Touch sensing device, touch sensing unit, storage medium and touch sensing method

Abstract

A first contact and a second contact are provided at each of a plurality of keys, and are successively closed in accordance with a key press operation. On the basis of respective closed sense signals from the first contact and the second contact, a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed is counted as a first count value and then a duration after this counting has ended is counted as a second count value. An attainment duration value and the second count value are compared, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a control signal is outputted. When this control signal is received, sound emission information instructing an emission of a sound by a sound emission controller is sent. The sound emission information includes touch information based on the first count value.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A touch sensing device comprising:
 a first contact and second contact provided at each of a plurality of keys, the first contact and second contact being successively closable in accordance with a key press operation; 
 a reception section that receives closed sense signals from the first contact and the second contact; 
 a first counter that, based on the respective closed sense signals received from the first contact and the second contact, counts a first count value that indicates a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed; 
 a second counter that counts a second count value that indicates a duration after the counting of the first count value ends; 
 a comparator that compares the second count value with a pre-specified attainment duration value and, when in response to a result of the comparison satisfies satisfying a predetermined condition, outputs a control signal; and 
 a controller that, when it receives in response to the control signal from the comparator, sends sound emission information instructing an emission of sound by a sound emission controller, the sound emission information including touch information based on the first count value, 
 wherein, when in response to matching between the attainment duration value and the second count value match, the comparator sends a match signal that serves as the control signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The touch sensing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a memory comprising addresses respectively corresponding to the plurality of keys, 
 wherein a region of the memory designated by each address stores the first count value and the second count value. 
 
     
     
       3. The touch sensing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an attainment duration memory that stores attainment duration values that represent, in accordance with the first count value, a pre-specified duration for completion of counting by the second counter, 
 wherein the comparator compares an attainment duration value stored in the attainment duration memory with the second count value. 
 
     
     
       4. A touch sensing unit comprising first and second of the touch sensing devices a first touch sensing device and a second touch sensing device, each of the touch sensing devices comprising the touch sensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first touch sensing device generates and sends the sound emission information, and 
 the second touch sensing device is disconnected from at least one of the first contact and the second contact, and is connected with a third contact provided at an electronic musical instrument. 
 
     
     
       5. A touch sensing unit comprising first and second of the touch sensing devices a first touch sensing device and a second touch sensing device, each of the touch sensing devices comprising the touch sensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first touch sensing device generates the sound emission information and sends the sound emission information, and 
 the second touch sensing device generates sound decay information based on respectively inverted signals from at least one of the first contact and the second contact, and sends the sound decay information. 
 
     
     
       6. A touch sensing unit comprising two of the touch sensing devices, each of the two touch sensing devices comprising the touch sensing device according to  claim 1 ; and
 a switch unit that switches connections between the two touch sensing devices and four contacts provided at an electronic musical instrument, which include the first contact and the second contact. 
 
     
     
       7. A touch sensing method comprising:
 receiving closed sense signals from a first contact and second contact provided at each of a plurality of keys, the first contact and second contact successively being closed in accordance with a key press operation; 
 counting, based on the respective closed sense signals received from the first contact and the second contact, a first count value that indicates a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed; 
 counting a second count value that indicates a duration after the counting of the first count value ends; 
 comparing the second count value with a pre-specified attainment duration value and, when in response to a result of the comparison satisfies satisfying a predetermined condition, outputting a control signal; and 
 whenin response to the control signal is received, sending sound emission information instructing an emission of sound by a sound emission controller, the sound emission information including touch information based on the first count value; 
 wherein when in response to matching between the attainment duration value and the second count value match, a match signal is sent that serves as the control signal. 
 
     
     
       8. The touch sensing method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 accessing a memory having addresses respectively corresponding to the plurality of keys; and 
 storing the first count value and the second count value in a region of the memory designated by each address. 
 
     
     
       9. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein a program executable by a computer that controls the computer to execute operations comprising:
 receiving closed sense signals from a first contact and second contact provided at each of a plurality of keys, the first contact and second contact successively being closed in accordance with a key press operation; 
 counting, based on the respective closed sense signals received from the first contact and the second contact, a first count value that indicates a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed; 
 counting a second count value that indicates a duration after the counting of the first count value ends; 
 comparing the second count value with a pre-specified attainment duration value and, when in response to a result of the comparison satisfies satisfying a predetermined condition, outputting a control signal; and 
 whenin response to the control signal is received, sending sound emission information instructing an emission of sound by a sound emission controller, the sound emission information including touch information based on the first count value; 
 wherein when in response to matching between the attainment duration value and the second count value match, a match signal is sent that serves as the control signal. 
 
     
     
       10. The storage medium according to  claim 9 , wherein the program controls the computer to execute further operations comprising:
 accessing a memory having addresses respectively corresponding to the plurality of keys; and 
 storing the first count value and the second count value in a region of the memory designated by each address. 
 
     
     
       11. A touch sensing device comprising:
 a first contact and second contact provided at each of a plurality of keys, the first contact and second contact being successively closable in accordance with a key press operation; 
 a reception section that receives closed sense signals from the first contact and the second contact; 
 a first counter that, based on the respective closed sense signals received from the first contact and the second contact, counts a first count value that indicates a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed; 
 a second counter that counts a second count value that indicates a duration after the counting of the first count value ends; 
 a comparator that compares the second count value with a pre-specified attainment duration value and, when in response to a result of the comparison satisfies satisfying a predetermined condition, outputs a control signal; 
 a controller that, when it receives in response to the control signal from the comparator, sends sound emission information instructing an emission of sound by a sound emission controller, the sound emission information including touch information based on the first count value; and 
 an attainment duration memory that stores attainment duration values that represent, in accordance with the first count value, a pre-specified duration for completion of counting by the second counter; 
 wherein the comparator compares an attainment duration value stored in the attainment duration memory with the second count value. 
 
     
     
       12. A touch sensing unit comprising first and second touch sensing devices, wherein each of the first and second touch sensing devices comprises:
 a first contact and second contact provided at each of a plurality of keys, the first contact and second contact being successively closable in accordance with a key press operation; 
 a reception section that receives closed sense signals from the first contact and the second contact; 
 a first counter that, based on the respective closed sense signals received from the first contact and the second contact, counts a first count value that indicates a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed; 
 a second counter that counts a second count value that indicates a duration after the counting of the first count value ends; 
 a comparator that compares the second count value with a pre-specified attainment duration value and, when in response to a result of the comparison satisfies satisfying a predetermined condition, outputs a control signal; and 
 a controller that, when it receives in response to the control signal from the comparator, sends sound emission information instructing an emission of sound by a sound emission controller, the sound emission information including touch information based on the first count value; 
 wherein the first touch sensing device generates and sends the sound emission information; and 
 wherein the second touch sensing device is disconnected from at least one of the first contact and the second contact, and is connected with a third contact provided at an electronic musical instrument. 
 
     
     
       13. A touch sensing unit comprising first and second touch sensing devices, wherein each of the first and second touch sensing devices comprises:
 a first contact and second contact provided at each of a plurality of keys, the first contact and second contact being successively closable in accordance with a key press operation; 
 a reception section that receives closed sense signals from the first contact and the second contact; 
 a first counter that, based on the respective closed sense signals received from the first contact and the second contact, counts a first count value that indicates a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed; 
 a second counter that counts a second count value that indicates a duration after the counting of the first count value ends; 
 a comparator that compares the second count value with a pre-specified attainment duration value and, when in response to a result of the comparison satisfies satisfying a predetermined condition, outputs a control signal; and 
 a controller that, when it receives in response to the control signal from the comparator, sends sound emission information instructing an emission of sound by a sound emission controller, the sound emission information including touch information based on the first count value; 
 wherein the first touch sensing device generates the sound emission information and sends the sound emission information; and 
 wherein the second touch sensing device generates sound decay information based on respectively inverted signals from at least one of the first contact and the second contact, and sends the sound decay information. 
 
     
     
       14. A touch sensing unit comprising two touch sensing devices, wherein each of the touch sensing devices comprises:
 a first contact and second contact provided at each of a plurality of keys, the first contact and second contact being successively closable in accordance with a key press operation; 
 a reception section that receives closed sense signals from the first contact and the second contact; 
 a first counter that, based on the respective closed sense signals received from the first contact and the second contact, counts a first count value that indicates a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed; 
 a second counter that counts a second count value that indicates a duration after the counting of the first count value ends; 
 a comparator that compares the second count value with a pre-specified attainment duration value and, when in response to a result of the comparison satisfies satisfying a predetermined condition, outputs a control signal; 
 a controller that, when it receives in response to the control signal from the comparator, sends sound emission information instructing an emission of sound by a sound emission controller, the sound emission information including touch information based on the first count value; and 
 a switch unit that switches connections between the two touch sensing devices and four contacts provided at an electronic musical instrument, which include the first contact and the second contact. 
 
     
     
       15. The touch sensing device according to  claim 11 , wherein when in response to matching between the attainment duration value and the second count value match, the comparator sends a match signal that serves as the control signal. 
     
     
       16. The touch sensing unit according to  claim 12 , wherein, in each of the first and second touch sensing devices, when in response to matching between the attainment duration value and the second count value match, the comparator sends a match signal that serves as the control signal. 
     
     
       17. The touch sensing unit according to  claim 13 , wherein, in each of the first and second touch sensing devices, when in response to matching between the attainment duration value and the second count value match, the comparator sends a match signal that serves as the control signal. 
     
     
       18. The touch sensing unit according to  claim 14 , wherein, in each of the two touch sensing devices, when in response to matching between the attainment duration value and the second count value match, the comparator sends a match signal that serves as the control signal. 
     
     
       19. An electronic musical instrument comprising:
 a touch sensing device;   a plurality of keys; and   an output section that includes a speaker,   wherein the touch sensing device includes:
 a first contact and second contact provided at each of the plurality of keys, the first contact and second contact being successively closable in accordance with a key press operation; 
 a reception section that receives closed sense signals from the first contact and the second contact; 
 a first counter that, based on the respective closed sense signals received from the first contact and the second contact, counts a first count value that indicates a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed; 
 a second counter that counts a second count value that indicates a duration after the counting of the first count value ends; 
 a comparator that compares the second count value with a pre-specified attainment duration value and, in response to a result of the comparison satisfying a predetermined condition, outputs a control signal; and 
 a controller that, in response to the control signal from the comparator, sends sound emission information instructing an emission of sound, the sound emission information including touch information based on the first count value, 
   wherein, in response to matching between the attainment duration value and the second count value, the comparator sends a match signal that serves as the control signal.    
     
     
       20. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 19, wherein the output section further includes at least one of a display and a digital-to-analog conversion circuit.  
     
     
       21. An electronic musical instrument comprising:
 a touch sensing device;   a plurality of keys; and   an output section that includes a speaker,   wherein the touch sensing device includes:
 a first contact and second contact provided at each of the plurality of keys, the first contact and second contact being successively closable in accordance with a key press operation; 
 a reception section that receives closed sense signals from the first contact and the second contact; 
 a first counter that, based on the respective closed sense signals received from the first contact and the second contact, counts a first count value that indicates a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed; 
 a second counter that counts a second count value that indicates a duration after the counting of the first count value ends; 
 a comparator that compares the second count value with a pre-specified attainment duration value and, in response to a result of the comparison satisfying a predetermined condition, outputs a control signal; 
 a controller that, in response to the control signal from the comparator, sends sound emission information instructing an emission of sound, the sound emission information including touch information based on the first count value; and 
 an attainment duration memory that stores attainment duration values that represent, in accordance with the first count value, a pre-specified duration for completion of counting by the second counter; 
   wherein the comparator compares an attainment duration value stored in the attainment duration memory with the second count value.    
     
     
       22. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 21, wherein the output section further includes at least one of a display and a digital-to-analog conversion circuit.  
     
     
       23. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 21, wherein in response to matching between the attainment duration value and the second count value, the comparator sends a match signal that serves as the control signal.  
     
     
       24. An electronic musical instrument comprising:
 a touch sensing unit;   a plurality of keys; and   an output section that includes a speaker,   wherein the touch sensing unit includes first and second touch sensing devices,   wherein each of the first and second touch sensing devices comprises:
 a first contact and second contact provided at each of the plurality of keys, the first contact and second contact being successively closable in accordance with a key press operation; 
 a reception section that receives closed sense signals from the first contact and the second contact; 
 a first counter that, based on the respective closed sense signals received from the first contact and the second contact, counts a first count value that indicates a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed; 
 a second counter that counts a second count value that indicates a duration after the counting of the first count value ends; 
 a comparator that compares the second count value with a pre-specified attainment duration value and, in response to a result of the comparison satisfying a predetermined condition, outputs a control signal; and 
 a controller that, in response to the control signal from the comparator, sends sound emission information instructing an emission of sound, the sound emission information including touch information based on the first count value; 
   wherein the first touch sensing device generates and sends the sound emission information; and   wherein the second touch sensing device is disconnected from at least one of the first contact and the second contact, and is connected with a third contact provided at the electronic musical instrument.    
     
     
       25. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 24, wherein the output section further includes at least one of a display and a digital-to-analog conversion circuit.  
     
     
       26. The touch sensing unit according to claim 24, wherein, in each of the first and second touch sensing devices, in response to matching between the attainment duration value and the second count value, the comparator sends a match signal that serves as the control signal.  
     
     
       27. An electronic musical instrument comprising:
 a touch sensing unit;   a plurality of keys; and   an output section that includes a speaker,   wherein the touch sensing unit comprising first and second touch sensing devices,   wherein each of the first and second touch sensing devices comprises:
 a first contact and second contact provided at each of the plurality of keys, the first contact and second contact being successively closable in accordance with a key press operation; 
 a reception section that receives closed sense signals from the first contact and the second contact; 
 a first counter that, based on the respective closed sense signals received from the first contact and the second contact, counts a first count value that indicates a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed; 
 a second counter that counts a second count value that indicates a duration after the counting of the first count value ends; 
 a comparator that compares the second count value with a pre-specified attainment duration value and, in response to a result of the comparison satisfying a predetermined condition, outputs a control signal; and 
 a controller that, in response to the control signal from the comparator, sends sound emission information instructing an emission of sound, the sound emission information including touch information based on the first count value; 
   wherein the first touch sensing device generates the sound emission information and sends the sound emission information; and   wherein the second touch sensing device generates sound decay information based on respectively inverted signals from at least one of the first contact and the second contact, and sends the sound decay information.    
     
     
       28. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 27, wherein the output section further includes at least one of a display and a digital-to-analog conversion circuit.  
     
     
       29. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 27, wherein, in each of the first and second touch sensing devices, in response to matching between the attainment duration value and the second count value, the comparator sends a match signal that serves as the control signal.  
     
     
       30. An electronic musical instrument comprising:
 a touch sensing unit;   a plurality of keys; and   an output section that includes a speaker,   wherein the touch sensing unit comprising two touch sensing devices, wherein each of the touch sensing devices comprises:
 a first contact and second contact provided at each of the plurality of keys, the first contact and second contact being successively closable in accordance with a key press operation; 
 a reception section that receives closed sense signals from the first contact and the second contact; 
 a first counter that, based on the respective closed sense signals received from the first contact and the second contact, counts a first count value that indicates a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed; 
 a second counter that counts a second count value that indicates a duration after the counting of the first count value ends; 
 a comparator that compares the second count value with a pre-specified attainment duration value and, in response to a result of the comparison satisfying a predetermined condition, outputs a control signal; 
 a controller that, in response to the control signal from the comparator, sends sound emission information instructing an emission of sound, the sound emission information including touch information based on the first count value; and 
 a switch unit that switches connections between the two touch sensing devices and four contacts provided at the electronic musical instrument, which include the first contact and the second contact.  
   
     
     
       31. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 30, wherein the output section further includes at least one of a display and a digital-to-analog conversion circuit.  
     
     
       32. The electronic musical instrument according to claim 30, wherein, in each of the two touch sensing devices, in response to matching between the attainment duration value and the second count value, the comparator sends a match signal that serves as the control signal.