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US5083491A
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Method and apparatus for re-creating expression effects on solenoid actuated music producing instruments
Assignee: Sanwa Bank California
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Filing: 1991-05-31
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Granted: 1992-01-28
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Expires: 2011-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for re-creating expression effects contained in musical renditions recorded in MIDI format for reproduction on solenoid actuated player piano systems. Detected strike velocity information contained in the MIDI recording is decoded and correlated to strike maps stored in a controlling microprocessor, the strike maps containing data corresponding to desired expression effects. Time differentiated pulses of fixed width and amplitude are directed to the actuating solenoids in accordance with the data in the strike maps, and the actuating solenoids in turn strike the piano strings. Thereafter, pulses of uniform amplitude and frequency are directed to the actuating solenoids to sustain the strike until the end of the musical note. The strike maps dynamically control the position of the solenoid during the entire duration of the strike to compensate for non-linear characteristics of solenoid operation and piano key movement, thus providing true reproduction of the original musical performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Kyle D. Fields
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:12
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10F; G10F1/00; G10F1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of reproducing expression effects on a musical note generating instrument with solenoid actuators, comprising the steps of: (a) converting the velocity factor component of musical information recorded in MIDI format into a solenoid strike signal, said strike signal including a plurality of time differentiated pulses of fixed width and amplitude, the number and timing of said time differentiated pulses in said strike signal being dependent upon the desired re-creation of the expression effect of a musical note; (b) applying said strike signal to a solenoid actuator corresponding to said musical note; and (c) applying a plurality of holding pulses of uniform amplitude and timing to said solenoid actuator until the end of said musical note, whereby the expression effect of said musical note is accurately reproduced on a solenoid actuated musical note producing instrument.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of reproducing expression effects on a musical note generating instrument with solenoid actuators, comprising the steps of: (a) converting the velocity factor component of musical information recorded in MIDI format into a solenoid strike signal, said strike signal including a plurality of time differentiated pulses of fixed width and amplitude, the number and timing of said time differentiated pulses in said strike signal being dependent upon the desired re-creation of the expression effect of a musical note; (b) applying said strike signal to a solenoid actuator corresponding to said musical note; and (c) applying a plurality of holding pulses of uniform amplitude and timing to said solenoid actuator until the end of said musical note, whereby the expression effect of said musical note is accurately reproduced on a solenoid actuated musical note producing instrument.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein said solenoid actuator is microprocessor controlled, the number and timing of said time differentiated pulses being selected by said microprocessor based on said velocity factor component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 2, wherein the width of said time differentiated pulses is approximately two milliseconds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 3, wherein the time between said time differentiated pulses is at least ten microseconds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 4, wherein the width of said holding pulses is approximately fifteen microseconds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 5, wherein the time between said holding pulses is approximately thirty-five microseconds.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for reproducing expression effects on a musical note generating instrument with solenoid actuators, comprising: (a) means for converting the velocity factor component of musical information recorded in MIDI format into a solenoid strike signal, said strike signal including a plurality of time differentiated pulses of fixed width and amplitude, the number and timing of said time differentiated pulses in said strike signal being dependent upon the desired re-creation of the expression effect of a musical note; (b) means for applying said strike signal to a solenoid actuator corresponding to said musical note; and (c) means for applying a plurality of holding pulses of uniform amplitude and timing to said solenoid actuator until the end of said musical note, whereby the expression effect of said musical note is accurately reproduced on a solenoid actuated musical note producing instrument.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for reproducing expression effects on a musical note generating instrument with solenoid actuators, comprising: (a) means for converting the velocity factor component of musical information recorded in MIDI format into a solenoid strike signal, said strike signal including a plurality of time differentiated pulses of fixed width and amplitude, the number and timing of said time differentiated pulses in said strike signal being dependent upon the desired re-creation of the expression effect of a musical note; (b) means for applying said strike signal to a solenoid actuator corresponding to said musical note; and (c) means for applying a plurality of holding pulses of uniform amplitude and timing to said solenoid actuator until the end of said musical note, whereby the expression effect of said musical note is accurately reproduced on a solenoid actuated musical note producing instrument.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus recited in claim 7, wherein said solenoid actuator is microprocessor controlled, the number and timing of said time differentiated pulses being selected by said microprocessor based on said velocity factor component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus recited in claim 8, wherein the width of said time differentiated pulses is approximately two milliseconds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus recited in claim 9, wherein the time between said time differentiated pulses is at least ten microseconds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein the width of said holding pulses is approximately fifteen microseconds.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein the time between said holding pulses is approximately thirty-five microseconds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
152 words
A pulse mapping process for re-creating the expression effects of musical notes recorded in MIDI format, comprising the steps of: (a) partitioning a solenoid strike period into a plurality of serial timing intervals; (b) mapping pulses into certain of said timing intervals to create a strike map, the number and timing of said time differentiated pulses being dependent upon the desired re-creation of the expression effect of a musical note, said time differentiated pulses being of fixed width and amplitude; (c) storing said strike map; (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) for a plurality of expression effects; (e) inputting a MIDI format velocity factor from recorded musical information; (f) selecting a strike map corresponding to said MIDI format velocity factor; (g) converting the pulse data contained in said strike map into a strike signal; and (h) applying said strike signal to a solenoid actuator corresponding to a musical note to be reproduced.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
152 words
A pulse mapping process for re-creating the expression effects of musical notes recorded in MIDI format, comprising the steps of: (a) partitioning a solenoid strike period into a plurality of serial timing intervals; (b) mapping pulses into certain of said timing intervals to create a strike map, the number and timing of said time differentiated pulses being dependent upon the desired re-creation of the expression effect of a musical note, said time differentiated pulses being of fixed width and amplitude; (c) storing said strike map; (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) for a plurality of expression effects; (e) inputting a MIDI format velocity factor from recorded musical information; (f) selecting a strike map corresponding to said MIDI format velocity factor; (g) converting the pulse data contained in said strike map into a strike signal; and (h) applying said strike signal to a solenoid actuator corresponding to a musical note to be reproduced.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method recited in claim 13, further comprising the step of applying a plurality of holding pulses of uniform amplitude and frequency to said solenoid actuator until the end of said musical note.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 14, wherein the width of said holding pulses is approximately fifteen microseconds.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 15, wherein the frequency of said holding pulses is approximately twenty kilohertz.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
153 words
An pulse-map apparatus for re-creating the expression effects of musical notes recorded in MIDI format, comprising the steps of: (a) means for partitioning a solenoid strike period into a plurality of serial timing intervals; (b) means for mapping pulses into certain of said timing intervals to create a strike map, the number and timing of said time differentiated pulses being dependent upon the desired re-creation of the expression effect of a musical note, said time differentiated pulses being of fixed width and amplitude; (c) means for storing said strike map; (d) means for inputting a MIDI format velocity factor from recorded musical information; (e) means for selecting a strike map corresponding to said MIDI format velocity factor; (f) means for converting the pulse data contained in said strike map into a strike signal; and (g) means for applying said strike signal to a solenoid actuator corresponding to a musical note to be reproduced.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
153 words
An pulse-map apparatus for re-creating the expression effects of musical notes recorded in MIDI format, comprising the steps of: (a) means for partitioning a solenoid strike period into a plurality of serial timing intervals; (b) means for mapping pulses into certain of said timing intervals to create a strike map, the number and timing of said time differentiated pulses being dependent upon the desired re-creation of the expression effect of a musical note, said time differentiated pulses being of fixed width and amplitude; (c) means for storing said strike map; (d) means for inputting a MIDI format velocity factor from recorded musical information; (e) means for selecting a strike map corresponding to said MIDI format velocity factor; (f) means for converting the pulse data contained in said strike map into a strike signal; and (g) means for applying said strike signal to a solenoid actuator corresponding to a musical note to be reproduced.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus recited in claim 17, further comprising means for applying a plurality of holding pulses of uniform amplitude and frequency to said solenoid actuator until the end of said musical note.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus recited in claim 18, wherein the width of said holding pulses is approximately fifteen microseconds.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus recited in claim 19, wherein the frequency of said holding pulses is approximately twenty kilohertz.
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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) | 1995-01-27 | 1995-07-29 | 1996-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-27 | 1999-07-29 | 2000-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-27 | 2003-07-29 | 2004-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |