Piano keyboard with key touch point detection

Abstract

The present invention relates to an application for an iPad or similar electronic device having a touch screen. It provides a sensor to detect the touch position along the vertical length of a key as it is being engaged and to then offset the notes of the keyboard accordingly. This enables several octaves of notes to be accessed on the touch screen at any given time with a key size that is sufficient for real time playing. This arrangement further enables the incremental offset of the note pitches in a continuous manner to emulate the “string stretching” and “fretless neck” techniques of guitars and basses. The invention further provides a screen overlay to physically define the borders and travel of the on-screen keys thereby emulating the tactile feedback of real keys, again in a manner sufficient for real time playing.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A touch screen overlay comprised of an outline of at least one designated touch area of a touch screen apparatus, at least a portion of said outline being constructed so as to present a tactile feeling to a person using the same, and means for holding said overlay on said touch screen apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 12  wherein a portion of said outline is of construction sufficient to retain its delineation of said designated touch area upon inadvertent contact by the touches directed at such touch area. 
     
     
         14 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 12  wherein a portion of said outline is of construction sufficient to constrain said directed touches to within said designated touch areas upon inadvertent slippage of such touch. 
     
     
         15 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 12  wherein a portion of said outline is of construction sufficient to channel said directed touches into said designated touch area upon initiation of such touch. 
     
     
         16 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 12  further comprised of a cushioning layer adapted to cover at least a portion of said designated touch area and wherein at least a portion of said cushioning layer can be temporarily deformed by the contact pressure of said directed touches, said deformation being in a manner so as to subsequently afford such touches closer proximity to the touch surface of such touch areas so as to then enable said touch screen apparatus to detect such touches in normal fashion. 
     
     
         17 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 16  wherein at least a portion of said deformation is comprised of the compressing of a part of said cushioning layer. 
     
     
         18 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 16  wherein at least a portion of said deformation is comprised of the depressing of a part of said cushioning layer. 
     
     
         19 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 16  wherein at least a portion of said deformation is comprised of the bending of a part of said cushioning layer. 
     
     
         20 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 16  wherein at least a portion of said deformation is comprised of the stretching of a part of said cushioning layer. 
     
     
         21 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 12  further including attachment means for attaching at least a part of said overlay to a part of said touch screen apparatus. 
     
     
         22 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said attachment means includes a part of said overlay extending around a part of said touch screen apparatus. 
     
     
         23 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said attachment means includes a part of said overlay having an adhesive surface. 
     
     
         24 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said attachment means includes a part of said overlay having a non-slip surface. 
     
     
         25 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said attachment means includes a part of said overlay having a magnetic surface. 
     
     
         26 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said attachment means includes a part of said overlay having a clinging surface. 
     
     
         27 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 12  wherein at least a portion of said designated touch areas correspond at least in part to at least one touch screen key. 
     
     
         28 . The touch screen overlay as claimed in  claim 12  wherein at least a portion of said touch screen keys correspond to at least one piano-type touch screen key. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled)