Patent US3555167A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3555167A
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Multivoice circuitry with vibrato for electronic musical instrument
Assignee: Whippany Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1969-06-02
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1989-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A sinusoidal waveform signal of audiofrequency is clipped at one or more amplitude levels to establish a plurality of signal components. Any one of the signal components, the combination of two signal components algebraically added, or the combination of three signal components algebraically added produce resultant output signals having different waveform characteristics providing selectable multivoice musical tones simulating such instruments as the flute, diapason, horn, woodwind, or full organ. The original sinusoidal signal is generated by a resonant feedback oscillator having a bias that may be varied to produce a vibrato effect in the resultant signals. Signal selection is made by a switch assembly combining different paths including a phase inverter, through which clipped signal components are conducted. The various oscillators and the phase inverter may be transistorized.
Inventors
- 👤 John W Padalino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:08
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/02; G10H1/06; G10H1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A signal producing apparatus comprising means for generating a continuous signal, signal clipping means connected to said generating means for dividing the continuous signal into separate signal portions, and selectively controlled means connected to the signal clipping means for recombining different combinations of said signal portions establishing resultant signals which are different from the continuous signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A signal producing apparatus comprising means for generating a continuous signal, signal clipping means connected to said generating means for dividing the continuous signal into separate signal portions, and selectively controlled means connected to the signal clipping means for recombining different combinations of said signal portions establishing resultant signals which are different from the continuous signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said continuous signal is a sinusoidal waveform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said portions of the continuous signal are amplitude clipped components of the sinusoidal waveform
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 3 including bias means for varying the conduction angle of the continuous signal from which each of said signal portions is clipped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said selectively controlled means includes phase shifting means for inverting at least one of said signal portions, and a switching control device interconnected with the signal clipping means and the phase shifting means for algebraically adding selected in-phase signal portions from the signal clipping means and signal portions inverted by the phase shifting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said generating means includes at least one resonant feedback oscillator and control means connected to the oscillator for changing the frequency of the continuous signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 including bias means for varying the phase of the continuous signal from which each of said signal portions is clipped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said selectively Controlled means includes phase shifting means for inverting at least one of said signal portions, and a switching control device interconnected with the signal clipping means and the phase shifting means for algebraically adding selected in phase signal portions from the signal clipping means and signal portions inverted by the phase shifting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said generating means includes at least one resonant feedback oscillator and control means connected to the oscillator for changing the frequency of the continuous signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said generating means includes an audiofrequency oscillator having a sinusoidal waveform output.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
The combination of claim 10 wherein said selectively controlled means includes phase shifting means for inverting the signal portions, attenuating means connected to the signal clipping means for varying the gain of selected signal portions transmitted through the phase shifting means and in bypass relation thereto, switch means connected to the attenuating means and the phase shifting means for selecting the signal portions regulated by the attenuating means, and means for algebraically adding the selected signal portions transmitted through and bypassing the phase shifting means to produce said resultant signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said resultant signals simulate the tones of different musical instruments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
90 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said selectively controlled means includes phase shifting means for inverting the signal portions, attenuating means connected to the signal clipping means for varying the gain of selected signal portions transmitted through the phase shifting means and in bypass relation thereto, switch means connected to the attenuating means and the phase shifting means for selecting the signal portions regulated by the attenuating means, and means for algebraically adding the selected signal portions transmitted through and bypassing the phase shifting means to produce said resultant signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said resultant signals simulate the tones of different musical instruments.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 14 including vibrato means for varying the phase of the continuous signal from which each of said signal portions is clipped.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
123 words
In combination with a source of voltage, an audiofrequency oscillator connected to said source and having a sinusoidal waveform output, a clipping circuit network connected to said oscillator establishing a plurality of signal transmitting paths through which clipped signal portions of said output are conducted, bias control means connected to the source for establishing signal levels at which the output is clipped, a selector switch assembly connected to the clipping circuit network and the bias control means for selecting at least two of the signal transmitting paths, and a phase inverting circuit connected to the switch assembly for combining at least two of the clipped portions of the output conducted through the selected signal transmitting paths in phase shifted relation to each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
123 words
In combination with a source of voltage, an audiofrequency oscillator connected to said source and having a sinusoidal waveform output, a clipping circuit network connected to said oscillator establishing a plurality of signal transmitting paths through which clipped signal portions of said output are conducted, bias control means connected to the source for establishing signal levels at which the output is clipped, a selector switch assembly connected to the clipping circuit network and the bias control means for selecting at least two of the signal transmitting paths, and a phase inverting circuit connected to the switch assembly for combining at least two of the clipped portions of the output conducted through the selected signal transmitting paths in phase shifted relation to each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination of claim 16 wherein the clipping circuit network includes a pair of clipping diodes and a signal transmitting resistor connected in parallel to the oscillator to establish said signal transmitting paths, said bias control means being connected in shunt relation to the clipping diodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination of claim 17 wherein said oscillator includes a current control device having input, output and control terminals, a regenerative feedback circuit interconnecting the output and control terminals for sustaining the sinusoidal output at a predetermined frequency, frequency control means connected to the feedback circuit for selecting said frequency, and bias means connected to the control electrode for establishing the phases of the output from which the signal portions are clipped.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 18 including vibrato producing means connected to the bias means for cyclically varying the phases of the clipped signal portions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination of claim 16 wherein said oscillator includes a current control device having input, output and control terminals, a regenerative feedback circuit interconnecting the output and control terminals for sustaining the sinusoidal output at a predetermined frequency, frequency control means connected to the feedback circuit for selecting said frequency, and bias means connected to the control electrode for establishing the phases of the output from which the signal portions are clipped.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 20 including vibrato producing means connected to the bias means for cyclically varying the phases of the clipped signal portions.
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) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |