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US4079653A
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Method and apparatus for imitating speech characteristics of vox humana and similar reed organ pipes
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-11-08
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Granted: 1978-03-21
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Expires: 1996-11-08
Abstract
Abstract In an electronic musical instrument, such as an electronic organ, the speech characteristics of Vox Humana and similar reed organ pipes are simulated by applying a repeating series of pulse groups separated from each other, which groups each contain a short sequence of two or more pulses, to a sharp cutoff low-pass filter for converting the series of pulse groups into a sound producing signal simulative of the sound signal produced by a Vox Humana or similar organ pipe. The repeating series of pulse groups is obtained by nonlinearly combining square wave tone signals from two or more different octaves of a conventional phase-locked tone generator. The synthesized repeating series of pulse groups, one series for each note of the instrument, are applied to a single low-pass filter, or grouped and applied to a small number of filters.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Finch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:00
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/02; G10H1/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
In an electronic organ including a tone generator for producing a plurality of octaves of tone signals, one for each note of a musical scale, each consisting of square wave pulses phase-locked to the others, apparatus for generating sound signals which upon reproduction imitate the speech characteristics of Vox Humana and similar reed organ pipes, said apparatus comprising: means for non-linearly combining tone signals representing corresponding notes from two or more different octaves for producing a repeating series of pulse groups separated from each other by the period of the lowest frequency tone signal included in the combination, which groups each contain a short sequence of two or more pulses, at least one low-pass filter circuit means, said filter circuit means having a sharp cutoff and a rapid rate of roll-off above its cutoff frequency, and player-controlled gate circuit means, one for each note, for selecting desired ones of said repeating series of pulse groups and coupling the same to said filter circuit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
In an electronic organ including a tone generator for producing a plurality of octaves of tone signals, one for each note of a musical scale, each consisting of square wave pulses phase-locked to the others, apparatus for generating sound signals which upon reproduction imitate the speech characteristics of Vox Humana and similar reed organ pipes, said apparatus comprising: means for non-linearly combining tone signals representing corresponding notes from two or more different octaves for producing a repeating series of pulse groups separated from each other by the period of the lowest frequency tone signal included in the combination, which groups each contain a short sequence of two or more pulses, at least one low-pass filter circuit means, said filter circuit means having a sharp cutoff and a rapid rate of roll-off above its cutoff frequency, and player-controlled gate circuit means, one for each note, for selecting desired ones of said repeating series of pulse groups and coupling the same to said filter circuit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said combining means is operative to combine three tone signals of frequencies f, 4f and 8f to produce a repeating series of pulse groups each containing a short sequence of two pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said combining means is operative to combine two tone signals of frequencies f and 8f to produce a repeating series of pulse groups each containing a short series of four pulses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said combining means is operative to combine two tone signals of frequencies f and 4f to produce a repeating series of pulse groups each containing a short series of two pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said filter circuit means has a cutoff frequency of about 2KHz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said filter circuit means has a roll-off rate of substantially 24db per octave.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for generating sound signals which when reproduced imitate the speech characteristics of Vox Humana and similar reed organ pipes, comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of octaves of tone signals, one for each note of a musical scale, each consisting of square wave pulses phase-locked to the others, non-linearly combining tone signals representing corresponding notes from two or more different octaves for producing a repeating series of pulse groups separated by the period of the lowest frequency tone signal included in the combination, which groups each contain a short sequence of two or more pulses, and filtering said repeating series of pulse groups in a sharp cutoff low-pass filter.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for generating sound signals which when reproduced imitate the speech characteristics of Vox Humana and similar reed organ pipes, comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of octaves of tone signals, one for each note of a musical scale, each consisting of square wave pulses phase-locked to the others, non-linearly combining tone signals representing corresponding notes from two or more different octaves for producing a repeating series of pulse groups separated by the period of the lowest frequency tone signal included in the combination, which groups each contain a short sequence of two or more pulses, and filtering said repeating series of pulse groups in a sharp cutoff low-pass filter.
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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) | 1981-03-20 | 1981-09-19 | 1982-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-20 | 1985-09-19 | 1986-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-20 | 1989-09-19 | 1990-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |