the yaw direction or the roll direction based on the difference between the signals respectively output. Therefore, using the same sensor parts 30, it is possible to not only detect the yaw direction or the roll direction of the key, but also detect the stroke position of the key.

[0060] In particular, since the pair of signal output parts 31 and 32 are arranged in the key arrangement direction, it is possible to detect the displacement in the roll direction of the key 13. Moreover, through the shifted arrangement shown in Figure 4 、 Figure 11 it is possible to detect the displacement in the yaw direction with higher accuracy.

[0061] In addition, in each of the key-side conductive portion 20 and the sensor portion 30, the spiral directions of two spiral portions adjacent to each other in the key length direction with the center as the reference point are the same, so crosstalk can be suppressed.

[0062] In addition, in the present embodiment, the detection of the stroke position of the key 13 and the detection of the roll can be achieved through a common sensor portion, so the structure can be simplified. There is no need to separately provide an optical sensor for the detection of the stroke position of the key 13 and the detection of the roll. However, an optical or contact position sensor or speed sensor may be separately provided for detecting the stroke position or the key pressing speed. In addition, it is not necessary to detect the stroke position based on the detection signals of the pair of signal output portions 31 and 32.

[0063] Hereinafter, Figures 12 - 16 various modification examples will be described. Figure 12 is a schematic plan view showing a structural example of a first modification example of the key-side conductive portion 20 and the sensor portion 30. In the example of Figure 12 compared with the example of Figure 4 the winding directions of the winding portions 23 and 24 of the first conductive portion 21 are opposite. Therefore, the spiral directions with the center as the reference point of the winding portions adjacent to each other in the key arrangement direction, that is, the winding portion 23 of the first conductive portion 21 and the winding portion 25 of the second conductive portion 22, are opposite to each other. Similarly, the spiral directions with the center as the reference point of the winding portions 24 and 26 adjacent to each other in the key arrangement direction are also opposite to each other.

[0064] In addition, similarly, in the example of Figure 12 compared with the example of Figure 4 the winding directions of the winding portions adjacent to each other in the direction orthogonal to the key arrangement direction, that is, the winding portions 33 and 34 of the first signal output portion 31, are opposite. Therefore, the spiral directions with the center as the reference point of the winding portions 33 and 35 adjacent to each other in the key arrangement direction are opposite to each other. Similarly, the spiral directions with the center as the reference point of the winding portions 34 and 36 adjacent to each other in the direction orthogonal to the key arrangement direction are also opposite to each other. As described above, in each of the key-side conductive portion 20 and the sensor portion 30, the spiral directions with the center as the reference point between the winding portions adjacent to each other in the key arrangement direction are opposite to each other. According to this structure, not only in the key length direction, but also the directions of the magnetic fluxes generated between the winding portions adjacent to each other in the key arrangement direction are opposite, so it is further beneficial to suppress crosstalk.

[0065] Figure 13 is a schematic plan view showing a structural example of a second modification example of the key-side conductive portion 20 and the sensor portion 30. In the example of Figure 4 the conductive portions 21 and 22 and the signal output portions 31 and 32 are all substantially parallel to the key length direction. In contrast, inFigure 13 In the example of FIG. 1 , the signal output parts 31 and 32 are arranged obliquely with respect to the key length direction. Figure 4 Same as the example.

[0066] like Figure 13 As shown, the winding portion 23 overlaps with the winding portion 33, and the winding portion 25 overlaps with the winding portion 35. On the other hand, the winding portions 34 and 36 are located outside in the key width direction relative to the winding portions 24 and 26. Therefore, the distance between the straight line L3 passing through the center of gravity G3 and G4 of the winding portions 33 and 34 of the first signal output portion 31 and the straight line L4 passing through the center of gravity G3 and G4 of the winding portions 35 and 36 of the second signal output portion 32 increases as they approach the front end side of the key 13. Therefore, when viewed from above, the straight line L3 is located to the right as it is further forward relative to the straight line L1, and the distance between the two increases as they approach the front end side of the key 13. When viewed from above, the straight line L4 is located to the left as it is further forward relative to the straight line L2, and the distance between the two increases as they approach the front end side of the key 13. In addition, in Figure 13 The signal output units 31 and 32 record the straight line L1 and the straight line L2 for comparison.

[0067] By configuring the pair of signal output units 31 and 32 in such a tapered shape, it is possible to detect yaw displacement and roll displacement even without adopting the above-mentioned shift configuration. Figure 9 ), a distance difference occurs between the opposing winding portions, and thus the output difference between the signal output portions 31 and 32 becomes larger. As a result, Figure 4 On the other hand, when the key 13 is displaced in the yaw direction ( Figure 10 ), the tip of the key is rotated about the fulcrum 12 (although not too much). For example, if the conductive parts 21, 22 are rotated to the right, the angle between the straight line L1 and the straight line L3 becomes smaller when viewed from above, while the angle between the straight line L2 and the straight line L4 becomes larger. If the conductive parts 21, 22 are rotated to the left, the opposite effect occurs. As a result, the output difference between the signal output parts 31, 32 becomes larger, which can be compared with the output difference between the signal output parts 31, 32. Figure 4 The yaw displacement is detected in the same way as in the example.

[0068] Figure 14 1 is a schematic diagram showing a third modified example of the key-side conductive portion 20 and the sensor portion 30 in which the conductive portions 21 and 22 and the signal output portions 31 and 32 are arranged in the key length direction, respectively. Figure 13 The tapered configuration described in the above can also be applied to narrow keys such as the black key 13B. Figure 14In this case, focusing on the inclination when viewed from above, the arrangement of each winding portion is represented by the center of gravity position. The meanings of the straight lines L1 to L4 are the same as those in Figure 11 the same.

[0069] The straight lines L1 and L2 are on the same straight line, and the conductive portions 21 and 22 are arranged on the same straight line in the key length direction. When viewed from above, relative to the straight line L1, the straight line L3 is located more to the left as it is more forward, and the interval between the two expands as it approaches the front end side of the key 13. When viewed from above, relative to the straight line L2, the straight line L4 is located more to the right as it is more forward, and the interval between the two expands as it approaches the front end side of the key 13. With such a tapered arrangement, for the black key 13B as well, it is possible to detect the yaw displacement and roll displacement in the same way as in the example of Figure 13 the same.

[0070] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth modified example of the key-side conductive portion 20 and the sensor portion 30 in which the conductive portions 21 and 22 and the signal output portions 31 and 32 are arranged in the key length direction. In Figure 15 this case, similar to Figure 14 the same, the arrangement of each winding portion is represented by the center of gravity position. The center of gravity G1 and the center of gravity G3 do not need to coincide. That is, as shown in Figure 15 all of the straight lines L1 to L4 can be inclined with respect to the key length direction when viewed from above. In the range between the center of gravity G1 and the center of gravity G2, the straight line L1 and the straight line L3 intersect. In the range between the center of gravity G1 and the center of gravity G2, the straight line L2 and the straight line L4 intersect. With such a tapered arrangement, it is also possible to detect the yaw displacement and roll displacement. In addition, as shown in Figure 15 the intersecting tapered arrangement can also be applied to the white key 13W.

[0071] In addition, as shown in Figure 13 , Figure 14 , Figure 15 in the examples, in order to be able to detect the roll displacement and yaw displacement by the tapered arrangement, it is only necessary to satisfy the following conditions. When viewed from above, the relative inclination direction of the first signal output portion 31 with respect to the first conductive portion 21 and the relative inclination direction of the second signal output portion 32 with respect to the second conductive portion 22 are opposite. At this time, the side where the interval expands due to the tapered shape may not be the front in the key length direction, but may also be the rear.

[0072] In addition, it is also possible to apply both the shift arrangement shown in Figure 4 , Figure 11 and the tapered arrangement shown in Figures 13 - 15 this case.

[0073] Figure 16It is a schematic top view showing a structural example of a fifth modified example of the key-side conductive portion 20 and the sensor portion 30. As Figure 16 shown, the conductive portions 21 and 22 and the signal output portions 31 and 32 can each be constituted by a coil composed of a single spiral instead of two spirals. In addition, either the group of the conductive portion 21 and the signal output portion 31 or the group of the conductive portion 22 and the signal output portion 32 can be constituted by a group of coils composed of a single spiral.

[0074] In addition, the key-side conductive portion is preferably a reactive element, but is not limited to an induction coil, and a conductive member can also be used for the key-side conductive portion. For example, regarding the key-side conductive portion, as shown in the key-side conductive portion 20-2, conductive metal plates 54 and 55 can be provided instead of the conductive portions 21 and 22. The metal plates 54 and 55 are made of iron or the like. The metal plates 54 and 55 are plate members substantially parallel to the key surface. If the distance between the metal plates 54 and 55 with respect to the signal output portions 31 and 32 changes, the capacitance of the signal output portions 31 and 32 changes, and thus a signal corresponding to the distance can be taken out.

[0075] Alternatively, as shown in the key-side conductive portion 20-3, one conductive metal plate 56 having the same conductivity as the metal plates 54 and 55 can be provided instead of the conductive portions 21 and 22. In addition, when the key-side conductive portion 20-2 or the key-side conductive portion 20-3 is adopted, the coil shape of the signal output portions 31 and 32 can be two spirals or a single spiral.

