US5121669A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic stringed instrument
Assignee: Casio Computer Co Ltd
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Filing: 1990-07-20
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Granted: 1992-06-16
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Expires: 2010-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An electronic stringed instrument employs a plurality of sensors or monitors for instrument performance. Preferred sensors or monitors include a detector for detecting that a string of the instrument is vibrated, an apparatus for evaluating a string-vibration strength or a string touch, an apparatus for discriminating a fret operation position on a fingerboard or a fundamental frequency of a vibration of the vibrated string, a tremolo arm sensor, and a string-bending sensor. These performance input parameters are assigned to various control functions for musical tones generated by a sound source and/or various control functions for effects added to these musical tones by an effector. The function assignment is preferably programmable. In an operation, a music control apparatus controls the sound source and/or effector in response to a performance monitor so that musical tones for the strings can be distinguished from each other or effects for the musical tones can be distinguished from each other. Therefore, a performance with the stringed instrument by a player can be fully expressed.
Inventors
- 👤 Akio Iba
- 👤 Yoshiyuki Murata
- 👤 Hajime Manabe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:09
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0091; G10H1/02; G10H1/06; G10H1/08; G10H1/10; G10H1/32; G10H1/34; G10H1/342; G10H3/00; G10H3/12; G10H3/14; G10H3/18; G10H2210/00; G10H2210/031; G10H2210/066; G10H2210/155; G10H2210/161; G10H2210/191; G10H2210/195; G10H2210/221; G10H2210/225; G10H2210/235; G10H2210/245; G10H2210/251; G10H2210/265; G10H2210/281; G10H2220/00; G10H2220/155; G10H2220/165; G10H2220/181; G10H2220/265; G10H2220/275; G10H2220/295; G10H2220/301
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of extended strings; string-vibration detection means for detecting that each of said strings is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; and tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means; tone-characteristics setting means for setting a tone characteristics independently for each of the plurality of strings; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of musical tones to be generated in response to the string vibration for each of said strings in accordance with the tone characteristics independently set by said tone-characteristics setting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of extended strings; string-vibration detection means for detecting that each of said strings is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; and tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means; tone-characteristics setting means for setting a tone characteristics independently for each of the plurality of strings; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of musical tones to be generated in response to the string vibration for each of said strings in accordance with the tone characteristics independently set by said tone-characteristics setting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
An instrument according to claim 1, wherein said tone control means comprises means for controlling pitch characteristics, tone volume characteristics, tone color characteristics, and envelope characteristics, or at least one of arbitrary combinations of a pitch, tone volume, tone color, and envelope of musical tones for each of said strings in accordance with the tone characteristics independently set by said tone-characteristics setting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of strings kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that each of said strings is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of each of said strings; and tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means; tone-characteristics setting means for setting a tone characteristics independently for each of the plurality of strings; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of musical tones to be generated in response to the string vibration for each of said strings in accordance with the tone characteristics independently set by said tone-characteristics setting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of strings kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that each of said strings is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of each of said strings; and tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means; tone-characteristics setting means for setting a tone characteristics independently for each of the plurality of strings; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of musical tones to be generated in response to the string vibration for each of said strings in accordance with the tone characteristics independently set by said tone-characteristics setting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
An instrument according to claim 3, wherein said tone control means comprises means for controlling pitch characteristics, tone volume characteristics, tone color characteristics, and envelope characteristics, or at least one of arbitrary combinations of a pitch, tone volume, tone color, and an envelope of musical tones for each of said strings in accordance with the tone characteristics independently set by said tone-characteristics setting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position detected by said operation position detection means; and string-vibration strength measuring means for measuring a string-vibration strength of said string, wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means for modulating at least one of a tone color and pitch of the musical tone to be generated in accordance with the string-vibration strength measured by said string-vibration strength measuring means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position detected by said operation position detection means; and string-vibration strength measuring means for measuring a string-vibration strength of said string, wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means for modulating at least one of a tone color and pitch of the musical tone to be generated in accordance with the string-vibration strength measured by said string-vibration strength measuring means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
141 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; and tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means; and string-vibration strength measuring means for measuring a string-vibration strength of said string, wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means for modulating at least one of a tone color, pitch, and envelope of the musical tone to be generated in accordance with the string-vibration strength measured by said string-vibration strength measuring means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; and tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means; and string-vibration strength measuring means for measuring a string-vibration strength of said string, wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means for modulating at least one of a tone color, pitch, and envelope of the musical tone to be generated in accordance with the string-vibration strength measured by said string-vibration strength measuring means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
156 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; tone control means including tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means; and string-bending measuring means for measuring a bending operation state for said string, wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means for modulating at least one of a tone color, tone volume, and envelope of the musical tone to be generated in accordance with the bending operation state for said string measured by said string-bending measuring means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
156 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; tone control means including tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means; and string-bending measuring means for measuring a bending operation state for said string, wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means for modulating at least one of a tone color, tone volume, and envelope of the musical tone to be generated in accordance with the bending operation state for said string measured by said string-bending measuring means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means; and string-bending measuring means for measuring a bending operation state for said string; wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means for modulating at least one of a tone color, tone volume, and envelope of the musical tone to be generated in accordance with the bending operation state measured by said string-bending measuring means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means; and string-bending measuring means for measuring a bending operation state for said string; wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means for modulating at least one of a tone color, tone volume, and envelope of the musical tone to be generated in accordance with the bending operation state measured by said string-bending measuring means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
166 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means; and a manually operative performance operation element for changing a tension state of said string; and string-tension measuring means for measuring a tension state of said string; wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means, connected with said performance operation element, for modulating at least one of a tone color, volume, and envelope of the musical tone to be generated in accordance with the tension state measured by said string-tension measuring means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
166 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means; and a manually operative performance operation element for changing a tension state of said string; and string-tension measuring means for measuring a tension state of said string; wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means, connected with said performance operation element, for modulating at least one of a tone color, volume, and envelope of the musical tone to be generated in accordance with the tension state measured by said string-tension measuring means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
139 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means; wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means for modulating at least one of a tone color, tone volume, and envelope of the musical tone having a pitch corresponding to the operation position in accordance with the operation position detected by said operation position detection means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
139 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means; wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means for modulating at least one of a tone color, tone volume, and envelope of the musical tone having a pitch corresponding to the operation position in accordance with the operation position detected by said operation position detection means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
141 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of each of said strings; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means; and wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means for modulating at least one of a tone color, volume, and envelope of the musical tone having a pitch corresponding to the operation position in accordance with the fundamental period measured by said period measuring means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
141 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of each of said strings; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means; and wherein said instrument further comprises modulation means for modulating at least one of a tone color, volume, and envelope of the musical tone having a pitch corresponding to the operation position in accordance with the fundamental period measured by said period measuring means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
139 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means, wherein said instrument further comprises effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
139 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means, wherein said instrument further comprises effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
138 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detecting means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrating string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means; wherein said instrument further comprises effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the fundamental period measured by said period measuring means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
138 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detecting means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrating string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means; wherein said instrument further comprises effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the fundamental period measured by said period measuring means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
151 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; a manually operative performance operation element for controlling a pitch of a musical tone to be generated; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detecting means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means; wherein said instrument further comprises effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the operation state of said performance operation element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
151 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; a manually operative performance operation element for controlling a pitch of a musical tone to be generated; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detecting means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means; wherein said instrument further comprises effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the operation state of said performance operation element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
159 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; a manually operative performance operation element for changing a tension state of said string; measuring means for measuring a tension state of said string; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means, wherein said instrument further comprises effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the tension state measured by said measuring means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
159 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; a manually operative performance operation element for changing a tension state of said string; measuring means for measuring a tension state of said string; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means, wherein said instrument further comprises effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the tension state measured by said measuring means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; string-bending detection means for detecting a string-bending operation state of said string; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detecting means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means; wherein said instrument further comprises effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the string-bending operation state detected by said string-bending detection means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; string-bending detection means for detecting a string-bending operation state of said string; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detecting means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means; wherein said instrument further comprises effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the string-bending operation state detected by said string-bending detection means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
140 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone control means including ton generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means, wherein said instrument further comprises effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the fundamental period measured by said period measuring means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
140 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that said string is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone control means including ton generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that said string is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means, wherein said instrument further comprises effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the fundamental period measured by said period measuring means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of extended strings; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for each of said strings; string detection means for detecting a string which is operated among said plurality of strings; operation position monitoring means for monitoring an operation position on said fingerboard; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone control means for controlling characteristics of said musical tones in response to monitoring results from said string-vibration monitoring means and said operation position monitoring means; setting means for setting an effect addition instruction data independently for each of the plurality of strings; and effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with said string detected by said string detection means so that effects added to the musical tones for said strings are varied for each of said strings in accordance with the effect addition instruction data.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of extended strings; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for each of said strings; string detection means for detecting a string which is operated among said plurality of strings; operation position monitoring means for monitoring an operation position on said fingerboard; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone control means for controlling characteristics of said musical tones in response to monitoring results from said string-vibration monitoring means and said operation position monitoring means; setting means for setting an effect addition instruction data independently for each of the plurality of strings; and effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with said string detected by said string detection means so that effects added to the musical tones for said strings are varied for each of said strings in accordance with the effect addition instruction data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
58 words
An instrument according to claim 18, wherein said effect control means controls said effect addition means so that at least one of arbitrary combinations of a tremolo effect, a chorus effect, a delay effect, and a reverberation effect of musical tones for said strings are varied for each of strings in accordance with the effect addition instruction data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of strings kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for each of said strings; string detection means for detecting a string which is operated among said plurality of strings; period monitoring means for monitoring a fundamental period of a vibration of each of said strings; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone control means for controlling characteristics of said musical tone in response to monitoring results from said string-vibration monitoring means and said period monitoring means; setting means for setting an effect addition instruction data independently for each of the plurality of strings; and effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with said string detected by said string detection means so that effects added to the musical tones for said strings are varied for each of said strings in accordance with the effect addition instruction data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of strings kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for each of said strings; string detection means for detecting a string which is operated among said plurality of strings; period monitoring means for monitoring a fundamental period of a vibration of each of said strings; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone control means for controlling characteristics of said musical tone in response to monitoring results from said string-vibration monitoring means and said period monitoring means; setting means for setting an effect addition instruction data independently for each of the plurality of strings; and effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with said string detected by said string detection means so that effects added to the musical tones for said strings are varied for each of said strings in accordance with the effect addition instruction data.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
58 words
An instrument according to claim 20, wherein said effect control means controls said effect addition means so that at least one of arbitrary combinations of a tremolo effect, a chorus effect, a delay effect, and a reverberation effect of musical tones for said strings are varied for each of strings in accordance with the effect addition instruction data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
104 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a string-vibration for said string; operation position monitoring means for monitoring an operation position on said fingerboard; and tone control means for sending monitoring results from said string-vibration monitoring means and said operation position monitoring means and for controlling characteristics of the musical tone in response to the monitoring results, wherein said instrument further comprises pan-pot control means for controlling a pan-pot of a musical tone which is to be produced in accordance with the operation position on said fingerboard monitored by said operation position monitoring means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
104 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a string-vibration for said string; operation position monitoring means for monitoring an operation position on said fingerboard; and tone control means for sending monitoring results from said string-vibration monitoring means and said operation position monitoring means and for controlling characteristics of the musical tone in response to the monitoring results, wherein said instrument further comprises pan-pot control means for controlling a pan-pot of a musical tone which is to be produced in accordance with the operation position on said fingerboard monitored by said operation position monitoring means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
105 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string vibration monitoring means for monitoring a string-vibration for said string; period monitoring means for monitoring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; and tone control means for sending monitoring results from said string-vibration monitoring means and said period monitoring means and for controlling characteristics of the musical tone in response to the monitoring results, wherein said instrument further comprises pan-pot control means for controlling an pan-pot of a musical tone which is to be produced in accordance with fundamental period monitored by said period monitoring means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
105 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string vibration monitoring means for monitoring a string-vibration for said string; period monitoring means for monitoring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; and tone control means for sending monitoring results from said string-vibration monitoring means and said period monitoring means and for controlling characteristics of the musical tone in response to the monitoring results, wherein said instrument further comprises pan-pot control means for controlling an pan-pot of a musical tone which is to be produced in accordance with fundamental period monitored by said period monitoring means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
160 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for said string; string-vibration strength monitoring means for monitoring a vibrating strength for said string; operation position monitoring means for monitoring an operation position on said fingerboard; a manually operative performance operation element; and operation element monitoring means, connected with said performance operation element, for monitoring an operation state for said performance operation element; wherein said instrument further comprises: function assignment means for variably assigning tone control functions to at least one of the string-vibration strength, the operation position on said fingerboard, and the operation state for said performance operation element; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of a musical tone in accordance with the tone control functions assigned by said function assignment means in response to monitoring results from at least one of said string-vibration strength monitoring means, said operation position monitoring means, and said operation element monitoring means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
160 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for said string; string-vibration strength monitoring means for monitoring a vibrating strength for said string; operation position monitoring means for monitoring an operation position on said fingerboard; a manually operative performance operation element; and operation element monitoring means, connected with said performance operation element, for monitoring an operation state for said performance operation element; wherein said instrument further comprises: function assignment means for variably assigning tone control functions to at least one of the string-vibration strength, the operation position on said fingerboard, and the operation state for said performance operation element; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of a musical tone in accordance with the tone control functions assigned by said function assignment means in response to monitoring results from at least one of said string-vibration strength monitoring means, said operation position monitoring means, and said operation element monitoring means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
164 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a string-vibration for said string; string-vibration strength monitoring means for monitoring a vibrating strength for said string; period monitoring means for monitoring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; a manually operative performance operation element; and operation element monitoring means, connected with said performance operation element for monitoring an operation state for said performance operation element; wherein said instrument further comprises: function assignment means for variably assigning tone control functions to at least one of the string-vibration strength, the period of the vibration, and the operation state for said performance operation element; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of a musical tone in accordance with the tone control functions assigned by said function assignment means in response to monitoring results from at least one of said string-vibration strength monitoring means, said period monitoring means, and said operation element monitoring means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
164 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a string-vibration for said string; string-vibration strength monitoring means for monitoring a vibrating strength for said string; period monitoring means for monitoring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; a manually operative performance operation element; and operation element monitoring means, connected with said performance operation element for monitoring an operation state for said performance operation element; wherein said instrument further comprises: function assignment means for variably assigning tone control functions to at least one of the string-vibration strength, the period of the vibration, and the operation state for said performance operation element; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of a musical tone in accordance with the tone control functions assigned by said function assignment means in response to monitoring results from at least one of said string-vibration strength monitoring means, said period monitoring means, and said operation element monitoring means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
100 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for said string; and operation position monitoring means for monitoring an operation position on said fingerboard; wherein said instrument further comprises: function assignment means for variably assigning a tone control function to the operation position on said fingerboard; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of a musical tone in accordance with the tone control functions assigned to the operation position on said fingerboard by said function assignment means in response to the monitoring result from said operation position monitoring means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
100 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one extended string; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for said string; and operation position monitoring means for monitoring an operation position on said fingerboard; wherein said instrument further comprises: function assignment means for variably assigning a tone control function to the operation position on said fingerboard; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of a musical tone in accordance with the tone control functions assigned to the operation position on said fingerboard by said function assignment means in response to the monitoring result from said operation position monitoring means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
99 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for said string; and period monitoring means for monitoring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; wherein said instrument further comprises: function assignment means for variably assigning a tone control function to the vibration period; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of a musical tone in accordance with the tone control function assigned to the vibration period by said function assignment means in response to the monitoring result from said period monitoring means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
99 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for said string; and period monitoring means for monitoring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; wherein said instrument further comprises: function assignment means for variably assigning a tone control function to the vibration period; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of a musical tone in accordance with the tone control function assigned to the vibration period by said function assignment means in response to the monitoring result from said period monitoring means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
131 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for said string; operation position monitoring means for monitoring an operation position on said fingerboard; a manually operative performance operation element for controlling a pitch of a musical tone to be generated; and operation element monitoring means for monitoring an operation state for said performance operation element; wherein said instrument further comprises: function assignment means for variably assigning a tone control function to said performance operation element; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of a musical tone in accordance with the tone control function assigned to the performance operation element by said function assignment means in response to the monitoring result from said operation element monitoring means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
131 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for said string; operation position monitoring means for monitoring an operation position on said fingerboard; a manually operative performance operation element for controlling a pitch of a musical tone to be generated; and operation element monitoring means for monitoring an operation state for said performance operation element; wherein said instrument further comprises: function assignment means for variably assigning a tone control function to said performance operation element; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of a musical tone in accordance with the tone control function assigned to the performance operation element by said function assignment means in response to the monitoring result from said operation element monitoring means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
131 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for said string; period monitoring means for monitoring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; a manually operative performance operation element for changing a tension state of said string; and operation element monitoring means for monitoring a tension state for said performance operation element; wherein said instrument further comprises: function assignment means for variably assigning a tone control function to said performance operation element; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of a musical tone in accordance with the tone control function assigned to the performance operation element by said function assignment means in response to the monitoring tension state from said operation element monitoring means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
131 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; at least one string kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration monitoring means for monitoring a vibration for said string; period monitoring means for monitoring a fundamental period of a vibration of said string; a manually operative performance operation element for changing a tension state of said string; and operation element monitoring means for monitoring a tension state for said performance operation element; wherein said instrument further comprises: function assignment means for variably assigning a tone control function to said performance operation element; and tone control means for controlling characteristics of a musical tone in accordance with the tone control function assigned to the performance operation element by said function assignment means in response to the monitoring tension state from said operation element monitoring means.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
152 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of extended strings; string-vibration detection means for detecting that each of said strings is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; tone generation start instruction means for, when string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means; wherein said instrument further comprises: envelope setting means for independently setting envelopes of musical tones for each of the plurality of said strings; and envelope control means for controlling envelopes of the musical tones to be generated in accordance with the envelopes independently set by said envelope setting means for said each of strings.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
152 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of extended strings; string-vibration detection means for detecting that each of said strings is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; tone generation start instruction means for, when string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means; wherein said instrument further comprises: envelope setting means for independently setting envelopes of musical tones for each of the plurality of said strings; and envelope control means for controlling envelopes of the musical tones to be generated in accordance with the envelopes independently set by said envelope setting means for said each of strings.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of strings kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that each of said strings is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of each of said strings; and tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the plucked string, and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means, wherein said instrument further comprises: envelope setting means for independently setting envelopes of musical tones for each of the plurality of said strings; and envelope control means for controlling envelopes of the musical tones to be generated in accordance with the envelopes independently set by said envelope setting means for said strings.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of strings kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that each of said strings is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of each of said strings; and tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the plucked string, and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means, wherein said instrument further comprises: envelope setting means for independently setting envelopes of musical tones for each of the plurality of said strings; and envelope control means for controlling envelopes of the musical tones to be generated in accordance with the envelopes independently set by said envelope setting means for said strings.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
172 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of extended strings; string-vibration detection means for detecting that each of said strings is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means, wherein said instrument further comprises: effect parameter setting means for independently setting for each of the plurality of said strings, parameters of the effect to be added by said effect addition means; and effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the effect parameters independently set for said strings by said effect parameter setting means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
172 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of extended strings; string-vibration detection means for detecting that each of said strings is vibrated; operation position detection means for detecting an operation position on said fingerboard; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string; and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the operation position on said fingerboard detected by said operation position detection means, wherein said instrument further comprises: effect parameter setting means for independently setting for each of the plurality of said strings, parameters of the effect to be added by said effect addition means; and effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the effect parameters independently set for said strings by said effect parameter setting means.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
175 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of strings kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that each of said strings is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of each of said strings; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string, and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means, wherein said instrument further comprises: effect parameter setting means for independently setting for each of the plurality of said strings, parameters of the effect to be added by said effect addition means; and effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the effect parameters independently set for said strings by said effect parameter setting means.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
175 words
An electronic stringed instrument, comprising: a fingerboard; a plurality of strings kept taut along said fingerboard; string-vibration detection means for detecting that each of said strings is vibrated; period measuring means for measuring a fundamental period of a vibration of each of said strings; effect addition means for adding an effect to the musical tone to be generated; tone generation start instruction means for, when said string-vibration detection means detects that one of said strings is vibrated, instructing to start generation of a musical tone corresponding to the vibrated string, and pitch instruction means for instructing a pitch of the musical tone to be generated to correspond to the period measured by said period measuring means, wherein said instrument further comprises: effect parameter setting means for independently setting for each of the plurality of said strings, parameters of the effect to be added by said effect addition means; and effect control means for controlling said effect addition means in accordance with the effect parameters independently set for said strings by said effect parameter setting means.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
29 words
An instrument according to claim 33, wherein said effect addition means adds at least one of tremolo effect, chorus effect, delay effect, and reverberation effect to the musical tones.
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) | 1995-06-16 | 1995-12-16 | 1996-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-16 | 1999-12-16 | 2000-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-16 | 2003-12-16 | 2004-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |