US3593187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Noise generator and actuating circuit for musical instruments
Assignee: Thomas International Corp
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Filing: 1969-03-21
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1989-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A noise generator circuit is disclosed herein having a transistor amplifier operated by a noise diode connected to its base electrode. The noise diode is operated in response to a selected one of a plurality of decoupling diodes arranged in a network with respect to a plurality of voicing oscillators. A collector resistor couples the decoupling diode network to respective ones of the voicing oscillators. The oscillators may be of the phase shift or the multivibrator type.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph L Dodds
- 👤 Bradley J Plunkett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:57
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/36; G10H1/40; G10H1/42; H; H03; H03B; H03B29/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In a noise generator and actuating circuit combination comprising: a transistor amplifier having base, emitter and collector electrodes; a noise diode coupled to said base electrode operating in the voltage breakdown region; a signal supply voltage selectively applied to said noise diode in said breakdown region characterized as having the supply voltage to the noise source larger than the breakdown voltage of said noise diode to cause operation of said noise diode; said amplifier being responsive to minute fluctuations in base current due to operation of said noise diode to amplify the fluctuating base current to produce an output signal; the current through said amplifier is degenerative in that an increase in noise source current is countered by a decrease in collector voltage; a capacitor coupled between said diode and said emitter electrode to eliminate degeneration of noise current; said noise diode is used as a bias element to produce DC degeneration and tends to make said amplifier relatively insensitive to DC loading; a plurality of oscillator voicing circuits for electrically producing tonal pitches; and a diode decoupling network operably connected between said voicing circuits and said noise diode for selectively isolating tonal pitches produced by selected ones of said voicing circuits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In a noise generator and actuating circuit combination comprising: a transistor amplifier having base, emitter and collector electrodes; a noise diode coupled to said base electrode operating in the voltage breakdown region; a signal supply voltage selectively applied to said noise diode in said breakdown region characterized as having the supply voltage to the noise source larger than the breakdown voltage of said noise diode to cause operation of said noise diode; said amplifier being responsive to minute fluctuations in base current due to operation of said noise diode to amplify the fluctuating base current to produce an output signal; the current through said amplifier is degenerative in that an increase in noise source current is countered by a decrease in collector voltage; a capacitor coupled between said diode and said emitter electrode to eliminate degeneration of noise current; said noise diode is used as a bias element to produce DC degeneration and tends to make said amplifier relatively insensitive to DC loading; a plurality of oscillator voicing circuits for electrically producing tonal pitches; and a diode decoupling network operably connected between said voicing circuits and said noise diode for selectively isolating tonal pitches produced by selected ones of said voicing circuits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein: said voicing circuits include multivibrator oscillator circuits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein: said voicing circuits includE phase shift oscillator circuits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein: said voicing circuits include phase shift oscillator circuits and multivibrator oscillator circuits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein: said diode decoupling network includes one disconnect diode for each one of said voicing circuits; and wherein each of said voicing circuits includes a collector resistor connected to its respective one of said disconnect diodes.
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) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |