US4138918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic musical instrument
Assignee: Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Filing: 1977-05-05
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Granted: 1979-02-13
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Expires: 1997-05-05
Abstract
Abstract An automatic musical instrument in which a chord discrimination and a musical performance circuit are arranged so that a comparator with multiple input terminals on one side, is connected to a memory circuit having multiple basic types of chords memorized. The comparator has multiple input terminals on the other side connected to key switches through a shift register. The comparator, furthermore, has a control electrode connected to a clock pulse generator which is connected, in turn, to multiple input terminals of the memory circuit, by way of two counter circuits. The latter have multiple output terminals connected, respectively, to two latch circuits. The comparator has an output terminal connected to control electrodes of the latch circuits. The musical performance circuit has a decoder connected to multiple output terminals of one of the latch circuits.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Kato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:05
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/36; G10H1/38; G10H1/383; G10H2210/00; G10H2210/571; G10H2210/601; G10H2210/616; G10H2210/626; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/12; Y10S84/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
An automatic musical instrument comprising a chord discrimination circuit; a musical performance circuit connected to an output side of the chord discrimination circuit; a comparator having multiple input terminals on one side; a memory circuit connected to said multiple input terminals on said one side of said comparator; said memory circuit having multiple basic types of chords in memory; said comparator having multiple input terminals on another side; a shift register; key-switches connected to said multiple input terminals of said other side of said comparator through said shift register; a clock pulse generator connected to a control electrode of said shift register, said memory circuit having multiple input terminals; first and second counter circuits, said clock pulse generator being connected to said multiple input terminals of said memory circuits through said first and second counter circuits; said first and second counter circuits having multiple output terminals; first and second latched circuits connected respectively to said output terminals of said first and second counter circuits; said comparator having an output terminal connected to control electrodes of said first and second latch circuits, said first and second latched circuits being connected to said musical performance circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
An automatic musical instrument comprising a chord discrimination circuit; a musical performance circuit connected to an output side of the chord discrimination circuit; a comparator having multiple input terminals on one side; a memory circuit connected to said multiple input terminals on said one side of said comparator; said memory circuit having multiple basic types of chords in memory; said comparator having multiple input terminals on another side; a shift register; key-switches connected to said multiple input terminals of said other side of said comparator through said shift register; a clock pulse generator connected to a control electrode of said shift register, said memory circuit having multiple input terminals; first and second counter circuits, said clock pulse generator being connected to said multiple input terminals of said memory circuits through said first and second counter circuits; said first and second counter circuits having multiple output terminals; first and second latched circuits connected respectively to said output terminals of said first and second counter circuits; said comparator having an output terminal connected to control electrodes of said first and second latch circuits, said first and second latched circuits being connected to said musical performance circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
126 words
An automatic musical instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein said musical performance circuit comprises a decoder connected to multiple output terminals of said first latch circuit; a plurality of AND gates connected to multiple output terminals of said decoder; a plurality of tone source signal oscillators having different frequencies of oscillation; a plurality of frequency dividers connected to output terminals of said oscillators through respective ones of said AND gates; a decoder connected to multiple output terminals of said second latch circuit; an amplifier a rhythm pulse generator; and a plurality of gate circuits connected between said amplifier and output terminals of said frequency dividers, said gate circuits being controlled to open and closed states by outputs of said decoder and said rhythm pulse generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
An automatic musical instrument as defined in claim 2 wherein said frequency dividers comprise a frequency divider for lst, a frequency divider for minor 3rd, a frequency divider for major 3rd, a frequency divider for diminished 5th, a frequency divider for perfect 5th, a frequency divider for 6th, a frequency divider for minor 7th and a frequency divider for major 7th.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
204 words
An automatic musical instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein said performance circuit comprises a timing pulse generator for generating timing pulses in sequence at multiple output terminals of said generator; a rhythm pulse generator generating a series of output pulses cooperating with said timing pulse generator for generating said timing pulses; a memory circuit having addresses selected in sequence by said timing pulses; an adder having multiple input terminals connected on one side to multiple output terminals of said memory circuit; a decoder connected to multiple output terminals of said adder; musical tone signal passing circuits; a plurality of gate circuits connected to multiple output terminals of said decoder; said gate circuits being interposed in respective ones of said musical tone signal passing circuits; signal convertors connected between selected ones of circuits between multiple output terminals of said memory circuit and said adder; switching elements; selected output terminals of said timing pulse generator being connected to respective control electrodes of said signal convertors through said switching elements; said first latch circuit having multiple output terminals connected to multiple input terminals connected on another side of said adder; said second latch circuit having multiple output terminals connected to control electrodes of said switching elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An automatic musical instrument as defined in claim 4 wherein said signal convertors comprise exclusive OR circuits.
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) | 1982-02-12 | 1982-08-14 | 1983-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-12 | 1986-08-14 | 1987-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-12 | 1990-08-14 | 1991-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |