Abstract: A sound reproduction system (10) is disclosed in which a sound barrier (14) defines a horn passageway having an upstream (22) and a downstream section (24). A driver (12) is mounted at the throat (16) of the upstream section (22) so that its rearward directed output communicates with the downstream section (24). Output from the upstream section and the rearward directed output of the driver are merged at a tap point located at the beginning of the downstream section. By altering the respective areas and lengths of the upstream and downstream sections a variety of different frequency dependent responses are obtained. In one example, low-frequency response systems of heretofore unobtainable compact size are realized.

Abstract: An addressable valve system is described wherein a plurality of valves are embedded into a single, compact valve block. Each valve comprises a piston moving in a bore in the block. A magnet embedded in the piston is positioned within a coil. When energized, the coil attracts the magnet and the plunger upwards away from a valve seat. Magnetic shields disposed between the pistons provide magnetic isolation between the pistons and simultaneously apply a closing force to the pistons by drawing the magnets downward towards the valve seat. When energized, the coils overwhelm the closing force and open the valves. Electronics for the valve block and the coils are provided on a circuit board overlying the pistons and bores. The electronics provide addressability of the valves and automatically generate “pick” and “hold” timing whereby the initial motivating force (voltage) applied to the current is higher to get the valves moving quickly when valve is first commanded to open.

Abstract: Duplex pneumatic valves are provided for use in regulating the flow of air from a wind chest through an orifice to a pneumatic work chamber such as an organ pipe. The duplex valves comprise a principle valve having a rear surface and a seating surface seatable on the orifice and at least one venting channel in the principle valve means communicating with each of the seating and rear surfaces, thereof, and an initial valve having a seating surface seatable on the venting channel at the rear surface of the principle valve means. Methods for controlling the flow of air into, for example, an organ pipe are also disclosed employing the duplex pneumatic valves of this invention.

Abstract: A computerized unit organ relay which utilizes computer hardware and software to interconnect the pipes of the organ with the organ console in such a fashion that the proper pipes are activated in response to the key-stop combinations designated at the console. All of the keys of the various keyboards, and their associated stops, are connected through appropriate input ports to the data processing device which, in a preferred form, comprises a programmed microcomputer. The computer software acts on the input data from the keys and stops to calculate which of the pipes should be activated in response to actuated keys and stops. This information is stored in a continuously updated array and is read out of the computer memory, via appropriate output interface devices, to activate the corresponding pipes of the organ.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with simplifying the performance of musical compositions and the like by triggering the release of successive electronically stored coded data corresponding to the successive notes of the musical composition and in accordance with the rhythm thereof, and, upon such release, decoding the successive data to generate electrical oscillations which are then converted into corresponding audible tones of the notes of the composition.