US4454796A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable musical instrument
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1981-04-28
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Granted: 1984-06-19
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Expires: 2001-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A musical instrument comprises an input circuit for entering pitch information and duration information of a note, a counting circuit for counting the time when the input means continues to be actuated in order to fix the duration information, a memory circuit for storing the pitch information and the duration information, and an output circuit for actuating the memory circuit so as to develop the pitch information and the length information.
Inventors
- 👤 Tomohiro Inoue
- 👤 Akira Tanimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:30
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0033; G10H1/0041; G10H1/18; G10H1/26; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A musical instrument comprising: means for selecting a tempo; means for generating an audible signal representative of the tempo; input means for entering pitch information and duration information of a note during generation of said audible signal; counting means for determining the time during which said input means is actuated for fixing the duration information; memory means for storing the pitch information and the duration information; and output means operatively connected to said memory means for developing the pitch information and the duration information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A musical instrument comprising: means for selecting a tempo; means for generating an audible signal representative of the tempo; input means for entering pitch information and duration information of a note during generation of said audible signal; counting means for determining the time during which said input means is actuated for fixing the duration information; memory means for storing the pitch information and the duration information; and output means operatively connected to said memory means for developing the pitch information and the duration information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument of claim 1, further comprising means for amending the stored duration information and for replacing the stored duration information with new information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 2, wherein said amending means is activated to energize said output means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The instrument of claim 1, wherein said memory means is adapted to store pitch information in response to a first actuation of said input means and duration information associated with the pitch information is sent to said memory means in response to a subsequent actuation of said input means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 1, wherein said counting means is a down counter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The instrument of claim 1, wherein said input means is adapted to enter duration information of a pause and said counting means is adapted to determine the time during which said input means is not actuated for fixing the duration information for the pause.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 1, wherein said memory means is adapted to simultaneously store pitch and duration information in response to actuation of said input means.
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) | 1987-06-19 | 1987-12-19 | 1988-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-19 | 1991-12-19 | 1992-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-19 | 1995-12-19 | 1996-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |