Electronic apparatus having a tone generating function

Claim 2

An electronic apparatus having a tone generating function, comprising: input means for inputting note data; memory means for storing the note data input by operation of said input means; a readout key which is provided independently from said input means and which is operable for reading out the note data from said memory means sequentially one by one every time the readout key is operated, after said note data is stored in said memory means by said input means; first detecting means for detecting a key-on period during which said readout key is kept operated; second detecting means for detecting a key-off period during which said readout key is not operated; duration input means coupled to said first and second detecting means for inputting tone duration information into said memory means, said input tone duration information designating tone producing intervals and tone releasing intervals according to the key-on period and the key-off period, respectively, with respect to each input note data.

Claim 3

The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein said duration input means includes: means for calculating a ratio of the key-off period to the total duration of the key-on and key-off periods; and means for inputting the calculated ratio and said total duration as the tone duration information into said memory means.

Claim 4

The electronic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising automatic performance means for reading the note data and duration information from said memory means and for producing musical sound.

Claim 5

The electronic apparatus of claim 3, wherein said automatic performance means includes means for designating the number of times the automatic performance is to be repeated.

Claim 6

The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein said readout key is a depressible key; and wherein said first detecting means detects said key-on period during which said readout key is kept depressed, and said second detecting means detects said key-off period during which said readout key is not kept depressed.

Claim 7

The electronic apparatus of claim 5, wherein said depressible readout key is a manually depressible readout key.

Claim 8

The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein said readout key is a manually depressible readout key which is manually depressible for reading out said note data; and wherein said first detecting means detects said key-on period during which said read-on key is kept manually depressed, and said second detecting means detects said key-off period during which said readout key is not depressed.

Claim 9

The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein said readout key is a single manually operable readout key.

Claim 10

An electronic apparatus having a tone generating function, comprising: mode setting means for setting the electronic apparatus to an arithmetic operation mode and to a music mode; input means including numeric keys and function keys for inputting note data in said music mode and for designating a number and four arithmetic operations in said arithmetic operation mode; memory means for storing the note data input by operation of said input means in said music mode; a readout key which is provided independently of said input means and which is operable for reading out the note data from said memory means sequentially one by one every time the readout key is operated in said music mode, after said note data is stored in said memory means by said input means; first detecting means for detecting a key-on period during which said readout key is kept operated in said music mode; second detecting means for detecting a key-off period during which said readout key is not operated in said music mode; duration input means coupled to said first and second detecting means for inputting tone duration information into said memory means, said input tone duration information designating tone producing intervals and tone releasing intervals according to the key-on period and the key-off period, respectively, with respect to each input note data, in said music mode; and operating means for performing arithmetic operations designated by the operation of said function keys in said arithmetic operation mode.

Claim 11

An electronic apparatus having a tone generating function, comprising: mode setting means for setting the electronic apparatus to an arithmetic operation mode and to a music mode; input means including numeric keys and function keys for inputting note data in said music mode and for designating a number and four arithmetic operations in said arithmetic operation mode; memory means for storing the note data input by operation of said input means in said music mode; a readout key which is provided independently of said input means and which is operable for reading out the note data from said memory means sequentially one by one every time the readout key is operated in said music mode, after said note data is stored in said memory means by said input means; first detecting means for detecting a key-on period during which said readout key is kept operated in said music mode; second detecting means for detecting a key-off period during which said readout key is not operated in said music mode; duration input means coupled to said first and second detecting means for inputting tone duration information into said memory means, said input tone duration information designating tone producing intervals and tone releasing intervals according to the key-on period and the key-off period, respectively, with respect to each input note data, in said music mode; and operating means for performing arithmetic operations designated by the operation of said function keys in said arithmetic operation mode.