US3624265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tone-generating device for electronic musical instrument
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-03-17
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Granted: 1971-11-30
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Expires: 1990-03-17
Abstract
Abstract An electronic musical instrument comprises a keyboard associated with a DC power source to produce a controlling DC voltage, a plurality of variable frequency oscillators which produce tone signals of frequencies determined by the controlling DC voltage and which include a control rate adjuster so that the oscillators are always in harmonic relations very approximately, switching circuits for switching said tone signals, and means to convert the tone signals into sounds.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeru Yamada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:53
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/02; G10H1/06; G10H1/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A device for generating a plurality of harmonically related sounds in an electronic musical instrument having keys; which device comprises a control voltage generator associated with said keys and generating, when a key is depressed, a DC control voltage representing a tone name of said key being depresseD; a plurality of variable frequency oscillators connected to said control voltage generator, each oscillating a tone signal having a frequency determined by said control voltage and substantially harmonically related to each other upon receipt thereof, and each except one including a control rate adjuster for varying the changing rate of the oscillation frequency in response to the change of said control voltage; switching circuits connected to said oscillators and associated with the keys for receiving and keying output signals from said oscillators upon depression of said key; a tone color circuit connected to said switching circuits for receiving the tone coloring output signals from said switching circuits; and an amplifier and a loudspeaker for converting output signals from said tone color circuit into sounds.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
A device for generating a plurality of harmonically related sounds in an electronic musical instrument having keys; which device comprises a control voltage generator associated with said keys and generating, when a key is depressed, a DC control voltage representing a tone name of said key being depresseD; a plurality of variable frequency oscillators connected to said control voltage generator, each oscillating a tone signal having a frequency determined by said control voltage and substantially harmonically related to each other upon receipt thereof, and each except one including a control rate adjuster for varying the changing rate of the oscillation frequency in response to the change of said control voltage; switching circuits connected to said oscillators and associated with the keys for receiving and keying output signals from said oscillators upon depression of said key; a tone color circuit connected to said switching circuits for receiving the tone coloring output signals from said switching circuits; and an amplifier and a loudspeaker for converting output signals from said tone color circuit into sounds.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said control voltage generator includes means providing a tone sustain effect, said means comprising a storage capacitor coupled across said voltage generator for maintaining said DC control voltage for a period of time after release of said keys.
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) | 1974-11-29 | 1975-05-31 | 1975-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-29 | 1979-05-31 | 1979-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-29 | 1983-05-31 | 1983-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |