US3694561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Animation circuit for a musical instrument
Assignee: MIDI MUSIC CENTER Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1970-04-15
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1990-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of tone generators respectively provide a fundamental frequency and even harmonics of the fundamental frequency to a first signal translating circuit of a musical instrument. The musical 12th or third harmonic, of the fundamental frequency is fed to a second transistor circuit which is interconnected with and shares a common output with the first transistor circuit so that the harmonics of the fundamental frequency beat with the added 12th signal component to obtain an animated effect, which simulates a nominally in-tune pair of vibrating strings. Simultaneous energization of the transistor circuits is provided by a control circuit which is responsive to a direct current keying voltage to render the transistor circuits operative to provide a percussive output envelope, and responsive to an alternating keying voltage to render the transistor circuits operative to provide a sustained output envelope.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene Stephen Morez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:07
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
An animation circuit for a musical instrument, comprising: a. first generating means for providing a first tone signal including a fundamental frequency and harmonics of the fundamental frequency; b. second generating means for providing a second tone signal including the tHird harmonic of the fundamental frequency and at a fixed signal level ratio in the range of 1:60 to 1:20 with respect to the first tone signal; c. a first transistor circuit having an output terminal and having an input terminal connected to said first generating means for receiving the first tone signal; d. a second transistor circuit having an output terminal connected to the output terminal of said first transistor circuit to provide a common output terminal, and having an input terminal connected to said second generating means for receiving the second tone signal; and e. a keying circuit connected to said first and second transistor circuits, said keying circuit being operable to cause simultaneous operation of said first and second transistor circuits whereupon the harmonics of the fundamental frequency beat at said common output terminal to produce an animated output signal including the fundamental frequency and changing harmonics of the fundamental frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
An animation circuit for a musical instrument, comprising: a. first generating means for providing a first tone signal including a fundamental frequency and harmonics of the fundamental frequency; b. second generating means for providing a second tone signal including the tHird harmonic of the fundamental frequency and at a fixed signal level ratio in the range of 1:60 to 1:20 with respect to the first tone signal; c. a first transistor circuit having an output terminal and having an input terminal connected to said first generating means for receiving the first tone signal; d. a second transistor circuit having an output terminal connected to the output terminal of said first transistor circuit to provide a common output terminal, and having an input terminal connected to said second generating means for receiving the second tone signal; and e. a keying circuit connected to said first and second transistor circuits, said keying circuit being operable to cause simultaneous operation of said first and second transistor circuits whereupon the harmonics of the fundamental frequency beat at said common output terminal to produce an animated output signal including the fundamental frequency and changing harmonics of the fundamental frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
An animation circuit according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second transistor circuits each have a transistor which includes: a. first electrode forming said input terminal for receiving the respective tone signal, and b. a second electrode connected to the like electrode of the other transistor circuit to form said common output terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
An animation circuit according to claim 2, wherein each of said first and second transistor circuits comprises: a. a third electrode included in said transistor connected to the like electrode of the other transistor; and b. biasing means connected to each of said first and third electrodes for normally conditioning said first and second transistor circuits to a non-conductive condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
An animation circuit according to claim 1, wherein said keying circuit comprises: a. a further input terminal for receiving a non-sinusoidal alternating voltage; and b. rectifier and filter means for integrating the alternating voltage to provide a keying signal of substantially constant level for controlling said first and second transistor circuits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
An animation circuit according to claim 4, wherein said rectifier and filter means comprises: a. a filter capacitor connected to said first and second transistor circuits; b. a first diode connected to said first capacitor and to said first and second transistor circuits and poled in a first direction; and c. a second diode coupled between said further input terminal and said capacitor and poled in a second direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An animation circuit according to claim 5, wherein: a. said keying circuit comprises a second capacitor connected to ground in shunt relation to said first capacitor and effective to shunt high frequency signals to ground.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
An animation circuit according to claim 1, wherein said keying circuit includes: a. first circuit means responsive to direct current potentials to provide a peaked keying signal for said first and second transistor circuits; b. second circuit means responsive to alternating current potentials to provide a non-peaked keying signal for said first and second transistor circuits; c. a first terminal for receiving a direct current potential; d. a second terminal for receiving an alternating current potential; e. normally open switch means connected to said first and second circuit means; and f. selection means connected between said switch means and said first and second terminals for selecting the type of potential for operating said keying circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
An animation circuit according to claim 1, wherein said keying circuit comprises a. a further terminal for receiving a non-sinusoidal alternating wave; b. a rectifier circuit connected to said first and second transistor circuits; and c. switch means operable to connect said further terminal to said rectifier circuit for controlling said first and second transistor circuits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
An animation ciRcuit according to claim 1, wherein the animated output signal is proportional to the keying signal and wherein said keying circuit comprises: a. a first terminal for receiving a dc-voltage; b. a second terminal for receiving a non-sinusoidal alternating voltage; c. circuit means operable in response to a dc-voltage to provide a peaked keying signal and responsive to an alternating voltage to provide a constant level keying signal; and d. switch means operable to selectively connect said first and second terminals to said circuit means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
An animation circuit according to claim 9, wherein said switch means comprises: a. selection switch means operable to selectively connect said first and second terminals to said circuit means; and b. normally open switch means interposed between said selection switch means and said circuit means and operable to render the animation circuit operable in response to the selected direct or alternating voltage to provide a corresponding peaked or constant level energization of said first and second transistor circuits.
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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) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |