The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 18, 1999
Filed:
Mar. 27, 1997
Charles R Lee, Placerville, CA (US);
Pamela K Clift, Vacaville, CA (US);
Alana J Yorba, Carmichael, CA (US);
Burgett, Inc., Sacramento, CA (US);
Abstract
A piano pedal optical sensor apparatus and method for accurately measuring, recording and reproducing the pedal expression generated during piano performances. A plurality of optical emitter/sensors are mounted on the pedal support assembly of a piano, and a plurality of corresponding optical reflectors are mounted on the moving connecting rods associated with piano pedals on the piano. Output voltage signals from the optical emitter sensors, which vary according to pedal movement, are monitored and used to generate and record pedal position values. The recorded pedal position values are then used to recreate the original pedal expression of the piano performance by generation of pulse width modulation signals which are used to drive solenoids associated with piano pedals.