Asynchronous interface for keying electronic musical instruments using multiplexed note selection

Claim 2

Apparatus for keying an electronic musical instrument operable in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information at a first scan rate in accordance with serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at said second rate; means for alternately storing in each of said memories at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information; means for alternately retrieving from each of said memories at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate for use in keying the electronic musical instrument.

Claim 3

Apparatus for keying a first electronic musical instrument operable in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information at a first scan rate in accordance with serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously by a second electronic musical instrument at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced by the second electronic musical instrument at the second rate; means for alternately storing in each of said memories at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information; means for alternately retrieving from each of said memories at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and said second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate for use in keying the first electronic musical instrument.

Claim 4

Apparatus for keying a first electronic musical instrument operable in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information at a first scan rate in accordance with serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously by a second electronic musical instrument at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced by the second electronic musical instrument at the second rate; means for alternately storing in each of said memories at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information; means for alternately retrieving from each of said memories at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and said second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate for use in keying the first electronic musical instrument.

Claim 5

Apparatus for keying an electronic musical instrument operable in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information at a first scan rate in accordance with serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; first addressing means for generating a sequence of addresses for said first memory; second addressing means for generating a sequence of addresses for said second memory; means for storing at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information in said first memory at the addresses generated by said first addressing means during a first interval of time and for storing at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information in said second memory at the addresses generated by said second addressing means during a second distinct interval of time; means for retrieving at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored in said first memory at the addresses generated by said first addressing means during said second interval of time and for retrieving at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored in said second memory at the addresses generated by said second addressing means during said first interval of time; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate for use in keying the electronic musical instrument.

Claim 6

Apparatus for keying an electronic musical instrument operable in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information at a first scan rate in accordance with serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; first addressing means for generating a sequence of addresses for said first memory; second addressing means for generating a sequence of addresses for said second memory; means for storing at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information in said first memory at the addresses generated by said first addressing means during a first interval of time and for storing at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information in said second memory at the addresses generated by said second addressing means during a second distinct interval of time; means for retrieving at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored in said first memory at the addresses generated by said first addressing means during said second interval of time and for retrieving at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored in said second memory at the addresses generated by said second addressing means during said first interval of time; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate for use in keying the electronic musical instrument.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first addressing means comprises a first counter connected to said first memory and said second addressing means comprises a second counter connected to said second memory.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for storing includes a data selector circuit for alternately clocking each of said counters at said first and said second rates such that one counter is clocked at one rate while the other counter is clocked at the other rate.

Claim 9

An asynchronous serial interface for keying a receive electronic musical system responsive to multiplexed key pulse information generated at a receive scan rate in accordance with multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously by a send electronic musical system at a send scan rate which may be the same as or different from the receive scan rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced by the send electronic musical system at the send rate; means for alternately storing in each of said memories at said send rate the received multiplexed key pulse information; means for alternately retrieving from each of said memories at said receive rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said receive rate for use in keying the receive electronic musical system.

Claim 10

An asynchronous serial interface for keying a receive electronic musical system responsive to multiplexed key pulse information generated at a receive scan rate in accordance with multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously by a send electronic musical system at a send scan rate which may be the same as or different from the receive scan rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced by the send electronic musical system at the send rate; means for alternately storing in each of said memories at said send rate the received multiplexed key pulse information; means for alternately retrieving from each of said memories at said receive rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said receive rate for use in keying the receive electronic musical system.

Claim 11

Apparatus for converting the timing at which multiplexed key pulse information is produced asynchronously by a first electronic musical instrument to a timing compatible for use in keying a second electronic musical instrument, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced by the first musical instrument; means for alternately storing said received key pulse information in each of said memories at the timing of the received multiplexed key pulse information; means for alternately retrieving from each of said memories the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein at the timing compatible with the second electronic musical instrument; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said timing compatible for use in keying the second electronic musical instrument.

Claim 12

Apparatus for converting the timing at which multiplexed key pulse information is produced asynchronously by a first electronic musical instrument to a timing compatible for use in keying a second electronic musical instrument, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced by the first musical instrument; means for alternately storing said received key pulse information in each of said memories at the timing of the received multiplexed key pulse information; means for alternately retrieving from each of said memories the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein at the timing compatible with the second electronic musical instrument; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said timing compatible for use in keying the second electronic musical instrument.

Claim 13

Apparatus for keying an electronic musical instrument operable in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information generated at a first scan rate in accordance with serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for selectively storing information in said first memory or said second memory; means for selectively retrieving information from said first memory or said second memory; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; means for causing said means for selectively storing information to store the received key pulse information in one of said first and second memories at said second rate while causing said means for selectively retrieving to retrieve stored multiplexed key pulse information from the other of said first and second memories at said first rate; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate for use in keying said electronic musical instrument.

Claim 14

Apparatus for keying an electronic musical instrument operable in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information generated at a first scan rate in accordance with serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for selectively storing information in said first memory or said second memory; means for selectively retrieving information from said first memory or said second memory; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; means for causing said means for selectively storing information to store the received key pulse information in one of said first and second memories at said second rate while causing said means for selectively retrieving to retrieve stored multiplexed key pulse information from the other of said first and second memories at said first rate; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate for use in keying said electronic musical instrument.

Claim 15

Method of keying an electronic musical instrument operable in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information generated at a first scan rate in accordance with serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; storing the received multiplexed key pulse information in a first memory during a first interval of time and in a second memory during a second interval of time, said first and second intervals of time occurring at said second rate; retrieving the stored multiplexed key pulse information from said second memory during said first interval of time and from said first memory during said second interval of time; and combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate for use in keying the electronic musical instrument.

Claim 16

Method of keying an electronic musical instrument operable in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information generated at a first scan rate in accordance with serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; storing the received multiplexed key pulse information in a first memory during a first interval of time and in a second memory during a second interval of time, said first and second intervals of time occurring at said second rate; retrieving the stored multiplexed key pulse information from said second memory during said first interval of time and from said first memory during said second interval of time; and combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate for use in keying the electronic musical instrument.

Claim 17

Method of keying an electronic musical instrument operable in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information generated at a first scan rate in accordance with serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; alternately storing the received multiplexed key pulse information in first and second memories at the second rate; alternately retrieving the stored multiplexed key pulse information from said first and second memories at the first rate; and transmitting the retrieved multiplexed key pulse information to the electronic musical instrument at the first rate.

Claim 18

Method of keying an electronic musical instrument operable in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information generated at a first scan rate in accordance with serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; alternately storing the received multiplexed key pulse information in first and second memories at the second rate; alternately retrieving the stored multiplexed key pulse information from said first and second memories at the first rate; and transmitting the retrieved multiplexed key pulse information to the electronic musical instrument at the first rate.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 8 wherein said first and second rates are different.

Claim 20

The asynchronous serial interface according to claim 6 wherein said send and receive rates are different.

Claim 21

Method of keying an electronic musical instrument according to claims 9 or 10 wherein said first and second rates are different.

Claim 22

Apparatus for converting the timing at which multiplexed key pulse information is produced asynchronously by a key multiplexing device to a timing compatible for use in keying an electronic musical instrument, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced by the key multiplexing device; means for alternately storing said received key pulse information in each of said memories at the timing of the received multiplexed key pulse information; means for alternately retrieving from each of said memories the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein at the timing compatible with the electronic musical instrument; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said timing compatible for use in keying the electronic musical instrument.

Claim 23

Apparatus for converting the timing at which multiplexed key pulse information is produced asynchronously by a key multiplexing device to a timing compatible for use in keying an electronic musical instrument, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced by the key multiplexing device; means for alternately storing said received key pulse information in each of said memories at the timing of the received multiplexed key pulse information; means for alternately retrieving from each of said memories the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein at the timing compatible with the electronic musical instrument; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said timing compatible for use in keying the electronic musical instrument.

Claim 24

Method of producing serial key pulse information at a first scan rate in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; storing the received multiplexed key pulse information in a first memory during a first interval of time and in a second memory in a second interval of time, said first and second intervals of time occurring at said second rate; retrieving the stored multiplexed key pulse information from said second memory during said first interval of time and from said first memory during said second interval of time; and combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate.

Claim 25

Method of producing serial key pulse information at a first scan rate in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; storing the received multiplexed key pulse information in a first memory during a first interval of time and in a second memory in a second interval of time, said first and second intervals of time occurring at said second rate; retrieving the stored multiplexed key pulse information from said second memory during said first interval of time and from said first memory during said second interval of time; and combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate.

Claim 26

Method of producing serial key pulse information at a first scan rate in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; alternately storing the received multiplexed key pulse information in first and second memories at the second rate; alternately retrieving the stored multiplexed key pulse information from said first and second memories at the first rate; and transmitting the retrieved multiplexed key pulse information at the first rate.

Claim 27

Method of producing serial key pulse information at a first scan rate in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; alternately storing the received multiplexed key pulse information in first and second memories at the second rate; alternately retrieving the stored multiplexed key pulse information from said first and second memories at the first rate; and transmitting the retrieved multiplexed key pulse information at the first rate.

Claim 28

Method of producing serial key pulse information at a first scan rate in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: providing at least first and second memories; receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at said second rate; alternately storing in each of said memories at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information; alternately retrieving from each of said memories at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein; and combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate.

Claim 29

Method of producing serial key pulse information at a first scan rate in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: providing at least first and second memories; receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at said second rate; alternately storing in each of said memories at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information; alternately retrieving from each of said memories at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein; and combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate.

Claim 30

Method for producing serial key pulse information according to claims 15, 16, or 17 wherein said first and second rates are different.

Claim 31

Apparatus for producing a serial multiplexed key pulse information at a first scan rate in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; first addressing means for generating a sequence of addresses for said first memory; second addressing means for generating a sequence of addresses for said second memory; means for storing at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information in said first memory at the addresses generated by said first addressing means during a first interval of time and for storing at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information in said second memory at the addresses generated by said second addressing means during a second distinct interval of time; means for retrieving at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored in said first memory at the addresses generated by said first addressing means during said second interval of time and for retrieving at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored in said second memory at the address generated by said second addressing means during said first interval of time; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate.

Claim 32

Apparatus for producing a serial multiplexed key pulse information at a first scan rate in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; first addressing means for generating a sequence of addresses for said first memory; second addressing means for generating a sequence of addresses for said second memory; means for storing at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information in said first memory at the addresses generated by said first addressing means during a first interval of time and for storing at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information in said second memory at the addresses generated by said second addressing means during a second distinct interval of time; means for retrieving at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored in said first memory at the addresses generated by said first addressing means during said second interval of time and for retrieving at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored in said second memory at the address generated by said second addressing means during said first interval of time; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate.

Claim 33

Apparatus for producing serial multiplexed key pulse information at a first scan rate in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; means for alternately storing the received multiplexed key pulse information in said first and second memories at the second rate; means for alternately retrieving the stored multiplexed key pulse information from said first and second memories at the first rate; and means for transmitting the retrieved multiplexed key pulse information to an electronic musical instrument at the first rate.

Claim 34

Apparatus for producing serial multiplexed key pulse information at a first scan rate in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at the second rate; means for alternately storing the received multiplexed key pulse information in said first and second memories at the second rate; means for alternately retrieving the stored multiplexed key pulse information from said first and second memories at the first rate; and means for transmitting the retrieved multiplexed key pulse information to an electronic musical instrument at the first rate.

Claim 35

Apparatus for producing serial key pulse information at a first scan rate in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at said second rate; means for alternately storing in each of said memories at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information; means for alternately retrieving from each of said memories at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate.

Claim 36

Apparatus for producing serial key pulse information at a first scan rate in response to serial multiplexed key pulse information produced asynchronously at a second scan rate which may be the same as or different from the first rate, comprising: at least first and second memories; means for receiving the multiplexed key pulse information produced at said second rate; means for alternately storing in each of said memories at said second rate the received multiplexed key pulse information; means for alternately retrieving from each of said memories at said first rate the multiplexed key pulse information stored therein; and means for combining the multiplexed key pulse information retrieved from said first and second memories to produce multiplexed key pulse information at said first rate.

Claim 37

Apparatus according to claims 19, 20 or 21 wherein said first and second rates are different.