Abstract:
An electronic musical device having a keyboard actuated by random liquid drops. The device includes a base, a synthesizer, a keyboard having a plurality of keys pivotably attached to the base to actuate the synthesizer and a tube assembly extending above the keys that produces drops of liquid that fall periodically onto the keys to produce a melody.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an electronic musical device. In particular, an electronic musical device having a keyboard actuated by random liquid drops. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electronic musical instruments that provide synthesized music of various musical instruments are common. For example, electronic guitar, piano, etc. One common type of electronic musical instruments resembles a piano, with a traditional piano keyboard, but provides different choices of synthesized sound of various musical instruments. After selecting a particular musical instrument for the electronic musical instrument, a user presses the keys on the keyboard to obtain different tones, similar to a traditional piano. 
     These prior art electronic musical instruments require the user&#39;s input to produce a musical composition. The player must be knowledgeable of the music to be played and how to input the music source tot the corresponding keys to produce the sound desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an electronic musical device having a keyboard actuated by random liquid drops to create unlimited variations of musical scores that is original each time it is used. 
     The electronic musical device of the present invention comprises a base having a reservoir and a plurality of keys pivotably attached to the base over the reservoir. Each key has an arm connected with an electronic circuitry in the base for actuating a particular musical tone when the key is pivoted. A horizontally positioned drip tube is positioned to overlie the keys and has a plurality of small holes, with each small hole positioned over a corresponding key. Liquid is pumped to and through the drip tube with liquid drops formed at each small hole. Once a liquid drop achieves a certain size for separation, the drop falls onto a corresponding key causing it to play a musical tone. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is perspective view of liquid actuated electronic musical device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the base unit of the electronic musical device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the electronic musical device of the present invention, illustrating the alignment of the drip tube and the keys. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the drip tube with small holes. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates the same element throughout, there is shown in FIG. 1 a liquid actuated electronic musical device  10  of the present invention. The electronic musical device  10  preferably utilizes de-mineralized water as the liquid medium to actuate the device  10  to prolong the life of the device  10 . However, any other liquid can be used. The electronic musical device  10  comprises a base  12 , a tube assembly  14  and a keyboard  16 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base  12  contains all the electronics components, including microprocessors (not shown), speakers  18 , controllers  20 , liquid pump  22 , synthesizer  24 , etc. These individual electronic components are common and known to one skilled in the art and are not described in detail. The controllers  20  provide a selection of musical instruments to be synthesized by the musical device  10 , volume, etc. The base  12  has a reservoir  26  and the keyboard  16  is positioned over the reservoir  26 . The base  12  also has a pair of adjustable feet  28  (as shown in FIG. 3) for leveling the base  12  for proper alignment. Optionally, the base contains an output jack for stereo output and another jack for AC power connection (not shown). 
     The tube assembly  14  comprises a pair of curved tubes  30   a  and  30   b  and a drip tube  32 . The pair of curved tubes  30   a  and  30   b  extend substantially vertically from the base  12 . The drip tube  32  horizontally interconnects the top of the curved tubes  30   a  and  30   b  and is rotatably connected to the curved tubes  30   a  and  30   b . Liquid, preferably water, is pumped up curved tube  30   a , across drip tube  32  and down curved tube  30   b.    
     As shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal drip tube  32  has a plurality of spaced-apart channels  34  along the axial length of the drip tube  32 . On the surface of each channel is a small hole  36 . A long thin strand of material  38 , such as rope, is inserted into and through each small hole  36 , with the remaining length of the strand of material  38  wound around each channel  34  (as shown in FIG.  1 ). The loose end of the strand of material  38  is secured to the channel  34  by glue or tape (not shown). When water is inside the drip tube  32 , water adheres to the end of the material  38  inserted into the small hole  36  and water drops formed at and dripped from the small hole  36 . Each channel  34  of the drip tube  32  is positioned over and in alignment with a corresponding key  40  of the keyboard  16 . Since the diameter of the hole  36  is small, to ensure that water inside the drip tube  32  whets the surface of the drip tube  32  and flows through the small hole  36 , the strand of material  38  is selected for its properties of being easily whetted by the water and promotes flowing through the small hole  36  by wicking action. The remaining length of the strand of material  38  around each channel  34  provides an easily whetted, known width, surface to produce an appropriate sized water drop. Further, it ensures that all water drops are about the same size after the material  38  is properly whetted. 
     The keyboard  16  has a plurality of cup shape keys  40  positioned over the reservoir  26 . The cup shape key  40  minimizes any splashing of liquid when liquid is dripped into it from drip tube  32 . The bottom of each cup shape key  40  has an opening  42  for releasing liquid dripped into it into the reservoir  26 . Each cup shape key  40  has an extended arm  42  pivotably attached to the base  12 . The free end of each arm  44  actuates the synthesizer  24  and microprocessor (not shown) to produce a musical tone of a selected musical instrument at the speakers  18  when the key  40  is moved by liquid dripped into it. 
     When the drip tube  32  is rotated such that the small holes  36  are positioned in the lowest gravitational position, liquid drops formed and dripped at a higher frequency than if the small holes  36  are at an angle. With liquid drops dripping at a higher frequency, a more upbeat musical composition result. Whereas, a slower frequency of liquid drops result in a more relaxing musical composition. 
     An optional feature of the controllers  20  is a preprogrammed timed sleep mode, which allows one to set the device  10  to stop playing within a predetermined time period. The frequency of the liquid drops will gradually decrease over time by pumping gradually less water into the drip tube  32  until it stops at the predetermined time period. Similarly, the volume of the speaker will gradually decrease over the same time period until it stops. 
     The microprocessor utilized in the present invention includes a program containing basic rules for musical harmony and chord progressions. While the notes played by the falling drops are random, the notes played or generated are according to the rules of music for pleasing harmonious sounds of the chords and rules of the progression of the chords with time. It is understood that the program can be written to follow general rules for a good ballad or the general rules for “avant garde” music such as those of Schoenberg. 
     The features of the invention illustrated and described herein is the preferred embodiment. Therefore, it is understood that the appended claims are intended to cover unforeseeable embodiments with insubstantial differences that are within the spirit of the claims.