US4357850A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tone generator system for electronic musical instruments
Assignee: FRANZ REINHARD A GERMAN CORP
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Filing: 1981-01-21
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Granted: 1982-11-09
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Expires: 2001-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A tone generator system for electronic musical instruments includes a voltage-regulated, high-frequency oscillator. The output of the oscillator is connected with the inputs of first and second 12-tone divider circuits having outputs for transmission of full octaves of tone signals. The connection between the output of the oscillator and the input of one of the divider circuits contains circuitry which intercepts each n th signal of the series of signals transmitted by the oscillator so that the one divider circuit is out of tune with the other divider circuit. The number n can be varied by a battery of switches and can be as low as 2 or higher than 128. An auxiliary signal dividing circuit can be connected between the output of the oscillator and the input of the other divider circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Reinhard Franz
- 👤 Wilfried Dittmar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:04
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/36; G10H1/02; G10H1/06; G10H1/08; G10H1/10; G10H5/00; G10H5/02; G10H5/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/04; Y10S84/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A tone generator system for electronic musical instruments comprising: (a) a plurality of dividing circuits arranged to transmit tone signals; (b) a generator for generating signals at a predetermined frequency; (c) first coupling means coupling said generator to one of said dividing circuits, said first coupling means including an auxiliary divider, and a switch for selectively coupling said generator to said one dividing circuit via a path through said auxiliary divider and a path which is clear of said auxiliary divider between said generator and said one dividing circuit; and (d) second coupling means coupling said generator to another of said dividing circuits, said second coupling means including a signal intercepting circuit, and an adjustable selector circuit operative to cause interception of a signal by said intercepting circuit in response to receipt of a predetermined number of signals from said generator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A tone generator system for electronic musical instruments comprising: (a) a plurality of dividing circuits arranged to transmit tone signals; (b) a generator for generating signals at a predetermined frequency; (c) first coupling means coupling said generator to one of said dividing circuits, said first coupling means including an auxiliary divider, and a switch for selectively coupling said generator to said one dividing circuit via a path through said auxiliary divider and a path which is clear of said auxiliary divider between said generator and said one dividing circuit; and (d) second coupling means coupling said generator to another of said dividing circuits, said second coupling means including a signal intercepting circuit, and an adjustable selector circuit operative to cause interception of a signal by said intercepting circuit in response to receipt of a predetermined number of signals from said generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tone generator system of claim 1, wherein said dividing circuits are 12-tone dividing circuits arranged to transmit full octaves of tone signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tone generator system of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary divider comprises a 1:2 dividing circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tone generator system of claim 1, wherein said generator is a primary, high frequency generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tone generator system of claim 1, wherein said selector circuit comprises a 1/n dividing circuit which is adjustable such that n is variable from values in excess of 128 to values ranging from 2 to 4.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tone generator system of claim 5, wherein n is a whole number.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tone generator system of claim 1, comprising a battery of switches for adjusting said selector circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tone generator system of claim 1, wherein said selector circuit has an input connected with the output of said generator and an output connected with said intercepting circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tone generator system of claim 1, wherein said selector circuit is constructed and assembled to be operated in response to reception of each n th signal, n being a whole number in excess of 128.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tone generator system of claim 1, wherein said selector circuit is constructed and assembled to be operated in response to reception of each n th signal, n being a whole number between 2 and 4.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tone generator system of claim 1, wherein said selector circuit is an 8-bit dividing circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The tone generator system of claim 7, wherein said intercepting circuit comprises a logic circuit, said selector circuit being adjustable by said switches for each n th signal, n being a whole number which is selected by said switches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tone generator system of claim 1, wherein said generator is a voltage-regulated, high-frequency oscillator; and further comprising means for varying the frequency of the signals at the output of said oscillator.
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) | 1985-11-08 | 1986-05-10 | 1986-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-08 | 1990-05-10 | 1990-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-08 | 1994-05-10 | 1994-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |