Patent US3567839A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3567839A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Percussive electronic musical instrument with output level controlled by intensity of key depression
Assignee: US Philips Corp
•
Filing: 1968-09-12
•
Granted: 1971-03-02
•
Expires: 1988-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A unit for controlling the output level of a tone generator of an electronic musical instrument according to the intensity with which a key of the instrument is depressed. A diode used in its nonlinear range is employed in the unit for graduating a normally abrupt change between time constants of the output waveform of the unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Popko Reinder Dijksterhuis
- 👤 Casper Antonius Henric Mulkens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:53
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/02; G10H1/04; G10H1/053; G10H1/055; G10H1/0555; G10H1/057; B; B60; B60W; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A unit in a key operated musical instrument for providing a controlling voltage to a tone generator, comprising a coil, key operated magnet means for providing a magnetic field cutting the coil at a manually controlled rate, whereby a voltage having a manually controlled magnitude is generated in the coil, a capacitor, a diode, means for connecting the capacitor across the coil through the diode, whereby the capacitor is charged in proportion to the voltage generated in the coil, a voltagecontrolled resistance element connected across the capacitor and having a gradually increasing resistance in response to decreasing voltage across the element, and means for connecting the resistance element to the tone generator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A unit in a key operated musical instrument for providing a controlling voltage to a tone generator, comprising a coil, key operated magnet means for providing a magnetic field cutting the coil at a manually controlled rate, whereby a voltage having a manually controlled magnitude is generated in the coil, a capacitor, a diode, means for connecting the capacitor across the coil through the diode, whereby the capacitor is charged in proportion to the voltage generated in the coil, a voltagecontrolled resistance element connected across the capacitor and having a gradually increasing resistance in response to decreasing voltage across the element, and means for connecting the resistance element to the tone generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
188 words
A unit in a key operated musical instrument for providing a controlling voltage to a tone generator, comprising a first coil, a first key operated magnet means for providing a magnetic field cutting the coil at a manually controlled rate, a second coil, a second key operated magnet means mechanically connected to the first magnet means for providing an additional magnetic means cutting the second coil at a manually controlled rate, whereby a manually controlled voltage is simultaneously generated in both the first and the second coils, a first diode, a first capacitor, means for connecting the first capacitor across the first coil through the first diode, means for connecting the first diode to one end of the second coil, a second diode connected to the other end of the second coil, circuit means for connecting the first capacitor to the other end of the second coil through the second diode, a voltage-controlled resistance element connected across the first capacitor and having a gradually increasing resistance in response to decreasing voltage across the element, and means for connecting the element to the tone generator through the circuit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
188 words
A unit in a key operated musical instrument for providing a controlling voltage to a tone generator, comprising a first coil, a first key operated magnet means for providing a magnetic field cutting the coil at a manually controlled rate, a second coil, a second key operated magnet means mechanically connected to the first magnet means for providing an additional magnetic means cutting the second coil at a manually controlled rate, whereby a manually controlled voltage is simultaneously generated in both the first and the second coils, a first diode, a first capacitor, means for connecting the first capacitor across the first coil through the first diode, means for connecting the first diode to one end of the second coil, a second diode connected to the other end of the second coil, circuit means for connecting the first capacitor to the other end of the second coil through the second diode, a voltage-controlled resistance element connected across the first capacitor and having a gradually increasing resistance in response to decreasing voltage across the element, and means for connecting the element to the tone generator through the circuit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first coil is connected to the one end of the second coil through the first diode, and wherein the circuit means comprises a second capacitor and a resistor connected in parallel across the second diode and second coil and having a time constant in the range of 0.1 and 0.2 seconds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A unit as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a resistor connected in series with the second diode and the second coil having sufficient resistance to limit the maximum current through the second diode to one fourth of the current through the first diode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a resistor connected in series with the second diode and the second coil and having a value approximately equal to five times the resistance necessary for the critical damping of a circuit comprising the first capacitor and an inductance equal to the sum of the inductance of the first and second coils.
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) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |