Abstract: An electronic recording device for storing a digital voice data encoded by a personal computer or a web server. The electronic recording device includes a docking station and an electronic tape. The digital voice data is stored in a memory in the electronic tape. A voice player reads out the stored digital voice data from a digital/analog-converting unit and a magnetic head in the electronic tape. Further, the electronic recording device is capable of radio-frequency transmitting/receiving.

Abstract: A method is described for recording an optical information carrier, in which a mark representing recorded data is written in the information carrier at different writing speeds by a sequence of radiation pulses The last pulse of a sequence is followed by a period of reduced radiation power, the duration of which is inversely proportional to the writing speed.

Abstract: Described is a personal on-demand audio entertainment system with a base unit attached to a personal computer or other source, a headphone unit and a remote control unit. The base unit transmits digital audio content to the headphone unit using infrared, radio frequency, magnetic or electromagnetic coupling. These data are stored in solid-state memory within the headphone unit. In the headphone unit, the stored digital audio content is converted to analog audio signals, amplified and sent to transducers for conversion to audio signal for the listener during playback. The system is designed such that playback may occur during the downloading process. The remote control unit also uses infrared, radio frequency, magnetic or electromagnetic coupling for communication to the headphone unit. This communication is made using a different channel and does not interfere with the audio data downloading.

Abstract: A circuit for notifying a PBX that a data port in a telephone connected to the PBX is about to be used. The circuit comprises a current sensor for generating a signal that indicates a modem is drawing current through the data port. A large resistor limits the current being drawn through the data port to a level that does not indicate an off-hook condition to either the PBX or the modem. In response to the signal generated by the current sensor, a separate telephone circuit provides an off-hook condition that draws a first dial tone from the PBX. A microprocessor in the circuit generates a signal that causes a dialer in the telephone circuit to dial a number that notifies the PBX that the modem is attempting to access the PBX through the data port. After the PBX is notified of the imminent data port usage, it presents a second dial tone on line two which is the dial tone for an outside line.

Abstract: A multisound signal demodulator IC has a demodulator for demodulating L+R and L-R signals from a composite input signal and for producing a third signal M when it is present in the composite signal, a matrix circuit for producing L and R signals from the L+R and L-R signals, a pair of changeover switches for supplying either the L and R signals or the M signal to first and second output terminals, and a third changeover switch for supplying either the L+R or M signals to a third output terminal. The generation of the changeover devices are controlled by signals supplied to external control terminals. The IC is adapted for use in both television receviers and VTR's and is adaptable to use with different methods of multisound transmissions.

Abstract: A sound system comprises a source of program material, a transducer coupled to the source to produce an audible signal related to the program material, a controllable bass contour control network having a control terminal, a power amplifier, a second transducer and a low pass filter. The controllable bass contour control network is coupled to the program material source. The power amplifier is coupled to the controllable bass contour control network. The second transducer and the low pass filter are coupled to the power amplifier. The low pass filter is coupled to the control terminal of the controllable bass contour control network. The output of the lower pass filter controls the contour of the signal supplied from the program material source through the controllable bass contour control network to the power amplifier based upon the signal provided by the power amplifier to the low pass filter. The control terminal comprises a terminal of a light sensitive resistor.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes circuitry for modifying an ordinary address signal which changes at a uniform rate over one cycle of a waveform, into a modified address signal whose rate varies in one cycle of the waveform by the use of a modification signal.The modified address signal accesses a storage device such as a ROM in which waveform data is stored, thereby producing the modified waveform data from the storage device. The modification signal is obtained from the ordinary address signal through a predetermined logic circuit.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for embellishing the melody played on an electronic musical keyboard instrument. A set of musically-derived tables relates harmonious accompaniment notes to the melody in accordance with the chosen harmony and is addressed to generate a signal that represents at least one appropriate accompaniment note. The latter signal causes sounding of selected accompaniment notes to produce the desired musical harmony. A choice of voicing style and an orchestration option are additionally provided within the scope of the apparatus and method herein.

Abstract: A timbre modulation circuit for an electronic musical instrument having an automatic rhythm accompaniment system. The timbre modulation circuit is provided in a musical scale tone signal path and includes a means for generating a control pulse series synchronized with an automatic rhythm sound generation timing and a variable timbre circuit responsive to the control pulse series whereby the timbre characteristics are caused to vary in response to the control pulse series thereby modulating the timbre of the musical scale tones.

Abstract: In an electronic musical instrument, an apparatus and method are described for automatically generating arpeggios from selected chords while requiring only a minimum amount of performance sophistication and dexterity. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of voice priority switches are included, each of which corresponds to a voice-related rhythmic pattern or an arpeggio variation of tones played. The desired variation of the voice-related rhythmic pattern of tones is implemented as selected notes are played. The played notes and corresponding notes in higher octaves are stored in a random access memory and subsequently accessed by a microprocessor which searches up or down in frequency to find the available notes in the random access memory. Subsequently, the microprocessor converts chosen notes to audible tones.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece including a piezoelectric type alarm buzzer wherein the caseback functions as the buzzer diaphragm is provided. The piezoelectric element is mounted on the caseback and a battery for driving the timepiece is mounted on the piezoelectric element with an electrical insulating member therebetween for preventing short-circuiting between the battery and piezoelectric element. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical insulating member for mounting for holding the battery is mounted to the piezoelectric element at a peripheral portion in order not to effect adversely the sound level. Alternatively, when design considerations require the battery may be mounted in a more central portion of the piezoelectric element, an angular insulating member having a central opening is used so that the insulating member contacts the piezoelectric element at the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A transparent operation plate is disposed on the operation panel of an input device in correspondence with tone information to be input. A pair of touch contacts are formed exposed on the surface of each transparent operation plate. A liquid crystal display element is disposed immediately below the transparent operation plate. The liquid crystal element displays characters representing the tone information, as well as the information input operation condition. This display can be visually confirmed through the transparent operation plate.

Abstract: An electronic timer with a case having two windows and a manually adjustable control on the exterior. The output of an oscillator within the case is applied to a first frequency divider dividing the frequency by a factor manually selected by a switch indicating the factor in one window. The output of the first divider is applied to a second divider dividing by a factor selected manually by a second switch viewable through the other window and indicating timing in seconds, minutes, hours or days.

Abstract: An expression pedal assembly for a musical instrument with conventional electromechanical control means of the pedal being replaced by proximity control means. The pedal assembly is comprised of a casing which houses a proximity detector plate, a proximity detector circuit and may include an audio circuit compartment. Earth shielding of the bottom and walls of the casing is provided. A heel rest at one end of the pedal casing serves to provide the only support for a musician's foot and is so positioned to support the sole of the foot above the proximity device to provide the musician with swift and fluent control of a musical function controlled by the response of the proximity device to movement of said sole.

Abstract: A stepping motor with toothed stator poles and two sets of oppositely magnetized rotor teeth has its stator poles energized by a driver which responds to input pulses to successively deenergize alternate poles and keep them deenergized and then successively reenergize the alternate poles in the opposite direction. Thereafter the driver successively deenergizes the poles intermediate the alternate poles and keeps them deenergized until all intermediate poles are deenergized and then successively reenergizes the intermediate poles in the other direction until all the intermediate poles are reenergized. This drives the rotor in fractional steps. For larger fractional steps, larger numbers of poles are deenergized in response to each pulse. For even larger fractions the deenergization process is eliminated.

Abstract: Keys of a keyboard are divided into a plurality of tone ranges and a plurality of musical tone waveforms regarding specific ones of the divided tone ranges are stored in a waveform memory device. A number of the plurality of musical tone waveforms is smaller than the number of the divided tone ranges. An address signal generator is provided which generates an address signal having a repetition period corresponding to a tone pitch of a depressed key and supplies the address signal to the waveform memory device, and an arithmetic operating circuit is provided which selects ones from among the plurality of musical tone waveforms and mixes the selected ones of a mixing ratio, thereby forming a new musical tone waveform. The selected ones and the mixing ratio are predetermined corresponding to each of the tone ranges. Different tone colors of a number which is more than the number of the waveforms are realized for the respective tone ranges just like in a natural musical instrument.

Abstract: A digital musical tone signal is generated in a first LSI selected by a chip select signal transferred from a CPU in accordance with a control signal transferred through a control bus from the CPU. Amplitude data and envelope data are transferred from a second LSI to the first LSI through data lines. In the first LSI, the digital musical tone signal amplitude- and envelope-controlled is transferred to an A/D converter where it is converted into an analog musical tone signal.

Abstract: A musical instrument comprised of discrete detachably assembled components permitting easy change of said components. The instrument is provided with a center section and a main body section which furnish the central core for the interconnection of component parts such as the neck, multiple pick-ups and an electronic control module. Appropriate electrical connections are automatically made when the components are placed together.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument by which a performer can provide a musical accompaniment in different musical styles. The performer selects a desired musical style and plays on a standard keyboard in order to express a desired harmony. The instrument translates the keyboard playing into a chord type and root that defines the harmony expressed by the performer. A processor generates parameter signals defining a segment of music including a plurality of accompaniment notes arranged in the selected musical style and related harmonically to the selected chord type and root. Output circuitry converts the parameter signals to sound so that a performer of limited skill or musical knowledge can play an appropriately-styled accompaniment to a melody written in any one of a variety of musical keys.

Abstract: A brushless direct current outer rotor motor with a substantially cylindrical air gap (14), particularly for driving magnetic disks. The rotor (16) of the motor (10) supports a permanently-magnetized exciter magnet (13, 13") having at least two pairs of poles and a permanently-magnetized control magnet (18, 18', 18"). At least one detector (20, 34, 26) of rotary position cooperates with its control magnet, and is responsive to the magnetic field to sense the position of the rotor. There is also provided commutating means (32) responsive to the detector of the rotary position, and a stator winding means (12) connected to the commutating means. A control pulse generator stage (21,29; 35,36; 47,55) adapted to generate one pulse only per each revolution of the rotor (16) is coordinated with the control magnet (18, 18', 18").