Abstract: A photoelectric transducer is provided for musical instruments to pick up musical tones so that they may be amplified, transcribed, resynthesized, or recorded. A light source, such as a light emitting diode, is mounted on the instrument to direct light onto a vibratory element of the instrument. Vibrations of the vibratory element cause modulations in the intensity of the light which is reflected or partially obstructed before reaching a photodetector. The modulated electrical output of the photodetector corresponds to the vibration frequency of the vibratory element and may be amplified to drive a loudspeaker or processed for transcription or resynthesis.

Abstract: A coded card for use in a melody playing apparatus. The coded card has four quadrants, each quadrant having a different melody therein. A synchronization code is encoded down the center of the card between alternates ones of the quadrants. By alternately rotating and turning the card over, each of the four quadrants with different melodies and the synchronization code will appear at a same predetermined quadrant position. Therefore, when playing on the melody playing apparatus, each of the melodies can be decoded thereby.

Abstract: A melody producing candle in which an Integrated Circuit (IC) placed within the candle is activated upon kindling of the wick to produce music. The candle stops playing music once the flame is put out. The invention is provided with a light reflector which allows adjustment of sensitivity of the candle to light.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing a target volume by two spaced apart viewing devices which create respective two dimensional video picture frame signals. The picture frame signals are divided into discrete areas. If there is an image change in one of the discrete areas then analyzing means provides control signals which feed a reaction providing means, which in turn is then responsive to a change of an object within the volume.

Abstract: A synthesizer guitar controller pickup and method for generating control signals for a synthesizer. The control signals are NOTE, GATE, and VELOCITY. NOTE corresponds to the pitch, GATE corresponds to when the sound is initiated and stopped and VELOCITY is a signal which is proportional to the force applied to the guitar string. A DC sensor, such as a photo detector or Hall Effect transducer, is employed to detect these signals. The DC sensor measures how far the string deviates from its rest position, this value is the VELOCITY signal. The flyback from the peak deflection initiates the GATE signal to turn on the sound. When the string stops vibrating, the GATE, and thus the sound, is turned off.

Abstract: A guitar controller for an electronic music synthesizer utilizes a multiplexed string energization and fret acquisition system wherein a high impedance buffer allows voltages to be detected off the strings at the various frets without drawing current through the frets or fret/string contacts. Unique string bend and string vibration sensors and expression auxiliary sensors are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: These small, inexpensive ornaments and novelties emit music and other sounds (such as simulated voice) when exposed to light, and can be placed out-of-doors in a garden. Being light-powered, they can operate for an essentially indefinite time, even though unattended.Each such ornament or novelty consists of a thematically configured body and a three-element working module sealed in a watertight can. It has no input keyboard or other terminal, and no display panel or other electronic or visual data output, except the audio output.Elements are (1) a circuit, preprogrammed to produce electronic oscillations corresponding to a tune or other sounds preestablished at manufacture, (2) a speaker receiving the oscillations and emitting the sounds, and (3) a solar panel powering the circuit. The speaker shuts off if light is inadequate for completely correct operation, and otherwise is amplitude modulated by the light level.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing a portion of a melody so that users of the apparatus can competitively attempt to identify the melody includes a device for encoding the portion of the melody to be played and a device for reproducing the portion of the melody by decoding the encoding device. The reproducing device includes a decoder for generating electrical signals corresponding to the portion of the melody and a converter for converting the generated electrical signals to musical notes.

Abstract: An optical pickup system for converting the vibration of the string of a musical instrument into electrical signals, adapted to be used with a pitch calculator system. The pickup is constructed with the plane comprising the optical emitter and detector substantially parallel to the body of the musical instrument. Side walls of the optical pickup prevent the vibration of any string from interfering with the pickup for adjacent strings. The pickup uses a very narrow aperture optical emitter to maximize the signal of the noise ratio of the pickup system. A separate signal from each string is then routed to the pitch calculator circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for viewing a target area and for providing a reaction consequent on a changing image in the target area (1), said apparatus having video cameras (3) for viewing the target area (1) and for creating video picture frame signal of the target area, analog to digital converters (7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 21, 31) for analyzing the signals relating to one or more discrete areas within each picture frame, the converters feeding control signals to a synthesizer to provide a change in the reaction consequent on there being an image change in the one or more discrete areas from an earlier frame.

Abstract: An electronic sensing system is disclosed for sensing fingering on a stringed and fretted musical instrument, such as a guitar, to produce therefrom electronic signals truly representative of the music created by the musical instrument. Sensing includes detection of the musical pitch created by each selected string and fret combination, as well as detection of the vibration state of the selected string and any pitch variations induced by the performer through string bending.

Abstract: A guitar controller for an electronic music synthesizer utilizes a multiplexed string energization and fret acquisition system wherein a high impedance buffer allows voltages to be detected off the strings at the various frets without drawing current through the frets or fret/string contacts. Unique string bend and string vibration sensors and expression auxiliary sensors are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A system for scanning vibrations of a mass and for converting the mechanical vibrations into corresponding electrical signals is disclosed. The system includes a source of a scanning radiation beam, preferably of a light beam, which has a larger transverse cross section than the vibrating mass. The umbra behind the mass and the surrounding illuminated area are collected by a focussing lens and projected onto an optoelectric converter. The collecting surface and/or the active light receiving surface of the converter have an outline which is variable in the direction of displacement of the vibrating mass so that the illuminated area varies in size during the vibration of the mass.

Abstract: A two hand operated instrument, for controlling electronic music synthesizers, video games and computers, capable of producing two independent control voltages, in addition to the signals produced by keyboards held in each hand, such additional control voltages actuated by rotating and telescoping the concentric tubes with respect to each other. In musical applications, the finger operated voltage signals may be used to select notes and the twist and telescope signals to control musical parameters, such as volume, pitch, timbre, pulse, width, spatial location, etc.

Abstract: A dish for supporting a light blocking object such as a coffee cup, a tea cup or the like, having a melody sounding function is disclosed, in which the dish below its object supporting surface is provided with a melody sounding means proximate to the object supporting surface for producing and playing a given melody for a predetermined time by means of a switching mechanism including a photosensor. The melody is automatically produced on removing the object from the dish and exposing the photosensor of a melody sounding means to the light passing through the dish of light permeable material.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a keyboard having keys, an optical disc memory which is low-speed in access and very large in capacity, a semiconductor memory which is high-speed in access and very small in capacity, and readout circuit. The semiconductor memory stores an initial portion corresponding to a short period from the start of a tone waveshape. The optical disc memory stores a remaining portion succeeding the initial portion in the tone waveshape. The readout circuit starts to read out the initial portion and the remaining portion at the same time in response to a key depression. The short period is in advance determined so as to be equal to or longer than an access time required to read out the first data of the remaining portion. Therefore, the initial portion is firstly read out and thereafter the remaining portion is read out, so that the low-speed accessibility of the optical disc memory is compensated with the high-speed accessibility of the semiconductor memory.

Abstract: An illumination level/musical tone converter is described which is suitable for incorporation into a miniature electronic device such as an electronic wristwatch, whereby the pitch of musical notes emitted by an acoustic output device can be varied as desired by the user varying the amount of illumination reaching a light sensor, e.g. by partially shading the sensor using a finger. Melodies can be composed in this way, and means can be provided for memorizing such melodies, which can be subsequently reproduced, e.g. to provide an audible alarm indication.

Abstract: A programmable music synthesizer has a keyboard which also generates an expression signal representing the pressure on the keyboard and utilizes the change in an infrared path length for producing this expression signal.

Abstract: Bar codes representing rhythm data corresponding to rhythm pattern, rhythm progression or a certain kind of rhythm are printed in relation to a musical score, and are read out by scanning with a bar code reader. The rhythm data thus read out are stored in RAMs under the control of a CPU. The rhythm data stored in the RAMs are read out by the CPU and supplied through an amplifier to a loudspeaker, for producing sounds.

Abstract: A waveform producing system in which a source of infrared radiation or magnetic flux in a pattern forming section applies energy to a mask constituting a pattern-forming device that passes and masks the radiation or flux for passing the radiation or flux in a pattern which represents a waveform in a coordinate system with axes of time and amplitude in a plane. This distributes the radiation or flux and amplitude in a plane, and distributes the radiation or flux spatially in a pattern corresponding to the waveform. A matrix of transducers in series within parallel rows in a conversion section receive the radiation or flux passed and converts it to electrical signals which have a sampled value of the waveform. The sampled values thus obtained are scanned subsequentially in the direction of the time axis by a sequential readout circuit and the outputs of the sampled values are arranged sequentially with time to develop the waveform.

Abstract: A fiber optic musical instrument provides a design in which the musical notes and characteristic instrument sounds normally sensed by electro-mechanical devices such as magnetic pickups and acoustic transducers are generated by the modulation of light within optical fibers and are optically transmitted to amplifying devices without the need for externally mounted sensing devices.

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

Abstract: Bar code data are read out by a bar code reader from a medium on which predetermined tone data are printed in the form of bar codes and are successively stored in a RAM. When a mode selection switch is set to a position "NAVI", a LED provided in the vicinity of a performance key corresponding to the pitch of a tone next to be produced next, is turned on under the control of a control section. Performance of music can be obtained by successively operating performance keys indicated by associated LEDs turned on one after another.

Abstract: A musical instrument is disclosed in which light beams striking a detector produce various tones and the loudness of the sounds produced is dependent upon the intensity of the light beam which can be changed by interrupting the beam or reflecting the light backwards to a detector situated next to the light source. A special amplifier circuit is provided which responds to both the amount of light beam interruption as well as the rapidity of interruption. The invention can be variously embodied in woodwind, string and percussion instruments and can also be used on a stage and controlled by moving dancers or musicians.

Abstract: Bar codes representing sound information are printed on a marginal portion of a score. Prior to the performance, these bar codes are read out by a bar code reader, whereby chord data represented by these bar codes are successively stored in a memory provided in the body of a musical instrument. At the time of the performance, accompaniment sound corresponding to the stored chord data is automatically added to the melody performed by the player.

Abstract: Not only an image signal of a scene of performance of musical instruments and a sound signal of such performance, but also the performance data of a specific musical instrument are recorded by a video system, and by virtue of a reproduction of this record, the image signal, the sound signal and the performance data are separated from each other. Thus, not only the image from the image signal and the electronically reproduced sound from the sound signal, but also a real automatic playing musical instrument such as player piano corresponding to said specific musical instrument is actually driven to effect a performance, whereby the watcher-listener is also able to listen to the performance sound of a real musical instrument.

Abstract: Computer organ tone input for alterable stops is achieved by single-key input through a decoded keyboard which is couple to a logic network and optoelectrical output drive circuitry. The decoder circuitry activates selected optical emitters in an array which is mounted in the optical reader of a computer organ such that the decoder circuitry is electronically isolated from the computer organ. The invention eliminates the need for a tone card library, does not interfere with the sensitive circuitry of the organ and permits instantaneous reprogramming of alterable voices.

Abstract: A signal processing system records and reproduces a music signal which varies repeatedly. The music signal is sampled at a given sampling period and pulse row obtained from the sampling is rearranged into a given pattern to achieve a new pulse row which is stored. For read out from a storage medium, a read-out means reproduces the original pulse row sequence and provides a wave form of the original music signal.

Abstract: In an automatic performing apparatus in which musical performance data are sequentially read out of a memory at time intervals corresponding to the durations of musical notes to thereby execute an automatic performance, a repeatedly played part is stored as subroutine data in the memory, together with main routine data, thereby to store much data in the memory having a limited capacity. The main routine data contains instruction data for calling the subroutine data and the subroutine data contains instruction data for the return to the main routine data. In response to a signal from a subroutine control circuit, the count of an address counter for designating an address in the memory jumps to an address of the subroutine data when the subroutine calling instruction data is read out, and jumps back to an address of the main routine data when the instruction data for the return to the main routine is read out.

Abstract: A disc having holes in the periphery thereof is moved by successive increments so that the holes are successively brought into alignment with a photocell. The diameters of successive ones of the holes correspond to the pitch of successive tones in a musical selection. A tone generator is employed to develop a tone signal which varies in pitch in accordance with the diameter of the holes in the disc.

Abstract: An optical fiber is used as a transducer to convert a low frequency mechanical disturbance into low frequency amplitude modulated optical energy. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention transduction occurs by means of a multi-path interference phenomena capable of responding to acoustic information ranging from less than one hundredth of a cycle per second to several hundred thousand cycles per second. This feature of the invention makes the general concept applicable to use in musical instruments or as a security sensing device. When the concept is applied to a musical instrument it would preferably include the following elements in series: a solid state laser, a multi-mode or single index optic fiber, a square law detector, such as a photodiode, an audio amplifier and a speaker. When the concept is applied in the embodiment of a security sensing apparatus it would preferably include the same active elements (i.e.

Abstract: A device for teaching music using coded indicia representing musical notes and being scannable, a scanning wand and circuits for decoding the signals from the scanning wand and producing audible tones of the proper pitch.

Abstract: An optical tone generator comprises sensing means responsive to light of different respective colors for selectively producing respective output signals corresponding to such respective colors, and a tone generator responsive to the sensing means for emitting a tone corresponding to the signal produced by the sensing means. In a preferred embodiment, fiber optic light conduits are disposed within an elongated baton for manual translation along a line of discretely changing colored strips to produce tones corresponding to the various colors. This device is particularly advantageous for teaching musical composition because it permits a child to vary pitch, duration and tempo by readily perceived variations in color, length and speed, respectively.

Abstract: This invention relates to electric or electronic musical instruments for the production of audible musical composition ranging from quite simple to very complex arrangements. More particularly this invention is a device for the creation and editing of a musical work produced by the composer or arranger and which enables the immediate rehearsal of the fully or partially completed musical arrangement.The device is designed to be connected to an electronic musical instrument which replays the recorded composition. Such an instrument, for example, can be an electronic organ and/or an electronic musical synthesizer which accordingly either incorporates or is connected to the device.

Abstract: A waveform generator used for electronic musical instruments comprising a resistance device having a plurality of power source electrodes and a plurality of potential detecting electrodes. Electric current is supplied to the power source electrodes and potentials are periodically detected through scanning from the potential detecting electrodes by the use of a scanning circuit mechanism.

Abstract: A multichannel recording medium storer which samples the time course of notes produced by an instrument and an address for each of these samples. An interchangeable keyboard transmits a signal or signals to an electronic computer as to which note or notes are to be reproduced. The electric computer reads the note or notes to be reproduced from the recording medium and from the sample produces a faithful reproduction of the sustained note or notes. The result is available for recording on one channel of the recording medium or for reproduction on a speaker. The instrument is useful for the preparation of musical compositions and for educational purposes and demonstrations.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument of the waveshape memory type comprises a holographic memory; including a plurality of hologram pictures each carrying information of dots which represent in binary coded notation sample values constituting musical waveshapes. Upon key depression, a coherent light beam irradiates the hologram pictures corresponding to the depressed key to reproduce dot images on a photo-electric converter. The converter delivers digital values of waveshape samples. The digital values are converted to analog values, thereby producing musical tones. A large amount of information can be stored in a small size memory.

Abstract: A signal generating system for an electronic musical instrument utilizing an electronic beam tube with a radiation intercepting structure and means to derive a signal from beam current pulses produced by scanning the structure. The width of pulses is modulated according to the width of individual components of the structure and the pulse width modulated wave is transformed to analog form by a low pass filter. The structure includes several aligned sections and the widths of each section at corresponding points of alignment are representative of the pulse-sampled amplitudes of the tonal qualities of different musical instruments.

Abstract: An electrical control device comprises a base member, and an elongate support member mounted to be movable transversely of its length with respect to the base member. A tension spring biases the elongate member against movement in one direction transversely of its length and towards a null position. An elongate resistive member is supported by and extends along the length of the support member, and when the ends of the resistive member are connected to opposite respective poles of a voltage source a sensing electrode can be applied to the resistive member to tap off a voltage which is selectively variable by varying the position along the support member at which the sensing electrode is applied to the resistive member. The resistive member is so arranged with respect to the support member that application of the sensing electrode to the resistive member tends to bring about movement of the elongate member with respect to the base member in opposition to the bias established by the tension spring.

Abstract: An optoelectronic sound amplifier system for musical instruments such as guitars, drums and the like, which includes light reflecting means positioned on the surface of the musical instrument adapted to vibrate responsive to the musical vibrations of the instrument. Light rays originating from a remote source strike the vibrating reflecting means and are modulated thereby in accordance with the musically induced vibrations of the reflecting means. The reflected and modulated light rays are received at a station remote from the musical instrument within which the rays strike a photo-electric transducer device. The photo-electric device produces an electronic signal corresponding to the musical tones associated with the modulated light rays which may then be amplified through one or more conventional amplifier-speaker units.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rotatable record for use in the artificial reproduction of sounds, such as musical notes, tones, chords, words, voice phonemes or the like, in which there is at least one endless data track on at least part of which there is recorded one or more sounds to be reproduced and, associated spatially with the sound track, is an endless track on which is recorded information indicating the locations of the component parts of the recorded sound.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is provided to produce audible tones by the use of at least a pair of electron beam guns having deflecting means, the output of the guns energizing luminous screens with masks in front of the screens of the tubes upon which is graphically depicted an image that represents one or more timbres or mixing control voltages. Electronic means are provided for energizing the cathode ray tubes so that they will scan the masks and light sensitive devices are focused on the images produced by the masks and a variety of means are used to mix the outputs.

Abstract: An electronic Zimbelstern system in which a sequential counter actuates a set of self-damping circuits in a predetermined repeating sequence, the self-damping circuits each enabling a different set of sinusoidal tone sources in such relative amplitudes and with such relative rise and decay envelopes as to simulate the sounds of sequentially sounding bells of diverse fundamental frequencies when electro-acoustically reproduced.

Abstract: An electrical organ in which each of the keys of the organ is mechanically coupled to one single pole single throw electrical switch, and a plurality of said switches are each connected to a plurality of photoelectric tone sources through pulse shaping keying circuits, the keying circuits connected to each key switch being connected in a cascade circuit with the direct current potential source and the photocell of one of the tone sources, the other tone sources having photocells connected to the junctions of keying circuits in said cascade circuit. The tone circuits actuated by a given key of the organ may be at the same frequency or may comprise a chiff tone component or a noise-puff component, or may include a special decay circuit which activates a photocell modulated at a different pitch from the main-tone component.