US4054078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic arpeggio electronic musical instrument
Assignee: Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Filing: 1976-09-01
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Granted: 1977-10-18
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Expires: 1996-09-01
Abstract
Abstract An automatic arpeggio musical instrument includes a pulse generator having a plurality of keys for generating periodic pulses by depression of one of the keys, each of the keys generating a voltage, a timing pulse generator connected to the pulse generator, a memory connected to the timing pulse generator for generating digital signals of a musical scale, digital-to-analog converter means connected to the memory for converting the digital signals into analog signals, a processor connected to the converter for selectively adding and subtracting the key-generated voltage to the analog signals, and for generating an output voltage therefrom, and a voltage-controlled oscillator connected to the processor for controlling the output voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Nobuaki Kondo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:14
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/36; G10H1/38; G10H1/18; G10H1/26; G10H1/28; G10H2210/00; G10H2210/155; G10H2210/161; G10H2210/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An automatic arpeggio musical instrument comprising: pulse generator means having a plurality of keys for generating periodic pulses by depression of one of said keys, each of said keys generating a voltage; a timing pulse generator connected to said pulse generator means; memory means connected to said timing pulse generator for generating digital signals of a musical scale; digital-to-analog converter means connected to said memory means for converting the digital signals into analog signals; processor means connected to said converter means for selectively adding and subtracting the key-generated voltage to said analog signals and for generating an output voltage therefrom; and a voltage-controlled connected to said processor means for controlling said output voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
An automatic arpeggio musical instrument comprising: pulse generator means having a plurality of keys for generating periodic pulses by depression of one of said keys, each of said keys generating a voltage; a timing pulse generator connected to said pulse generator means; memory means connected to said timing pulse generator for generating digital signals of a musical scale; digital-to-analog converter means connected to said memory means for converting the digital signals into analog signals; processor means connected to said converter means for selectively adding and subtracting the key-generated voltage to said analog signals and for generating an output voltage therefrom; and a voltage-controlled connected to said processor means for controlling said output voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said pulse generator means comprises a rhythm pulse generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A musical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a pulse-width change circuit interconnected between said pulse generator means and said timing pulse generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said memory means comprises a read-only memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
130 words
A musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said memory means includes a read-write memory having a plurality of addresses for storing a plurality of words, respectively, said read-write memory having an input and an output, and further comprising analog-to-digital converter means having an input and an output, the analog-to-digital converter means output being connected to the read-write memory input, voltage generator means for generating said voltage and having an output connected to the analog-to-digital converter means input, and keying generator means connected to said timing pulse generator for generating a plurality of pulses following the depression of one of said keys, each of said pulses selecting said addresses, respectively, in sequence, whereby one of said words corresponding to a depressed key is selected and memorized in said memory means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A musical instrument according to claim 1 further comprising word converting circuit means for converting a word of a major scale into a word of a minor scale, said word converting circuit being interconnected between said memory means and said digital-to-analog converter means.
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) | 1980-10-17 | 1981-04-18 | 1981-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-17 | 1985-04-18 | 1985-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-17 | 1989-04-18 | 1989-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |