Light beam musical instrument

Claim 2

A light beam musical instrument comprising: a. at least one light source, b. at least one light detector positioned for receiv-ing light from the light source and converting variations there-in to electric signal, c. a signal sensitive amplifier which amplifies electrical signals in accordance with signal variations and is wired to receive electrical signals from the detector, said signal sensitive amplifier having means for transforming a signal received from said light detector into a transformed signal which is related to both the extent of interruption or reflection of a light beam from said light source and the rapidity of such interruption or reflection action, d. a frequency generator, e. modulator means adapted to receive said transform-ed signal from the signal sensitive amplifier and to receive a tone signal from said frequency generator, and f. a speaker wired to the amplitude modulator.

Claim 3

The instrument of claim 1 wherein said modulator means include an amplitude modulator wired to and controlled by the signal sensitive amplifier and also connected to the frequency generator.

Claim 4

The instrument of claim 2 also comprising a second amplifier wired between the amplitude modulator and speaker.

Claim 5

A light beam musical instrument comprising: a. at least one light source, b. a plurality of light controlled signal generators each comprised of: (i) a light detector positioned for receiving light from the light source and converting variations therein to electric signals, (ii) a signal sensitive amplifier which amplifies electrical signals in accordance with signal variations and is wired to receive electrical signals from the light detector, (iii) a frequency generator, said signal sensitive amplifier having means for transforming a signal received from said light detector into a transformed signal which is related to both the extent of interruption or reflection of a light beam from said light source and the rapidity of such interruption or reflection action, (iv) modulator means adapted to receive said transformed signal from the signal sensitive amplifier and to receive a tone signal from said frequency generator, and c. at least one speaker electrically connected to the amplitude modulators.

Claim 6

A light beam musical instrument comprising: a. at least one light source, b. a plurality of light controlled signal generators each comprised of: (i) a light detector positioned for receiving light from the light source and converting variations therein to electric signals, (ii) a signal sensitive amplifier which amplifies electrical signals in accordance with signal variations and is wired to receive electrical signals from the light detector, (iii) a frequency generator, said signal sensitive amplifier having means for transforming a signal received from said light detector into a transformed signal which is related to both the extent of interruption or reflection of a light beam from said light source and the rapidity of such interruption or reflection action, (iv) modulator means adapted to receive said transformed signal from the signal sensitive amplifier and to receive a tone signal from said frequency generator, and c. at least one speaker electrically connected to the amplitude modulators.

Claim 7

The instrument of claim 4 wherein said modulator means include an amplitude modulator wired to and controlled by the signal sensitive amplifier and also connected to the frequency generator.

Claim 8

The instrument of claim 5 also comprising a mixer to which all amplitude modulators are attached and which is also connected to the speaker.

Claim 9

The instrument of claims 2, 3 or 5 wherein the signal sensitive amplifier is comprised of: a. a first amplifier wired to the light detector, b. a first diode and variable resistor connected to the first amplifier so as to reverse bias the amplifier, c. a second amplifier outputting to the amplitude modulator, d. a second diode interconnecting the first amplitude to the second amplifier, e. a control resistor and capacitor wired in series to the second amplifier, and f. a third diode connecting the capacitor to the amplitude modulator.

Claim 10

The instrument of claim 1 also comprising a gener-ally harp-shaped frame having a plurality of light sources and a light detector for each light source positioned so that light from a single light source will strike only one detector.

Claim 11

The instrument of claim 1 comprising a frame compris-ed on an elongated apertured body having a mouthpiece at one end and a bell at its opposite end and containing a light source and a light detector positioned near each aperture so that when the aperture is covered light from the light source will be reflected to the light detector.

Claim 12

The instrument of claim 9 also comprising a pressure transducer attached to the mouthpiece and an amplifier connect-ed to the transducer and speaker in a manner such that pressure on the transducer will control how much the amplifier will amplify signals entering the speaker.

Claim 13

A light beam musical instrument comprised of: a. a frame, b. a keyboard having a plurality of aperatures and attached to the frame, c. a plurality of light sources positioned so as to emit light through the apertures of the keyboard, d. a plurality of light detectors attached to the frame, one positioned above each aperture, e. a signal sensitive amplifier which amplifies electrical signals in accordance with signal variations and is wired to receive electrical signals from the detector, said signal sensitive amplifier having means for transforming a signal received from said light detector into a transformed signal which is related to both the extent of interruption or reflection of a light beam from said light source and the rapidity of such interruption or reflection action, f. frequency generator for each detector, g. modulator means adapted to receive said trans-formed signal from the signal sensitive amplifier and to receive a tone signal from said frequency generator, and h. a speaker wired to the amplitude modulators.

Claim 14

A light beam musical instrument comprised of: a. a frame, b. a keyboard having a plurality of aperatures and attached to the frame, c. a plurality of light sources positioned so as to emit light through the apertures of the keyboard, d. a plurality of light detectors attached to the frame, one positioned above each aperture, e. a signal sensitive amplifier which amplifies electrical signals in accordance with signal variations and is wired to receive electrical signals from the detector, said signal sensitive amplifier having means for transforming a signal received from said light detector into a transformed signal which is related to both the extent of interruption or reflection of a light beam from said light source and the rapidity of such interruption or reflection action, f. frequency generator for each detector, g. modulator means adapted to receive said trans-formed signal from the signal sensitive amplifier and to receive a tone signal from said frequency generator, and h. a speaker wired to the amplitude modulators.

Claim 15

The instrument of claim 11 wherein said modulator means include for each frequency generator an amplitude modu-lator wired to and controlled by the signal sensitive amplifier and also connected to the frequency generator.

Claim 16

The instrument of claim 12 also comprising a second amplifier wired between the amplitude modulator and speaker.

Claim 17

The instrument of claim 11 also comprising a pedal attached to the frame and connected to the second amplifier so as to control that amplifier.

Claim 18

The instrument of claim 1 also comprising a stage on which the light sources and light detectors are positioned so that individuals moving across the stage will interrupt light passing from the light sources to the light detectors.

Claim 19

The instrument of claim 6 wherein the signal sensitive amplifier is comprised of: a. a first amplifier wired to the light detector, b. a first diode and variable resistor connected to the first amplifier so as to reverse bias the amplifier, c. a second amplifier outputting to the amplitude modulator, d. a second diode interconnecting the first amplifier to the second amplifier, e. a control resistor and capacitor wired in series to the second amplifier, and f. a third diode connecting the capacitor to the amplitude modulator.