Patent US4100831A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4100831A
Expired / Lapsed
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Automatic digital circuit for generating chords in a digital organ
Assignee: Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Filing: 1976-08-09
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Granted: 1978-07-18
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Expires: 1996-08-09
Abstract
Abstract An automatic chord generating circuit for a digital polyphonic tone synthesizer having one or more keyboards. Key operated switches are connected in groups corresponding to the notes in an octave. A signal source is selectively connected by the closed switches of each group in sequence to associated ones of a plurality of signal lines. A priority circuit selectively connects a signal from only one line at a time to a corresponding one of a plurality of output lines, so that operation of more than one key in an octave produces only one output signal at a time. A switching logic circuit, responsive to digitally coded input signals identifying any one of a plurality of different chords, connects the single output signal from the priority circuit to additional ones of the output lines for activating multiple notes within the octave.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Deutsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:04
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/36; G10H1/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/02; Y10S84/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
In a keyboard instrument having a plurality of keys and a plurality of note selection switches, each key actuating one of said note selection switches, apparatus for generating predetermined chords in response to actuating a single key comprising: means connecting the note selection switches in groups, the switches in each group corresponding to the notes in one octave, means including the switches in each group for selectively connecting a signal to an associated one of a plurality of output lines when a key in the group is operated, there being one output line for each note in the group, input chord control means generating signals coded to indicate a selected one of a plurality of different types of musical chords, switching logic means responsive to a signal on any one of said output lines and to the coded signals indicating a particular type of chord for selectively coupling said signal on one of said output lines to particular additional ones of said output lines corresponding to the notes in the particular chord, and means responsive to the signals on said output lines for generating corresponding tones within an octave.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a keyboard instrument having a plurality of keys and a plurality of note selection switches, each key actuating one of said note selection switches, apparatus for generating predetermined chords in response to actuating a single key comprising: means connecting the note selection switches in groups, the switches in each group corresponding to the notes in one octave, means including the switches in each group for selectively connecting a signal to an associated one of a plurality of output lines when a key in the group is operated, there being one output line for each note in the group, input chord control means generating signals coded to indicate a selected one of a plurality of different types of musical chords, switching logic means responsive to a signal on any one of said output lines and to the coded signals indicating a particular type of chord for selectively coupling said signal on one of said output lines to particular additional ones of said output lines corresponding to the notes in the particular chord, and means responsive to the signals on said output lines for generating corresponding tones within an octave.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a priority circuit suppressing the signals on all but one of said output lines according to a predetermined note priority when more than one key-operated switch is operated at a time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus of claim 2 wherein the key-operated switches in different groups of keys are activated sequentially.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus of claim 3 wherein the priority circuit further includes means for suppressing signals on all of the output lines following a signal to said one output line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus of claim 1 further including a rhythm clock source, and means responsive to the clock source for periodically interrupting the transfer of any signals on the output lines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a keyboard instrument in which ech key operates a single switch of a plurality of switches and the status of the switches are examined in groups corresponding to the octaves of the keyboard, each group of switches time-sharing a group of output lines with one line for each switch in a group, the status of each switch in a group being indicated by a binary signal on an associated one of the output lines, apparatus for generating a chord in response to actuating any key on the keyboard comprising: chord control means generating a group of signals coded to indicate any one of a plurality of chord types, switching logic means responsive to the coded signals from said chord control means and the key initiated binary signals on said output lines for changing the binary status on selected ones of said output lines to correspond to the pattern of notes in the chord, and means coupled to the output lines for storing said pattern of output signals as each group of keys is examined.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a keyboard instrument in which ech key operates a single switch of a plurality of switches and the status of the switches are examined in groups corresponding to the octaves of the keyboard, each group of switches time-sharing a group of output lines with one line for each switch in a group, the status of each switch in a group being indicated by a binary signal on an associated one of the output lines, apparatus for generating a chord in response to actuating any key on the keyboard comprising: chord control means generating a group of signals coded to indicate any one of a plurality of chord types, switching logic means responsive to the coded signals from said chord control means and the key initiated binary signals on said output lines for changing the binary status on selected ones of said output lines to correspond to the pattern of notes in the chord, and means coupled to the output lines for storing said pattern of output signals as each group of keys is examined.
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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) | 1981-07-17 | 1982-01-16 | 1982-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-17 | 1986-01-16 | 1986-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-17 | 1990-01-16 | 1990-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |