Patent · US Expired

Electronic music system

US4056996A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
12References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 23, 1975
Grant dateNov 8, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 23, 1995

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S84/20
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A monophonic system includes means for voicing only tones derived in response to depression of a key associated with the highest pitched note when several keys are struck at approximately the same time, regardless of the order in which the keys are struck. If several keys are released at approximately the same time, only the tones derived in response to the highest remaining activated key are voiced, regardless of the release sequence. In response to the system being played legatissimo, voiced tones gradually shift in frequency, i.e., portamento is achieved. In response to the system being played staccatissimo, voiced tones shift in frequency in discrete steps. For unusual or special effect tone simulation, square wave tone signals derived from a frequency divider chain responsive to a voltage controlled oscillator, controlled primarily by the nomenclature of the highest pitch struck key, may be converted into a sawtooth waveform, a pulse waveform having a pulse width controlled by the highest pitch struck key, or can be left unaltered. Clicks and noise can be derived in response to key activations. The sawtooth, pulse, square wave, clicks and noise are fed through a filter selecti…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.