Apparatus for attaching a musical instrument to a computer

Claim 2

In combination with a data processing system: first switch means coupled to an electrical source operative in response to depression of keys on a musical instrument keyboard for providing electrical signals; second switch means coupled to an electrical source operable by one playing said musical instrument for providing repetitive electrical signals corresponding to the rhythm maintained by the performer; means for scanning said electrical signals and said repetitive electrical signals; and means responsive to said scanning means for storing a binary representation of the state of said signals in a buffer register.

Claim 3

In combination with a data processing system: first switch means coupled to an electrical source operative in response to depression of keys on a musical instrument keyboard for providing electrical signals having one state when a key is depressed and another state when a key is not depressed; second switch means coupled to an electrical source operable by one playing said musical instrument for providing repetitive electrical signals corresponding to the rhythm maintained by the performer; means for scanning said electrical signals and said repetitive electrical signals; means responsive to said scanning means for storing a binary representation of the state of said signals in a buffer register; and means for transferring the contents of said buffer register to said data processing system in response to signals from said data processing system.

Claim 4

In combination with a data processing system: first switch means coupled to an electrical source operative in response to depression of keys on a musical instrument keyboard for providing electrical signals having one state when a key is depressed and another state when a key is not depressed; second switch means coupled to an electrical source operable by one playing said musical instrument for providing repetitive electrical signals corresponding to the rhythm maintained by the performer; means for scanning said electrical signals and said repetitive electrical signals; means responsive to said scanning means for storing a binary representation of the state of said signals in a buffer register; and means for transferring the contents of said buffer register to said data processing system in response to signals from said data processing system.

Claim 5

In combination; a data processing system; a musical instrument keyboard having key contacts corresponding to keys on said keyboard; a foot pedal switch adapted to be actuated by one playing said musical instrument keyboard for providing repetitive electrical signals corresponding to the rhythm maintained by The performer; means for scanning said key contacts and said foot pedal switch; means responsive to said scanning means for converting electrical signals produced by depressing said keys to digital data which is compatible with said data processing system; and means connected to said scanning means and responsive to signals from said data processing system for transferring said data to said data processing system whereby said data processing system collects data corresponding to the music performed.

Claim 6

In combination; a data processing system; a musical instrument keyboard having key contacts corresponding to keys on said keyboard; a foot pedal switch adapted to be actuated by one playing said musical instrument keyboard for providing repetitive electrical signals corresponding to the rhythm maintained by The performer; means for scanning said key contacts and said foot pedal switch; means responsive to said scanning means for converting electrical signals produced by depressing said keys to digital data which is compatible with said data processing system; and means connected to said scanning means and responsive to signals from said data processing system for transferring said data to said data processing system whereby said data processing system collects data corresponding to the music performed.

Claim 7

Apparatus for connecting a musical instrument to a computer having a read input and a write output, said instrument having key contacts and output-music producing keying circuits comprising: a multibit word register having an input and an output; means connecting the instrument key contacts to the input of said multibit word register; first gating means having an input and an output; a write bus for carrying data from said computer, said write bus connected to the input of said gating means, the output of said gating means being connected to the input of said multibit word register; write select means for selectively energizing or disenergizing said first gating means to thereby selectively store or not store data from said computer in said multibit word register; second gating means having an input and an output, said input connected to the output of said word buffer and said output connected to the read input of said computer; and read select means for selectively energizing or dis-energizing said second gating means to thereby selectively transfer data or not transfer data from said word buffer to said computer.

Claim 8

Apparatus for connecting a musical instrument to a computer having a read input and a write output, said instrument having key contacts and output-music producing keying circuits comprising: a multibit word register having an input and an output; means connecting the instrument key contacts to the input of said multibit word register; first gating means having an input and an output; a write bus for carrying data from said computer, said write bus connected to the input of said gating means, the output of said gating means being connected to the input of said multibit word register; write select means for selectively energizing or disenergizing said first gating means to thereby selectively store or not store data from said computer in said multibit word register; second gating means having an input and an output, said input connected to the output of said word buffer and said output connected to the read input of said computer; and read select means for selectively energizing or dis-energizing said second gating means to thereby selectively transfer data or not transfer data from said word buffer to said computer.