US5058480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Swing activated musical tone control apparatus
Assignee: Yamaha Corp
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Filing: 1989-04-24
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Granted: 1991-10-22
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Expires: 2009-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A musical-tone-control apparatus having a baton which is provided with an acceleration sensor, and which is swung by a performer is provided. The intensity of a swing of the baton is detected by the acceleration sensor, and controls the tone-generation timing and tone elements such as tone pitches, tone volumes, or tone colors. The intensity of a swing is detected after a predetermined interval has elapsed from the beginning of a swing. As a result, a delay of detection of the intensity due to the inertia of the swing is eliminated. Hence, the swings and the tone-generating timing of musical tones are in harmony, which allows the performer to enjoy a natural feeling of performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideo Suzuki
- 👤 Masao Sakama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:27
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/32; G10H2220/00; G10H2220/155; G10H2220/201; G10H2220/206; G10H2220/395
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A musical-tone-control apparatus comprising: a swing member adapted to be swung by a performer's hand; acceleration-measuring means, provided in said swing member, for measuring acceleration produced by a swing; start-point-detecting means for detecting the start point of a swing of said swing member; timing-signal-generating means for producing a generation-timing signal after a predetermined interval has elapsed from said start point; holding means for maintaining an output signal of said acceleration-measuring means when said generation-timing signal occurs; and musical-tone-control-signal-generating means for generating a musical-tone-control signal to control musical tones according to the content of said holding means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A musical-tone-control apparatus comprising: a swing member adapted to be swung by a performer's hand; acceleration-measuring means, provided in said swing member, for measuring acceleration produced by a swing; start-point-detecting means for detecting the start point of a swing of said swing member; timing-signal-generating means for producing a generation-timing signal after a predetermined interval has elapsed from said start point; holding means for maintaining an output signal of said acceleration-measuring means when said generation-timing signal occurs; and musical-tone-control-signal-generating means for generating a musical-tone-control signal to control musical tones according to the content of said holding means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A musical-tone-control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said start-point-detecting means detects said start point when the output of said acceleration-measuring means exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A musical-tone-control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said start-point-detecting means includes a comparing means that compares said output of said acceleration-measuring means with said predetermined threshold and produces a start-point-detecting signal when the output of said acceleration measuring means exceeds said predetermined threshold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A musical-tone-control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said timing-signal-generating means includes delay means for delaying said start-point-detecting signal by a predetermined interval and producing said generation-timing signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
A musical-tone-control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said start-point-detecting means includes first comparing means, for comparing said output of said acceleration-measuring means with a predetermined positive threshold, and second comparing means for comparing said output of said acceleration-measuring means with a predetermined negative threshold, and said start-point-detecting means includes a monostable multivibrator that produces a start-point-detecting signal when the output of said acceleration-measuring means exceeds said positive or negative predetermined threshold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A musical-tone-control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said timing-signal-generating means includes delay means for delaying said start-point-detecting signal for a predetermined interval and producing said generation-timing signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A musical-tone-control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said start-point-detecting means detects said start point when a swing of said swing member begins.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A musical-tone-control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said musical-tone-control-signal-generating means controls tone pitches of said musical tones according to the content of said holding means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A musical-tone-control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said musical-tone-control-signal-generating means controls tone volumes of said musical tones according to the content of said holding means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A musical-tone-control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said musical-tone-control-signal-generating means controls the tone colors of said musical tones according to the content of said holding means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-10-21 | 1995-04-22 | 1995-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-04-22 | 1999-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-04-22 | 2003-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |