Subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism for digital piano

Abstract

The digital piano includes a plurality of keys, a foot pedal mechanism positioned below the plurality of keys, a subwoofer positioned below the plurality of keys, and a controller operatively connected to the plurality of keys, the foot pedal mechanism, and the subwoofer, the controller configured to cause the digital piano to generate an audible output based on user input on at least the plurality of keys, at least a portion of the audible output being emitted by the subwoofer.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Priority claims This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 18 / 093,470, filed January 5, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Technical Field The present specification relates to a subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism for a digital piano. [Background technology]

[0003] background An acoustic piano is a musical instrument that may include piano keys, hammers, strings, and a soundboard connected to the strings. In response to inputs to the piano keys, the hammers physically strike the corresponding strings, thereby generating an audible output. Sound waves of this audible output propagate through the soundboard.

[0004] A digital piano may include piano keys, a foot pedal mechanism, and a controller connected to the foot pedal mechanism and the piano keys. The digital piano may include a speaker or may be connected to an external speaker. A user can interact with the piano keys and / or the foot pedal mechanism to generate one or more signals that are received by the controller. In response to user input to the piano keys and / or the controller, the controller operates the speaker, which produces an audible output. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] overview The present disclosure describes a digital piano with a subwoofer for emitting an audible output of the digital piano that provides a user of the digital piano with tactile feedback emulating that provided by an acoustic piano. The subwoofer may be connected to a foot pedal mechanism that allows a user to modulate the audible output by pressing a pedal provided on the pedal mechanism. The subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism may be positioned such that, during use of the digital piano, sound waves emitted from the subwoofer can pass through the foot pedal mechanism, thereby allowing the sound waves to be felt by the user.

[0006] In one aspect, a digital piano is featured that includes a plurality of keys, a foot pedal mechanism disposed below the plurality of keys, a subwoofer disposed below the plurality of keys, and a controller operatively connected to the plurality of keys, the foot pedal mechanism, and the subwoofer, the controller configured to cause the digital piano to generate an audible output based on user input on at least the plurality of keys, at least a portion of the audible output being emitted by the subwoofer.

[0007] Another aspect features a pedal and subwoofer assembly for a digital piano. The pedal and subwoofer assembly includes a housing, a foot pedal mechanism mounted to the housing and configured to generate one or more signals for the digital piano to modulate an audible output generated by the digital piano, and a subwoofer mounted to the housing and configured to generate at least a portion of the audible output generated by the digital piano. The pedal and subwoofer assembly is mountable to the digital piano below the keys of the digital piano.

[0008] In some configurations, the subwoofer is in contact with a foot pedal mechanism.

[0009] In some embodiments, the foot pedal mechanism includes a housing, the subwoofer includes a housing, the foot pedal mechanism housing is attached to the subwoofer housing, and an outer surface of the foot pedal mechanism housing is in contact with an outer surface of the subwoofer housing. In some embodiments, the subwoofer housing is disposed on an upper surface of the foot pedal mechanism housing. In some embodiments, the subwoofer housing is abutted against a rear portion of the foot pedal mechanism housing. In some embodiments, at least one of the outer surface of the foot pedal mechanism housing or the outer surface of the subwoofer housing includes a damping member. In some embodiments, the foot pedal mechanism housing includes one or more port holes facing the subwoofer.

[0010] In some embodiments, the digital piano further includes a housing for the subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism.

[0011] In some configurations, the foot pedal mechanism and the subwoofer form a module that is removable from the digital piano.

[0012] In some configurations, the foot pedal mechanism is removably connected to the subwoofer.

[0013] In some configurations, the subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism are positionable on the floor when the digital piano is supported on the floor.

[0014] In some embodiments, the digital piano further includes a panel extending along the rear portion of the digital piano and covering at least a portion of the front portion of the digital piano. The subwoofer is disposed in a portion of the front portion of the digital piano.

[0015] In some embodiments, the digital piano further includes a panel extending along a rear portion of the digital piano and covering at least a portion of a front portion of the digital piano, the subwoofer and the foot pedal mechanism being integrated into the panel.

[0016] In some embodiments, the digital piano further includes a speaker system having a first portion disposed above the keys and a second portion disposed below the keys, the second portion of the speaker system including a subwoofer.

[0017] In some configurations, the subwoofer is a closed-circuit speaker.

[0018] In some embodiments, the subwoofer height is 500mm or less, the subwoofer width is 250mm or less, and the subwoofer length is 300mm or less.

[0019] In some configurations, the subwoofer speaker is pointed outwardly to the side of the foot pedal mechanism. In some configurations, the subwoofer speaker is located above the foot pedal mechanism.

[0020] In some embodiments, the pedal and subwoofer assembly is positionable on a floor surface when the pedal and subwoofer assembly is assembled to the digital piano and the digital piano is supported on the floor surface.

[0021] In some embodiments, the subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism can be positioned on the floor, and the digital piano is supported on the floor by the subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism.

[0022] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to cause the digital piano to generate a sub-audible output based on user input on at least a plurality of keys, at least a portion of which is emitted by the subwoofer.

[0023] Advantages of the systems and methods described in this disclosure may include those described below and elsewhere in this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] The features described in this disclosure (e.g., pedal and subwoofer assemblies and digital pianos) can provide a digital piano user with haptic feedback that emulates the feedback provided by an acoustic piano (e.g., a non-digital piano, an acoustic grand piano, etc.). In an acoustic piano, sound waves based on the vibration of the strings can propagate through the soundboard to a foot pedal mechanism below the soundboard. The sound waves are transmitted as vibrations to the user's feet or legs through the user's contact with the foot pedal mechanism, thereby providing the user with a unique haptic experience. Instead of relying on the physical actuation of strings to generate an audible output, digital pianos typically use control signals (generated in response to the actuation of the digital piano's digital keys) to control the audible output from speakers, but these control signals cannot provide the same haptic experience as an acoustic piano.

[0025] To provide haptic feedback to a user, a digital piano according to the present disclosure can use a subwoofer to emit at least a portion of the audible output. The subwoofer can be in contact with a foot pedal mechanism located below the keys. Sound waves from the audible output emitted from the subwoofer can be transmitted as vibrations to a user's feet or legs. For example, sound waves can propagate through the foot pedal mechanism and be transmitted as vibrations to the user's feet or legs via the user's contact with the foot pedal mechanism. Thus, a digital piano can provide a haptic experience similar to that of an acoustic piano, without requiring the use of complex physical mechanisms (e.g., strings, hammers, and other mechanisms typically found in acoustic pianos). A digital piano can provide a haptic experience similar to that of an acoustic piano, which can be large, expensive, or difficult to obtain for practice compared to a digital piano.

[0026] Additionally, digital pianos in the manner described in this disclosure may be easier to maintain and require less maintenance than acoustic pianos. For example, acoustic pianos have physical strings that can go out of tune over time. Because digital pianos do not have strings and use a controller to generate control signals that control the audible output from the speakers, they require less maintenance. Subwoofers and foot pedal mechanisms may be used with digital pianos, allowing users to have the benefit of having a piano that is easier to maintain and less expensive (e.g., compared to an acoustic piano) and has the feel of an acoustic piano.

[0027] In some embodiments, digital pianos can provide users with a more flexible playing experience. The subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism may form a module that is not fixed to the digital piano and can be moved by the user to a desired position relative to their body and the keyboard, allowing the user to more easily or conveniently use the foot pedal mechanism and experience the tactile feedback provided by the subwoofer. For example, a user may focus their playing on the octaves above and below the keyboard; on an acoustic piano, a user may have difficulty reaching a pedal fixed below the center of the keyboard. The position of the subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism may be adjusted to allow the user to more easily reach the pedal and experience the tactile feedback provided by the subwoofer. The positions of the subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism modules may also be adjusted to accommodate users of different sizes and physical abilities, for example, positioned so that the user can reach the pedal with their foot and feel the tactile feedback provided by the subwoofer. When multiple users use the same piano, it may be difficult for each user to reach the pedals located below the center of the keyboard. The position of the subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism module may be adjusted to be near one of the users, allowing that user to more easily reach the foot pedal mechanism and experience the haptic feedback of the subwoofer. To accommodate multiple users, a digital piano may have multiple subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism modules, allowing each user to use the foot pedal mechanism and experience the haptic feedback provided by the subwoofer. Thus, the subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism module can provide flexibility to one or more users of the digital piano.

[0028] Furthermore, the embodiments described in this disclosure can provide a customizable haptic experience to a user of a digital piano. The digital piano can use a controller to generate control signals for controlling the audible output from the speaker in response to operation of the digital piano's digital keys or foot pedal mechanism. The digital piano can use a subwoofer to emit at least a portion of the audible output, which provides haptic feedback to the user, as described above. The portion of the audible output emitted by the subwoofer can be customized by the user. For example, the user can use the controller to select a range of frequencies to be emitted by the subwoofer. The user can also use the controller to select settings for the subwoofer's audible output, such as volume, filters, or effects. Thus, the digital piano can provide a customizable haptic experience based on the user's preferences for the subwoofer's audible output.

[0029] Furthermore, the subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism may be removably connected to one another and positioned in different positions relative to one another, allowing a user to customize the haptic experience provided by the digital piano. The subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism may form a module that is removable from the digital piano and thus easily replaceable if a user wishes to replace the subwoofer or foot pedal mechanism.

[0030] The configurations described in this disclosure can also provide audible output that is more resonant, particularly at lower frequencies, and can emulate the sound wave transmission pattern of an acoustic grand piano. For example, in a configuration in which the subwoofer is in contact with a foot pedal mechanism located on the floor, the sound waves of the audible output emitted from the subwoofer can propagate through the foot pedal mechanism and be dispersed within the floor, thereby producing a more resonant sound (e.g., emulating the sound of an acoustic grand piano more faithfully than a conventional digital piano). In a configuration in which the subwoofer is located on the floor, the sound waves of the audible output emitted from the subwoofer can be dispersed within the floor.

[0031] Digital pianos in the configurations described in this disclosure may be more aesthetically appealing. For example, the subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism may form a module that can be separated from the digital piano, thereby giving the digital piano a more modern appearance. In a digital piano designed to look like an upright acoustic piano, the subwoofer may be located on the front panel. The subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism may be integrated into the front panel, thereby giving the digital piano a more traditional appearance.

[0032] The details of one or more aspects of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and specification below. Other potential features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example digital piano including a subwoofer and a foot pedal mechanism. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a side view of an example subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism. [Figure 2C] FIG. 1 is a front view of an example subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism. [Figure 2D] FIG. 1 is a top view of an example subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of another example of a subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a top perspective exploded view of another example subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of another example of a subwoofer and foot pedal mechanism. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example digital piano in which a subwoofer is integrated into the panel of the digital piano. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of another example of a digital piano in which a subwoofer is integrated into the panel of the digital piano. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

[0035] Detailed Description 1 , an example digital piano 100 includes a plurality of keys 102, a pedal and subwoofer assembly 200, and a controller 108. The pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 includes foot pedal mechanisms 104 disposed below the keys 102 and subwoofers 106 disposed below the keys 102. The controller 108 is operatively connected to the keys 102, the foot pedal mechanisms 104, and the subwoofer 106. The controller 108 can cause the digital piano 100 to generate an audible output based on user input at least on the keys 102. At least a portion of this audible output may be emitted by the subwoofer 106. As described in this disclosure, digital piano configurations that include subwoofers and foot pedal mechanisms can provide an immersive playing experience that allows a user to experience tactile feedback and sound quality similar to that of an acoustic piano.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1 , the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 may be disposed on the floor 112. For example, the bottom of the foot pedal mechanism 104 may be disposed on the floor 112, supporting the pedal 230 and subwoofer 106 above the floor 112. The digital piano 100 may be supported on the floor 112 via legs 114 fixed to the keyboard, as shown in FIG. 1 , for example. The digital piano 100 may also be supported on the floor 112 via a stand that can support the keyboard. Sound waves of the audible output emitted from the subwoofer may be dispersed within the floor, thereby producing a more resonant sound that emulates the sound quality of an acoustic grand piano.

[0037] 1 , the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 may be a stand-alone module that communicates (e.g., wirelessly or via a wire) with the controller 108 of the digital piano 100 and that is physically positionable relative to the digital piano 100. The pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 may be positioned, for example, in front of the bar 116 between the legs 114 of the digital piano 100. The foot pedal mechanism 104 and the subwoofer 106 may be freely positioned relative to the digital piano 100, and the foot pedal mechanism 104 and the subwoofer 106 may wirelessly send and receive signals to the controller 108, allowing users to customize their playing experience.

[0038] In some embodiments, the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 may form a module that is attachable to the digital piano 100, for example, to the bar 116 of the digital piano 100. In some embodiments, the module may be removed from the bar 116 and reattached to different positions along the bar 116. For example, the module may be moved by a user to a desired position relative to their body and the keyboard. The position of the module may be adjusted to accommodate users of different sizes and physical abilities. Furthermore, the position of the module may be adjusted to be closer to one of multiple users simultaneously using the digital piano 100. Adjusting the position of the module allows the user to reach the pedals 230 of the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200, thereby enabling the user to feel the haptic feedback provided by the subwoofer 106.

[0039] The foot pedal mechanism 104 may include one or more pedals 230. For example, the foot pedal mechanism 104 may include three pedals 230: a soft pedal (sometimes called an una corda), a sostenuto pedal, and a sustain pedal (sometimes called a damper pedal). The soft pedal changes the timbre and intensity of the sound. The sostenuto pedal selectively sustains notes based on the key that is pressed when the sostenuto pedal is depressed. The sustain pedal sustains all notes as long as the sustain pedal is depressed, thereby creating a "resonance" effect. Other types of pedals, such as a muffler pedal, may alternatively or additionally be included. In some embodiments, the foot pedal mechanism 104 includes a different number of piano pedals, such as one piano pedal, two piano pedals, or more than three piano pedals.

[0040] The foot pedal mechanism 104 may include one or more pedal position sensors 232 assigned to the pedals 230 for generating sensor signals that are received by the controller 108 for controlling the audible output, as described below.

[0041] The controller 108 may be located on the digital piano 100. For example, in FIG. 1 , the controller 108 is located on a portion of the digital piano 100 above the keys 102. The controller 108 may also be located remotely from the digital piano 100 and wirelessly send and receive signals from the digital piano 100, for example. The digital piano 100 may receive user input at the keys 102 and / or via the foot pedal mechanism 104, as described below, and based on this user input, the controller 108 may operate the speakers 118 and / or subwoofer 106 of the digital piano 100 to generate an audible output.

[0042] The manner in which the digital piano 100 is operated may vary from one embodiment to another. In some examples, the controller 108 (e.g., one or more microprocessors) may receive sensor signals indicative of user input (e.g., at the foot pedal mechanism 104 or the keys 102) and may send control signals representing the audible output to be generated. The controller 108 may configure the digital piano 100 (e.g., the speakers 118 or the subwoofer 106 of the digital piano 100) to generate an audible output based on the user input at the keys 102 and / or the foot pedal mechanism 104. In particular, at least a portion of the audible output is generated by the speakers 118 and at least a portion of the audible output is generated by the subwoofer 106. The audible output may correspond to the sound of the key 102 pressed by the user. The controller 108 may be operably connected to a user interface 110 (e.g., buttons or a panel provided on the digital piano 100) that allows the user to select options for the audible output to be generated.

[0043] The subwoofer 106 may produce at least a portion of the audible output. For example, the controller 108 may send control signals to the subwoofer 106 to produce sounds based on user input to the keys 102 and foot pedal mechanism 104. The controller 108 may send control signals to the subwoofer 106 corresponding to sounds that fall within a certain frequency range. For example, the controller 108 may send control signals to the subwoofer 106 corresponding to lower frequency sounds. In one embodiment, the lower frequency audible output produced by the subwoofer 106 may be between 27 Hz and 200 Hz.

[0044] In some forms, the controller 108 may be used to customize the audible output and, in turn, the user's haptic experience, for example, by allowing the user to set a custom range of frequencies, whereby the controller 108 sends control signals to the subwoofer 106 only for sounds that fall within the custom range of frequencies. The controller 108 may be controlled (e.g., with the user interface 110) to select settings for the audible output of the subwoofer 106 via the user interface 110, such as volume, filters, or effects. For example, the controller 108 may be used to select from multiple levels of haptic feedback (e.g., low, medium, high) selectable by the user via the user interface 110. The controller 108 may then modulate one or more of the volume, filters, effects, equalization, booster, enhancer, etc. to provide the level of haptic feedback selected by the user. Thus, the user may be able to select how closely the audible output from the digital piano 100 resembles the haptic feedback provided by an acoustic piano. For example, a user may customize haptic feedback by adjusting the gain of lower frequencies. A user may adjust the overall volume or gain of the audible output, or may adjust the gain of lower frequencies individually, for example by adjusting a volume, equalization, filter, booster, or enhancer.

[0045] The controller 108 may be configured to modulate the audible output based on user input to the foot pedal mechanism 104. The controller 108 may vary the audible output depending on which pedal the user presses. For example, each of the pedals 230 may have a corresponding function, which may be a predefined function and / or a function that can be set using the controller 108. For example, in some embodiments, the three pedals 230a, 230b, and 230c are a soft pedal, a sostenuto pedal, and a sustain pedal, respectively.

[0046] The position of one or more pedals 230 of the foot pedal mechanism 104 may determine the characteristics of the audible output provided by the digital piano (e.g., the digital piano 100 of FIG. 1 ). The sensors 232a, 232b, and 232c on the foot pedal mechanism 104 are configured to output sensor signals indicative of the position of the corresponding pedals 230a, 230b, and 230c. The sensors 232 are communicatively connected (e.g., wired) to the digital piano 100 so that the controller 108 receives the sensor signals or variations thereof (e.g., amplified, attenuated, filtered, and / or processed in one or more manners (e.g., using an analog-to-digital converter or a digital-to-analog converter)). In some forms, the controller 108 receives the sensor signals or variations thereof wirelessly, for example, via one or more wireless networks, such as a Bluetooth® network or a Wi-Fi network. The controller 108 may receive the sensor signals or variations thereof. Sensor signals received by the controller 108 from the sensors 232 indicate the position of the one or more pedals 230 .

[0047] The digital piano 100 is configured to emit an audible output based on the position of at least one pedal 230 of the foot pedal mechanism 104, as indicated by a sensor signal received by the controller 108. For example, in some embodiments, actuation of a subset of the keys 102 of the digital piano 100 (e.g., one or more of the keys 102) may indicate a particular audible output, and actuation of each pedal 230 may indicate a sound modification of the particular audible output indicated by actuation of the subset of the keys 102 of the digital piano. The audible output emitted by the digital piano 100 corresponds to the audible output indicated by actuation of the subset of the keys 102 of the digital piano 100, and this audible output is modified by the sound modification indicated by actuation of the pedal 230. For example, if pedal 230c is configured as a sustain pedal, the audible output may include a sustained digital tone corresponding to the note played by the key 102 while pedal 230c is being depressed. As another example of sound modification, if pedal 230a is configured as a soft pedal, the audible output may include digital effects to mimic the tone modification of a soft pedal on an acoustic piano. In some forms, the audible output may include a particular type of sound when one or more pedals are depressed, such as producing a particular type of instrumental sound (e.g., having a sound corresponding to a sound played by a key 102 of digital piano 100) when a given pedal 230 is depressed. In some forms, pedal 230 may be configured to provide a control function for the audible output, such as to turn a sound or sequence of sounds (e.g., a background drum beat) on or off or to otherwise switch between functions of digital piano 100.

[0048] In some forms, the foot pedal mechanism 104 and / or the digital piano 100 are configurable to adjust how the position of each pedal 230 changes the audible output indicated by the actuation of a subset of the keys 102. For example, a user may interact with the user interface 110 to adjust the function of each pedal 230.

[0049] The audible output produced by the digital piano based on the position of the pedal 230 may, in some embodiments, be produced based on the binary (e.g., depressed or not depressed) position of the pedal 230 or the amount of pedal depression. For example, in some embodiments, as the pedal is depressed further toward the floor 112, e.g., the amount of pedal depression increases, the degree of modification of the audible output (e.g., the intensity of the additional sound effect assigned to the pedal) continuously increases.

[0050] The audible output may be emitted by the speaker 118 and / or the subwoofer 106 of the digital piano 100. In some embodiments, the digital piano 100 includes the speaker 118 or the subwoofer 106 configured to output the audible output in response to receiving a control signal from the controller 108. The control signal may be an analog signal and / or a digital signal. The digital piano 100 may include digital circuitry, such as the controller 108, configured to receive signals including sensor signals (or variations thereof) output from one or more pedal position sensors 232, as described above, and generate an audible output based on the signals.

[0051] In some forms, the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 itself may include a controller 160 for receiving a sensor signal generated by actuation of the foot pedal mechanism 104 and transmitting the sensor signal to the digital piano 100 (e.g., the controller 108 of the digital piano 100). The controller 160 of the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 may receive a control signal from the digital piano 100 (e.g., the controller 108 of the digital piano 100) and use the control signal to control the audible output of the subwoofer 106.

[0052] 2A-2D , as described in this disclosure, the foot pedal mechanism 104 and the subwoofer 106 may be part of a pedal and subwoofer assembly 200. The pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 may include a housing 202. The foot pedal mechanism 104 may be assembled to the housing 202, and the subwoofer 106 may be assembled to the housing 202. The pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 may be assembled to a digital piano (e.g., the digital piano 100 of FIG. 1 ) below the keys of the digital piano.

[0053] When the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 is assembled to the digital piano and the digital piano is supported on the floor surface 112 , the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 may be placed on the floor surface 112 .

[0054] The bottom surface 210 of the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 may be placed on the floor surface 112. In Figures 2A-2D, the bottom surface 210 of the housing 202 is placed on the floor surface 112 and supports the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 above the floor surface 112.

[0055] In some embodiments, the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 may be placed on the floor surface 112 via legs fixed to the bottom of the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200, for example, legs fixed to the bottom surface 210.

[0056] 2A-2D, a single housing 202 is used to house both the subwoofer 106 and the foot pedal mechanism 104, with the subwoofer 106 and foot pedal mechanism 104 being integral with one another. The housing 202 contains the mechanical structure to which the foot pedal mechanism 104 and the subwoofer 106 are assembled, and also mechanically supports the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 above the floor surface 112. The housing 202 may at least partially enclose the electrical and mechanical components of the foot pedal mechanism 104 and the subwoofer 106. As shown in FIG. 2A, the housing 202 includes a lower portion 204 to which the foot pedal mechanism 104 is assembled and an upper portion 206 to which the subwoofer 106 is assembled.

[0057] The housing 202 may include a base 220 to which pedals 230 are mounted. The base 220 may form at least a portion of the lower portion 204 of the housing. The pedals 230 of the foot pedal mechanism 104 may be movably mounted to the lower portion 204 of the housing 202 (e.g., the base 220 of the housing 202). For example, with reference to FIGS. 2A-2B , each of the pedals 230 includes an elongated rigid member having a proximal end portion 240 and a distal end portion 242. At least a portion of the distal end portion 242 is mounted within the base 220. The position of the pedal 230 (e.g., for determining an audible output from the digital piano 100) may correspond to the position of the distal end portion 242 of the pedal 230, which may be sensed by a pedal position sensor 232. The proximal end portion 240 is disposed outside the base 220, thereby allowing a user to interact with the proximal end portion 240. The proximal end portion 240 is configured to be depressed, for example, by a user's foot, thereby moving the distal end portion 242, and the audible output is modulated based on the movement of the distal end portion 242. Furthermore, each of the pedals 230 is assembled such that the proximal end portion 240 is disposed forward of the subwoofer 106, thereby allowing the audible output from the subwoofer 106 to be directed toward the user (e.g., the user's foot). As a result, the audible output from the subwoofer 106 can more easily provide tactile feedback to the user.

[0058] The subwoofer 106 includes a transducer for producing an audible output. For example, the transducer may be an audio speaker 248. The structure of the speaker 248 may vary from one configuration to another. In some configurations, the speaker 248 may be a sealed speaker that includes a sealed enclosure that prevents air from escaping, allowing for a more accurate sound and a smaller size for the subwoofer 106. The subwoofer 106 should not have any holes or broken areas on its exterior. The exterior may be made from materials such as wood, metal, plastic, or composites. In some configurations, the speaker 248 may be a ported speaker that includes an enclosure with a vent that allows air to escape, allowing for a louder sound.

[0059] The dimensions of the subwoofer 106 may vary depending on the configuration. The subwoofer 106 may have a height that is up to 100% of the height of the keyboard portion of the digital piano relative to the floor. For example, the keyboard may be located 800 mm from the floor. The subwoofer 106 may have a total height of 100 to 800 mm (e.g., 100 to 200 mm, 200 to 300 mm, 300 to 500 mm, 500 to 800 mm, approximately 300 mm, approximately 500 mm, etc.).

[0060] The subwoofer 106 may have a height of, for example, approximately 500 mm to help localize the subwoofer output and haptic feedback to the location of the user's lower legs and feet. The subwoofer 106 may have a height of, for example, approximately 800 mm to emit audible output over a larger area and provide haptic feedback to the user as sound waves pass through the area where the user's lower body is.

[0061] The subwoofer 106 may have a width that is up to 100% of the width of the digital piano. For example, the digital piano may have a width of 3000 mm. The subwoofer 106 may have an overall width of 100 to 3000 mm (e.g., 100 to 200 mm, 200 to 300 mm, 300 to 400 mm, 1000 to 3000 mm, approximately 200 mm, approximately 300 mm, etc.).

[0062] The subwoofer 106 may have a width of, for example, approximately 250 mm to cover the width of three pedals on the foot pedal mechanism 104 and help localize the subwoofer output to the location of the user's feet. The subwoofer 106 may have a width of, for example, approximately 3000 mm to project audible output over a larger area and provide tactile feedback to multiple users using the same digital piano.

[0063] The subwoofer 106 may have a length that is up to 100% of the length of the digital piano. For example, the digital piano may have a length of 1000 mm. The subwoofer 106 may have a total length of 100 to 1000 mm (e.g., 100 to 200 mm, 200 to 300 mm, 300 to 400 mm, 400 to 600 mm, 600 to 1000 mm, approximately 200 mm, approximately 300 mm, etc.).

[0064] The subwoofer 106 may have a length of, for example, approximately 300 mm to allow the digital piano to have a smaller, more affordable overall size than an acoustic grand piano. The subwoofer 106 may have a length of, for example, approximately 1000 mm to allow a higher maximum volume for the audible output of the subwoofer 106.

[0065] The speaker 248 of the subwoofer 106 may be directed laterally and outwardly relative to the foot pedal mechanism 104. The subwoofer 106 may output at least a portion of its audible output through the speaker 248. The speaker 248 may face outwardly against an output cover 250 of the subwoofer 106 (defined, for example, by a mesh or another material assembled to the housing 202), such that the audible output emitted by the subwoofer 106 tends to be directed outwardly through the output cover 250. When a user places the front portion of their foot on the proximal end 240 of the pedal 230 of the foot pedal mechanism 104, the speaker 248 of the subwoofer 106 is directed toward the user's lower leg and foot, thereby providing a tactile experience similar to that of an acoustic grand piano when the audible output is emitted from the speaker 248.

[0066] A number of embodiments have been described. While the specification contains details of many particular embodiments, these details should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the claimed subject matter, as defined by the claims themselves, but rather as descriptions of features that may be inherent in particular embodiments of a particular invention. Of course, various modifications may be made.

[0067] While the pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D has been described as including a single housing 202 that houses both the foot pedal mechanism 104 and the subwoofer 106, in alternative embodiments, the pedal assembly 104 and the subwoofer 106 are separate devices that may be removably connected to one another. FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an example of a pedal and subwoofer assembly 300 that includes a foot pedal mechanism 304 and a subwoofer 306. The foot pedal mechanism 304 is similar to the foot pedal mechanism 104 in that a pedal 330 of the foot pedal mechanism 304 is operated to modulate the audible output from the subwoofer 306 and / or speakers of the digital piano. Similarly, the subwoofer 306 is functionally similar to the subwoofer 106 in that the subwoofer 306 is configured to emit at least a portion of the audible output emitted by the digital piano.

[0068] Pedal and subwoofer assembly 300 differs from pedal and subwoofer assembly 200 in that foot pedal mechanism 304 and subwoofer 306 are removably connected to one another. For example, foot pedal mechanism 304 includes a housing 314 that is separate from housing 316 of subwoofer 306.

[0069] 3A-3B, a foot pedal mechanism 304 is removably connected to a subwoofer 306. For example, FIG. 3B illustrates that the foot pedal mechanism 304 may be detachable from the subwoofer 306. The foot pedal mechanism 304 may be removably connected to the subwoofer 306 via a non-permanent attachment method, such as a hook and fastener or a magnet.

[0070] In some forms, the foot pedal mechanism 304 and the subwoofer 306 may each include separate housings. The housing 314 of the foot pedal mechanism 304 may enclose the foot pedal mechanism 304 while leaving the pedal 330 exposed. The housing 316 of the subwoofer 306 may enclose the subwoofer 306 while leaving the speaker 348 exposed or covered with a material that allows sound waves to travel through it, such as fabric or mesh. The speaker 348 may be similar to the speaker 248, for example, in terms of its function and orientation.

[0071] In some forms, the housing 314 of the foot pedal mechanism 304 may be attached to the housing 316 of the subwoofer 306 such that the exterior surface of the housing 314 of the foot pedal mechanism 304 contacts the exterior surface of the housing 316 of the subwoofer 306. The exterior surface of the housing 314 of the foot pedal mechanism 304 may be attached to the housing 316 of the subwoofer 306 in a variety of ways, including via fasteners, adhesive, or another method. In some forms, the housing 304 of the foot pedal mechanism 314 may be removably connected to the housing 316 of the subwoofer 306 via a non-permanent attachment, such as hooks and fasteners or magnets. The housings 314, 316 may be made from a rigid material or a combination of materials, such as wood, metal, plastic, or composites.

[0072] The foot pedal mechanism 304 and the subwoofer 306 may be manually movable relative to one another, allowing a user to position them as desired and customize the tactile feedback they receive from the pedal and subwoofer assembly 300. The subwoofer 306 may abut a rear portion of the foot pedal mechanism 304. For example, a rear outer surface 350 of the housing 314 of the foot pedal mechanism 304 may abut at least a portion of a front outer surface 352 of the housing 316 of the subwoofer 306.

[0073] In some embodiments, at least one of the exterior surface of the foot pedal mechanism 304 or the exterior surface of the subwoofer 306 may include a damping member 302 where the foot pedal mechanism 304 and the subwoofer 306 contact each other. The damping member 302 may be fabricated from a material that absorbs movement when the subwoofer 306 or the foot pedal mechanism 304 moves, for example, due to vibrations caused by sound waves from the audible output from the subwoofer 306 or due to a user pressing the pedal 330 of the foot pedal mechanism 304 and moving the foot pedal mechanism 304. The damping member 302 may also reduce buzzing or rattle sounds that may result from contact between the housing 316 of the subwoofer 306 and the housing 314 of the foot pedal mechanism 304 when the subwoofer 306 or the foot pedal mechanism 304 moves. For example, the damping member 302 may include a dense rubber, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM).

[0074] For example, as shown in Figures 3A-3B, the rear outer surface 350 of the housing 314 of the foot pedal mechanism 304 may contact at least a portion of the front outer surface 352 of the housing 316 of the subwoofer 306. Figure 3B shows that the housing 316 of the subwoofer 306 includes the damping member 302. Alternatively or additionally, the housing 314 of the foot pedal mechanism 304 may include the damping member 302.

[0075] In some forms, the housing 314 of the foot pedal mechanism 304 may include one or more port holes that face the subwoofer 306. For example, the port holes may be located in a rear panel of the housing 314 of the foot pedal mechanism 304 that may contact the front exterior surface 352 of the housing 316 of the subwoofer 306. The port holes allow for sound wave dispersion of the audible output from the speaker 348 of the subwoofer 306.

[0076] 4 illustrates an example of a pedal and subwoofer assembly 400 that includes a foot pedal mechanism 404 and a subwoofer 406. The foot pedal mechanism 404 and the subwoofer 406 are similar to the foot pedal mechanism 304 and the subwoofer 306 in that the foot pedal mechanism 404 and the subwoofer 406 are removably connected to each other and may include their own housings. For example, the foot pedal mechanism 404 includes a housing 414 that is separate from the housing 416 of the subwoofer 406.

[0077] Pedal and subwoofer assembly 400 differs from pedal and subwoofer assembly 300 in that the subwoofer 406 of pedal and subwoofer assembly 400 is positioned above pedal assembly 404. For example, Figure 4 shows that the housing 416 of subwoofer 406 is positioned on top of the housing 414 of foot pedal mechanism 404. An upper outer surface 450 of housing 414 of foot pedal mechanism 404 may contact at least a portion of a lower outer surface 452 of housing 416 of subwoofer 406.

[0078] As described in this disclosure, the subwoofer 406 may be positioned to direct its audible output toward a position forward of the pedal 430 of the foot pedal mechanism 404, thereby enabling the audible output to provide tactile feedback to the user. Additionally, as described in this disclosure (e.g., with respect to FIGS. 3A-3B), the subwoofer 406 or the foot pedal mechanism 404 may include a damping member 402 where the subwoofer 406 and the foot pedal mechanism 404 contact each other.

[0079] 5 illustrates an exemplary digital piano 500 that includes a foot pedal mechanism 504 and a subwoofer 506. The digital piano 500 is similar to the digital piano 100 in that the digital piano 500 generates an audible output based on user input at the keys 502 and foot pedal mechanism 504, and at least a portion of the audible output can be emitted by the subwoofer 506. The foot pedal mechanism 504 and the subwoofer 506 are functionally similar to the foot pedal mechanism and subwoofer described in FIGS. 2-4, for example, in that the foot pedal mechanism 504 and the subwoofer 506 are in contact with each other.

[0080] Digital piano 500 differs from digital piano 100 in that subwoofer 506 is integrated into a panel 508 of digital piano 500. Panel 508 extends along a rear portion 510 of digital piano 500 and covers at least a portion of a front portion 512 of digital piano 500.

[0081] The subwoofer 506 may be located in a portion of the front section 512 of the digital piano 500. For example, FIG. 5 shows the subwoofer 506 extending across the width of the front section 512 of the digital piano 500. A wider subwoofer 506 may help the digital piano 500 produce an audible output that is more resonant and that emulates the sound quality of an acoustic grand piano. The wider subwoofer 506 may also emit sound waves across the width of the digital piano 500, thus allowing multiple users of the digital piano 500 to simultaneously experience vibrations based on the sound waves of the audible output transmitted to their feet or legs.

[0082] In some embodiments, the subwoofer 506 and foot pedal mechanism 504 are integrated into a panel 508, which provides a more traditional aesthetic look. For example, FIG. 5 shows a foot pedal mechanism 504 integrated into a panel 508 so that only the pedal of the foot pedal mechanism 504 is exposed. The subwoofer 506 is integrated into the panel 508 so that the subwoofer 506 is not exposed. The panel 508 may include a material, such as a fabric, that covers the subwoofer 506 but still allows sound waves to pass through the subwoofer 506.

[0083] 6 illustrates an exemplary digital piano 600 that includes a foot pedal mechanism 604 and a subwoofer 606. The digital piano 600 is similar to the digital piano 500 in that the subwoofer 606 is integrated into the panel 608 of the digital piano 600.

[0084] Digital piano 600 differs from digital piano 500 in that subwoofer 606 may be large enough to occupy most of panel 608, or most of panel 608 may be covered by a material that allows sound waves to escape from subwoofer 606.

[0085] 6, a subwoofer 606 may be positioned on the floor surface 112 to support the keys 602 and digital piano 600 above the floor surface 112. For example, the subwoofer 606 may have a height sufficient to support the keys 602 at a convenient height for a user to play. A larger subwoofer 606 may provide tactile feedback over a larger area, such as the lower half of a user's body, when an audible output is emitted from the subwoofer 606.

[0086] In some embodiments, the subwoofer 606 and the foot pedal mechanism 604 may be positioned on the floor surface 112, and the digital piano 600 is supported on the floor surface 112 by the subwoofer 606 and the foot pedal mechanism 604, e.g., by a housing for the subwoofer 606 and the foot pedal mechanism 604.

[0087] The digital piano 600 further includes a speaker system including, for example, speakers 620 and 622 that are separate from the subwoofer 606. The speaker system includes a first portion, speakers 620a and 620b, located above the keys 602, and a second portion including speaker 622 located below the keys 602. This second portion may include the subwoofer 606. As described in this disclosure, the digital piano 600 may produce an audible output determined by user input with the keys 602 and the pedals of the foot pedal mechanism 604. The speakers 620 and 622 may produce a first portion of the audible output produced by the digital piano 600, and the subwoofer 606 may produce a second portion of the audible output produced by the digital piano 600.

[0088] Although the pedal mechanism and subwoofer assembly described in this disclosure have been described as having one subwoofer (e.g., one speaker), in some embodiments, the pedal and subwoofer assembly may include multiple subwoofers. These subwoofers may be integrated into a single housing or may have separate housings that are connectable to one another. The multiple subwoofers may simultaneously provide haptic experiences to multiple users of the digital piano, or may be configured to output different portions of the audible output, e.g., different ranges of frequencies.

[0089] Although the subwoofer transducer has been described as being configured to generate an audible output, in other embodiments, the transducer output may include a sub-audible component. For example, the transducer may be configured as a haptic transducer or bass shaker that emits low-frequency vibrations. The low-frequency vibrations may be perceived by a user as haptic sounds. Thus, the sub-audible component can provide an additional haptic experience to the user. For example, the transducer may be configured to emit low-frequency vibrations when a user plays a particular key on a keyboard.

[0090] Certain features described herein in the context of separate embodiments may also be combined with each other to form a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, although features may be described above as acting in a particular combination and even initially claimed as such, one or more features based on the claimed combination may, in some cases, be deleted from the combination, and the claims may cover the subcombination or variations of the subcombination.

[0091] The subject matter described herein and the acts and operations (e.g., performed by a controller described herein, e.g., controller 108 or controller 160) may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, tangibly embodied computer software or firmware, computer hardware, and structural equivalents thereof, or a combination of one or more of these, including structures disclosed herein. The subject matter and the acts and operations described herein may be implemented as or in one or more modules of one or more computer programs, e.g., computer program instructions, encoded on a computer program carrier for execution by or control the operation of a data processing apparatus. The carrier may be a tangible, non-transitory computer storage medium. Alternatively, or additionally, the carrier may be an artificially generated propagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal generated for the purpose of encoding information for transmission to a suitable receiving apparatus for execution by a data processing apparatus. The computer storage medium may be, or be part of, a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory device, or a combination of one or more of these. The computer storage medium is not a propagated signal.

[0092] The term "data processing apparatus" encompasses all kinds of apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including, by way of example, a programmable processor, a computer, or a multiprocessor or multicomputer. A data processing apparatus may include special-purpose logic circuitry, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a graphics processing unit (GPU). In addition to hardware, an apparatus may include code that creates an execution environment for a computer program, such as code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or one or more combinations of these.

[0093] The computer program may be written in any form of programming language, including a compiled or interpreted language, or a declarative or procedural language, and may be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program, e.g., an app, or as a module, component, engine, subroutine or other unit suitable for execution in a computing environment that may include one or more computers interconnected by a data communications network at one or more locations.

[0094] A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A computer program may be stored in part of another program or data, for example, a markup language document, a file holding one or more scripts stored in a single file or in a coordinated set of files dedicated to the program in question, for example, a file storing one or more modules, subprograms, or portions of code.

[0095] The processes and logic flows described herein may be implemented by one or more computers executing one or more computer programs to perform operations by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows may also be implemented by special purpose logic circuitry, such as an FPGA, ASIC, or GPU, or by a combination of special purpose logic circuitry and one or more programmed computers.

[0096] A computer suitable for running a computer program may be based on a general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessor, or both, or on any other kind of central processing unit. Generally, the central processing unit will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random-access memory, or both. The essential elements of a computer are a central processing unit for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. The central processing unit and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special-purpose logic circuitry.

[0097] Generally, a computer will include or be operably connected to one or more mass storage devices and be configured to receive data from or transmit data to the mass storage devices, which may be, for example, magnetic, magneto-optical, or optical disks, or solid-state drives. However, a computer need not have such devices.

[0098] The phrase "configured to" is used herein in connection with systems, devices, and computer program components. When one or more computer systems are configured to perform a particular operation or action, it means that the system has installed thereon software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof, that causes the system to perform the operation or action during operation. When one or more computer programs are configured to perform a particular operation or action, it means that the one or more programs contain instructions that, when executed by a data processing device, cause the device to perform the operation or action. When dedicated logic circuitry is configured to perform a particular operation or action, it means that the circuitry has electronic logic that performs the operation or action.

[0099] Accordingly, other configurations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A digital piano, Multiple keys and a foot pedal mechanism disposed below the plurality of keys; a subwoofer positioned below the plurality of keys; a controller operably connected to the plurality of keys, the foot pedal mechanism, and the subwoofer, the controller configured to cause the digital piano to generate an audible output based on user input on at least the plurality of keys, at least a portion of the audible output being emitted by the subwoofer; and A digital piano equipped with

2. The digital piano of claim 1 , wherein the subwoofer is in contact with the foot pedal mechanism.

3. the foot pedal mechanism comprises a housing; the subwoofer comprises a housing; the housing of the foot pedal mechanism is attached to the housing of the subwoofer, and an outer surface of the housing of the foot pedal mechanism contacts an outer surface of the housing of the subwoofer; The digital piano according to claim 1 .

4. The digital piano of claim 3 , wherein the housing of the subwoofer is disposed on top of the housing of the foot pedal mechanism.

5. 4. The digital piano of claim 3, wherein the housing of the subwoofer abuts against a rear portion of the housing of the foot pedal mechanism.

6. The digital piano of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the exterior surface of the housing of the foot pedal mechanism or the exterior surface of the housing of the subwoofer comprises a damping member.

7. The digital piano of claim 3 , wherein the housing of the foot pedal mechanism includes one or more port holes facing the subwoofer.

8. The digital piano of claim 1 , further comprising a housing for the subwoofer and the foot pedal mechanism.

9. 2. The digital piano of claim 1, wherein the foot pedal mechanism and the subwoofer form a module that is removable from the digital piano.

10. The digital piano of claim 1 , wherein the foot pedal mechanism is removably connected to the subwoofer.

11. 2. The digital piano according to claim 1, wherein the subwoofer and the foot pedal mechanism are positionable on a floor surface when the digital piano is supported on the floor surface.

12. a panel extending along a rear portion of the digital piano and covering at least a portion of a front portion of the digital piano; the subwoofer is disposed in the portion of the front section of the digital piano; The digital piano according to claim 1 .

13. a panel extending along a rear portion of the digital piano and covering at least a portion of a front portion of the digital piano; The subwoofer and the foot pedal mechanism are integrated into the panel. The digital piano according to claim 1 .

14. 2. The digital piano of claim 1, further comprising a speaker system having a first portion positioned above the plurality of keys and a second portion positioned below the plurality of keys, the second portion of the speaker system comprising the subwoofer.

15. 2. The digital piano according to claim 1, wherein the subwoofer is a closed-type speaker.

16. The height of the subwoofer is 500 mm or less, The width of the subwoofer is 250 mm or less, The length of the subwoofer is 300 mm or less. The digital piano according to claim 1 .

17. 2. The digital piano of claim 1, wherein the subwoofer speaker is directed outwardly and laterally relative to the foot pedal mechanism.

18. 18. The digital piano of claim 17, wherein the speaker of the subwoofer is located above the foot pedal mechanism.

19. 2. The digital piano according to claim 1, wherein the subwoofer and the foot pedal mechanism are capable of being placed on a floor surface, and the digital piano is supported on the floor surface by the subwoofer and the foot pedal mechanism.

20. 2. The digital piano of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to cause the digital piano to generate a sub-audible output based on the user input on at least the plurality of keys, at least a portion of the sub-audible output being emitted by the subwoofer.

21. 1. A pedal and subwoofer assembly for a digital piano, comprising: Housing and a foot pedal mechanism assembled to the housing, the foot pedal mechanism configured to generate one or more signals for the digital piano to modulate an audible output generated by the digital piano; a subwoofer mounted to the housing, the subwoofer configured to generate at least a portion of the audible output generated by the digital piano; wherein the pedal and subwoofer assembly is mountable to the digital piano below the keys of the digital piano. Pedal and subwoofer assembly.

22. 22. The pedal and subwoofer assembly of claim 21, wherein the pedal and subwoofer assembly is positionable on a floor surface when the pedal and subwoofer assembly is assembled to the digital piano and the digital piano is supported on the floor surface.

23. 22. The pedal and subwoofer assembly of claim 21, wherein the subwoofer speaker is oriented laterally and outwardly relative to the foot pedal mechanism.

24. 24. The pedal and subwoofer assembly of claim 23, wherein the speaker of the subwoofer is located above the foot pedal mechanism.

25. 22. The pedal and subwoofer assembly of claim 21, wherein the subwoofer is a sealed speaker.

26. The height of the subwoofer is 500 mm or less, The width of the subwoofer is 250 mm or less, The length of the subwoofer is 300 mm or less.

22. A pedal and subwoofer assembly according to claim 21.

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