Abstract: A bow for a stringed instrument in which the tension of the hair (4) of the bow can be tightened and loosened by the performer while playing. The stick is divided into two parts (2,3). The parts (2,3) of the stick are rotatably joined about an axis (6). At least one of the parts (2,3) of the stick is extended in the form of an arm (5) from the axis (6) and the arm (5) can function as a lever for tightening the hair (4) of the bow by the performer's exertion of pressure between the arm (5) and the other part (2,3) of the stick.

Abstract: A harmonica is provided with three diatonic reed harps vertically aligned in a single housing. The three diatonic reed harps are in communication with a central mouthpiece. The reed harps are in different keys. Two movable sliders block the air channel to two of the three reed harps at any one time. The sliders are caused to move to blocking or unblocking positions through the actuation of a pair of buttons. The first button and the second button engage and disengage elongated slide members which are aligned in horizontal relation with each of the three diatonic reeds, either blocking or unblocking the air passage therethrough, thus preventing their ability to make sound. Through manipulation of the pair of buttons, the user may select any one of three harps to play. When both buttons are disengaged, the central harp is open, and the top and bottom harps are blocked. When the front button is engaged, the lower harp is open, and the top and middle harps are blocked.

Abstract: In order to raise the drive efficiency of a spindle motor that drives a recording disk for information recording and hence to achieve power saving/lowering of noise level of the information recording device as a whole, in an information recording device wherein a synchronous motor is employed as the spindle motor that drives the recording disk for information recording, and wherein the head is accessed for purposes of reading or writing information at a designated position on the recording disk, with change in mechanical output of this spindle motor, the mechanical output value sought for the spindle motor is found from the head position on the recording disk before and after access, and the thus-found mechanical output value is used to adjust the electrical input to the spindle motor.

Abstract: A memory controller for supplying backup battery power when a main power supply voltage drops together with programmable plus power fail write protection. The controller includes supravoltage induced sleep mode operation, MOS switching between backup batteries during backup operation based on battery voltage levels and discharge circuitry for battery disposal.

Abstract: A drive control device for a stepping motor (1) includes a step signal generator (6) for generating a step pulse signal (e) at a constant interval of a period (T1), and an exciting signal generator section (2, 3) for generating an exciting signal in accordance with the step pulse signal, driving the stepping motor in accordance with the exciting signal, where the step pulse signal (e) with the constant period (T1) is obtained in the step signal generator based on externally supplied step data (a) including a step number (n) of a constant period (T0) designating a rotation of the stepping motor to a target position, and even when the step number of the stepping motor is increased in dividing a dummy sine wave stored in ROMs, the processing time of a microcomputer is not affected, attaining a high accuracy in step drive positioning of a stepping motor with smooth rotation thereof.

Abstract: A guitar string, in which an end of the string element is threaded into an enlarged end formed of metal, such enlarged end having been forced radially-inwardly all around the string element end so as to very tightly grip it. A method of making a guitar string, in which the string element end is threaded into a hole in a metal blank. Thereafter, such blank and string element are passed through an extrusion die to make such blank longer and smaller in diameter, to cause such blank to grip the end with great force.

Abstract: Electronic circuit having a digital controller operation of a synchronous motor.Precision motors for driving, for example, a video head drum in video recorders are normally designed as externally commutated synchronous motors. These motors are driven with square-wave voltages by a digital controller (CON), whose circuitry can easily be implemented.The object of the present invention is to specify an electronic circuit of the type mentioned initially for controlling a synchronous motor, which enables good synchronism and the motor to be operated with little electrical noise.This object is achieved in that the synchronous motor is driven by sinusoidal signals, a separate control signal from the controller (CON) influencing the amplitudes of the drive signals (U1, V1, W1). A regulating signal for regulating the synchronous motor is produced by a sensor (GE) which is arranged on the synchronous motor, which regulating signal produces a fixed phase relationship between rotor revolution and drive signals.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting, measuring the intensity of, and determining the location of a deformation of a membrane. In one embodiment, the intensity and location of membrane deformations is used as control input to a sound generation system that simulates the sound of a drum. The disclosed system and method may be capable of responding to distinct simultaneous deformations of the membrane.

Abstract: Musical tones are produced according to song data basically by three steps. The first step converts the song data sequentially into control parameters. The control parameters are written into a parameter memory. Then, the second step generates waveform data by using the control parameters written in the parameter memory. The generated waveform data are written into a waveform memory, while the used control parameters are erased from the parameter memory to provide a vacant area. Lastly, the third step reads the waveform data sequentially from the waveform memory to produce the musical tones. Characterizingly, the second step of generating waveform data is executed dependently on progression of the third step of reading the waveform data. Further, the first step of converting the song data is executed independently from progression of the second step of generating waveform data as long as the parameter memory has the vacant area sufficient to store the control parameters converted from the song data.

Abstract: An extruded recording sensor mounting rail for keyboard operated musical instruments, particularly electronic player pianos, which can be used to install recording sensors in a new or existing piano. First and second flanges extend longitudinally along the front and rear of the mounting rail, and a shelf is provided on each flange, with the shelves configured for receiving and supporting a circuit board in a sensor assembly. Each flange includes an outward facing lip which extends longitudinally along the flange. One or more clips each include flanges which fit over the outward facing lips and retain the sensor board on the mounting rail.

Abstract: A knuckle assembly for an escapement action of a piano includes a knuckle, a jack retainer, and an adjustment means acting between the retainer and the knuckle for positioning the retainer relative to the knuckle. The knuckle assembly is mountable between first and second ends of a hammershank. The knuckle defines a knuckle surface for engagement with a jack. The knuckle is arranged for escape of the jack from engagement with the knuckle surface during depression of a piano key. The retainer retains the jack in an "at rest" position with the jack in engagement with the knuckle surface in opposition to force of a spring urging the jack toward the "at rest" position. A piano escapement action assembly includes a hammershank, a knuckle assembly, a jack engaged with a knuckle surface in an "at rest", and a spring disposed to urge the jack toward the "at rest" position.

Abstract: A method for tool calibration for a robotic tool includes providing a calibration device within a robot envelope. The calibration device includes a calibrating member positioned along a calibrating plane. The tool tip of the robotic tool is positioned to an initial position within the calibrating plane and position values of the robot face plate are obtained. The tool tip is rotated about the estimated or prior tool center point, the tool tip is again positioned within the calibrating plane, and further position values of the robot face plate are obtained. The actual tool center point is calculated from the obtained position values.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current control apparatus for a DC motor system having a motor field coil and a motor armature and driven by the power of a battery, and a chopper transistor for controlling the amount of the current supplied to the DC motor from the battery, which current control apparatus has current amplifying means for detecting the current amount at the rear end of the motor and amplifying the current value; on-off control means for comparing the input current with the current supplied from the current amplifying means and outputting an on-off control signal according to the current amount; and a microcomputer for controlling the duty value of the pulse wave of a predetermined frequency occurring in accordance with the on-off control signal from the on-off control means and controlling the on-off time of the chopper transistor.

Abstract: In a position control system, the positional deviation between the position of the control point of the controlled object and the target position is corrected in accordance with the change of the relative positional relationship between mechanically related control axes. The control axes include a main shaft stand and a main shaft. The main shaft stand is supported by a column so that it can move in a vertical direction and is driven by the rotation of a screw shaft. The main shaft is provided on the main shaft stand so that the main shaft stand can move in a horizontal direction. The positional deviation of the main shaft from the target position in the vertical direction is calculated in accordance with the horizontal position of the main shaft with respect to the main shaft stand at the time of the position control. The position of the main shaft from the target position in the vertical direction is corrected based on the positional deviation.

Abstract: A device which can be used to control a musical performance contains a sensor which outputs an electrical signal. The sensor may be formed by providing a fixed contact and a hollow contact, wherein movement of the device causes the contacts to meet. Other features of the device include a user-adjustable sensitivity feature, a button for starting/stopping, and a sliding switch for sending volume information to the playback devices. The device may be provided as part of a system which includes a score-following apparatus.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for driving a polyphase sensorless motor are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved musical instrument string is provided. The string includes a polymer cover that protects the string, from contamination while maintaining the original "lively" sound of the musical string. By supplying the cover over a conventional string and preferable over a conventional wound string, the string is protected against contamination while also making the string easier to play. The preferred cover comprises at least one layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) that is most preferably sealed with a polymer coating. In particularly preferred embodiments, a cover is applied over a portion of the length of the string having a relatively reduced variable mass. The result is that the string has relatively uniform mass along its entire length thereby assuring correct intonation.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument having a keyboard range display device with which the positions of player's hands or fingers on a keyboard and the keys to be depressed as needed, are visually identified, comprises right hand and left hand range display means for displaying keyboard ranges to be covered by right and left hand fingers, and preferably, note-on position display means. Display data included in play data, is used to turn on each display means. A player immediately and intuitively perceives the range that is defined, so that he can easily move his fingers to correspond with the range. Even when the hands are near each other during a performance, the player can clearly identify the positions of the hands on the keyboard and the fingers to be used for key depression.

Abstract: A process for the reproduction of a starlit sky involves accompanying stars and other space bodies with acoustical tones corresponding to their optical images. Particularly individual spectral classes of the stars will each be assigned to an octave of music. The invention also includes combining a device with a telescope for providing acoustical reproduction of respectively observed stars and space bodies.

Abstract: An improved vibrato device for an electric guitar that includes a lever passing from the bridge assembly down through the guitar body front surface and extending toward the neck and then upwardly through the guitar front surface within convenient reach of a musician's picking hand. The lever may be operatively coupled with a controller that enables the musician to better synchronize the vibrato effect during playing with other desired effects, such as volume changes, phase changes and effects produced by Musical Instrument Digital Instrument (MIDI) devices.