Abstract: Configuration states for a computing device and/or associated peripherals (“profiles”) are stored in one or more non-volatile logic (“NVL”) arrays. Using the non-volatile sub-system for the computing device, triggers for reconfiguration of the respective device or peripherals are provided to an NVL array controller, which controls provision of the new profile(s) for the respective device or peripherals over a dedicated bus to a configuration register that stores the active profiles for the device and associated peripherals.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bi-phase mark coded (BMC) input port configured to receive BMC signals from a universal serial bus (USB) cable. The apparatus further includes a threshold adjustment circuit configured to generate a threshold, and a comparator configured to compare an input BMC signal from the BMC input port and the threshold and based on the comparison, generate an adjusted input BMC signal. The threshold adjustment circuit is further configured to adjust the threshold based upon the input BMC signal.

Abstract: A key scanning method, a scan method for a key scan circuit, and an input device thereof are provided. The key scanning method comprises performing a first scan procedure which includes triggering a first main scan line and reading electrical signals received via a plurality of signal sensing lines to determine whether any of the keys among a first key group is triggered. Then, performing a second scan procedure which includes triggering at least one of a plurality of secondary scan lines and reading the electrical signals received via the plurality of signal sensing lines to determine whether any of the keys among a second key group is triggered. In the key scanning method, the first scan procedure and the second scan procedure are performed one after another, and each of the secondary scan lines is triggered at least once.

Abstract: When a processor accepts an input of plural notes to be assigned for tone generation, according to a predetermined note determining rule called “assignment type”, the processor selects one or more notes to be sounded in each of plural parts from the accepted notes. The processor controls a display unit to display, for each of the plural parts, the accepted plural notes to be assigned for tone generation. At this time, non-selected one or more notes in respective parts are displayed in one style, and the selected one or more notes in the respective parts are displayed in another style different from the one style. Alternatively, the plural notes to be assigned for tone generation are displayed in one style, and, for each of the plural parts, the selected one or more notes are displayed in another style different from the one style.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method and system for electronic sensing of string instrument input. The method includes receiving a first signal from a peak detection circuit. The peak detection circuit is operable to sense string activation. A second signal is received from one or more capacitive sensors. The second signal may include finger placement information. The method further includes processing the first and the second signals to generate an audio signal and outputting the audio signal.

Abstract: A generalized interface for interconnecting a wide range of electronic musical instruments and signal processing systems includes an outgoing multi-channel audio interface and an outgoing control interface. The outgoing multi-channel audio interface receives instrument audio signals generated by an external musical instrument, while the outgoing control interface receives MIDI control signals generated by the same external musical instrument. The outgoing multi-channel audio interface and the outgoing control interface respectively communicate audio signals and MIDI control signals to the external signal processing system. Variations include the addition of multi-channel audio paths to the instrument using drive transducer signals to excite instrument vibrating elements; the use of control paths to the instrument to control on-instrument lighting, signal processing, drive transducers, controller interpretation, etc.

Abstract: A portable sound processing device [1000] designed to retrofit a portable digital player (PDP) such as an iPod sold by Apple, Inc., includes a display [1201] for interacting with a user, a plurality of input devices [1103-1133] for receiving input from a user. The portable sound processing device [1000] has internal or external pre-recorded music which may be mixed with the live input from a musical instrument [3]. The processor [1000] may perform digital signal processing to change the pitch while keeping the tempo the same for pre-recorded music to match the key of the instrument being played. The tempo may be adjusted while not affecting the pitch allowing a musician to practice a song at a slower pace. It may also highlight or remove a specific instrument for practice purposes. The result is a portable signal processing device [1000] which aids music transcription, learning and study.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for separating music and voice using an independent component analysis method for a two-dimensional forward network. The apparatus of separating music and voice can separate voice signal and a music signal, each of which are independently recorded, from a mixed signal, in a short convergence time by using the independent component analysis method, which estimates a signal mixing process according to a difference in record positions of sensors. Thus, users can easily select accompaniment from their own compact discs(CDs), digital video discs(DVDs), or audio cassette tapes, or FM radio, and listen to music of improved quality in real time. Accordingly, the users can just enjoy the music or sing along. Furthermore, since the independent component analysis method in the apparatus of separating music and voice is simple and time taken to perform the method is not long, the method can be easily used in a digital signal processor (DSP) chip, a microprocessor, or the like.

Abstract: A user is fingering a piece of music on an electronic piano in ensemble with the playback of a piece of music recorded in a compact disc; while the user is playing the piece of music, the electronic piano generates MIDI music data codes representative of the fingering, and the MIDI data bits and the audio data codes, which are transmitted from the compact disc player, are multiplexed into a digital composite music data signal; the digital composite music data signal is transmitted through a single digital audio cable to a tone generator module or stored in a memory, and the tone generator module demultiplexes or extracts the MIDI music data codes from the digital composite music data signal; thus, the multiplexing and demultiplexing make the data transmission and recording simple.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a new device and technique to realize a utilization for providing a system, method, and apparatus for providing an improved audio tone control and generation. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for an electronically improved audio tone control and generation that is adaptable for utilization in cooperation with a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (“MIDI”). In a business method embodiment, the user may pay a monthly fee or a licensing fee for an audio tone control and generation service, or alternatively may pay a per-session fee or a fee based upon data size and/or amount of data manipulation.

Abstract: A user is fingering a piece of music on an electronic piano in ensemble with the playback of a piece of music recorded in a compact disc; while the user is playing the piece of music, the electronic piano generates MIDI music data codes representative of the fingering, and the MIDI data bits and the audio data codes, which are transmitted from the compact disc player, are multiplexed into a digital composite music data signal; the digital composite music data signal is transmitted through a single digital audio cable to a tone generator module or stored in a memory, and the tone generator module demultiplexes or extracts the MIDI music data codes from the digital composite music data signal; thus, the multiplexing and demultiplexing make the data transmission and recording simple.

Abstract: A MIDI controller musical instrument (80) with buttons (34) on two sensorboards (54,56) for controlling musical notes. The buttons (34) are arranged such that the most harmonious note combinations are played by fingering the most proximate button (34) combinations, and such that any given chord or scale can be played with a characteristic fingering pattern regardless of the range or key signature it is played in. The buttons (34) are placed such that the fingers and thumb of a hand can span the entire note range of the instrument (80). The buttons (34) that control the notes for any one key signature of the major scale are located within their own delimited area which does not contain buttons (34) controlling notes which are not part of that key signature. Notes are assigned to the buttons in such a way that the notes can be tuned to a wide variety of intonations without any consequent necessity to change the fingering patterns of the major scale or its modes.

Abstract: A digital music server, a music digitizing station, and at least one listening stations connected in a network. Each listening station includes an earphone, keyboard, display, and bar code reader. The bar code on a compact disk (CD) is scanned using the bar code reader at a listening station, and stored containing tracks from the selected CD are quickly accessed. By using the display and keyboard, the desired track is selected, and the sound volume is controlled. As the selected song file is downloaded from the server to the listening station. The listening station plays the selected track by means of an audio adapter through the earphone of said listening station.

Abstract: There is disclosed a musical sound signal generation apparatus for creating vacant channels by monaural sounding, in which a left/right balance is maintained and the total sound volume can be increased. When there is a key-on, and there is no vacant channel, a pair of channels for stereo sounding are selected, one channel of the pair of channels is released at a high rate, the panning coefficient of the other channel is changed, and a monaural sound is outputted from left and right output systems. Similarly, another pair of channels are selected, one channel of the pair of channels is released at the high rate, the panning coefficient of the other channel is changed, and the monaural sound is outputted from the left and right output systems. The L and R channels of the new key-on are assigned to two vacant channels.

Abstract: After centuries of compromise and frustration, the unacceptable distortion created by equal-tempered-scale tuning can finally be eliminated and a musical keyboard instrument will be able to produce perfect harmony in any playing key. The invention is a natural-scale tone-generator apparatus, which requires a conventional MIDI keyboard to transmit key selection as a binary input signal, and a conventional stereo system for sound output. The invention uses a digitally-controlled, phase-locked-loop circuit as an independent tone generator for each note and a unique programming method to change tempered-scale tuning and create the rich tones of the natural scale according to key selection. The MIDI binary code and programming method is formatted for an organ-kit assembly layout and is explained in Motorola flowchart-symbolic language suitable for keyboard hobbyists and experimenters.

Abstract: A signal mapping system maps sensor signals into control signals that control the operation of a music synthesizer. A "one to many" mapping technique is used, allowing at least some of the sensor signals to each be mapped into numerous music synthesizer control signals. Physical gestures by a user are mapped into a large set of music synthesizer control signals, some of which continuously vary in value as the user moves through the gestures. Signal mapping functions are used to map the sensor signals into note number and velocity values for at least one voice to be generated by the music synthesizer. The note number and velocity values are sent to the music synthesizer as note-on events when predefined note-on and note-off trigger conditions, defined with respect to specified ones of the sensor signals, are satisfied. Other ones of the signal mapping functions are used to generate asynchronous control signals that are sent to the music synthesizer independent of the note-on and note-off events.

Abstract: A music system is constructed by a transmitter for transmitting performance information and a receiver for receiving the performance information so as to reproduce music performance. In the transmitter, a first packet encoder packetizes the performance information so as to sequentially form a primary packet of the performance information. A second packet encoder packetizes state information so as to form a secondary packet of the state information in correspondence with the primary packet. The state information indicates a proper operation state of a channel defined by the protocol of Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A packet multiplexer transmits the primary packet together with the secondary packet by multiplexing so as to ensure proper reproduction of the music performance by means of a channel provided in the receiver. In the receiver, a packet demultiplexer separates the primary packet and the secondary packet from each other.

Abstract: A waveform generator LSI generates waveform data in units of time slots corresponding to tone generation channels in accordance with tone control data assigned to the individual channels, and accumulates waveform data for the individual channels to form at least one polyphonic tone data. The tone control data are updated by time division control in units of time slots of the channels. By suspending update of control data in the time slot of an unused channel in accordance with data indicating the used/unused status of each channel, switching of CMOS elements composing the waveform generator LSI is suppressed so that the LSI operates at low power. In a system using a waveform memory outside the waveform generator LSI, the read address to be supplied to the waveform memory in the time slot of an unused channel is fixed at a previous value, thus also attaining power savings of the external memory.

Abstract: A tone signal generator includes a tone signal data generating device, a signal data generating device, and a sound effects imparting device, such as a digital signal processor. The sound effects are imparted to the tone signal data based on the signal data in such a way that the digital signal processor processes the tone signal data and the signal data by repeatedly multiplying and adding them. In the process, a signal data supplying device supplies the tone signal data to the signal data generating device so that the tone signal data is used in place of the signal data. The digital signal processor processes the first tone signal data generated by the tone signal generating device and the second tone signal device supplied by the signal data supplying device so that the sound effects are imparted to the first tone signal data based on the second tone signal data.

Abstract: An electronic instrument which generates sound using a sound generator upon receipt of a trigger signal. Each pad actuator for generating a trigger signal includes first and second actuators for respectively triggering first and second switches which, upon actuation, generate the trigger signal for the sound generator. The pad actuator is mounted so as to rotate in a first direction about a pivot point upon depression by a user. The first actuator is placed closer to the pivot point than the second actuator and is mounted on a floating cantilever beam such that continued depression of the pad actuator in the first direction after actuation of the first switch by the first actuator causes the first actuator to displace in a second direction opposite the first direction while the second actuator continues to rotate in the first direction about the pivot point until the second switch is actuated by the second actuator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a programmable sound generator for generating digital outputs of tone and noise signals used for producing computer sound effects. The programmable sound generator includes at least two channels generating digital output serving as either tone signal or noise signal. A mixer is used to process the outputs of the channels in a digital, time-sharing manner. A volume controller coupled to the mixer is used to control the volume of the sound in a digital pulse width modulation (PWM) manner. Also, the volume controller allows its output to become floating when the programmable sound generator is not in use so as to allow another sound generating means to share the same sound transducing means. In the programmable sound generator, the tone generation and the noise generation share the same hardware, which allows low-cost production of the programmable sound generator.

Abstract: A music play apparatus has a data supply unit for providing performance data and initialization data associated to a desired music piece, and a sound source unit for reproducing the music piece according to the performance data and the initialization data. The data supply unit has a sequencer device that time-sequentially processes a plurality of performance data according to a predetermined order of music pieces, and a transmitter device that transmits each of the processed performance data. The transmitter device is operative when transmitting the performance data of a preceding music piece to interlace the initialization data of a succeeding music piece into the performance data of the preceding music piece by multiplexing operation. The sound source unit has a receiver device that successively receives the performance data in the predetermined order.

Abstract: In an electronic musical instrument which generates musical tone signals based on playing information input from a key switch circuit 10, a key scan circuit 11 includes a decode circuit 22 to which the current status information and the previous status information read out from a scan data memory 21 are input, and if status information which cannot be processed is input, the decode circuit 22 converts it to status information which can be processed, and if there is no empty space in an output data buffer 24, the decode circuit 22 detects no status change. Such construction allows malfunction to be prevented with a simple construction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tone signal generator. The tone signal generator includes first tone signal generation means for producing a dual-tone, multi-frequency ("DTMF") audio signal; second tone signal means for producing a plurality of non-DTMF audio signals; storage means for storing data that represents at least one channel of an output audio tone signal; and selection means for selectively loading the DTMF signal into the storage means and for selectively accumulating the non-DTMF signals into the storage means so as to generate the output tone signal.

Abstract: A tone signal generator includes a plurality of tone generation channels, and a tone generation control data memory for storing instruction data for instructing tone generation or tone release and execution data for instructing execution thereof, for each tone generation channel. The tone signal generator also includes an execution device for executing the tone generation. The execution device executes the tone generation or the tone release for each tone generation channel at an assigned timing in the sampling cycle to the tone generation channel when the instruction data is written in the tone generation control data memory corresponding to the tone generation channel, and then the execution data is written in the memory corresponding to any tone generation channel. After the writing of the instruction data, the executing data is written into the memory. This executing data triggers the tone generation of channels where the instruction data has already been written.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is designed in a generally guitar-shaped configuration with a fingerboard containing rows of keys replacing each string, one key for each string/fret position. Pressing on a key causes a signal to be provided to a central processing unit which continually scans the fingerboard at a high rate and converts the signals to a plurality of outputs to a synthesizer. Unlike a guitar, a plurality of keys, including a plurality along a single row, may be operated simultaneously to produce a plurality of notes simultaneously. A number of pressure switches and other switches located on the body enable a player to modify the output with vibrato, pitchbend, stereo pan, percussion effects, etc. Additional pressure responsive circuits provide inputs to the central processing unit varying with pressure on the keys. A second embodiment includes a fingerboard with many more rows or columns of keys and more keys per column.

Abstract: A musical tone synthesizing apparatus comprises a digital signal processor (i.e., DSP), a main memory and a sub memory. The main memory stores main instructions, while the sub memory stores sub instructions. In accordance with the main instructions and the sub instructions, the DSP performs several kinds of arithmetical operations in a time-division manner. Herein, the main instructions embody algorithms representing a sound source which contains a non-linear table. The contents of the non-linear table represents a non-linear characteristic of a musical instrument to be simulated. Values to be stored in the non-linear table are calculated in accordance with a predetermined mathematical computation utilizing a series expansion, a recurrence formula and the like. By rewriting the contents of the non-linear table, a non-linear characteristic to be applied to musical tone signals is altered in real time.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having a common memory, a tone generator and a control section. The common memory stores a plurality of musical tone parameters and is accessed by the tone generator and the control section. The tone generator generates a musical tone based on the musical tone parameters stored in the common memory and writes a musical tone parameter indicating the current state of the musical tone being generated by the tone generator, in the common memory. The control section directs the tone generator to generate a musical tone by writing the plurality of musical tone parameters corresponding to the musical tone in the common memory and controls the tone generation by monitoring the current state of the musical tone based on the musical tone parameter stored in the common memory.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus according to the present invention is used as a sound source, an effecting machine and/or a communication equipment, which simultaneously generates or processes a plurality of musical tones and sounds on the basis of a plurality of input data such as performance data, musical tone data and/or communication data. This signal processing apparatus stores a program prepared for controlling operation to generate or process musical tones and sounds only for one channel. The program is read out in accordance with a lower bit of a readout counter. A upper bit of the readout counter is used to designate a channel to which the generated or processed musical tones and sounds are assigned in accordance with the read out program. As a result, only a small area is required for storing the program and a simple construction may be employed in the apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument, which, in consonance with the state of a local control function, is designed to play music independently or in conjunction with an external device, includes a detector for detecting a depression of a predetermined operation terminal immediately after power switch-on. It further includes an initial setup device for setting the initial state of the local control function in accordance with the data acquired by the detector.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument capable of generating musical sounds of a plurality of tone colors simply by designating a plurality of tone colors simultaneously in the tone color switches. The tone color switches may be provided in a front panel adjacent a keyboard.

Abstract: A musical tone data compensation apparatus which detects chord components in a performance data stored in accordance with operation of a keyboard and modifies touch data of each tone composing a chord. New touch data are generated by compression or expansion of each difference in touch data with referring to a representative touch data in a block of chord tones, so that emphasis or smoothness is given to a sequence of chords.

Abstract: A voice input to a microphone is converted by an A/D converter to a digital signal which is then delivered to a DSP, which extracts the notes of the input voice for determining same. The processing by the DSP includes bandpass filtering with a frequency corresponding to each note as the central frequency. A plurality of notes is processed on a time divisional basis to determine their respective notes. A new musical sound electronically corresponding to one or more notes extracted as the result of the note detection is then generated on a real time basis.

Abstract: A key matrix scanning apparatus is provided. The key matrix comprises a plurality of switches which are arranged at intersections of a plurality of input signal lines and a plurality of output signal lines. The scanning apparatus repeatedly and quickly discharges or charges the plurality of input signal lines at appropriate times within a one complete scanning cycle to establish a reference potential on these lines in preparation for readings of switch states. Therefore, the scanning apparatus can provide a high-speed scanning of switches with high reliability. A good number of switches can be coupled to be read by a single unit of key scanner without a substantial delay in the detection of the switch operation.

Abstract: A rhythm play control device for an electronic musical instrument stores the number of operations of a single operator, and includes a memory device and a central processing unit which responds thereto to perform a change of play mode of the instrument.

Abstract: An improved percussive action electronic keyboard for play as a musical instrument of the type having pivoted playing keys having camming surfaces distal from finger contact surfaces thereof, pivoted hammers having cam follower surfaces for following the playing key camming surfaces, hammer stop for stopping the swing of the hammer in response to depression of its associated key, includes an electronic sensor for generating an electrical signal for each key which is related in amplitude to the pressure with which the key is depressed during play of the keyboard, and a scanning keyboard state monitor connected to said sensor including a keyboard scanner for scanning each of the keys of the keyboard to determine if a key event has occurred, an amplitude comparator for determining when a key depression causes a said key depression signal amplitude to pass predetermined minimum and maximum amplitude threshold values, a scan counter for counting the number of scans occurring between the scans when the key depressi

Abstract: A MIDI-compatible musical instrument controller includes a keyboard having a plurality of keys and circuitry for electronically scanning the keyboard and for producing individual key-depression signals for each key being depressed. Each of the individual key depression signals identifies the key with which it is associated, commences when the key is depressed, and terminates when the key with which it is associated is released. A plurality of note tables is provided for converting each of the individual key depression signals to MIDI note-identifying information. Each note table defines each key as one or more preselected musical notes such that no two of such tables define the plurality of keys with the same MIDI note-identifying information. One of the note tables is selected in response to a user command.

Abstract: Memory means is provided such that it is capable of reading and writing tone source control data for an available number of channels. Each channel time is divided into two divisions for instance. In the first half of each channel time, tone source control data for the channel corresponding to the current channel time is read out from the memory means, and in the second half of channel time tone source control data of a given designated channel for setting data is written in the memory means. In this way, tone source control data can be set speedily even if the polyphonic channels are increased in number. Further, with an increased number of polyphonic channels it is possible to synchronize the phase of each tone in a tone mixing mode even when a frequency change is caused by a pitch bender or a vibrato.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having a number of keys, having tone generators capable of simultaneous tone production, the tone generators being smaller in number than the number of keys. The instrument forms an operation for synthesizing a desired waveform, the operation for synthesizing a desired waveform being performed in a repeating cyclic order with an operation cycle and in which the waveform is transferred to the tone generators and read out therefrom at a rate in accordance with the note of a key being depressed to obtain a desired musical waveform. The device includes a number-of-depressed keys detecting device which counts the number of keys which are actuating the tone generator upon depression. A cycle altering device is provided for changing the operation cycle, as a whole, on the basis of the number of depressed keys, counted by the number-of-depressed keys detecting device. The construction allows for a waveform of a smooth temporal variation to be produced.

Abstract: A key assigner system for an electronic musical instrument having an assignment memory assignment channel number N equal to or less than the number of signal sources of a musical tone signal generator for storing information such as a key number and/or an ON/OFF state of a key, a closed-keys sequence memory having the same number N of words as the channel number for storing channel name, and a processor for writing or reading ON/OFF states of key switches according to information from scanning ON/OFF states of key switches.