Abstract: A method for inspecting a component. The method includes coupling the component to a fixture such that the component is fixedly secured in position during machining of the component, and inspecting the component using an inspection tool while the component is coupled to the fixture.

Abstract: A control method and apparatus for a biaxial wheel test stand for simulating driving loads. The test stand including a load unit having a servo-hydraulic vertical load cylinder for adjusting a vertical force, a servo-hydraulic horizontal load cylinder for adjusting a horizontal force, and a pivot head which can be adjusted by means of a camber cylinder for adjusting the camber angle of a wheel to be tested. The test stand further including a drive unit with a driven drum having starting rings, to which the wheel to be tested is pressed with the load units, wherein the vertical load cylinder and the horizontal load cylinder control the forces and the camber cylinder controls the camber angle.

Abstract: A fastenerless boot assembly for a vehicle includes a retainer adapted to be connected to vehicle structure of a vehicle and a boot for surrounding either one of a shifter and parkbrake of the vehicle. The fastenerless boot assembly also includes a seal connected to the boot and to the retainer to prevent the boot from exiting the retainer.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to propulsion apparatus, and particularly to propulsion devices using unbalanced centrifugal force to propel a vehicle in a unidirectional motion. According to one embodiment, a device for conversion of centrifugal force to linear force and motion is disclosed, comprising: a first gear rotatably fixed to a first arm and having a first connecting bar rotatably attached to and abutting the inner side of the first gear and a second connecting bar rotatably attached to and abutting the outer side of the first gear; a second gear in opposite rotational communication with the first gear and weighted along an outer edge and rotatably attached to and abutting the first connecting bar and the second connecting bar; and a first drive means for translating centrifugal motion of the first gear to unidirectional motion.

Abstract: A ball screw mechanism has an opposing thread provided by an integral male thread formed at one end of a nut received on the screw. The male thread is of a smaller form than the female thread on the screw so as to not normally be in contact therewith, but should ay loss of the balls occur with the resultant slight relative axial shift of the screw and nut, the male threads engage to limit such relative axial movement to protect connected equipment. Both the nut male and female threads may be machined from a cylindrical nut blank.

Abstract: A method of controlling the positioning of the synchronizers of a dual clutch transmission having a plurality of synchronizers to selectively engage and disengage various gears sets, and a plurality of shift actuators adapted to move the synchronizers. The method includes the steps of initiating a control routine to move a synchronizer to a full engagement position with a gear set and monitoring the positions of all engaged synchronizers. The method also includes reinitiating the control routine to move a synchronizer back into the full engagement position when any engaged synchronizer slips out to a minimum engagement position. Further, the method includes initiating a control routine to move a synchronizer to a neutral position and monitoring the position of all disengaged synchronizers. Also, reinitiating the control routine to move a synchronizer back to the neutral position when any disengaged synchronizer drifts beyond a pre-determined neutral hysteresis position.

Abstract: A crown gear assembly including a crown gear which is rotatably supported around a first axis (A1) and which forms teeth (13) which are provided with flanks (14, 15) whose mantle lines extend substantially radially relative to the axis (A1), as well as a pinion (21) which is rotatably supported around a second axis (A2) extending perpendicularly relative to the first axis (A1), and which forms teeth (23) which are provided with flanks whose mantle lines extend substantially parallel relative to the axis (A2), wherein, on the radial outside of the teeth (13) of the crown gear, the pinion (21) is provided with a collar (25) which is adapted to contact a circumferential face of the crown gear (11).

Abstract: Actuating device comprising a longitudinal shaft (2), an intermediate tailstock spindle (3), an outside sleeve (4), internal thread means (5) making it possible to connect the longitudinal shaft and the intermediate tailstock spindle to generate an axial movement of one with respect to the other, external thread means (6) making it possible to couple the intermediate tailstock spindle and the outside sleeve and suitable for generating an axial movement of one with respect to the other, the said internal coupling means comprising internal roller elements (7) engaged on the one hand with the external and internal threads of the intermediate tailstock spindle and/or the said external coupling means comprising external roller elements (25) engaged on the one hand with the external thread of the intermediate tailstock spindle and the internal thread of the outside sleeve and comprising coupling means making it possible to couple the shaft and the intermediate tailstock spindle or the intermediate tailstock spindle

Abstract: A vibration-proof structure for a gear transmission device includes a wave washer for pressing a gear of a gear transmission device that can move in an axial direction between opposed first and second fixed walls toward the first fixed wall. The wave washer is interposed between the gear and the second fixed wall. A cylindrical portion surrounding the wave washer is provided between one of the opposed end faces of the gear and the second fixed wall, and the cylindrical portion is in contact with the other end face to regulate an increase in the bending amount of the wave washer of a predetermined value. When the gear of the gear transmission device experiences vibration, the excessive bending of the wave washer for absorbing the vibration is restrained so that the wave washer can always exhibit a normal buffering function.

Abstract: To render a gear arrangement for a transmission as quiet as possible but nevertheless able to handle heavy loads, a first gear (1) made of a first material and a second gear (2) made of a second material sit loosely next to one another on a common shaft (4). The elasticity of the first gear (1), preferably made of plastic, is chosen to be greater than that of the second gear (2), preferably made of metal, while the strength of the second gear (2) is chosen to be greater than that of the first gear (1). Because the second gear (2) preferably exhibits a slightly smaller toothing than the first gear (1), only the first gear (1), while having the same modulus, comes into engagement with another gear in normal operation. As the load increases, the first gear (1) made of plastic yields in the elastic range so that now the second gear (2) made of metal also comes into engagement in order to accept the forces occurring and thereby protect the first gear (1) against overloading and fracture.

Abstract: A symmetric clamp structure having a first arm and a second arm. Both the first arm and the second arm having coaxial threaded bores through the distal ends of each arm. The symmetric clamp structure also includes a screw having a shank, the shank having a head at one end and being threaded at a second opposite end. The threaded portion of the shank is sized and has a pitch appropriate for threadably engaging the screw with the threaded bores through the distal end of both the first and second arm of the clamp structure. The shank of the screw also has a clearance portion between the threaded portion and the head. The screw is threadably engaged with one of the first or second threaded bores such that the head abuts the arm opposite the threaded engagement. The clearance portion has an outer diameter sized to clear the tips of the threads of the threaded bores and a length at least equal to the axial length of each threaded bore.

Abstract: A shifting device for a motor vehicle transmission is provided comprising a selector lever for selecting different shift positions (P, R, N, D, 3, 2, . . . ). The lever is mounted in a housing pivotably around at least one axis. A first locking member and at least one additional locking member are provided as angle levers, each arranged on the housing pivotably around a respective pivot axis. The locking members block the movement of the selector lever in different shift positions. An adjusting member is provided. A locking element provided at the selector lever is engaged by one of the locking members in the shift positions of the selector lever which are to be locked as a function of preset parameters.

Abstract: A handle mounted bicycle derailleur controller is mounted to a bicycle handle bar for controlling a derailleur of the bicycle. The derailleur controller includes a casing including a cylindrical wall and a concentric hub fit over the handle bar. A number of teeth are mounted in a receiving space defined between the cylindrical wall and the hub. A rotation sleeve is rotatably fit over the hub and forms a slot to engage an expanded end of a cable whereby rotation of the sleeve leads to a change of the length of the cable which in turn causes gear shifting. The rotation sleeve includes a detent retainer integrally formed therewith. The detent retainer includes two opposite U-shaped portions open toward each other. A leaf spring has a substantially L-shaped body having first and second sections connected to each other by an angled connection serving as a detent and two free ends respectively and movably received in the U-shaped portions of the detent retainer.

Abstract: A bicycle control device having a switch mounting recess therein is disclosed. The bicycle control device could be a shifter, a brake control mechanism or an integrated shifting and brake control device. A control switch of a cycle computer is mountable in the switch mounting recess. The control switch is connected to a cycle computer, located remote from the control switch, by a connecting cable. The control switch can be attached in the switch mounting recess by various means, including, adhesively connecting the control switch to the switch mounting recess. In one embodiment of the invention, the control switch is press fitted into the switch mounting recess. In another embodiment, an elastic portion of the control switch is press fitted into a hole in the switch mounting recess. The control switch can also be securely retained in the switch mounting recess by a retention ring attached to the control device.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly including a carrier (14) slidably supported on a hollow rod (12) with first (24) and second (26) wedge members (24) and (26) urged up inclined surfaces (34) and (38) by a bolt (28) and spring (30) interconnecting the wedge members (24) and (26). The wedge members (24) and (26) include wedge flanking surfaces (42) in sliding engagement with lips (40) in the rod (12) for forcing the rod (12) into engagement with a bore (41) in the carrier (14) as the wedge members (24) and (26) are moved upwardly by the inclined surfaces (34) and (36).

Abstract: A damper mechanism for absorbing torsional vibrations in a rotating shaft. The damper mechanism includes a vibration absorbing mechanism and at least one actuator that is controllable to affect the torsional vibration absorbing characteristics of the vibration absorbing mechanism.

Abstract: A reinforcing plate (405) is utilized with a lightweight hub (101) in a vibration damper. Holes (105) formed in the hub (101) and the reinforcing plate (405) allow the vibration damper to be mounted to a shaft with a stronger joint than when the reinforcing plate (405) is not utilized, thereby preventing deformation of the hub (101). Optional reduction holes (111) formed in the hub (101) provide for additional weight reduction, vibration reduction, and/or noise reduction.

Abstract: An iron-base sintered alloy material for a valve sheet is a material in which a hard particle composed of one or more elements selected from C, Cr, Mo, Co, Si, Ni, S and Fe is dispersed in a base matrix phase, a porosity is 12 to 25% by volume ratio, and a density after sintering is 6.1 to 6.9 g/cm3. Thereby, production of iron oxide at operation of an internal combustion engine is accelerated, and the abrasion resistance is remarkably improved. It is preferable that a base matrix portion containing a base matrix phase and the hard particle has the composition containing a total of 10.0 to 40.0% of one or more selected from Ni, Cr, Mo, Cu, Co, V, Mn, W and C, and the balance substantially Fe. It is preferable that a solid lubricant particle of one or more selected from a sulfide and a fluoride is firther dispersed in a base matrix phase at 0.3 to 3.5% by area ratio.

Abstract: An articulated support for a manually-operated power tool, such as a manually-positioned and trigger-operated tool having a driven rotary spindle for engagement with a work, includes a plurality of elongated segments that are connected by articulating joints to thereby define several relative joint angles. Angle sensors at the joints generate relative angle information that is used by a controller to determine when the tool has been placed in a position, relative to either the support's fixed base or the work, in which a selected tool operation is likely to be performed successfully. Thereafter, the controller enables trigger-operation of the tool, monitors the length of time that the selected tool operation is performed, and, preferably, determines the likelihood of a successful completion of the operation based at least in part on the monitoring.

Abstract: A power driven wrench which comprises a handle housing containing a power source and a motor disposed therein, a motor gear coaxially connected to the motor, a head housing united with said handle housing as a unit, said head housing containing a hexagonal, cutout socket receiving head gear adapted to receive a socket for engaging various types of nuts and bolts. A plurality of gears connecting the motor gear and the head gear, and a plurality of top ball bearing sets and bottom ball bearing sets, which are spring biased to engage top surface and a bottom surface of the head gear.

Abstract: A pipe making and breaking apparatus having top, middle and bottom wrenches connected to a frame. A torquing cylinder operatively extends between the middle wrench and the frame and when actuated through one or more torquing cycles causes an upper pipe to make (top and middle wrenches) or break (middle and bottom wrenches) relative to a lower pipe. A grip hold actuator maintains the middle wrench in the gripping position continuously during the making torquing cycles. A continuous chain spinner above the top wrench spins the top pipe to make a position or away from a make position. The spinner can be a stand alone unit or can hang freely in the derrick or can be part of the make/break apparatus. A spinner drive chain motor when pressurized and when an oiler button is actuated causes lubricant to be sprayed out a nozzle on the (moving) chain. Windows (guide gates) and/or guide posts direct the chain so as to not bunch up against the casing sprockets.

Abstract: An improvement structure of a wrench includes a wrench body having an elongated handle provided with a cavity hole at one end opposite to one end of the handle, a control body substantially cylindrical which can be mounted into the cavity hole of the handle, a press body passed through the through hole of the control body and being provided with a threaded section, and the bottom edge of the press body being provided with a plurality of mounting slots, and a plurality of clipping block having a number being equal to the number of the clipping slots of the control body, thereby providing a wrench for which the size for mounting hole is adjustable to fit onto screw elements of various specifications and the wrench directly drives the screw elements.

Abstract: A tool for a power drill allows fast and convenient loading and unloading of a screw bit, drill bit, or other implement. The user preferably loads the tool with the necessary implements which are then carried with the tool. Each received implement is movable from a storage position to an in use position in drive engagement with the power drill or power screwdriver. The desired implements can rapidly be changed from one to the other, while the implements are retained on the tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and article involving a one-piece, unibody spindle liner having a tubular shape with an outside diameter and inside diameter that may be sized to fit virtually any spindle of a turning machine and to readily allow for the feeding therethrough of any size or shape of bar or tube stock. This invention provides that the axial centerline of the workpiece is maintained in concentric axial alignment with the working centerline of the turning machine to reduce wobble or “whip” of the stock during the machining process. The liner's inner bore and diameter is molded to match and allow for feeding of virtually any size and shape stock being turned, including but not limited to round, hex, square, and extruded. The inner bore is molded into the spindle liner along its entire length providing absolute support of the workpiece. The spindle liner also has a flanged mounting end to allow for the proper orientation and attachment to the spindle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a place where a saw may be performed. An oscillating laser beam is provided to a target according to a user preference. The user selects at least one characteristic of the oscillating laser beam in order to identify the target in an outdoor environment. The selected at least one characteristic is then provided to a motor which executes the oscillating.

Abstract: A method for producing a profiled spine in a book having a first side defining a first plane, a second side defining a second plane and a spine. The method includes clamping the book using a first clamp element contacting the first side and the second clamp element contacting the second side and moving the first element with respect to the second element so as to skew the spine by moving at least one of the first side in the first plane and the second side in the second plane.

Abstract: A method for the cutting of underwater structures below the level of the sea bottom on which they are installed, comprising the following phases: determination of the ideal plane of cutting, having considered the characteristic features of the structure (30) i.e.

Abstract: A blind cutting apparatus includes a support surface adapted to support a window covering, a frame disposed at the end of the support surface and a rack movable within the frame. A plurality of die assemblies are fastened to the rack, in which each die assembly includes a fixed die that has openings sized to receive the ends of the window covering and a movable die that is movable relative to the fixed die. The fixed dies and the movable dies are adapted to cut the ends of the window covering. The rack is adapted to move relative to the support surface such that a selected die assembly is adjacent the support surface and the moveable die of the selected die assembly is independently moveable of the moveable dies of the other die assemblies.

Abstract: This invention includes a method of determining the correct timing of a material release mechanism (42) of a material feed mechanism (14) and includes the steps of: cycling a press mechanism (12) through a working portion of a tooling mechanism (17); monitoring the press mechanism (12) position; determining, by a location device (58), the desired timing for the material release mechanism (42) to release contact with material (18); and correlating the desired material release mechanism (42) timing to the press mechanism (12) position. The present invention also is a stamping system (10) for working the material (18). This stamping system (10) includes a press mechanism (12) having a tooling mechanism (17) configured to punch holes (66) in the material (18). The stamping system (10) also includes a material feed mechanism (14) to feed material (18) to the press mechanism (12), and this material feed mechanism (14) includes a material release mechanism (42).

Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece comprising the steps of moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby cutting the workpiece at a compound angle. The method may also comprises positioning the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along its longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut; sorting a finished workpiece; and marking the workpiece.

Abstract: A protective arrangement (37) for a cutting equipment (10) for dividing a continuous fiber web (7) is described, said cutting equipment being arranged in a board or paper machine and includes at least one cutting member (16) for cutting the fiber web (7). In accordance with the invention the protective arrangement includes an endless belt member (20) movably arranged and having a straight run (21) between the cutting equipment and the fiber web to screen off at least an essential part of the cutting equipment from fibers which are released from the fiber web during the cutting. It also includes one or more cleaning members (34, 35) at least one of which being arranged in connection to the outside of the belt member at a distance from the cutting member, to remove the portion of the released fibers being caught by the belt member. The invention also relates to a board or paper machine that has such a protective arrangement.

Abstract: The elongate rocker is forked at its first end and includes two fork tines. These are designed symmetrically relative to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the rocker. A control rod with a longitudinal center axis is pivotally mounted at its bottom end to the second end of the rocker. A spiral pressing spring with a longitudinal center axis acts onto the rocker. The upper feeding roller is designed symmetrically to a plane extending perpendicularly relative to its longitudinal center axis. The longitudinal center axis of the control rod defines together with the longitudinal center axis of the pressing spring a geometrical plane. This plane coincides with the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the rocker, which in turn coincides with the geometrical plane which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis.

Abstract: An improved cutting station having a multi function capability for cutting a wide variety of sheet materials including plywood 4 foot by 8 foot sheets, metal roofing, bulky beams, girders and the like, placed on a semicircular table having centrally mounted thereon a turntable attached to an angularly adjustable cutting guide; and, having versatility in replacing various types of cutting tools on a tool holder supported at a free swinging end of a triangular truss hinged at the apex, and at one end of the cutting guide. A novel slotted collar is used repeatedly throughout the cutting station to reduce the production cost and improve versatility of the apparatus. Equipping the free swinging end of one side of the truss, with a user-selected electrically operated handheld cutting tool, allows easy positioning of the cutting tool for angular, beveled, radial, and plunge cuts.

Abstract: A punch for punching a workpiece. In particular, the invention relates to a punch including a base to stably support the punch and a support member configured to accommodate and locate the workpiece in a punching position. The support member is preferably movably connected to the base and preferably includes at least one punch member configured and operably associated with the support portion to punch the workpiece in the punching position upon an actuation movement of the support member with respect to the base. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a punch having a paper tray oriented at an angle with respect to the base to support a sufficient portion of a sheet of paper to prevent an unsupported portion from falling over and withdrawing from the support portion. In particular, the paper tray and punch mechanism are oriented to expel paper chips such that the chips are visible to an operator as they are punched.

Abstract: A high-pressure processing apparatus for supplying a pressure medium into a high-pressure processing chamber 4, which is formed in a pressure vessel 1 to treat a workpiece at a high pressure, is provided. The pressure vessel 1 includes a first vessel section 2 and a second vessel section 3, which can be separated from each other in the axial direction, wherein the high-pressure processing chamber 4 is formed between the first and second vessel sections 2 and 3. Furthermore, a face seal section 5 for tightly sealing the high-pressure processing chamber 4 is formed in the abutment of the first and second vessel sections 2 and 3. A press apparatus 7 for providing an axial force to the face seal section 5 is disposed and the press apparatus 7 has a space 15 for storing a supplementary apparatus, such as a stirrer or the like at a position corresponding to the axial center of the pressure vessel 1.

Abstract: At a tape feeding station which is arranged to reel off an electronic parts carrier tape having a large number of electronics circuitry parts formed successively in a predetermined pitch on its carrier tape portion, at least a couple of reel support shafts are provided to replaceably support tape supply reels thereon. A carrier tape from one of the two supply reels is fed to a tape punching station along a predetermined tape supply route to punch out electronic circuitry parts successively from the tape. While a carrier tape is being supplied from one supply reel, the other supply reel is set in a standby position. A fore end portion of the carrier tape from the standby reel is disengageably retained on a tape switching means.

Abstract: A fall board stopper is provided for a keyboard instrument such as a grand piano, which is equipped with a fall board that is opened or closed on keys arranged on a keybed. It is basically constituted by a first stopper member and a second stopper member, which are normally separated from each other and which are respectively attached to a prescribed part (e.g., an interior wall of a side board) of the keyboard instrument and a backend portion of the fall board at a prescribed position. The first stopper member has an engagement portion that is engaged with the second stopper member when the fall board is opened, so that the fall board can be reliably stopped in position when opened upon a mechanical engagement established between the first and second stopper members.

Abstract: The present invention involves a tempering formula which utilizes specific pitch offsets, which when applied to the guitar, result in extraordinarily pleasing intonation.

Abstract: Musical score displaying data include note or musical score information indicative of a note or musical score symbol to be displayed, position information indicative of a display position on a musical score where the note or musical score symbol is to be placed, and attribute information designating any one of a plurality of musical stave rows where the note or musical score symbol is to be displayed. Note or musical score marks of a same performance part can be displayed across two musical staves, by determining any one of the plurality of musical stave rows where the note or musical score symbol is to be displayed in accordance with the attribute information. In another aspect, the musical score displaying data include at least one of first attribute information for variably controlling the display position of the note or musical score symbol in a horizontal direction and second attribute information for variably controlling the display position of the note or musical score symbol in a vertical direction.

Abstract: The present invention is a computerized image-viewing device that allows the user to sequentially advance or reverse stored images by voice recognition and/or other sounds, remote control, navigational buttons or one of the many kinds of adaptable computer switches. There is a LCD or Plasma-related display screen connected to a computer box where images are stored, arranged and edited.

Abstract: Compressed waveform data structure is proposed which is suited for segmentation of a plurality of samples of compressed waveform data into a plurality of frames and subsequent storage of each of the frames. The number of bits per sample of the compressed waveform data is variable between the frames, but uniform, i.e. the same among all of the samples, within each of the frames. Each of the frames has a same data storage size. Each of the frames includes, in a predetermined layout, an auxiliary information area for storing auxiliary information that includes compression-related information to be used for decompressing the compressed waveform data, and a data area for storing a plurality of samples of the compressed waveform data of the frame with each of the samples comprising a same number of bits. Thus, respective start positions of the frames and compressed waveform data in a memory can be fixed at predetermined positions common to the frames, so that readout control can be performed with ease.

Abstract: A portable device is used for recording, editing, and replaying musical sounds generated by a musical instrument external to the device. The musical sounds are converted from analog to digital format, compressed for minimum storage usage, and stored in a digital storage medium. The stored signals are filed according to an indexing scheme that allows selection and retrieval of selected portions of the musical sounds. The selected portions are retrieved from storage, decompressed, converted back to analog signals, and output to a sound generating device. The operation of the device is controlled by application software and operating system software.

Abstract: There is provided a musical tone reproducing apparatus which is capable of recovering proper timing of musical tone generation even in a situation where processing of events takes much time such that the sounding timing of musical tones is delayed. Duration data read out from a FIFO 30 are added together by a duration forward counter 32b. A comparator circuit 32d compares the count value of an absolute time counter 32c and the count value of the duration forward counter 32b, and delivers the comparison result i to a FIFO controller 3 when the former becomes equal to or more than the latter. The FIFO controller 31 causes the FIFO 30 to read out event information and delivers the same to a decoder 32a, which in turn converts the event information into tone generator control data having a format peculiar to a tone generator 33 and delivers the same data to a register write controller 32e.

Abstract: A digital multi-media device provides features for a user unskilled in musical arts or sound handling techniques that provides automatic musical score composition in accordance with contained composition instructions. Stored sound samples and interfaces for obtaining external signals provide signals for merger with visual and sound presentations to obtain altered presentations either time shifted or in real time. In this fashion the user can create simulated radio stations for playback of prearranged and composed audio material. Further, the automatically composed musical score may be mixed with synthesized, digitized signals from the stored sound samples and external signals obtained through the device interfaces.

Abstract: The apparatus involves a hand-held housing with a memory for storing coded audio event data, a mechanism for downloading into the memory coded audio event data and digital-audio electronics for retrieving coded audio event data from memory, converting it to an audio signal and playing it out. In one disclosed embodiment of the invention, the data are stored in accordance with a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) standard, and may be created on an appropriately equipped personal computer (PC). The capacity of such a hand-held device is far greater than if the data were conventionally digitized or coded. A wirelessly networked system of such music devices in physical proximity is disclosed that enables audio score synthesis and mixing by at least one such device of a synthesized score and an inputted score for outplay to others in a real-time musical jam or music-sharing session.

Abstract: A method of matching the tempo and phase in pieces of music which allows the conjunction of the pieces of music to form a continuous stream of music. The interactive music player which digitally executes the method of matching the tempo and phase in pieces of music is also disclosed.

Abstract: There are provided a musical tone-generating apparatus which neither requires hardware having an increased circuit size nor imposes a heavy burden on a CPU thereof, and a mobile terminal apparatus including the musical tone-generating apparatus, as well as a musical tone-generating method, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method. A CPU converts music contents data stored in a RAM to hardware tone generator control data, stores the resulting data into the RAM. In reproduction, the CPU reads out and sends the hardware tone generator control data to a hardware tone generator. A data decoder circuit of the hardware tone generator sequentially reads out the hardware tone generator control data from a FIFO and separates the read data into time management information and data of a parameter for generation of a musical tone, and sets the time management information to a counter.

Abstract: A system for supporting performer interactions with a self-organizing chemical reaction based on monitoring and interpretation of a controllable self-organizing chemical reaction contained within a reaction vessel. The self-organizing chemical reaction initially includes two or more constituent chemical reactants which may be controllably replenished. Controller elements, responsive to reaction control signals, influence the reaction. Reaction control signals are generated by a processor in response to incoming performance signals. Selectable control-conversion algorithms may be used for this purpose, permitting an incoming performance signal to responsively influence the self-organizing chemical reaction. One or more electrodes or chemical sensors, a video camera, or other monitoring devices may be used to monitor the chemical reaction and produce outgoing control signals for controlling synthesizers, signal processing, lighting, or video synthesis.

Abstract: Multi-channel audio signal processing systems and techniques are provided for electronic instruments having multiple and distinct output channels. Such systems may be used in conjunction with instruments comprising multiple vibrating elements, each with a dedicated signal output. Each received audio signal channel may be directed to a dedicated or shared signal processor for variably changing selected attributes of pitch, timing, timbre, and amplitude in ways that are unique for each signal. Signal processors may be shared using an allocating mixer, allocating switch, or both. An output mixer may be used to mix signal processor output signals into one or more outgoing mixed audio signals. Signal processors, mixers, and switches may be configured by stored program control and controlled in real-time. Real-time pitch variations can be used to change the pitch organization of fixed-pitch vibrating elements within an electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: Extensions and generalizations are made to the pedal steel guitar. Separate transducers provided to each string permit fixed or variable pitch and timbre modifications determined by stored program control. Variable pitch and timbre modifications may be controlled by physical controllers such as single or multi-parameter foot pedals, knee levers, and wrist controllers. Physical controllers may return to an original position or hold their position after operation. A traditional mechanical tuning changer operated by traditional foot pedals and knee levers may be included; the latter may operate physical controllers. The bar position may be sensed, and the bar may include physical controllers wirelessly linked to the instrument. A miniature keyboard and strumpad may be provided in the picking area to control synthesizers and produce MIDI output. Strumpad operation can be controlled with chord buttons, foot pedals, or other physical controller devices.