US3629480A
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US
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Rhythmic accompaniment system employing randomness in rhythm generation
Assignee: Baldwin Piano and Organ Co
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Filing: 1970-04-10
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1990-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed for developing rhythmic accompaniment sounds from a free running repetitive ramp waveform having a controllable repetition rate, there being a series of master timing pulses developed by triggering appropriate circuits at different ramp voltage levels during each ramp cycle. Certain of the master timing pulses are selected to form each required rhythmic pattern, the selected pulses being employed to trigger voice circuits to produce desired tones. In one embodiment a pattern selection circuit is employed to permit selective generation of any one of four pattern modes, namely: a first continuously repeated pattern; a second continuously repeated pattern; a pattern in which the first and second patterns are alternated; and a pattern in which the first and second patterns are randomly selected. In the preferred embodiment, 13 master timing pulses are provided during each measure and are separated by 1, 2, or 3 timing units in a 24 timing unit measure, an arrangement which permits of obtaining authentic accompaniment rhythms. A novel cowbell voicing circuit and a novel drum roll control circuit permit rhythmic generation of realistic cowbell and drum roll sounds in response to selected master timing pulses.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael R Harris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:37
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/36; G10H1/40; G10H1/42; G10H2210/00; G10H2210/341; G10H2210/366; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
In a rhythm accompaniment instrument of the repetitive rhythm type: means for generating at least first and second patterns of pulses, each of said patterns having a period corresponding to a measure of music; generator means responsive to application of pulses thereto for generating corresponding rhythmic sounds; and control means for randomly applying said first and second patterns of pulses to said generator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a rhythm accompaniment instrument of the repetitive rhythm type: means for generating at least first and second patterns of pulses, each of said patterns having a period corresponding to a measure of music; generator means responsive to application of pulses thereto for generating corresponding rhythmic sounds; and control means for randomly applying said first and second patterns of pulses to said generator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said control means comprises: bistable means having first and second stable states; means for switching said bistable means between said first and second stable states at a frequency which is greater than that of said measures of music; and gating means responsive to said bistable means in said first stable state for passing said first pattern of pulses to said generator means and inhibiting passage of said second pattern of pulses to said generator means, and responsive to said bistable means in said second stable state for passing said second pattern of pulses to said generator means and inhibiting passage of said first pattern of pulses to said generator means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said control means is selectively actuable to each of at least two discrete states for: a. in a first state randomly applying said first and second patterns of pulses to said generator means; and b. in said second state alternately applying said first and second patterns of pulses to said generator means during respective alternate measures of music.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a rhythmic background instrument of the repetitive rhythm type: timing means for providing at least first and second patterns of pulses, each of said patterns having a period corresponding to a measure of music; generator means responsive to application of pulses thereto for generating corresponding rhythmic sounds; and control means selectively actuable to each of at least three discrete states for: a. in a first state applying only said first pattern of pulses to said generator means during each measure of music; b. in a second state alternately applying said first and second patterns of pulses to said generator means during respective alternate measures of music; and c. in a third state randomly applying said first and second patterns of pulses to said generator means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a rhythmic background instrument of the repetitive rhythm type: timing means for providing at least first and second patterns of pulses, each of said patterns having a period corresponding to a measure of music; generator means responsive to application of pulses thereto for generating corresponding rhythmic sounds; and control means selectively actuable to each of at least three discrete states for: a. in a first state applying only said first pattern of pulses to said generator means during each measure of music; b. in a second state alternately applying said first and second patterns of pulses to said generator means during respective alternate measures of music; and c. in a third state randomly applying said first and second patterns of pulses to said generator means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said control means is actuable to a fourth discrete state for applying only said second pattern of pulses to said generator means during each measure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said timing means comprises: first means for repetitively providing a sequence of master timing pulses; a matrix comprising a first plurality of conductors, a second plurality of conductors and means for conductively coupling predetermined ones of said first plurality of conductors to predetermined ones of said second plurality of conductors; means for applying said master timing pulses to respective conductors in said first plurality of conductors; means for connecting predetermined ones of said second plurality of conductors together to form a plurality of common circuit junctions; and means for coupling selected ones of said common circuit junctions to said generator means under control of said control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 6, further comprising: means for selectively rendering predetermined groups of said second plurality of conductors nonconductive relative to said common circuit junctions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises: a plurality of diodes, one each connected to a respective conductor in said second plurality of conductors; a plurality of switch means, one each operatively associated with a respective one of said predetermined groups of said second plurality of conductors, each switch means being actuable for shorting to ground all of the conductors in its operatively associated groups via said diodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a plurality of manually actuable multisection switches, each switch section being connected in series with a respective conductor in said second plurality of conductors, each switch being operatively associated with a respective one of said predetermined groups Of said second plurality of conductors for opening and closing all of the switch sections for that group in unison.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein said first means comprises: means for providing a repetitive ramp signal waveform, each ramp signal period corresponding to one-half measure of music; means responsive to said ramp signal achieving respective amplitudes for generating a sequence of primary pulses during each ramp signal period; and means for gating predetermined ones of said primary pulses during alternate ramp signal periods to provide said sequence of master timing pulses during each measure of music.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said patterns of pulses comprise different groups of pulses selected from a sequence of master timing pulses generated during each measure of music, said master timing pulses being generated by: means for repetitively generating a ramp signal waveform, there being a plurality of ramp periods in each measure of music; means responsive to said ramp signal achieving respective amplitudes for generating a sequence of primary pulses during each ramp signal period; means for gating predetermined groups of said primary pulses during successive ramp periods in each measure of music; and means for combining the gated primary pulses to provide said sequence of master timing pulses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a system for controlling the rhythmic accompaniment pattern provided by a background instrument of the repetitive rhythm type: means for generating a fixed sequence of master timing pulses during each measure of music; means for at will selecting distinct arrays of said master timing pulses in correspondence with predetermined rhythmic patterns; generator means responsive to application of master timing pulses thereto for generating musical tones; means for applying said selected arrays of said master timing pulses to said generator means; and means for inhibiting application to said generator means of at least one of said selected arrays of master timing pulses during randomly selected measures of music.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a system for controlling the rhythmic accompaniment pattern provided by a background instrument of the repetitive rhythm type: means for generating a fixed sequence of master timing pulses during each measure of music; means for at will selecting distinct arrays of said master timing pulses in correspondence with predetermined rhythmic patterns; generator means responsive to application of master timing pulses thereto for generating musical tones; means for applying said selected arrays of said master timing pulses to said generator means; and means for inhibiting application to said generator means of at least one of said selected arrays of master timing pulses during randomly selected measures of music.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a system for controlling the rhythmic accompaniment pattern provided by a background instrument of the repetitive rhythm type during the performance of a musical composition: means for dividing each measure of said musical composition into 24 equal time periods; means for generating a fixed sequence of master timing pulses for each measure, said master timing pulses being spaced by integral numbers of said time periods; means for at will selecting various distinct arrays of said master timing pulses in correspondence with predetermined rhythmic patterns; and means responsive to said selected master timing pulses for generating rhythmic sounds of diverse character.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a system for controlling the rhythmic accompaniment pattern provided by a background instrument of the repetitive rhythm type during the performance of a musical composition: means for dividing each measure of said musical composition into 24 equal time periods; means for generating a fixed sequence of master timing pulses for each measure, said master timing pulses being spaced by integral numbers of said time periods; means for at will selecting various distinct arrays of said master timing pulses in correspondence with predetermined rhythmic patterns; and means responsive to said selected master timing pulses for generating rhythmic sounds of diverse character.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 13 wherein at least one group of four of said master timing pulses are equally spaced by six of said time periods and wherein at least one group of three of said master timing pulses are equally spaced by eight of said time periods.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
78 words
In the system according to claim 13: wherein said means for dividing comprises: a source of repetitive ramp waveforms, a fixed integral number of said ramp waveforms comprising a measure; and plural pickoff means, each adjusted to pick off a respective amplitude level of said ramp waveform; and wherein said means for generating comprises a plurality of pulse generators, each responsive to pickoff of an amplitude level by a respective pickoff means for generating a master timing pulse.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
99 words
The combination according to claim 15 wherein said means for at will selecting comprises a matrix having a first group of signal lines, a second group of signal lines, means for coupling predetermined ones of said first group of lines to predetermined ones of said second group of lines; means for applying said master timing pulses to respective ones of said first group of lines; means for connecting said second groups of lines to said means for generating, and means for selectively inhibiting signal conduction to said means for generating along specified ones of said second group of lines.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination according to claim 15 wherein said integral number is greater than one.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination according to claim 13 further comprising selectively actuable means for alternating the selected array between two rhythmic patterns at a frequency which is randomly related to the frequency of said measures of said musical composition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
88 words
The combination according to claim 13 wherein said means for generating rhythmic sounds includes generator means responsive to trigger signal thereto for generating a musical sound at constant amplitude for the duration of the applied trigger signal and at a decaying amplitude for a predetermined time period immediately thereafter, said combination further comprising: means responsive to at least two time-spaced master timing pulses in at least one selected array for applying trigger signal to said generator means during the entire time interval between said at least two pulses.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 19 and further comprising: means for applying master timing pulses from said selected arrays to said generator means as trigger signals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a rhythm accompaniment system of the repetitive rhythm type: means for generating a fixed sequence of master timing pulses during each measure of music; generator means responsive to application of trigger signal thereto for providing a musical tone with a predetermined constant amplitude for the duration of said trigger signal and with a decaying amplitude for a predetermined time interval after termination of said trigger signal; means for at will selecting distinct arrays of said master timing pulses in correspondence with predetermined rhythmic patterns; means for applying master timing pulses from said selected arrays to said generator means as trigger signal; means responsive to at least two time-spaced master timing pulses in at least one selected array for applying a steady trigger signal to said generator means during the entire time interval between said at least two pulses.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a rhythm accompaniment system of the repetitive rhythm type: means for generating a fixed sequence of master timing pulses during each measure of music; generator means responsive to application of trigger signal thereto for providing a musical tone with a predetermined constant amplitude for the duration of said trigger signal and with a decaying amplitude for a predetermined time interval after termination of said trigger signal; means for at will selecting distinct arrays of said master timing pulses in correspondence with predetermined rhythmic patterns; means for applying master timing pulses from said selected arrays to said generator means as trigger signal; means responsive to at least two time-spaced master timing pulses in at least one selected array for applying a steady trigger signal to said generator means during the entire time interval between said at least two pulses.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination according to claim 21 wherein said means for generating includes a plurality of individually triggerable voice circuits, each responsive to application of trigger signal thereto for generating a sound which simulates that produced by a respective musical rhythm instrument, and wherein is further provided means for selectively gating pluses of said selected arrays as trigger signal for predetermined ones of said voice circuits.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
107 words
The system according to claim 22 wherein said means for selectively distributing comprises a matrix comprising a first group of leads, a second group of leads arranged orthogonally of said first group of leads electrically coupling predetermined ones of said first group of leads to predetermined ones of said second group of leads, means for applying said master timing pulses to respective ones of said first group of leads, means for connecting said second group of leads to said means for selectively gating, and means for inhibiting conduction of master timing pulses to said means for selectively gating along selected ones of said second groups of leads.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a system for controlling the rhythmic accompaniment pattern provided by a background instrument of the repetitive rhythm type: a source of repetitive ramp waveforms, each ramp waveform having the duration of one-half measure of a musical composition; means for deriving a sequence of primary pulses in response to preselected amplitude levels along said repetitive ramp waveforms; means for deriving a sequence of secondary pulses by gating predetermined ones of said primary pulses during alternate ones of said ramp waveforms, said primary pulses and said secondary pulses comprising A fixed sequence of master timing pulses for each measure; matrix means for at will selecting various distinct arrays of said master timing pulses corresponding with rhythmic patterns and applying the selected master timing pulses to selected conductors of said matrix; and means responsive to said master timing pulses appearing on said selected conductors for generating rhythmic sounds of diverse character.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a system for controlling the rhythmic accompaniment pattern provided by a background instrument of the repetitive rhythm type: a source of repetitive ramp waveforms, each ramp waveform having the duration of one-half measure of a musical composition; means for deriving a sequence of primary pulses in response to preselected amplitude levels along said repetitive ramp waveforms; means for deriving a sequence of secondary pulses by gating predetermined ones of said primary pulses during alternate ones of said ramp waveforms, said primary pulses and said secondary pulses comprising A fixed sequence of master timing pulses for each measure; matrix means for at will selecting various distinct arrays of said master timing pulses corresponding with rhythmic patterns and applying the selected master timing pulses to selected conductors of said matrix; and means responsive to said master timing pulses appearing on said selected conductors for generating rhythmic sounds of diverse character.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination according to claim 24 further comprising adjustable means for controlling the repetition rate of said ramp waveform.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination according to claim 24 further comprising selectively actuable means for alternating the selected arrays between two rhythmic patterns at a frequency which is randomly related to the frequency of the measures of said musical composition.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 24 wherein said master timing pulses are spaced by integral multiples of a specified time interval, there being 24 of said fixed time intervals in each measure.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
117 words
In a system for controlling the rhythmic accompaniment provided by a background instrument of the repetitive rhythm type: a source of repetitive ramp waveforms, each ramp waveform having the duration of an integral submultiple of a measure of music; means for deriving a sequence of primary pulses in response to preselected amplitude levels along said repetitive ramp waveforms; means for deriving a sequence of secondary pulses during each measure of music by gating different groups of said primary pulses during successive ramp waveforms of each measure; means for at will selecting various distinct arrays of said secondary pulses corresponding with rhythmic patterns; and means responsive to said selected secondary pulses for generating rhythmic sounds of diverse character.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
117 words
In a system for controlling the rhythmic accompaniment provided by a background instrument of the repetitive rhythm type: a source of repetitive ramp waveforms, each ramp waveform having the duration of an integral submultiple of a measure of music; means for deriving a sequence of primary pulses in response to preselected amplitude levels along said repetitive ramp waveforms; means for deriving a sequence of secondary pulses during each measure of music by gating different groups of said primary pulses during successive ramp waveforms of each measure; means for at will selecting various distinct arrays of said secondary pulses corresponding with rhythmic patterns; and means responsive to said selected secondary pulses for generating rhythmic sounds of diverse character.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
173 words
A voice circuit responsive to application of a trigger pulse thereto for providing a rhythm accompaniment sound, said circuit comprising: a gated oscillator for selectively providing a first oscillatory signal having a first frequency; a continuous oscillator for continuously providing a second oscillatory signal at a second frequency, higher than said first frequency; a common output junction; a linear gate circuit selectively actuable to apply said second oscillatory signal to said common output junction without distortion; control means responsive to said trigger pulse for: a. actuating said linear gate to pass said second oscillatory signal to said common output junction at a constant amplitude for the duration of said trigger pulse and at a decaying amplitude for a predetermined time period after termination of said trigger pulse; and b. gating on said first oscillator to couple said first oscillatory signal to said common output junction at a constant amplitude for the duration of said trigger pulse and at a decaying amplitude for a further predetermined time period after termination of said trigger pulse.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
173 words
A voice circuit responsive to application of a trigger pulse thereto for providing a rhythm accompaniment sound, said circuit comprising: a gated oscillator for selectively providing a first oscillatory signal having a first frequency; a continuous oscillator for continuously providing a second oscillatory signal at a second frequency, higher than said first frequency; a common output junction; a linear gate circuit selectively actuable to apply said second oscillatory signal to said common output junction without distortion; control means responsive to said trigger pulse for: a. actuating said linear gate to pass said second oscillatory signal to said common output junction at a constant amplitude for the duration of said trigger pulse and at a decaying amplitude for a predetermined time period after termination of said trigger pulse; and b. gating on said first oscillator to couple said first oscillatory signal to said common output junction at a constant amplitude for the duration of said trigger pulse and at a decaying amplitude for a further predetermined time period after termination of said trigger pulse.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination according to claim 29 wherein said first frequency is approximately 1 kHz. and said second frequency is approximately 2 kHz.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 29 wherein said predetermined and further predetermined time periods are unequal.
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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) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |