Abstract: A wound musical string includes a core wire and a wrapped wire covering about the core wire. End turns of the wrapped wire covering are coextensive portions of transition sections of the core wire. The transition sections have equilateral triangular, square or other cross sections such that the cross section exhibits equal principal moments of inertia. Consequently the inharmonicity of the string about two axes will be the same and the string will not produce false beats.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having a waveform memory of a relatively small capacity for storing waveform information similar to conventional waveform information, the waveform memory being compatible with any data reading scheme. The waveform information is stored in the form of a plurality of frames. Each frame includes a plurality of pieces of sampled waveform data compressed by ADPCM or the like and decode information for extending the sampled waveform data to be read next to the current frame. Storing the decode information in a frame for extending the sampled waveform data stored in frames before and after that frame makes it possible to extract the necessary decode information from the frame read immediately before regardless of whether the frames are read forward or backward.

Abstract: Masking of switching noise is implemented in the driving system of an "H" bridge stage by exploiting the periodic signal generated by a PWM control circuit (normally present in the control system for controlling the "H" bridge in an open-loop mode) for masking the decay time of the disturbances caused by the switching from off-to-on of a first pair of switches of the bridge that drive a current in a certain direction through the load. This is implemented by keeping high for a preset period of time the periodic signal generated by the PWM circuit and varying the duty-cycle of the signal for regulating the mask time in function of the load characteristics.

Abstract: A power external output mechanism in muic box comprising a music drum in which a power external output shaft (4) is inserted thereto and integrated with each other in the axial and rotary directions, wherein an engaging means is provided in a drum body (1) of muxic box, by which the drum and the external output shaft are engaged with each other so as to prevent the external output shaft to be break away therefrom, said engaging means is an elastic leg abuttal (5) with a type of thin wall which is formed on an external end plate (2) of the drum and extended inward in aixal direction of the shaft. An inner flange (10) formed on a free end of the leg abuttal (5) and an inner cave annular groove (11) formed on the peripheral surface of the shaft (4) are engaged with each other to form an interlock in axial drection. The inner end plate (3) and an end (9) of the external output shaft (4) are fitted with each other to form a connection in the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A composition and playback system includes a sound bank containing at least one instrument sound, an input device for receiving music control signals, a sequencer coupled to the input device for storing the music control signals, and a work manager coupled to the sound bank and to the sequencer for generating a musical work file containing the music control signals and at least a portion of the sound bank. The system further includes a synthesizer engine coupled to the input device for processing the music control signals based on the instrument sounds contained in the sound bank, a mixer coupled to the synthesizer engine for mixing effects with the processed music control signals, and a speaker system coupled to the mixer for converting the mixed music control signals to sound.

Abstract: An anti-theft device disables the engine of an automotive vehicle during an attempted robbery by breaking the rotor of the engine's distributor. The distributor has a plurality of electrodes and the rotor is moved through a circular path during operation of the engine to make electrical contact with the electrodes to generate sparks in the engine's combustion chamber. A stopper element mounted to be moved between a first position where the stopper element is in the path of the rotor and a second position where the stopper element is displaced from the path of the rotor. A solenoid selectively moves the stopper element between the first and second positions by manual actuating a hidden switch. The rotor is made of a material which fractures upon engaging the stopper element, so that, with the stopper element in the rotor's path, the rotor is fractured to prevent contact with the electrodes and the generation of sparks.

Abstract: A switch mechanism of a piano with a built-in electronic musical instrument, which eliminates the disposition of switches on the surface of a piano to improve the appearance of the piano. An upright piano(1) includes a hammering mechanism(7) which strikes strings in accordance with the operation of a keyboard(3), and thus it serves as an acoustic piano as well as an electronic piano because it has a built-in electronic sound source(9) controlled by the operation of the same keyboard(3). This upright piano(1) includes an inhibition mechanism(13) for inactivating the hammering mechanism(7) in electronic mode, a pedal mechanism(17) having a muffler pedal(16), a control portion(19) driven by a power supply(18) for controlling the electronic sound source in accordance with the operation of the keyboard(3) to produce sounds, and a power supply switch(21) turned ON/OFF by the actuation of the muffler pedal(16) to make and break the electrical connection between the power supply(18) and the control portion(19).

Abstract: A method is designed for feeding karaoke data representative of karaoke performance to a karaoke apparatus having an audio section and a video section. The method is conducted by the following steps. The initial step is formatting the karaoke data containing various kinds of data items including music control data and word control data into a plurality of packets such that each packet is formed of a body containing a segment of the karaoke data and a header containing identification information indicating the kind of the karaoke data contained in the body of each packet. The next step is delivering the plurality of the packets in a stream to the karaoke apparatus according to a predetermined order by which the karaoke apparatus time-sequentially processes the stream of the packets.

Abstract: A performance instructing apparatus is provided which reproduces a music piece according to automatic performance data, and displays a drawing of a display keyboard that is oriented in the same direction as a keyboard through which a player enters pitch information, and a key operation region corresponding to each key of the display keyboard. The key operation region represents a period from a point of time when the key is to be depressed by the player to a point of time when the key is to be released. The key operation region is scrolled such that the region approaches the display keyboard as the music piece is reproduced.

Abstract: A guitar neck is formed with a protruding trapezoidal heel which extends into a pocket formed at the neck end of the body. Motion of the heel within the pocket is limited by the sides of the pocket, and by a lip which protrudes from the pocket floor to engage with the neck upwardly of the neck heel.

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.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a switch reluctance motor including at least one phase, the control comprising a power stage including means for variably supplying a DC voltage, and a winding stage including for each phase a phase winding having one end and another end. The winding stage further includes a high voltage bus connected to the power stage, and a low voltage bus connected to the power stage. The winding stage further includes, for each phase, a first current path comprising an upper commutating switch connected to the high voltage bus, the respective phase winding one end connected to the upper switch, and a lower commutating switch connected to the respective phase winding other end and to the low voltage bus.

Abstract: A feedback eliminating device for acoustical instruments is designed to be used with in-hole amplification devices, without the need to modify either the instrument or the amplification device. The device is preferably in the form of a two-piece cover for the sound hole of an acoustical instrument. Used in conjunction with an in-hole amplification device, the device completely covers the sound hole of an acoustical instrument.

Abstract: A sense of touch electronic tuning device with background noise suppression and tuning note identification features to verify tuning of acoustic and electrically amplified stringed, reed and wind musical instruments, said tuning device comprising a sound sensor, signal conditioning system, power supply, reference tuning note identification system and vibrator to produce vibration felt by the person using said tuning device when the musical instrument to which said tuning device is directly or indirectly connected, produces musical notes, in tune, within an acceptable tolerance range of acoustic pitch.

Abstract: A power sharing device is disclosed, having a primary utility in supplying power to automotive block heaters or other auto warming devices at a user selectable duty cycle of 12.5% or 25%. In a first mode, power is supplied to 4 outlets in a sequential manner, for 15 minutes each. In a second mode, power is supplied to the 4 outlets in a sequential manner, for 7.5 minutes each, followed by a period of 7.5 minutes in which power is not supplied. The user may elect to initiate a delay period, that is selectable between 1 and 2 hours, to precede the sequence of power distribution, allowing time for the car to cool before the power cycles begin. A test circuit, activated by a pushbutton, allows a user to distinguish between the periods of time when power is not being supplied to an outlet as a part of the sequential sharing of power between outlets and a circuit malfunction, such as a blown fuse.

Abstract: A music composition system, comprising receiving a first harmony including a first melody, analyzing the first harmony to derive in real-time a rule relating the first melody to the first harmony, receiving a second melody, and applying the rule in real-time to the second melody to produce a second harmony relating to the second melody.

Abstract: A keyboard system for an electronic musical instrument includes: a keyboard having a number of keys; a keyboard central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the keyboard; a switch connected to each key on the keyboard; a pull-up resistor serially connected to each switch; a unit for applying voltage to a serial circuit of each switch and each pull-up resistor; and a unit for parallel supplying a signal at an intersection point between each switch and each pull-up resistor to the CPU. The operation states of a plurality of keys can be independently detected by sequentially detecting the potential at the interconnection points.

Abstract: A device for changing the timbre of a stringed instrument of the violin or viol family. The device includes a plurality of sympathetic strings, rigidly fixed at opposite ends in a frame suspended over a sound board of the instrument. A javari bridge is mounted on the sound board, a distance from a main bridge, with the sympathetic strings passing over the javari bridge. When the sympathetic strings are set into vibration by the main strings, the javari bridge brings out upper harmonic vibrations in the sympathetic strings, changing the timbre of the instrument. The javari bridge also makes the upper harmonic vibrations more audible and shortens the period of vibration, avoiding the dissonance associated with sympathetic strings strung over a conventional bridge. When the javari bridge is stepped, the sympathetic strings may be strung in tiers, allowing more strings to be strung in less space and expanding the harmonic sounds produced by the instrument.

Abstract: A shoulder rest for use with a stringed musical instrument, such as a violin or viola, includes a substantially rigid body, defining a hollow resonating chamber, and supporting feet mounted to the body for engaging the underside of the instrument and spacing the body from the instrument when the shoulder rest is attached thereon. A fastener is provided for removably attaching the shoulder rest to the underside of the instrument.

Abstract: A stringed instrument, such as an acoustic guitar, includes a sound board, a first back and a side positioned between the sound board and the first back. The sound board, the first back and the side cooperate to form a sound box. A second back is attached to the stringed instrument in spaced relation to the first back on a side of the sound box opposite the sound board. The second back creates a gap between the sound box and a musician playing the stringed instrument which reduces or eliminates muting and lessening of the string brilliance caused by contact between the first back and a musician playing the stringed instrument in the absence of the second back.