Abstract: An electronic tone generation system including a plurality of separate, portable, handheld transmitters, or batons, that are provided as “instruments” to one or more players. Each baton can be activated to send a signal, preferably a wireless signal, to a single receiver which produces an output signal fed to a tone generator, preferably a MIDI tone generator, which produces audible sounds via an amplifier and speakers. For example, the batons can correspond to different musical notes as played by a selected musical instrument and the batons can be played in concert to produce a musical or other audible presentation. Alternatively, selected batons can be designated to play in one voice, while others batons are set to play other voices.

Abstract: An electronic tone generation system including a plurality of separate, portable, handheld transmitters, or batons, that are provided as “instruments” to numerous players to form a choir. Each baton is activated by one of the players to send a signal, preferably a wireless signal, to a single receiver which produces an output signal fed to a tone generator, preferably a MIDI tone generator, which produces audible sounds via an amplifier and speakers. For example, the batons can correspond to different musical notes as played by a selected musical instrument and the batons can be played in concert by the choir to produce a musical or other audible presentation. Alternatively, selected batons can be designated to play in one voice, while others batons are set to play other voices.

Abstract: A handbell has a bell body with an inner surface engageable by a clapper to produce a sound corresponding to a note of the musical scale and an outer surface with a vapor deposited nitride layer that resists tarnish. Preferably, the vapor deposited nitrate layer has a thickness of less than about 5 microns and does not adversely affect the sound produced when the handbell is rung. In addition, preferably the vapor deposited nitrate layer is zirconium nitride or titanium nitride and has a Vickers hardness (HV) of at least 2300. A method of making and/or refurbishing a handbell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A handbell has a bell body with an inner surface engageable by a clapper to produce a sound corresponding to a note of the musical scale and an outer surface with a vapor deposited nitride layer that resists tarnish. Preferably, the vapor deposited nitride layer has a thickness of less than about 5 microns and does not adversely affect the sound produced when the handbell is rung. In addition, preferably the vapor deposited nitride layer is zirconium nitride or titanium nitride and has a Vickers hardness (HV) of at least 2300. A method of making and/or refurbishing a handbell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand held musical instrument is capable of emitting sound through the combination of three elements: a hollow tube, a striking member, and a hinge to secure the striking member to the tube. The hollow tube is constructed of an ergonomic shape that allows easy and fatigue-free grasping. For low notes, the slots on the resonating end of the hollow tube are multi-sized to eliminate buzzing. The clapper is attached to the hollow tube through a combination of a stainless steel axle, polymer bearings and adjustable tensioning screws. This combination improves the durability of the instrument yet still allows the musician to adjust the strike feel. The invention also provides improvements in the clapper heads for both low note and middle and high note handchimes. For low notes, the clapper head is constructed of multiple layers that optimize sound quality. For middle or high notes, the rubber clapper head provides multiple settings which allows the musician to easily and precisely adjust the timbre setting.

Abstract: A DSP-based electronic carillon system is disclosed. The system comprises a digital signal processor (DSP), memory for storing program code for controlling the operation of the DSP in carrying out pre-programmed algorithms, and an output circuit for converting the output of the DSP into audible sound. DSP algorithms are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic carillon system comprising a sequencer module (10) programmed for receiving, storing and outputting timing data and sequence data representing a prescribed number of distinct bell strikes, a tone generator (12) for generating, in accordance with sequence and timing data, analog bell-strike signals, amplifiers (18, 20) for amplifying the bell-strike signals, and speakers (22, 24) for converting the bell-strike signals, after amplification, to audible bell sounds.

Abstract: An electronic bell-tone generating system selectively provides a plurality of bell tones having improved tonal quality includes a plurality of tone generators operated in preselected combinations by a microprocessor in response to inputs from a keyboard. Data representing characteristic bells, including a fundamental tone and associated partial tones, their initial amplitude, and decay rate, is stored within a random access memory, input periodically to the respective tone generators comprising double-buffered, digital-to-analog converters, and output simultaneously to produce the "strike" of a bell.