US3811003A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Rhythm accompaniment system
Assignee: Baldwin Piano and Organ Co
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Filing: 1971-12-13
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Granted: 1974-05-14
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Expires: 1991-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed for developing rhythmic accompaniment sounds from a free running repetitive ramp waveform having a controllable repetitive 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 one, two, or three 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
- 👤 M Harris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:33
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/36; G10H1/40; G10H2210/00; G10H2210/341; G10H2210/366
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
In a rhythmic accompaniment system, means for generating 13 timing pulses during each measure of music, said timing pulses being separated selectively in units of one, two or three fixed equal time units to total 24 of said time units per measure, and means responsive to said pulses for producing musical sounds.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a rhythmic accompaniment system, means for generating 13 timing pulses during each measure of music, said timing pulses being separated selectively in units of one, two or three fixed equal time units to total 24 of said time units per measure, and means responsive to said pulses for producing musical sounds.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a rhythmic accompaniment system, a matrix having thirteen horizontal lines, means for applying 13 sequential timing pulses to said lines, 47 vertical matrix lines divided into eight groups of successive lines representing diverse rhythms, resistances selectively interconnecting junctions of said horizontal and vertical lines, a separate diode associated with each of said vertical lines, each of said diodes having its anode connected to one of said vertical lines, and means for selectively grounding the cathodes of said diodes or leaving said cathodes afloat in groups corresponding with said eight groups, and voice circuits connected to be operated by signals appearing on said vertical lines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a rhythmic accompaniment system, a matrix having thirteen horizontal lines, means for applying 13 sequential timing pulses to said lines, 47 vertical matrix lines divided into eight groups of successive lines representing diverse rhythms, resistances selectively interconnecting junctions of said horizontal and vertical lines, a separate diode associated with each of said vertical lines, each of said diodes having its anode connected to one of said vertical lines, and means for selectively grounding the cathodes of said diodes or leaving said cathodes afloat in groups corresponding with said eight groups, and voice circuits connected to be operated by signals appearing on said vertical lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The combination according to claim 2, wherein is also provided a bistable flip-flop circuit responsive to be set in one state in response to a signal on one of said vertical lines and to be reset in response to a signal on another of said vertical lines, a source of drum roll signal, and means responsive to said bistable flip-flop circuit for sounding said drum roll signal while said bistable flip-flop is set.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a rhythmic accompaniment system, means for generating 13 timing pulses during each measure of music, said means including a source of a linear repetitive ramp voltage waves, means for adjusting the tempo of said ramp voltage waves, means responsive to fixed levels along said ramp voltage wave for generating said timing pulses, said timing pulses being separated by units of one, two or three fixed equal time intervals of a total of 24 of said time intervals for each of said measures of music and means responsive selectively to said timing pulses for rhythmically generating musical sounds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a rhythmic accompaniment system, means for generating 13 timing pulses during each measure of music, said means including a source of a linear repetitive ramp voltage waves, means for adjusting the tempo of said ramp voltage waves, means responsive to fixed levels along said ramp voltage wave for generating said timing pulses, said timing pulses being separated by units of one, two or three fixed equal time intervals of a total of 24 of said time intervals for each of said measures of music and means responsive selectively to said timing pulses for rhythmically generating musical sounds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination according to claim 4, wherein each of said ramp voltage waves endures for one of said measures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 4, wherein each of said ramp voltage waves endures for one half of one of said measures, and wherein seven and six of said pulses are generated respectively during alternative ones of said ramp voltage waves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a rhythmic accompaniment system, a matrix having two orthogonally related sets of lines, means selectively interconnecting lines of one set to lines of the other set, a separate diode having its anode connected to each of the lines of said one set of lines, and means for selectively grounding the cathodes of said diodes and leaving said cathodes afloat, wherein is provided means for applying pulses to lines of said other of said set of lines in sequence, and voice circuitry connected to be operative in response to those of said pulses appearing on said one of said set of lines.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a rhythmic accompaniment system, a matrix having two orthogonally related sets of lines, means selectively interconnecting lines of one set to lines of the other set, a separate diode having its anode connected to each of the lines of said one set of lines, and means for selectively grounding the cathodes of said diodes and leaving said cathodes afloat, wherein is provided means for applying pulses to lines of said other of said set of lines in sequence, and voice circuitry connected to be operative in response to those of said pulses appearing on said one of said set of lines.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
167 words
In a rhythmic accompaniment system, a matrix having two orthogonally related sets of lines, means selectively interconnecting lines of one set to lines of the other set, a separate diode having its anode connected to each of the lines of said one set of lines, and means for selectively grounding the cathodes of said diodes and leaving said cathodes afloat, wherein is provided means for applying pulses to lines of said other of said set of lines in sequence, and voice circuitry connected to be operative in response to those of said pulses appearing on said one of said set of lines, wherein is provided a bistable circuit responsive to be set in response to each of said pulses appearing on one line of said one set of lines and to be reset in response to each of said pulses appearing on another line of said one set of lines, and means responsive to said bistable circuit while said bistable circuit is set for generating a sound.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
167 words
In a rhythmic accompaniment system, a matrix having two orthogonally related sets of lines, means selectively interconnecting lines of one set to lines of the other set, a separate diode having its anode connected to each of the lines of said one set of lines, and means for selectively grounding the cathodes of said diodes and leaving said cathodes afloat, wherein is provided means for applying pulses to lines of said other of said set of lines in sequence, and voice circuitry connected to be operative in response to those of said pulses appearing on said one of said set of lines, wherein is provided a bistable circuit responsive to be set in response to each of said pulses appearing on one line of said one set of lines and to be reset in response to each of said pulses appearing on another line of said one set of lines, and means responsive to said bistable circuit while said bistable circuit is set for generating a sound.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
174 words
In a rhythmic accompaniment system, a matrix having two orthogonally related sets of lines, means selectively interconnecting lines of one set to lines of the other set, a separate diode having its anode connected to each of the lines of said one set of lines, and means for selectively grounding the cathodes of said diodes and leaving said cathodes afloat, wherein is provided means for applying pulses to lines of said other of said set of lines in sequence, and voice circuitry connected to be operative in response to those of said pulses appearing on said one of said set of lines, wherein is provided a bistAble circuit responsive to be set in response to each of said pulses appearing on one line of said one set of lines and to be reset in response to each of said pulses appearing on another line of said one set of lines, and means responsive to said bistable circuit while said bistable circuit is set for generating a sound, wherein said sound is a roll signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
174 words
In a rhythmic accompaniment system, a matrix having two orthogonally related sets of lines, means selectively interconnecting lines of one set to lines of the other set, a separate diode having its anode connected to each of the lines of said one set of lines, and means for selectively grounding the cathodes of said diodes and leaving said cathodes afloat, wherein is provided means for applying pulses to lines of said other of said set of lines in sequence, and voice circuitry connected to be operative in response to those of said pulses appearing on said one of said set of lines, wherein is provided a bistAble circuit responsive to be set in response to each of said pulses appearing on one line of said one set of lines and to be reset in response to each of said pulses appearing on another line of said one set of lines, and means responsive to said bistable circuit while said bistable circuit is set for generating a sound, wherein said sound is a roll signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a music system, a source of musical signal, a bistable flip-flop, means responsive to said bistable flip-flop only in its set state for rendering said source of musical signal operative to sound a musical signal, a source of rhythmically occurring pulses occurring in repetitive sets of pulses, and means responsive to one selected pulse in each of said sets of pulses for setting said bistable flip-flop and responsive to another of said pulses in each of said sets of pulses for resetting said bistable flip-flop.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a music system, a source of musical signal, a bistable flip-flop, means responsive to said bistable flip-flop only in its set state for rendering said source of musical signal operative to sound a musical signal, a source of rhythmically occurring pulses occurring in repetitive sets of pulses, and means responsive to one selected pulse in each of said sets of pulses for setting said bistable flip-flop and responsive to another of said pulses in each of said sets of pulses for resetting said bistable flip-flop.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination according to claim 10, wherein said musical signal is a drum roll.
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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) | 1977-05-13 | 1977-11-12 | 1978-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-13 | 1981-11-12 | 1982-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-13 | 1985-11-12 | 1986-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |