US6229082B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Musical database synthesizer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2000-07-10
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Granted: 2001-05-08
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Expires: 2020-07-10
Abstract
Abstract An electronic musical synthesizer comprising a keyboard assembly including at least one main keyboard controller and one or more support keyboard controllers. The main keyboard controller includes ergonomically configured keypads each of which include two keyrows, wherein each keyrow preferably comprises either five keys or six keys. The keyboard assembly through the plurality of keyboard controllers operatively communicates with a processor assembly comprising a retrieve processor and an assemble processor each of which communicate with the keyboard assembly to receive different MIDI language, key-velocity primary parameters including pitch, velocity and channel. Target database information is selected and retrieved from a database assembly communicating with each of the retrieve and assemble processors, wherein a complete MIDI message is Ad formulated by the assemble processor from selected ones of the key-velocity parameters and the target database information, representing pre-scripted musical sound, from the database assembly. The completed MIDI message is transferred to a synthesis engine for the production of the intended sound, by means of audio signals, which in turn are transferred to conventional audio output hardware.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugo Masias
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:01
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0033; G10H1/0041; G10H1/0058; G10H1/0066; G10H1/32; G10H1/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A musical synthesizer assembly comprising: a. a keyboard assembly including at least one keyboard controller, b. a synthesis engine structured to generate a predetermined sound output comprising a plurality of audio signals, c. a database assembly comprising a plurality of predetermined data entries collectively varying from individual musical segments to complete musical compositions, d. a processor assembly responsive to said keyboard assembly to receive predetermined MIDI language parameters and operatively communicating with said database assembly to select said predetermined data entries therefrom, and e. said processor assembly further structured to communicate a complete MIDI message output to said synthesis engine, said complete MIDI message output determinative of said predetermined sound output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A musical synthesizer assembly comprising: a. a keyboard assembly including at least one keyboard controller, b. a synthesis engine structured to generate a predetermined sound output comprising a plurality of audio signals, c. a database assembly comprising a plurality of predetermined data entries collectively varying from individual musical segments to complete musical compositions, d. a processor assembly responsive to said keyboard assembly to receive predetermined MIDI language parameters and operatively communicating with said database assembly to select said predetermined data entries therefrom, and e. said processor assembly further structured to communicate a complete MIDI message output to said synthesis engine, said complete MIDI message output determinative of said predetermined sound output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said one keyboard controller comprises a main keyboard including two keypads each dimensioned and configured to be operated by a different hand of a user and each keypad including at least five keys.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein each of said keypads includes an ergonomic configuration corresponding to either a left hand or a right hand of the user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said two keypads are disposed in spaced apart relation and are oriented for independent access by the corresponding hands of the user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein each of said two keypads comprise two keyrows each of which include at least five keys.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein each of said keyrows includes six keys.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein each of said keypads includes an ergonomic configuration corresponding to either a left hand or a right hand of the user.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
An assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said ergonomic configuration of each of said keypads is at least partially defined by each of said keyrows disposed in longitudinally spaced relation to one another and said keys of each of said keyrows disposed in laterally spaced relation to one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said ergonomic configuration is at least partially defined by each of said keyrows disposed in an arcuate array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said keys of each of said keyrows are individually disposed for engagement by a corresponding finger of a corresponding hand of the user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein each of said keys of each of said keyrows are disposed in laterally spaced relation to one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
An assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein correspondingly positioned ones of said keys in each of said keyrows are longitudinally spaced from one another and are accessible by either a forward or rearward extension of a corresponding hand of the user.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
An assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said keyboard assembly further comprises at least one support keyboard controller including a pad-ribbon structure, said pad ribbon structure including a plurality of at least two keyboards each having an elongated substantially linear configuration, each keyboard comprising a plurality of pads disposed in laterally adjacent relation to one another and extending along a length of said keyboard.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said pad-ribbon comprises at least two keyboards separably positioned in adjacent parallel relation to one another.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein said plurality of pads of each of said keyboards are fixedly mounted in coplanar relation to one another and are electronically actuated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assembly as recited in claim 13 further comprising at least one other support keyboard controller including a pad-wheel, said pad wheel including a plurality of pads disposed in adjacent relation to one another and collectively arranged in a circular array.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said pad-wheel comprises a central member comprising a switch assembly operable to change playsets.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein each of said pads includes an triangular configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said pad-wheel includes a control member centrally disposed within said circular array, each of said pads being equally dimensioned and extending from an outer circumference of said circular array to said control member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
An assembly as recited in claim 19 wherein said plurality of pads comprise a plurality of angularly configured path segments concentrically disposed around said control member of said pad-wheel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
An assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said control member comprises a switch assembly selectively operable to change playsets.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said processor assembly comprises a retrieve processor and an assemble processor, said retrieve processor responsive to said keyboard controller and operatively communicative with said database assembly; said assemble processor responsive to both said keyboard controller and said database assembly and operatively communicative with said synthesis engine to determine said predetermined sound output of said synthesis engine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
An assembly as recited in claim 22 wherein said keyboard assembly is structured upon activation to generate MIDI language parameters including pitch, velocity and channel, at least one of said MIDI language parameters communicated to said retrieve processor and the others of said MIDI language parameters communicated to said assemble processor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly as recited in claim 23 wherein said retrieve processor is structured to select target database information defined by said predetermined data entries from said database assembly dependent on said pitch parameter and further communicate resulting partial MIDI information output from said database assembly to said assemble processor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly as recited in claim 24 wherein said assemble processor is operatively communicative with said keyboard assembly to receive said velocity and channel parameters directly therefrom.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly as recited in claim 25 wherein said assemble processor is structured to generate a complete MIDI message to said synthesis engine.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
An assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said assemble processor is further structured to assemble said complete MIDI message from said velocity and channel parameters received from said keyboard controller and said partial MIDI information received from said database assembly.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly as recited in claim 27 wherein said database assembly, said retrieve processor and said assemble processor are cooperatively structured to create said complete MIDI message in real time.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
152 words
A musical synthesizer assembly comprising: a. at least one keyboard controller including at least two ergonomically configured keypads each disposed and dimensioned to be operated by a different hand of a user, b. a synthesis engine structured to generate predetermined sound output comprising a plurality of audio signals, c. a database assembly including a plurality of predetermined data entries, d. a processor assembly including a retrieve processor and an assemble processor, e. said retrieve processor responsive to said keyboard controller and operatively communicative with said database assembly, f. said assemble processor responsive to both said keyboard controller and said database assembly and operatively communicative with said synthesis engine to determine said predetermined sound output, and g. said retrieve processor and said assemble processor cooperatively structured to communicate a complete MIDI message output to said synthesis engine, said complete MIDI message output determinative of said predetermined sound output generated by said synthesis engine.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
152 words
A musical synthesizer assembly comprising: a. at least one keyboard controller including at least two ergonomically configured keypads each disposed and dimensioned to be operated by a different hand of a user, b. a synthesis engine structured to generate predetermined sound output comprising a plurality of audio signals, c. a database assembly including a plurality of predetermined data entries, d. a processor assembly including a retrieve processor and an assemble processor, e. said retrieve processor responsive to said keyboard controller and operatively communicative with said database assembly, f. said assemble processor responsive to both said keyboard controller and said database assembly and operatively communicative with said synthesis engine to determine said predetermined sound output, and g. said retrieve processor and said assemble processor cooperatively structured to communicate a complete MIDI message output to said synthesis engine, said complete MIDI message output determinative of said predetermined sound output generated by said synthesis engine.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
An assembly as recited in claim 29 wherein said keyboard controller is structured upon activation to generate predetermined MIDI language parameters including pitch, velocity and channel, at least one of said predetermined parameters communicated to said retrieve processor and the others of said predetermined parameters communicated to said assemble processor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
57 words
An assembly as recited in claim 30 wherein said retrieve processor is structured to select target database information defined by intended ones of said predetermined data entries from said database assembly dependent on said pitch parameter received by said retrieve processor and further communicate resulting partial MIDI information output from said database assembly to said assemble processor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly as recited in claim 31 wherein said assemble processor is operatively communicative with said keyboard controller to receive said velocity and channel parameters directly therefrom.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
55 words
An assembly as recited in claim 32 wherein said assemble processor is structured to generate a complete MIDI message to said synthesis engine; said assemble processor further structured to assemble said complete MIDI message from said velocity and channel parameters received from said keyboard controller and said partial MIDI information received from said database assembly.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly as recited in claim 33 wherein said database assembly, said retrieve processor and said assemble processor are cooperatively structured to create said complete MIDI message in real time.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
68 words
An assembly as recited in claim 29 further comprising at least one support keyboard controller operatively communicative with said retrieve processor, said retrieve processor responsive to said support keyboard controller and operatively communicative with said database assembly, said assemble processor responsive to both said support keyboard controller and said database assembly and operatively communicative with said synthesis engine to determine said predetermined sound output of said synthesis engine.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
50 words
An assembly as recited in claim 35 wherein said support keyboard controller comprises a pad-ribbon including a plurality of at least two keyboards each having an elongated linear configuration, each keyboard comprising a plurality of pads disposed in laterally adjacent relation to one another and extending along the length thereof.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly as recited in claim 36 wherein said two keyboards are separably positioned in adjacent parallel relation to one another.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly as recited in claim 35 wherein said support keyboard controller comprises a pad-wheel including a plurality of pads disposed in adjacent relation to one another and collectively arranged in a circular array.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
48 words
An assembly as recited in claim 38 wherein said pad-wheel comprises a central member including a switch assembly operable to change playsets; each of said pads including a triangular configuration and being equally dimensioned and extending from an outer circumference of said circular array to said central member.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assembly as recited in claim 39 wherein said pad-wheel comprises a plurality of annularly configured path segments formed on an exposed exterior of said plurality of pads and concentrically positioned around said control member.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
138 words
A musical synthesizer assembly comprising: a. a keyboard assembly including at least one keyboard controller, b. a synthesis engine structured to generate a predetermined sound output comprising a plurality of audio signals at least in response to selective actuation of said keyboard controller, c. said keyboard controller comprising a main keyboard including two keypads each dimensioned and configured to be operated by a different hand of a user and each keypad including at least five keys, and d. said keyboard controller further comprises a pad-ribbon including a plurality of at least two keyboards each having an elongated linear configuration, each keyboard comprising a plurality of pads disposed in laterally adjacent, sequentially actuatable relation to one another and extending along a length of said keyboard, the sequential actuation of said plurality of pads simulating strumming of a stringed instrument.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
138 words
A musical synthesizer assembly comprising: a. a keyboard assembly including at least one keyboard controller, b. a synthesis engine structured to generate a predetermined sound output comprising a plurality of audio signals at least in response to selective actuation of said keyboard controller, c. said keyboard controller comprising a main keyboard including two keypads each dimensioned and configured to be operated by a different hand of a user and each keypad including at least five keys, and d. said keyboard controller further comprises a pad-ribbon including a plurality of at least two keyboards each having an elongated linear configuration, each keyboard comprising a plurality of pads disposed in laterally adjacent, sequentially actuatable relation to one another and extending along a length of said keyboard, the sequential actuation of said plurality of pads simulating strumming of a stringed instrument.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
114 words
A musical synthesizer assembly comprising: a. a keyboard assembly including at least one keyboard controller, b. a synthesis engine structured to generate a predetermined sound output comprising a plurality of audio signals at least in response to selective actuation of said keyboard controller, c. said keyboard controller comprising a main keyboard including two keypads each dimensioned and configured to be operated by a different hand of a user and each keypad including at least five keys, and d. said keyboard controller further comprises a pad-wheel including a plurality of pads disposed in adjacent, sequentially actuatable relation to one another and collectively arranged in a circular array so as to permit continuous sequential actuation thereof.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
114 words
A musical synthesizer assembly comprising: a. a keyboard assembly including at least one keyboard controller, b. a synthesis engine structured to generate a predetermined sound output comprising a plurality of audio signals at least in response to selective actuation of said keyboard controller, c. said keyboard controller comprising a main keyboard including two keypads each dimensioned and configured to be operated by a different hand of a user and each keypad including at least five keys, and d. said keyboard controller further comprises a pad-wheel including a plurality of pads disposed in adjacent, sequentially actuatable relation to one another and collectively arranged in a circular array so as to permit continuous sequential actuation thereof.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly as recited in claim 42 wherein said pad-wheel comprises a plurality of annularly configured path segments formed on an exposed exterior of said plurality of pads and concentrically positioned around a central control member.
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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) | 2004-05-07 | 2004-11-06 | 2005-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-07 | 2008-11-06 | 2009-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-07 | 2012-11-06 | 2013-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |