US3715447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic musical instrument with a keyboard device capable of producing special musical effects upon key depression
Assignee: Nippon Gakki Co Ltd
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Filing: 1971-05-13
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1991-05-13
Abstract
Abstract In an electronic musical instrument, a keyboard device comprises a flexible and substantially non-extensible tape elastically supported on a keyboard frame below playing keys, and a first and a second detectors at both ends of the tape to generate electrical signals each having an amplitude corresponding to the amount of displacement of each tape end. The electric signals from the first and second detectors are supplied to a signal adder and a signal substractor, the adder giving out signals when the both tape ends move inward and the substractor giving out signals when one tape end moves inward and the other end outward. The output from the adder is supplied to a volume control circuit, while the output from the substractor is supplied to a vibrato effect producing circuit. On this instrument, a downward depression of the key produces an expression control effect, and a lateral movement of the key produces a vibrator effect.
Inventors
- 👤 J Ohno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:41
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/02; G10H1/04; G10H1/053; G10H1/055; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
An electronic musical instrument comprising: a keyboard frame; a plurality of keys supported on said frame and arranged in juxtaposed relationship, said keys being movable both vertically downward and laterally; an elongated flexible and substantially non-extensible tape transversely disposed below said keys, the relative positions of said keys and tape being such that, when any one of said keys is depressed vertically downward, it comes into contact with said tape and flexes said tape, causing a lengthwise displacement of said tape; and first and second detector means disposed respectively at both ends of said tape, each detector means generating an electric signal having a magnitude and polarity respectively corresponding to the amount and direction of said displacement of said tape, the vertical downward depression of said key causing both ends of said tape to be displaced in opposite directions and lateral shaking of said key causing said both ends of said tape to be displaced in the same direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
An electronic musical instrument comprising: a keyboard frame; a plurality of keys supported on said frame and arranged in juxtaposed relationship, said keys being movable both vertically downward and laterally; an elongated flexible and substantially non-extensible tape transversely disposed below said keys, the relative positions of said keys and tape being such that, when any one of said keys is depressed vertically downward, it comes into contact with said tape and flexes said tape, causing a lengthwise displacement of said tape; and first and second detector means disposed respectively at both ends of said tape, each detector means generating an electric signal having a magnitude and polarity respectively corresponding to the amount and direction of said displacement of said tape, the vertical downward depression of said key causing both ends of said tape to be displaced in opposite directions and lateral shaking of said key causing said both ends of said tape to be displaced in the same direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
159 words
An electronic musical instrument comprising: a keyboard frame; a plurality of keys supported on said frame and arranged in juxtaposed relationship, said keys being movable both vertically downward and laterally; an elongated flexible and substantially non-extensible tape transversely disposed below said keys, the relative positions of said keys and tape being such that, when any one of said keys is depressed vertically downward, it comes into contact with said tape and flexes said tape, causing a lengthwise displacement of said tape; and first and second detector means disposed respectively at both ends of said tape, each detector means generating an electric signal having a magnitude and polarity respectively corresponding to the amount and direction of said displacement of said tape, the vertical downward depression of said key causing both ends of said tape to be displaced in opposite directions and lateral shaking of said key causing said both ends of said tape to be displaced in the same direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
159 words
An electronic musical instrument comprising: a keyboard frame; a plurality of keys supported on said frame and arranged in juxtaposed relationship, said keys being movable both vertically downward and laterally; an elongated flexible and substantially non-extensible tape transversely disposed below said keys, the relative positions of said keys and tape being such that, when any one of said keys is depressed vertically downward, it comes into contact with said tape and flexes said tape, causing a lengthwise displacement of said tape; and first and second detector means disposed respectively at both ends of said tape, each detector means generating an electric signal having a magnitude and polarity respectively corresponding to the amount and direction of said displacement of said tape, the vertical downward depression of said key causing both ends of said tape to be displaced in opposite directions and lateral shaking of said key causing said both ends of said tape to be displaced in the same direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said flexible and substantially non-extensible tape is supported on an elongated elastic member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the signals generated by said first and second detector means have the same polarity when the both ends of said tape are displaced in opposite directions, and the signals generated by said detector means have opposite polarities when said both ends of said tape are displaced in the same direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the signals generated by said first and second detector means have opposite polarities when the both ends of said tape are displaced in opposite directions, and the signals generated by said detector means have the same polarity when said both ends of said tape are displaced in the same direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1 further comprising means coupled to said detector means, including a signal adder, output signals from said first and second detector means being coupled to said signal adder where said output signals are added, the output from said signal adder being used to provide a musical effect.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1 further comprising means coupled to said detector means, including a signal subtractor, output signals from said first and second detector means being coupled to said signal subtractor where said output signals are subtracted, the output from said signal subtractor being used to provide a musical effect.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 3 further comprising means coupled to said detector means, including a signal adder, the output signals from said detector means being coupled to said signal adder where said output signals are added, the output from said signal adder being used to provide a musical effect.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 3 further comprising means coupled to said detector means, including a signal subtractor, the output signals from said detector means being coupled to said signal Subtractor where said output signals are subtracted, the output from said signal subtractor, being used to obtain a musical effect.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 4 further comprising means coupled to said detector means, including a signal adder, the output signals from said detector means being coupled to said signal adder where said output signals are added, the output from said signal adder being used to provide a musical effect.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 4 further comprising means coupled to said detector means, including a signal subtractor, the output signals from said detector means being coupled to said signal subtractor where said output signals are subtracted, the output from said signal subtractor being used to provide a musical effect.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 1 further comprising means coupled to said detector means, including a signal adder, and a signal subtractor, the output signals from said first and second detector means being coupled to said signal adder and subtractor where said output signals are added and subtracted respectively, the outputs from said signal adder and subtractor being used to provide musical effects.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 7 wherein said means coupled to said detector means further comprises an amplifier, the output from said signal adder being coupled to said amplifier to control tone volume.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 7 wherein said means coupled to said detector means further comprises a tone coloring filter, the output from said signal adder being coupled to said tone coloring filter to control timbre.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 8 wherein said means coupled to said detector means further comprises a tone generator, the output from said signal subtractor being coupled to said tone generator to produce a vibrato effect.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 9 wherein said means coupled to said detector means further comprises a tone generator, the output from said signal adder being coupled to said tone generator to produce a vibrato effect.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 10 wherein said means coupled to said detector means further comprises an amplifier, the output from said signal subtractor being coupled to said amplifier to control tone volume.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 10 wherein said means coupled to said detector means further comprises a tone coloring filter, the output from said signal subtractor being coupled to said tone coloring filter to control timbre.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
The electronic musical instrument according to claim 3 further comprising means coupled to said detector means, including a signal adder, and a signal subtractor, the output signals from said first and second detector means being coupled to said signal adder and subtractor where said output signals are added and subtracted respectively, the outputs from said signal adder and subtractor being used to provide musical effects.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |