Bells Patents (Class 84/103)
  • Patent number: 8975496
    Abstract: A bell unit of a portable bell system, including a support structure, a plurality of bells mounted on the support structure, a bell shell including a plurality of segments, at least one of which is displaceable to allow a size change of the bell unit. The bell shell is configured to be in a first position when the plurality of segments form a shell that is of a shape of a bell, and hangs over and partially encloses the support structure and the plurality of bells, and is in a second position when the at least one segment is displaced to effectuate the size change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bellebrations IP Holdings, LLC.
    Inventors: William Meeks, Richard Watson
  • Publication number: 20120318116
    Abstract: A bell unit of a portable bell system, including a support structure, a plurality of bells mounted on the support structure, a bell shell including a plurality of segments, at least one of which is displaceable to allow a size change of the bell unit. The bell shell is configured to be in a first position when the plurality of segments form a shell that is of a shape of a bell, and hangs over and partially encloses the support structure and the plurality of bells, and is in a second position when the at least one segment is displaced to effectuate the size change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: William Meeks, Richard Watson
  • Publication number: 20120247303
    Abstract: A system and an apparatus to play an Angklung musical instrument automatically consisting of hardware and software. The hardware consists of Angklung, two vertical poles, horizontal pole to hang Angklungs, bottom supporting frame which is equipped with an actuator supporting frame, the actuator is in the form of electric motor mounted on the actuator supporting frame connected in a cross-sectional position with each Angklung, an eccentric disk which is equipped with eccentric shaft, vibrator sleeves for connecting the electric motor with an Angklung, controller device consisting of the controller driver and the flow controller as a track storage and regulator of pulses of electrical current that would flow to the electric motor. The software installed on the computer that consists of an interface program to download, remove, save or record the songs stored on the controller device, and other programs to write songs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: PT EMAX FORTUNE INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Kasim Ghozali
  • Patent number: 6915756
    Abstract: A bell is described having the first at least three or more frequencies substantially in harmonic sequence. A method for designing such a bell is also disclosed. An optimization procedure is described wherein an initial bell shape is modified until the first at least three or more frequencies are substantially in an harmonic sequence. An asymmetric bell is also described wherein a meridonal cross-section of the side portion is substantially geometrically similar to a cross-section having: 1) an outer line formed by fitting an arc of a circle to the three described points of the nodes and an inner line formed by fitting a line to the described points of the nodes; or 2) having an outer line formed by joining a straight line to the two described points of the nodes and an inner line formed by fitting a line to the described points of the nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Australian Bell Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Neil Maxwell McLachlan, Anton Glenn Hasell
  • Patent number: 6900379
    Abstract: Device for controlling a musical instrument, in particular a carillon, comprising a first set of keys, each key being equipped with a sensor and force regulating means, said device has a second set of striking elements, each key of the first set has assigned to it a striking element of the second set, the keys and the striking elements are mechanically dissociated from one another, said force regulating means being arranged to impose on the key with which they are associated a static force substantially identical to that which would have been imposed by the striking element if it had been connected to the key, and wherein each sensor is arranged to measure a rate of displacement of the key with which it is associated, each sensor being connected to a first signal generator arranged to receive said rate of displacement and convert it into a first signal comprising said rate and an identification of the key associated with the sensor, said first generator being connected to a transmitter arranged to transmit th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignees: Université Catholique de Louvain, Campa S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Eugene, Sergiu Ivanov, Volodia Naydenov, Paul Sente
  • Patent number: 6833502
    Abstract: A wind chime constructed according to the invention includes a rotating wind bell apparatus having a downwardly opening bell that is adapted to be suspended from a separate support structure. A bell-striking mechanism in the form of a striker is suspended movably from the bell in a position to strike the bell. A striker-moving mechanism in the form of an impeller connected to the striker causes the striker to move in response to a wind moving past the striker-moving mechanism and to strike the bell so that the bell produces a tone. A bell-rotating mechanism in the form of another impeller connected to the bell causes the bell to rotate in response to the wind moving past the bell-rotating mechanism in order to thereby vary the tone and produce tremolo or Doppler-like effects. In one embodiment, the bell-rotating mechanism includes a Savonius type impeller attached to the upwardly facing surface of a circularly shaped impeller base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Bruce E. Boatner
  • Patent number: 6750388
    Abstract: A method of generating music using a plurality of bells (312, 314) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of mounting said plurality of bells (312, 314), in playable dispositions, on a mobile platform (302), transporting the mobile platform (302) to a venue, and striking, dependent upon electronic control, corresponding ones of the plurality of bells (312, 314).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Wedding Bells Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Wadih McKasah
  • Publication number: 20040107818
    Abstract: Device for controlling a musical instrument, in particular a carillon, comprising a first set of keys, each key being equipped with a sensor and force regulating means, said device has a second set of striking elements, each key of the first set has assigned to it a striking element of the second set, the keys and the striking elements are mechanically dissociated from one another, said force regulating means being arranged to impose on the key with which they are associated a static force substantially identical to that which would have been imposed by the striking element if it had been connected to the key, and wherein each sensor is arranged to measure a rate of displacement of the key with which it is associated, each sensor being connected to a first signal generator arranged to receive said rate of displacement and convert it into a first signal comprising said rate and an identification of the key associated with the sensor, said first generator being connected to a transmitter arranged to transmit th
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Christian Eugene, Sergiu Ivanov, Volodia Naydenov, Paul Sente
  • Patent number: 6739282
    Abstract: A bell device includes a securing device attached to a bell member, a seat rotatably secured to the securing device with a shaft and rotatable relative to the securing device about the shaft, and a resilient member having one end secured to the seat and a clapper secured to the other end. An actuator rod may rotate the seat relative to the securing device, to actuate the clapper to strike against the bell member and to make sounds, without moving the bell member. A spring member may bias the seat to disengage the clapper from the bell member. The clapper may be caused to strike against the bell member when shaking or moving the bell member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Jui Jen Yuan
  • Patent number: 5744736
    Abstract: An improvement to windchimes is provided which comprises a supporting bracket. A cluster of chimes with different notes are hanged under the peripheral edge of the supporting bracket. Characterized in that an electric powered main pendulum is hanged under the center of the supporting bracket to play a preset melody or song. An auxiliary pendulum is hanged under the main pendulum. When the auxiliary pendulum is blown by the wind, a natural notes can be heard by the tinkling to the chimes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Ching-Ho Chang
  • Patent number: 5550319
    Abstract: A display, such as a Christmas display, comprises a plurality of ornaments (14), each including a striker (18), a pair of bells (26, 27) disposed in spaced relation from the striker (18) and a means (46) responsive to an electrical signal from a control unit (12) for moving the striker into contact with one or the other of the bells (26, 27), at least some of the bells on the ornaments having different frequencies such that sequentially striking the bells (26, 27) plays a tune, such as a Christmas carol. The ornaments are preferably distributed about a Christmas tree, though alternatively they may be placed on a flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: M. H. Segan Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Marc H. Segan, Michael Newsome
  • Patent number: 5266732
    Abstract: An automatic performance device includes a sound signal generation section for generating a sound signal, a loudspeaker for sounding the sound signal generated by the sound signal generation section, percussion instruments constituting a scale, a percussion instrument drive section for sounding the percussion instruments, a percussion instrument performance information output section for outputting percussion instrument performance information in synchronism with the sound signal, and a converter for converting the percussion instrument performance information to a corresponding drive signal of the percussion instrument drive section. An atmosphere of a live performance is produced and a rich and powerful musical performance as an orchestral performance can be simultaneously made as an accompanying music in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Bell Music
    Inventor: Kunihiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4901616
    Abstract: In playing a music, the present electronic musical instrument stores a code for a performance event and data of generation time length until a presently-specified performance event is regenerated, in a sequencer memory. For each playback access to this sequencer memory, a performance event is excecuted upon elapse of a time corresponding to the generation time interval data of the performance event read out from the memory. For instance, a musical tone which is generated by depression of a key on a keyboard, is generated again with the designated pitch after a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akinori Matsubara, Takahashi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 4847710
    Abstract: A multitrack recording apparatus includes a multi-channel recorder for recording musical timing data on a recording medium, a modulator for variably setting a recording cycle of the musical timing data, and a keyboard for designating a desired search position of the recording medium according to the musical timing data. The apparatus also includes a reproduction head for reproducing the musical timing data from the recording medium, a controller for calculating the driving position of the recording medium on the basis of the reproduced musical timing data and for controlling the driving of the recording medium to stop the recording medium at the designated search position, and a dispaly unit for displaying musical data on the basis of the reproduced musical timing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: CITEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Morioka, Takashi Kokubo, Youichi Imazeki, Hideharu Murayama
  • Patent number: 4843935
    Abstract: An improved dual-tone electronic music generator provides a phase difference between a melody and a chord such that the melody codes converted from the melody and the chord codes converted from the chord can be stored into a memory in series. This arrangement can increase the memory usage efficiency, and can reduce both the chip size and the production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Inventor: Ma Car-Lai
  • Patent number: 4843934
    Abstract: A rhythm tone source assigning apparatus for use in an electronic musical instrument comprises a memory having a plurality of storing regions corresponding to a plurality of input operating manipulators each being comprised of a keyboard key or a switch. Arrangement is provided so that by writing a tone source identifying datum corresponding to desired one of a plurality of rhythm tone sources in one of the storing regions corresponding to an input operating manipulator one after another, rhythm tone sources can be assigned to the plurality of input operating manipulators. Thus, this electronic musical instrument greatly facilitates its user of his performing or inputting operations in a hand percussion or a rhythm sequence programming by using these manipulators. This is, for each rhythm, the user is able to obtain his favorite convenient arrangement of operating manipulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Sugiyama, Akira Suzuki, Kosei Terada, Shigenori Oguri
  • Patent number: 4839810
    Abstract: An automatic rhythm performance apparatus comprises at least a rhythm pattern memory for pre-storing plural kinds of rhythm patterns, an ending switch and a rhythm tone source. The rhythm patterns correspond to rhythm performances such as the Latin American Music, the Rumba Music and the Tango Music. Each of these rhythm patterns comprises one normal pattern and at least one ending pattern. Normally, the rhythm tone source generates rhythm tones in accordance with the normal pattern which corresponds to a normal part of a tune. When the ending switch is manipulated, the rhythm tone source generates other rhythm tones in accordance with the ending pattern, so that an ending rhythm performance is executed from a start timing determined by the manipulating timing of the ending switch. When each rhythm pattern consists of two ending patterns, the ending rhythm performance is executed in accordance with selected one of the ending patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunao Abe
  • Patent number: 4829872
    Abstract: Musical information is analyzed in terms of pitch and/or amplitude to provide an output which is useful in controlling musical synthesizers but may have other applications also. By controlling music synthesizers, synthesized sounds may be played in synchronism with source music. Detection of musical gestures occurs in the present improved method, a musical gesture being the onset or cessation of individual notes comprising a musical performance or the like. The method comprises measuring at selected points in time the pitch and/or amplitude of the musical signal, calculating the change in pitch and amplitude at intervals, calculating the change of said changes in pitch and/or amplitude at intervals, comparing these change of changes to threshold values, and providing the change of changes in pitch and/or amplitude exceeds the threshold, generating a signal signifying the onset of the musical gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Fairlight Instruments Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Michael W. Topic, Wayne P. Connolly
  • Patent number: 4817484
    Abstract: An electronic stringed instrument includes a mode selecting section for selectively setting a normal play mode and at least one other selection mode. When picking of a string under a pitch designation operation status is performed after the normal play mode is selected by the mode selecting section, generation of a musical tone with the designated pitch can be started. When picking of a string also under the pitch designation operation status is performed after another selection mode is selected by the mode selecting section, a desired musical tone parameter such as a timbre corresponding to the designated pitch or a rhythm pattern can be easily set. The content of the set musical tone parameter can be confirmed by a sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Iba, Shigeru Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 4813327
    Abstract: According to this invention, a musical tone control signal generating apparatus for an electronic musical instrument is provided. When a performer operates an automatic return type musical tone control operation element, the apparatus controls a generated musical tone according to the operation amount of the element. A possible offset amount generated when the musical tone control operation element is released and returned to an automatic return position, is detected, and operation element data is corrected based on the offset amount, so that a musical tone control signal is prevented from being offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunao Abe
  • Patent number: 4788896
    Abstract: A tone generator includes a plurality of tone generation channels each comprising one or more operation channels. One operation channel performs basic operation of a tone signal computing operation (e.g., FM or AM) and a tone signal is generated by using one or more operation channels for one tone generation channel. Tone generation channels in the tone generator are established according to a selected performance mode. In a first mode, the operation channels are divided into N groups and N tone generation channels are established in correspondence to the respective operation channel groups. In a second mode, the operation channels are divided into M groups and M tone generation channels are established in correspondence to the respective operation channel groups wherein N is a different number from M. Tone generation channels of the number required according to the selected performance mode can be established by efficiently utilizing the operation channels of a limited number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Uchiyama, Shigeru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4785703
    Abstract: An automatic accompaniment apparatus includes an accompaniment pattern generation unit for generating a plurality of accompaniment patterns which represent timing of generation of a plurality of accompaniment tones to be generated respectively. The accompaniment patterns correspond to accompaniment tones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuji Ichiki
  • Patent number: 4776253
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a control unit which is freely moveable in space is equipped with three sensors to measure motion (e.g. velocity, acceleration, or the time derivative of acceleration) along three substantially orthogonal axes. The sensors may be meter movements configured to output motion signals indicative of their movement in free space, which signals are amplified, digitized, processed by a microprocessor to detect relative minima and maxima. Processed motion signals are converted to standard MIDI control signals for controlling an electronic musical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Inventor: Patrick G. Downes
  • Patent number: 4773294
    Abstract: There is provided a selection switch for selecting musical information determining characteristics of a tone such as a tone color. This selection switch is pre-assigned with first musical information. Switches and circuits are provided for assigning second musical information to the selection switch. This second musical information is one selected as desired from among plural musical information. Thus, at least two musical information of the pre-assigned first musical information and the selectively assigned second musical information are assigned to the selection switch. There is also provided a mode selection switch. When a first mode has been selected by this mode selection switch, a characteristic of a tone to be produced is determined by the first musical information. When the second mode has been selected, a characteristic of a tone to be produced is determined by the second musical information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Iizuka, Keiji Kawakami
  • Patent number: 4768413
    Abstract: An automatic performance apparatus including a memory, a readout means, a musical tone generator, high and low-speed dials and a rotary encoder. The memory stores musical performance in an event style representing the on/off of a key and identifying the key and relative time data representing time between event of said key and the immediately previous event in accordance with musical performance. The readout sequentially reads out the event data from the memory. The musical tone generator is arranged such that the pitch, generation timing and termination timing of the generated musical tone are controlled on the basis of the event data read out by the readout means. A combination of dials and rotary encoders manually designates a readout direction and a readout speed of the stored data. The readout includes a circuit for exchanging the on-data with the off-data (and vice versa) in the memory when the designated readout direction is opposite to the storage order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junichi Fujimori
  • Patent number: 4763554
    Abstract: For use in or with an electronic musical instrument, an automatic rhythm performing apparatus is so constructed as to provide selectively automatic performance of various kinds of rhythms using tones of a plurality of rhythm section instruments. Each rhythm is constructed with a plurality of instruments, which are divided into several families. Plural rhythm patterns are provided for each of the rhythm instrument tones which constitute one kind of rhythm. Any one of the rhythm patterns is selected for each instrument, and such selection is available individually family by family of the instruments. Thus a variety of automatic rhythm performance can be realized with small scale pattern memories and simple selecting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Kozuki
  • Patent number: 4763257
    Abstract: A computerized system into which is fed the nominal values of a musical score, the system acting to process these values with respect to the relative loudness of different tones in a succession thereof, changes in the duration of the tones and other deviations from the nominal values which together constitute the microstructure of the music notated by the score. The system yields the specified tones of the score as modified by the microstructure, thereby imparting expressivity to the music that is lacking in the absence of the microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Inventor: Manfred Clynes
  • Patent number: 4757736
    Abstract: A plurality of pad operating means for manual operation are provided on a keyboard panel of an electronic keyboard musical instrument. When an operator operates the pad operating means using the keyboard during melody play, an operation signal is supplied to a CPU, and a rhythm sound corresponding to the operated pad is generated under control of the CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichiro Tajima, Hideo Yamaya, Tomohisa Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 4748885
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument has a musical tone signal forming circuit, an automatic rhythm generator rhythm selection switches, and a registration memory. The switches are used to select one of a plurality of rhythms. The automatic rhythm generator automatically generates a percussion instrument sound corresponding to a selected rhythm. In the registration memory, musical tone data respectively suitable for selectable rhythms are stored in advance. The musical tone signal forming circuit generates a musical tone signal representing a musical tone and further modifies the musical tone signal in accordance with the musical tone data corresponding to the selected rhythm, whereby a musical tone suitable for the selected rhythm can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiaki Sato
  • Patent number: 4745836
    Abstract: A computerized method and apparatus for providing a comparison between a performance and a performance score in order to provide coordinated accompaniment with the performance. The performance is converted into a performance related signal and is compared with a performance score. If a predetermined match exists between the performance and the performance score, accompaniment is provided. This is preferably accomplished on an event by event basis. Dynamic programming is preferably employed. The algorithm may be adapted to determine a match exists even though the performance departs from the performance score in respect of either content or timing up to a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Inventor: Roger B. Dannenberg
  • Patent number: 4742748
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument comprises devices for inputting rhythm and melody play patterns. The rhythm and melody play patterns are stored in a pattern memory such that the rhythm and melody play patterns are in a timed relation to each other. The rhythm and melody play patterns are simultaneously read out from said pattern memory so that rhythm tones and melody tones are sounded according to the rhythm and melody play patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naofumi Tateishi
  • Patent number: 4723467
    Abstract: An automatic rhythm performing apparatus capable of producing a rhythmic tone of a plural-tone-source rhythmic musical instrument such as a snare drum comprises a plurality of signal producing devices which produce a plurality of rhythmic tone signals corresponding to the respective tone sources of the single instrument. A control device controls respective signal levels of the rhythmic tone signals and a combining device combined the rhythmic tone signals at signal levels controlled by the control device to provide a combined signal corresponding to the rhythmic tone of the instrument, thereby providing a desired volume relationship of the respective component tones constituting the whole rhythmic tone of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsumi Kato
  • Patent number: 4716804
    Abstract: An interactive music performance system employs a synthesizer, a programmable computer, and at least one performance device for permitting a user input. The computer is programmed with algorithms which automatically generate controls and interpret a performer's actions in the context of music and sound generating variables, and apply those controls to a synthesizer to determine its production of music. The system is interactive in that a user can direct the system's production of music, as he or she hears it being produced, by use of the performance device. If the user does not provide an input, the system proceeds automatically under control of the performance algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Inventor: Joel Chadabe
  • Patent number: 4713996
    Abstract: Tones of percussion instruments produce different timbres, i.e. different tone waveshapes, depending on the strength of percussion. An automatic rhythm apparatus includes a rhythm tone generating unit which stores the tone waveshape produced from a hard percussion and also that from a soft percussion performed on a same percussion instrument. A rhythm pattern is constructed by rhythmically aligned tone command signals, for various percussion instruments, designating timings and volumes of tones to be produced. At each tone production, these two kinds of waveshapes are read out by mixing them appropriately. That is, when a loud tone is to be reproduced, its waveshape is read out from the waveshape memory for loud tones, while a soft tone is read out likewise from the waveshape memory for soft tones, and a tone of an intermediate volume therebetween is reproduced by reading out the loud tone and the soft tone at a mixing ratio complying to the desired degree of volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigenori Oguri
  • Patent number: 4708046
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument comprises an accompaniment keyboard; a memory of a relatively small capacity storing a set of accompaniment data sequentially aligned and constituting accompaniment patterns; a read-out circuit to successively read out the accompaniment data from the memory at given clock pulse timings; a judging circuit to judge whether each accompaniment datum read out indicates a predetermined specific value; a random signal generator for generating, independently of the data-reading-out timings, random signals each differing in value with time; an accompaniment data determining circuit to determine the contents of each read-out accompaniment datum when the latter is judged to indicate the specific value in accordance with the signal randomly outputted just when a judgement is made; and a tone generation determining circuit to determine the generation of the accompaniment tone based on the key depression information coming from the accompaniment keyboard and also to function, when the read-
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Kozuki
  • Patent number: 4706537
    Abstract: Waveshapes of plural periods for plural channels having characteristics different from each other are stored in a waveshape memory and read out from it when a musical tone is to be produced. Read out waveshapes are respectively weighted by weighting data supplied from a weighting data generator and thereafter a desired tone waveshape is obtained by electrically or acoustically combining these weighted waveshape. As an example, the waveshapes are composed of plural attack waveshapes equal in number to channels and only one sustain waveshape. In this case, the attack portion of the musical tone is formed by the combined one of the attack waveshapes and the sustain portion is formed by the sustain waveshape. This enables the memory capacity of the waveshape memory to be reduced and facilitates the complex tone color control in the attack portion. In another case, each of the waveshapes is composed of an attack portion and a sustain portion, sustain waveshapes forming the sustain portions being matched in phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigenori Oguri
  • Patent number: 4706538
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument automatically plays a musical accompaniment utilizing a minimized number of tone signal generating channels. The electronic musical instrument has a plurality of tone signal generating channels each for generating a tone signal representative of a tone to be produced. Keys depressed on an associated keyboard are assigned to the tone signal generating channels to cause them to generate tone signals corresponding to the depressed keys. When an automatic accompaniment circuit is actuated, a predetermined number of ones of the plurality of tone signal generating channels are reserved for generation of tone signals of the accompaniment. The reservation is made such that those channels which are idle are selected at the highest priority, those channels to which the earliest released keys are assigned at the second highest priority, and those channels to which the earliest depressed keys are assigned at the third highest priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 4704932
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument allows the performer to control tone volume of a rhythmic tone by a simple manipulation of keys of a keyboard. The electronic musical instrument comprises a rhythmic tone generator including a plurality of tone sources, to which a group of keys of the keyboard are assigned, respectively. Each of the tone sources generates a rhythmic tone when a corresponding one of the group of keys is depressed. When it is desired to give an accent to the rhythmic tone, a key adjacent the depressed tone source designating key is additionally depressed. This multiple key-depression is detected by a detection circuit. Tone volume of the rhythmic tone generated by the tone source is controlled in accordance with the detection of the multiple key-depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junichi Mishima
  • Patent number: 4704933
    Abstract: The accompaniment apparatus for an electronic musical instrument comprises an accompaniment segment memory storing data representing a plurality of accompaniment segments which form a plurality of mutually different accompaniment patterns of predetermined lengths, and an alignment sequence memory storing, separately from the above, the orders with which these accompaniment segments are to be aligned sequentially. The data of these orders of alignment of segments are read out one after another, on the basis of which the accompaniment segments derived from the data of the segment memory are aligned one after another sequentially at a given tempo. This operation materializes the automatic accompaniment of any substantial length such as one whole piece of music, and allows the segment memory to have a capacity much smaller as compared to the case in which accompaniment patterns for the whole length of music have to be stored without skipping these segments of the same pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Kurakake
  • Patent number: 4704682
    Abstract: A computerized system into which is fed the nominal values of a musical score, the system acting to process these values with respect to the amplitude contour of individual tones, the relative loudness of different tones in a succession thereof, changes in the duration of the tones and other deviations from the nominal values which together constitute the microstructure of the music notated by the score. The system yields the specified tones of the score as modified by the microstructure, thereby imparting expressivity to the music that is lacking in the absence of the microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Inventor: Manfred Clynes
  • Patent number: 4700604
    Abstract: A master electronic musical instrument and a slave electronic musical instrument are interconnected through a cable and music playing data is transferred from the master electronic musical instrument to the slave electronic musical instrument. The slave electronic musical instrument includes a tempo signal generator. The slave electronic musical instrument receives music playing data and generates tones according to the generated tempo signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenori Morikawa, Hiroyuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 4699039
    Abstract: An automatic musical accompaniment playing system for use in an electronic musical instrument with an auto rhythm system changes a tone color of accompaniment tones when the state of operation of the auto rhythm system is changed. The automatic accompaniment playing system comprises a tempo clock generator for generating tempo clock pulses having a frequency proportional to a tempo of a rhythm to be generated and a register for storing a flag indicative of a state of operation of the auto rhythm system. The tempo clock pulses are counted by a tempo counter when the auto rhythm system is in operation, and the state of operation of the auto rhythm system is detected in accordance with the state of the flag. A memory stores two groups of tone color data, one of which is selected when the auto rhythm system is in operation, and the other of which is selected when the auto rhythm system is not in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigenori Oguri, Akira Iizuka
  • Patent number: 4699518
    Abstract: A musical scale generating circuit comprises an oscillator, a programmable frequency divider for frequency-dividing an output signal from the oscillator, a tone generating circuit for generating a tone, and a frequency dividing ratio data output circuit for successively outputting frequency dividing ratio data determinative of a plurality of frequency dividing ratios of the programmable frequency divider. A frequency dividing ratio discriminating circuit detects whether a frequency dividing ratio necessary for outputting a desired scale frequency is an odd or even number. A frequency dividing ratio correcting circuit is operative to add one to or substract one from frequency dividing ratio data, when a frequency dividing ratio is detected to be an odd numbered frequency dividing ratio and applies corrected frequency dividing ratio to the programmable frequency divider. A one-half frequency divider further divides a signal from the programmable frequency divider by two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Rhythm Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Tohru Tanabe
  • Patent number: 4696215
    Abstract: An automatic playing device for a musical instrument includes a memory unit which stores a plurality of discrete states, e.g., patterns of key actuation of a keyboard, which can be serialized and combined with or substituted for manual keying information from a keyboard or other control device. Combining and substituting are controlled by the actuation of one or more switches by a human operator. The operator can advance through the stored pattern by actuating a single key or by playing a simple sequence of notes on a keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Allen Organ Company
    Inventor: Walter L. Greenwood
  • Patent number: 4694724
    Abstract: In a synchronized sound recording and reproducing system including a tape recorder to playback a tape carrying time code information indicative of particular longitudinal locations of the tape, a sequencer having sound information programmed therein and a manually operated tapping key to be tapped by an operator to produce heat signals, a synchronizing signal generator for providing synchronism between the base sounds reproduced from the tape and the additional sounds reproduced from the sound information memorized in the sequencer, comprising beat interval detecting means operative to detect, on the basis of the time code information from the tape, the time intervals between the successive beat signals produced by the beat signal generating means, and rhythm information generating means for generating rhythm information based on the pattern of the time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Roland Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadao Kikumoto, Isato Murakami
  • Patent number: 4694723
    Abstract: A keyboard type electronic musical instrument in which note data and duration data are read out from a memory in accordance with the progress of a musical piece, and a control circuit (CPU) turns on display devices provided for individual keys on a keyboard in response to note data, thus training a player to operate keys specified by the display devices. The control circuit counts each instance of noncoincidence between a key represented by the note data and an operated key on the keyboard, and obtains deviations between a key operation timing defined by duration data and the timing of key operation on the keyboard. After the end of a performance, the control circuit informs the player of the number of the mis-key operations or the accumulation of key operation timing deviations by means of the display devices. A number of display devices corresponding to the accuracy of the performance are lit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Shinohara, Itsuro Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 4685370
    Abstract: A plurality of different kinds of rhythm playing pattern data corresponding to each of the different rhythm sounds being used to play specified rhythms is stored in a rhythm pattern memory section (1). When a particular kind of rhythm is being played automatically, one particular kind of rhythm is selectively designated from a plurality of kinds of rhythms by the operation of the rhythm kind selecting unit (21f). Then, a particular kind of rhythm playing pattern data corresponding to the selected particular kind of rhythm is selected from a plurality of kinds of rhythm playing pattern data preset in the rhythm pattern memory section (1) corresponding to each of the rhythm sounds by the operation of the pattern selection section (2,21,21a-21e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroko Okuda, Hiroshi Iwase
  • Patent number: 4683794
    Abstract: A plurality of rhythm designation data are supplied from a CPU, and latched in corresponding individual latches which are responsive to channel data from a decoder. The latched data are supplied to an address ROM in response to corresponding channel timing signals, wherein start and end address data for a rhythm waveform data ROM are read out from the address ROM. If the rhythm designation data latched in one of the individual latches is the same as in another one of the latches, the same rhythm is sounded concurrently and without sound interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeo Sakashita
  • Patent number: 4682526
    Abstract: In a method for providing musical accompaniment in response to the playing of an accompaniment-type musical instrument, accompaniment chord voicing is randomly selected from a pluraltiy of stored possibilities and the chord is sounded according to the selected voicing. In a preferred embodiment, the voicings may be stored separately from rhythm information according to which the chord is to be sounded, and the selection of chord voicings is constrained by a pre-selected range of chord tones. In another method for providing musical accompaniment having at least one stored melodic figure, melodic information is represented as a plurality of tokens independent of chord type and the tokens are subsequently converted to note parameters appropriate for a preselected chord type. The tokens are preferably related to the scale functions of the melodic information and may also contain information for each of a plurality of chord sub-types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Inventors: Robert J. Hall, George R. Hall, Jack C. Cookerly
  • Patent number: RE32980
    Abstract: An electromechanical vibrator driving device comprising a rhythm signal generator to produce rhythmic pulses in a pattern corresponding to a beat pattern of a selected music rhythm, the rhythmic pulses being amplified and then applied to the vibrator so that the vibrator generates a rhythmical vibration of the selected music rhythm. The rhythm signal generator comprises a rhythm pattern generator storing different rhythm patterns and providing pulses corresponding to strong beats and pulses corresponding to weak beats in a selected rhythm pattern, separately. The strong beat pulses and the weak beat pulses are processed by attenuators to have different amplitudes and are mixed to produce the rhythm signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Mutsuo Hirano, Nagatoshi Tsunoda