US3590131A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic musical scale generator employing a single master oscillator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-02-11
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-02-11
Abstract
Abstract For use in electronic organs and the like, an electronic circuit for generating 12 signals, the frequencies of which correspond to the notes of the musical scale, comprises a single, variable frequency oscillator which produces pulses at a high repetition rate. A counting network, driven by the oscillator pulses, produces 12 pulse trains, the frequencies of which are related to each other by 12 2. The 12 pulse trains are filtered directly to produce musical notes, and are further reduced in frequency, and then filtered to produce lower octaves.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R Reyers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:39
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H5/00; G10H5/02; G10H5/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for generating alternating audiofrequency electrical signals corresponding to the notes of a musical scale comprising a master oscillator for producing a master alternating electrical signal at a frequency above the audio range, a network comprising at least 12 counters, each comprising a plurality of cascaded stages of frequency-dividing means, each of said counters having an output line connected to the output of its last stage, and an input line connected to the input of its first stage, said network including means connected to receive the master alternating electrical signal and delivering to each said input line an alternating electrical signal to which the frequency of said master signal has an integral multiple relationship, at least all but one of said counters having means for sensing a first predetermined condition of their stages and resetting said stages to a second predetermined condition when said first predetermined condition is reached to establish a scale of each counter such that the signals on the output lines are related to each other by integral powers of the 12 2.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for generating alternating audiofrequency electrical signals corresponding to the notes of a musical scale comprising a master oscillator for producing a master alternating electrical signal at a frequency above the audio range, a network comprising at least 12 counters, each comprising a plurality of cascaded stages of frequency-dividing means, each of said counters having an output line connected to the output of its last stage, and an input line connected to the input of its first stage, said network including means connected to receive the master alternating electrical signal and delivering to each said input line an alternating electrical signal to which the frequency of said master signal has an integral multiple relationship, at least all but one of said counters having means for sensing a first predetermined condition of their stages and resetting said stages to a second predetermined condition when said first predetermined condition is reached to establish a scale of each counter such that the signals on the output lines are related to each other by integral powers of the 12 2.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said master oscillator includes means for varying the frequency of said master alternating electrical signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which each of said counters comprises a plurality of flip-flops connected in cascade for successive divisions by two of the frequency at the input to each flip-flop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a plurality of frequency dividing means each having an input terminal connected to receive the alternating output signal at one of the output lines in said network, each said frequency dividing means having at least one output terminal and providing an output signal at its output terminal having a frequency which is a subharmonic of the frequency of the signal at the input terminal of said dividing means related to the frequency of said signal at the input terminal by an integral power of two.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the input line of at least one of said counters is connected to the output of a stage of another counter in said network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for generating alternating audiofrequency electrical signals corresponding to the notes of a musical scale comprising a master oscillator for producing a master alternating electrical signal at a frequency above the audio range, a network comprising at least 12 counters, each comprising a plurality of cascaded stages of frequency-dividing means, each of said counters having an output line connected to the output of its last stage, and an input line connected to the input of its first stage, said network including means connected to receive the master alternating electrical signal and delivering to each said input line an alternating electrical signal to which the frequency of said master signal has an integral multiple relationship, and said network also including means for establishing a scale of each counter such that the signals on the output lines are related to each other by integral powers of 12 2.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for generating alternating audiofrequency electrical signals corresponding to the notes of a musical scale comprising a master oscillator for producing a master alternating electrical signal at a frequency above the audio range, a network comprising at least 12 counters, each comprising a plurality of cascaded stages of frequency-dividing means, each of said counters having an output line connected to the output of its last stage, and an input line connected to the input of its first stage, said network including means connected to receive the master alternating electrical signal and delivering to each said input line an alternating electrical signal to which the frequency of said master signal has an integral multiple relationship, and said network also including means for establishing a scale of each counter such that the signals on the output lines are related to each other by integral powers of 12 2.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said master oscillator includes means for varying the frequency of said master alternating electrical signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which each of said counters comprises a plurality of flip-flops connected in cascade for successive divisions by two of the frequency at the input to each flip-flop.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 including a plurality of frequency dividing means each having an input terminal connected to receive the alternating output signal at one of the output lines in said network, each said frequency dividing means having at least one output terminal and providing an output signal at its output terminal having a frequency which is a subharmonic of the frequency of the signal at the input terminal of said dividing means related to the frequency of said signal at the input terminal by an integral power of two.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the input line of at least one of said counters is connected to the output of a stage of another counter in said network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said means establishing a scale of each counter effects production of a musical octave in 12 of said output lines.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |