Creative Technology Corporation

Ensoniq Corporation

Thomas M Costello

John DeHelian

Gary M Trapuzzano

Carl V Bader

A sound card and related method includes a sound processing circuit, a rear primary connector, and a switching connector header coupled therebetween. The switching header includes a normally closed spring contact that opens in response to insertion of a plug in the header. Upon opening of the connector header switches, the audio signal is received by a secondary connector coupled to the plug and disposed at the front of a computer. The secondary connector has a normally closed switch that enables the signal to pass back to the header and to the primary connector. Each of the primary connector and secondary connector may be auto-muting to interrupt the audio signal at a main output contact in response to insertion of a headphone or other jack therein. The sound card is operational either with or without the secondary connector.

Switching connector header and audio circuit, sound card and method employing same

An electronic instrument which generates sound using a sound generator upon receipt of a trigger signal. Each pad actuator for generating a trigger signal includes first and second actuators for respectively triggering first and second switches which, upon actuation, generate the trigger signal for the sound generator. The pad actuator is mounted so as to rotate in a first direction about a pivot point upon depression by a user. The first actuator is placed closer to the pivot point than the second actuator and is mounted on a floating cantilever beam such that continued depression of the pad actuator in the first direction after actuation of the first switch by the first actuator causes the first actuator to displace in a second direction opposite the first direction while the second actuator continues to rotate in the first direction about the pivot point until the second switch is actuated by the second actuator. By using conventional circuitry to scan the first and second switches to determine the times of actuation of each, and a processor for processing the times to determine a velocity of depression of the pad actuator by the user, improved velocity profiles may be generated. The action of the cantilever beam also improves the 'feel' of the interface to the user.

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Havertown, PA, United States of America

Thomas M Costello