Abstract:
An electronic hi-hat cymbal controller is disclosed. The controller includes a hi-hat cymbal stand having a pedal and a shaft. The pedal is configured and arranged to move the shaft. A lower cymbal is mounted to the hi-hat cymbal stand and an upper cymbal is mounted to the shaft. A sensor assembly is mounted to the hi-hat cymbal stand. The sensor assembly is configured and arranged to detect the position of the upper cymbal relative to the lower cymbal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent document claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/529,284, filed on Aug. 31, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1.Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to cymbals for making music and more particularly to an electronic high-hat cymbal controller. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Electronic drum sets generally consist of controllers whose look and feel emulates the instruments of an acoustic drum set and electronic sound generators which take input from these controllers and produce electronically synthesized drum set sounds. 
         [0006]    A typical electronic drum set will include some number of “electronic cymbals”, that is, controllers whose shape and design makes them suitable for emulating the playing characteristics of various acoustic cymbals. 
         [0007]    One important cymbal type is the high-hat. An acoustic high-hat consists of two cymbals mounted in a stand with a foot pedal. The cymbals are mounted with the concave sides facing each other and the upper cymbal can be moved down and up by pressing and releasing the foot pedal. Typically, the top cymbal is struck by the performer and the resulting sound varies, depending on whether the upper cymbal is down and in contact with the lower cymbal (referred to as closed) or up and not in contact (referred to as open). Subtle effects in timbre are available to the performer with the hi-hat cymbal partially closed (nearly touching), lightly closed, closed hard and with the upper cymbals struck in such a way that it swings down and strikes the lower cymbal. In addition, the hi-hat cymbal can be made to “speak” by pressing the pedal quickly and holding it closed (often called a “tchk” or “chik”) and by pressing the pedal till the cymbals touch and releasing quickly (referred to as a “foot splash” or “pedal splash”). 
         [0008]    In current practice, the electronic implementation of a high-hat cymbal controller typically takes the form of two controllers, one that emulates the upper cymbal and one that emulates the action of the foot pedal. 
         [0009]    The upper cymbal controller is similar to the controllers for other cymbals. In the simplest form, it has a sensor, typically a piezo-electric device, which indicates how hard the cymbal has been struck. It is possible, as with other cymbals, to add additional detectors to indicate where the cymbal has been struck (bell, bow or edge). It is also possible, as with other cymbals, to add a detector that will detect a choke. On cymbals that are not a high-hat pair, this is often a membrane switch that detects the performer damping the cymbal vibration with his hand. Typically, the lower cymbal of the acoustic high-hat pair is not present in an electronic drum set. 
         [0010]    The foot pedal controller frequently takes the form of a stand-alone foot-pedal, completely separated from the cymbal(s). This device detects how far the pedal is depressed by the performer and sends this data to the drum synthesizer. 
         [0011]    The completely separate electronic foot pedal has a number of deficiencies. First, since the pedal does not move the upper cymbal up or down, the playing feel of the high-hat is quite different from the acoustic instrument it is meant to emulate. Second, the feel of the foot pedal itself is quite different from that of an acoustic high-hat cymbal. An acoustic high-hat cymbal has a spring, which can be emulated by a stand-alone pedal. The acoustic high-hat pedal also moves the mass of the upper cymbal and control shaft, which is not emulated by a stand-alone pedal. Furthermore, the feel of the cymbals touching and compressing is poorly emulated by the stand-alone foot pedal. 
         [0012]    Finally, the visual presentation of the separated cymbal and stand-alone pedal pair is quite different from an acoustic high-hat. 
         [0013]    A number of manufacturers have sought to address these deficiencies by mounting a single electronic cymbal controller on an acoustic high-hat stand. While this approach is an improvement over the stand-alone pedal, a number of deficiencies remain. 
         [0014]    In particular, a single cymbal plays differently than two cymbals. When an acoustic high-hat is open, the upper cymbal swings freely when struck. When it closes, this swinging motion is suppressed and the resulting stiffness increases as the cymbals are further pressed together. 
         [0015]    In addition, existing products require either a custom high-hat stand or a complete separate electronic drum set with an existing high-hat stand. For the drummer who switches between his electronic set (often a practice set) and acoustic set, this adds cost or inconvenience. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The electronic high-hat cymbal controller of the present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing an upper cymbal and lower cymbal connected to a high-hat stand and operable with a foot pedal. A foot pedal control module detects the position of the upper cymbal relative to the foot pedal control cymbal and generates and transmits a control signal proportional to the plunger position to a drum synthesizer. 
         [0017]    Among the objects of the electronic high-hat cymbal controller of the present invention is the provision for an electronic high-hat cymbal controller that includes two cymbals, emulating the behavior of an acoustic high-hat cymbal. 
         [0018]    Another object of the present invention is an electronic high-hat cymbal controller that mounts the cymbals and the pedal controller onto existing acoustic high-hat cymbal stands. 
         [0019]    Yet another object of the present invention is an electronic high-hat cymbal controller that has long life-expectancy. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a side schematic view of a first embodiment the electronic hi-hat cymbal controller; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a graph of electrically resistance of the force sensing resistor versus the pressure applied on the force sensing resistor via the spring on the electronic cymbal controller; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3   is  a side schematic view of a second embodiment the electronic hi-hat cymbal controller; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side schematic view of a third embodiment the electronic hi-hat cymbal controller; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a lower cymbal for a fourth embodiment that includes a circuit to prevent an inadvertent “choke” of the cymbal; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side cross-section view through line  6 - 6  of  FIGS. 5 ; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram showing of fourth embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of the electronic hi-hat cymbal controller is shown generally at  10 . The controller  10  includes a hi-hat cymbal stand  12  with an upper cymbal  14  attached to the movable shaft  16  of the hi-hat cymbal stand  12  and a lower cymbal  18  supported on the hi-hat cymbal stand  12 . A foot pedal (not shown) is mechanically connected to the shaft  16  of the hi-hat cymbal stand  12  and is configured to lift the shaft  16  upwards when stepped on, as is known in the art. 
         [0029]    The upper cymbal  14  may include additional sensors on it to detect various strikes. For instance, the upper cymbal may  14  include a strike sensor  20 , such as a piezo sensor, that will detect a strike anywhere on the cymbal and return a value proportional to the velocity of the strike. The upper cymbal  14  may also include bell strike sensor  22  and edge strike sensor  24 . Edge strike sensors  24  may also be used to detect a choke operation (i.e. silencing the cymbal), and the condition of the upper cymbal  14  and lower cymbal  18  touching. The sensors  20 ,  22 ,  24  may be force sensing resistors (“FSR”), piezo sensors, membrane switches and the like. The material of the upper cymbal  14  may be plastic or metal, which preferably has sound dampening material added. 
         [0030]    The lower cymbal  18  can be plastic, metal (such as brass), other materials, and composites thereof The lower cymbal  18  is generally not configured to detect strikes, but the lower cymbal  18  may include such sensors  20 ,  22 ,  24  mentioned above for the upper cymbal  14  as desired. The lower cymbal  18  can have a hole in it to allow cables from the upper cymbal  14  and a pedal control module to be routed to the drum synthesizer module, as is known in the art. One skilled in the art would appreciate that other cable routing schemes may be used. 
         [0031]    The upper cymbal  14  is mounted to the shaft  16  of the hi-hat cymbal stand  12 . 
         [0032]    The lower cymbal  18  is mounted to the hi-hat cymbal stand  12  in a conventional manner as an acoustic hi-hat cymbal. Cables to the sensors may be loosely fastened (with hook-and-loop cable straps or equivalent) to the hi-hat stand  12 , thus limiting the rotation of the lower cymbal  18 . 
         [0033]    The controller  10  consists of two main elements. The first is a spring  26 , standing between the cymbals  14 ,  18  on the hi-hat stand moveable shaft  16 . Closing the hi-hat compresses the spring  26 . When the hi-hat is fully closed, i.e. the upper cymbal  14  and lower cymbal  18  are contacting and resting on one another, the spring  26  is roughly half-compressed. Preferably, an inch or so of upper cymbal  14  “travel” on the hi-hat cymbal shaft  16  should generate a roughly linear increase in spring pressure. 
         [0034]    A ring-shaped FSR  28  sits underneath the lower cymbal  18 . The FSR  28  exhibits decreasing electrical resistance with increasing pressure as shown in the graph of  FIG. 2 . The resistance generated by the FSR  28  is the control signal that is routed to the hi-hat controller input of a drum synthesizer module. The optimal FSR resistance range emulates the resistance range of stand-alone hi-hat pedals that are known in the art. 
         [0035]    In the course of open-to-closed motion, the FSR  28  will experience pressure as shown in the graph of  FIG. 2 . Before the upper cymbal  14  exerts force or contacts the spring  26 , the force sensed by the FSR  28  is constant and primarily a function of the lower cymbal assembly weight. Other shapes of the FSR may be used other than ring shaped. Ring shaped is preferred because it wraps around the hi-hat cymbal stand  12 . 
         [0036]    Between touching the spring  26  and touching the lower cymbal  18 , the pressure will increase in a roughly linear fashion due to spring compression. Because both cymbals  14 ,  18  are relatively rigid, when they touch, there will be a sharp increase in pressure. The sharpness of the change in pressure is primarily a function of the padding and washers enclosing the FSR  28 , described further below. 
         [0037]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the FSR  28  may be layered, forming a sensor assembly, in a sandwich of felt pad  30 , metal washer  32 , FSR  28 , metal washer  32 , felt pad  30  to protect the FSR  28 , but ensure its fidelity, which comprise the sensor assembly  34 . Those skilled in the art can readily use other materials of different thickness, hardness or softness, and change the arrangement of the layers. The material choice and layer thicknesses will “tune” the behavior at the touch point of the upper and lower cymbals  14 ,  18 . Closed-to-open motion will reverse this response profile shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0038]    In an alternate geometry shown in  FIG. 3  as  100 , the sensor assembly  134  may be placed on the shaft  116  above the lower cymbal  118  and below the spring  126 . Like the first embodiment  10 , the alternate geometry shown at  100  includes a stand  112  with a movable shaft  116 . A foot pedal is included to actuate the shaft  116  as is known in the art. The upper cymbal  114  is mounted to the shaft  116  and a lower cymbal  118  is mounted to the stand  112 . One or more strike  120 , bell strike  122 , and edge strike  124  sensors may be included on the upper cymbal  114  (and/or lower cymbal  118 ) as desired. Like the first embodiment  10 , the alternate geometry  100  includes a sensor assembly  134  that has an FSR  128  sandwiched between a pair of hard spacers  130 , which are sandwiched between a pair of soft spacers  132 . The thickness and rigidity (or pliability) of the spacers  130 ,  132  may be varied to fine tune the sensitivity of the FSR  128 . 
         [0039]    Similarly, in another embodiment  200  shown in  FIG. 4 , the sensor assembly  234  may be placed on the shaft  216  above the spring  226  too. Like the first embodiment  10 , the alternate embodiment shown at  200  includes a stand  212  with a movable shaft  216 . A foot pedal is included to actuate the shaft  216  as is known in the art. The upper cymbal  214  is mounted to the shaft  216  and a lower cymbal  218  is mounted to the stand  212 . One or more strike  220 , bell strike  222 , and edge strike  224  sensors may be included on the upper cymbal  214  (and/or lower cymbal  218 ) as desired. Like the first embodiment  10 , the alternate embodiment  200  includes a sensor assembly  234  that has an FSR  228  sandwiched between a pair of hard spacers  230 , which are sandwiched between a pair of soft spacers  232 . The thickness and rigidity (or pliability) of the spacers  230 ,  232  may be varied to fine tune the sensitivity of the FSR  228 . 
         [0040]    As long as the sensor assembly is positioned such that the force of the compression of the spring  26 ,  126 ,  226  by the upper cymbal  14 ,  114 ,  214  can be measured, the sensor assembly  26 ,  126 ,  226  may be positioned as desired. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , another embodiment is shown generally at  300 . A membrane switch  336  may also be added under the lower cymbal  318 . The FSR  328  and membrane switch  336  would be electrically connected in parallel. In this manner, the FSR  328  will vary as described above and shown in  FIG. 2 , but when the membrane switch  336  closes due to the cymbals touching  314 ,  318 , the controller  300  resistance signal will immediately go to zero ohms. Alternatively, as mentioned earlier above, the membrane switch  336  may also be placed on the edge of either cymbal  314 ,  318  too. In this manner, the condition of the two cymbals  314 ,  318  of the hi-hat cymbal controller  300  touching is clearly delineated for the drum synthesizer module. 
         [0042]    Like the first embodiment  10 , the alternate embodiment shown at  300  includes a stand  312  with a movable shaft  316 . A foot pedal is included to actuate the shaft  316  as is known in the art. The upper cymbal  314  is mounted to the shaft  316  and a lower cymbal  318  is mounted to the stand  312 . One or more strike  320 , bell strike  322 , and edge strike  324  sensors may be included on the upper cymbal  314  (and/or lower cymbal  318 ) as desired. Like the first embodiment  10 , the alternate embodiment  300  includes a sensor assembly  334  that has an FSR  328  sandwiched between a pair of hard spacers  330 , which are sandwiched between a pair of soft spacers  332 . The thickness and rigidity (or pliability) of the spacers  330 ,  332  may be varied to fine tune the sensitivity of the FSR  328 . 
         [0043]    Referring not to  FIG. 5-7 , an embodiment is shown generally at  400 . In order to prevent false closure readings a circuit may be added to the lower cymbal  418 . It is common for drummers to play the high hat and stand in such a way that the upper and lower cymbals are quite close to each other. The terms often used are “half-closed” or “barely open”. When the cymbals are positioned in this manner, it is common for the two cymbals to strike each other when the drummer strikes the top cymbal. 
         [0044]    When the upper cymbal strikes the lower cymbal, there is a brief increase in pressure at the FSR  18 ,  128 ,  228 ,  328 . This pressure can be erroneously interpreted by the drum module as a “closed” high hat pair, which causes a “choke” of the open or half-open cymbal sound. This artifact is quite unlike acoustic high hat set ups and is unacceptable. 
         [0045]    This artifact can be eliminated in the following manner as shown in  FIGS. 5-7  and described below. 
         [0046]    A number of sensors  436  are attached to the outer upper surface  438  of the lower cymbal  418 . These sensors  436  are positioned such that all sensors  418  will be actuated whenever the upper cymbal  14 ,  114 ,  214 ,  314  presses uniformly on the lower cymbal  418 . In this embodiment, three sensors  436  are placed equidistantly around the rim  440  of the low cymbal  418 . In this embodiment, membrane switches are used. Other momentary contact switches can be used and those skilled in the art will readily imagine alternate configurations and numbers of sensors  418 . Each sensor  436  includes a switch actuator  442  that is configured to press down on a switch cover  444 . A membrane switch  446  is located underneath the switch cover  444  and is supported by an optional layer of felt  448 , which can improve sensitivity of the membrane switch  446 . When the top cymbal  14 ,  114 ,  214 ,  314  presses down on the switch actuators  442  and switch covers  444 , which are made of rubber, or a rubber-like material, in this embodiment, the membrane switches  446  close. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the membrane switches  446  are added in parallel to the 
         [0048]    FSR circuit  448  (see also,  28 ,  128 ,  228 ,  328 ).When the membrane switches  446  are closed, the resistance presented to the drum module goes to nearly zero, regardless of the FSR resistance. However, since the membrane switches  446  are in series to each other, this only happens if all the membrane switches  446  are closed simultaneously. 
         [0049]    The condition of all membrane switches  446  being closed will occur when the high hat stand pedal is depressed sufficiently to bring the upper and lower cymbals into contact. However, since the membrane switches  446  are distributed around the rim  440  of the lower cymbal  418 , cymbals that strike each other from a “half-open” position cannot close all the membrane switches  446 . 
         [0050]    The system is the calibrated in such a way that the drum module does not interpret a resistance value as “closed” unless it is the value presented by the closed switches. In this way, only a closure achieved by pressing the high hat controller pedal will be interpreted as a closure event. 
         [0051]    Note that several variants of the described embodiment are readily contrived. For instance, a variety of switch types could be used. As an example, multiple FSR elements, positioned as the membrane switches  446  can also work. The sensors  436  can be similarly attached to the top cymbal  14 ,  114 ,  214 ,  314 , instead. With the sensors  436  added, the FSR may be integrated inside the cymbals, rather than below the lower cymbal. 
         [0052]    As can be readily seen, this method can be used to improve the reliability of any system the uses resistance to detect the vertical position of the top cymbal. 
         [0053]    Therefore, it can be seen that the present invention provides a unique solution to the problem of providing a high-hat cymbal controller system that is cost effective, convenient and that emulates as closely as possible the playing feel and response of acoustic high-hat cymbals. 
         [0054]    It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.