[0076] In addition, for the detection of the stroke position, it is not necessary to use the sum of the signals, and the stroke position can also be detected based on only any one of the pair of signal output portions 31 and 32.

[0077] In addition, in each of the above-described modified examples, for the signal output portion that outputs a signal corresponding to the distance from the key-side conductive portion 20 corresponding to the sum, it is sufficient to set two or more signal output portions to correspond to the plurality of respective keys 13, and it is not limited to two. For example, two or more pairs of signal output portions can be provided, and the displacement can be detected using the signals from each pair. Alternatively, three signal output portions can be arranged in the key arrangement direction, and the middle signal output portion can be dedicated to the detection of the stroke position.

[0078] In addition, the key operation detection device of the present invention does not necessarily have to be able to detect the operations of all the keys 13 of the keyboard device 100, and only a part of the keys 13 can be used as the detection object.

[0079] In addition, the contour shapes of the spiral-shaped portions of the coils C21 and C31 that constitute the conductive portions 21 and 22 and the signal output portions 31 and 32 are not limited to circular shapes, and may also be elliptical or rectangular. In addition, although the coils C21 and C31 are planar, they do not need to be limited to planar shapes if the installation space permits.

[0080] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the keyboard device 100, and can also be applied to pedals, computer keyboards, etc.

[0081] In addition, in the present embodiment, the term "substantially" does not mean complete exclusion. For example, "substantially parallel" and "substantially circular" respectively include the meanings of complete parallelism and circularity.

[0082] Hereinafter, the modes of the method for detecting key operations of the keyboard device of the present invention will be summarized.

[0083] (1) According to one mode of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting key operations, which is a method for detecting key operations of a keyboard device, the keyboard device having: a conductive portion provided for each of a plurality of keys; a substrate provided to face the plurality of keys in the release direction of the plurality of keys; and at least two signal output portions provided on the substrate in such a manner that at least two signal output portions correspond to one of the plurality of keys, each of the at least two signal output portions having a coil and outputting a signal corresponding to the distance from the conductive portion provided for the corresponding key.

[0084] The method for detecting key operations has the following steps:

[0085] During the key pressing stroke, based on the signals output from the at least two signal output portions, at least one of the displacement in the yaw direction or the roll direction of the corresponding key is detected.

[0086] (2) There is provided a device for detecting key operations, which, on the basis of (1) above, further has the following step: based on the signals output from at least one of the at least two signal output portions, the stroke position of the corresponding key is detected.

[0087] (3) There is provided a device for detecting key operations, which, on the basis of (1) or (2) above, the at least two signal output portions are a pair of signal output portions corresponding to each of the plurality of keys.

[0088] It further has the following steps: based on the sum of the signals output from the pair of signal output portions respectively, the stroke of the corresponding key is detected, and based on the difference between the signals output from the pair of signal output portions respectively, the displacement in the yaw direction or the roll direction of the corresponding key is detected.

[0089] As described above, the present invention has been described in detail based on its preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and various modifications within the scope of the invention are also included in the present invention.

[0090] This application claims the priority of Japanese Application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-209549) filed on November 20, 2019, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0091] Industrial Applicability

[0092] The key operation detection device, key operation detection method, and keyboard device of the present invention can detect displacement in the yaw direction or roll direction of a key even during key pressing.

[0093] Description of Reference Numerals

[0094] 13 Key

[0095] 15 Circuit Board

[0096] 20 Key-side Conductive Portion

[0097] 21, 22 Conductive Portions

[0098] 31, 32 Signal Output Ports

[0099] 30 Sensor Portion

[0100] 50 Control Portion

[0101] 101 Operation Detection Device

Claims

1. A detecting device for key operations of a keyboard device, comprising: A conductive part, which is provided for each of a plurality of keys; A substrate disposed opposite to the plurality of keys in the pressing direction of the plurality of keys; At least two signal output portions disposed on the substrate in such a manner that at least two signal output portions correspond to one of the plurality of keys, each of the at least two signal output portions having a coil and outputting a signal corresponding to the distance from the conductive portion provided at the corresponding key; And A detection portion that, during a key pressing stroke, detects the displacement of the corresponding key based on the signals output from the at least two signal output portions; The at least two signal output portions are a pair of signal output portions corresponding to each of the plurality of keys; The detection portion detects the displacement of the corresponding key in a first direction based on the sum of the signals output from the pair of signal output portions respectively, and detects the displacement of the corresponding key in a second direction intersecting the first direction based on the difference between the signals output from the pair of signal output portions respectively.

2. A detecting device for key operations of a keyboard device, comprising: A conductive part, which is provided for each of a plurality of keys; A substrate disposed opposite to the plurality of keys in the pressing direction of the plurality of keys; At least two signal output portions disposed on the substrate in such a manner that at least two signal output portions correspond to one of the plurality of keys, each of the at least two signal output portions having a coil and outputting a signal corresponding to the distance from the conductive portion provided at the corresponding key; And A detection portion that, during a key pressing stroke, detects the displacement of at least one of the yaw direction or roll direction of the corresponding key based on the signals output from the at least two signal output portions; The at least two signal output portions are a pair of signal output portions corresponding to each of the plurality of keys; The pair of signal output portions are arranged in the key arrangement direction in which the plurality of keys are arranged; Each of the coils of the pair of signal output portions has two helical portions that are adjacent to and connected to each other; The helical directions of the two helical portions with respect to their respective centers are the same; In the coils of the first signal output portion and the second signal output portion in the pair of signal output portions, the helical directions of the helical portions adjacent to each other in the key arrangement direction with respect to their respective centers are opposite to each other.

3. The detecting device for key operations according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The pair of signal output portions are arranged in the key arrangement direction in which the plurality of keys are arranged.

4. The detecting device for key operations according to claim 3, wherein, The first signal output portion in the pair of signal output portions is arranged to be displaced in a first direction of the key arrangement direction with respect to the conductive portion, and the second signal output portion in the pair of signal output portions is arranged to be displaced in a second direction opposite to the first direction of the key arrangement direction with respect to the conductive portion.

5. The detecting device for key operations according to claim 4, wherein, The conductive portion has a pair of conductive portions corresponding to the pair of signal output portions, and the pair of conductive portions are arranged in the key arrangement direction; When viewed from above, the relative inclination direction of the first signal output portion in the pair of signal output portions with respect to the first conductive portion in the pair of conductive portions and the relative inclination direction of the second signal output portion in the pair of signal output portions with respect to the second conductive portion in the pair of conductive portions are opposite to each other.

6. The detecting device for key operations according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The pair of signal output portions are arranged in the length direction of the corresponding key.

7. The detecting device for key operations according to claim 6, wherein, The first signal output part of the pair of signal output parts is arranged to be displaced in the first direction of the key arrangement direction with respect to the conductive part, and the second signal output part of the pair of signal output parts is arranged to be displaced in the second direction opposite to the first direction of the key arrangement direction with respect to the conductive part.

8. The detecting device for key operations according to claim 7, wherein, The conductive part has a pair of conductive parts corresponding to the pair of signal output parts, and the pair of conductive parts are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding key. When viewed from above, the relative inclination direction of the first signal output part of the pair of signal output parts with respect to the first conductive part of the pair of conductive parts is opposite to the relative inclination direction of the second signal output part of the pair of signal output parts with respect to the second conductive part of the pair of conductive parts.

9. A detecting device for key operations of a keyboard device, comprising: A conductive part, which is provided for each of a plurality of keys; A substrate, which is arranged to face the plurality of keys in the pressing direction of the plurality of keys; At least two signal output parts, which are arranged on the substrate in such a way that at least two signal output parts correspond to one of the plurality of keys, and each of the at least two signal output parts has a coil and outputs a signal corresponding to the distance from the conductive part provided at the corresponding key. And A detection part, which, during the key pressing stroke, detects the displacement of at least one of the yaw direction or the roll direction of the corresponding key based on the signals output from the at least two signal output parts. The conductive part is a circuit having a coil formed by connecting two spiral parts. The spiral directions of the two spiral parts of the conductive part with their respective centers as the bases are the same as each other.

10. The key operation detection device according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 9, wherein, Each of the coils of the at least two signal output parts has two spiral parts that are adjacent to and connected to each other. The spiral directions of the two spiral parts with their respective centers as the bases are the same as each other.

11. The key operation detection device according to claim 10, wherein, Each of the coils of the pair of signal output parts has two spiral parts that are adjacent to and connected to each other. The spiral directions of the two spiral parts with their respective centers as the bases are the same as each other. In the coils of the first signal output part and the second signal output part of the pair of signal output parts, the spiral directions of the spiral parts adjacent to each other in the key arrangement direction with their respective centers as the bases are opposite to each other.

12. The key operation detection device according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 9, wherein, The conductive part is a metal plate substantially parallel to the surface of the corresponding key.

13. The key operation detection device according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 9, wherein, The conductive part is a circuit having a coil formed by connecting two spiral parts. The spiral directions of the two spiral parts of the conductive part with their respective centers as the bases are the same as each other.

14. A keyboard device, comprising: The key operation detection device according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 9; and The plurality of keys.

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