US3553337A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit arrangement for imitating the touch of musical instruments with percussion
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1968-04-05
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1988-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A circuit for controlling the amplitude of an audio oscillator in an electronic musical instrument in response to the intensity with which a key is depressed. A voltage produced by a coil in response to the movement of a magnet attached to the key charges and output capacitor through a resistor and a diode. A reverse bias of a predetermined level impressed on the diode insures that the time during which a charging voltage is impressed on the capacitor is approximately equal for all levels of voltage produced by the coil.
Inventors
- 👤 Popko Reinder Dijksterhuis
- 👤 Casper Antonius Henric Mulkens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:00
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/02; G10H1/04; G10H1/053; G10H1/055; G10H1/0555
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A control circuit providing an oscillator in an electronic musical instrument with an output voltage having an amplitude corresponding to the velocity with which movably mounted key is depressed, comprising a magnet, a coil, means for providing relative motion between said coil and said magnet in response to movement of said key, whereby a voltage is induced in said coil corresponding to the velocity of said key, a capacitor, a diode, means for connecting said capacitor and said diode in series, circuit means for connecting said series connected diode and capacitor across said coil, whereby said capacitor is charged in response to the voltage across said coil, and means for biasing the diode with a voltage less than the lowest peak voltage produced in the coil as a result of the softest touch on the key.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A control circuit providing an oscillator in an electronic musical instrument with an output voltage having an amplitude corresponding to the velocity with which movably mounted key is depressed, comprising a magnet, a coil, means for providing relative motion between said coil and said magnet in response to movement of said key, whereby a voltage is induced in said coil corresponding to the velocity of said key, a capacitor, a diode, means for connecting said capacitor and said diode in series, circuit means for connecting said series connected diode and capacitor across said coil, whereby said capacitor is charged in response to the voltage across said coil, and means for biasing the diode with a voltage less than the lowest peak voltage produced in the coil as a result of the softest touch on the key.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bias voltage exceeds half the peak value of the voltage pulse produced with the softest touch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a resistor connected in series with the rectifying element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a member connected in series with the rectifying element, wherein the member has an increasing resistance in response to increasing current in the starting-current range of the rectifying element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electronic musical instrument as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a biased overflow diode connected in parallel with the coil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |