Patent US3828643A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3828643A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Scanner for electronic musical instrument
Assignee: Chicago Musical Instrument Co
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Filing: 1973-02-20
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1993-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A scanner for an electronic musical instrument employs a matrix having two sets of current conducting lines forming intersecting rows and columns, with a plurality of magnetic cores arranged at the intersections of the matrix. Individual ones of both sets of lines are energized successively to individually scan the cores, and the lines of one set are connected to a gate which produces a train of output pulses on a single output line, in response to cores which are operative to magnetically couple the lines of one set to the lines of the other set. The cores are normally maintained in inoperative condition by exposing them to a saturating magnetic field. The cores are each selectively rendered operative by moving the magnetic field, relative to the core enabling the core to effect a magnetic coupling between intersecting lines of the two sets by operation of a key of the keyboard of the instrument, or by operation of an actuating member of a switch for selecting a control function for the instrument.
Inventors
- 👤 E Morez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:57
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/18; G10H1/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for generating a plurality of pulses in a pulse train, each of said pulses being encoded in time position in response to actuation of one of a plurality of keys of a musical instrument, comprising in combination: a. a plurality of ferromagnetic cores arranged in a matrix having two sets of intersecting conducting lines, each of said cores occupying a position juxtaposed with an intersection of said sets; b. a magnetic field generator for normally maintaining each of said cores in saturated condition to render it incapable of transforming a signal from a line of said first set to a line of said second set; c. a movable member connected with each of said keys for selectively unsaturating one of said cores to permit said core to transform a signal from a line of said first set to a line of said second set; and d. a driver connected to one of said sets of lines for successively energizing individual ones of said cores to produce said pulse train in accordance with operated ones of said keys.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for generating a plurality of pulses in a pulse train, each of said pulses being encoded in time position in response to actuation of one of a plurality of keys of a musical instrument, comprising in combination: a. a plurality of ferromagnetic cores arranged in a matrix having two sets of intersecting conducting lines, each of said cores occupying a position juxtaposed with an intersection of said sets; b. a magnetic field generator for normally maintaining each of said cores in saturated condition to render it incapable of transforming a signal from a line of said first set to a line of said second set; c. a movable member connected with each of said keys for selectively unsaturating one of said cores to permit said core to transform a signal from a line of said first set to a line of said second set; and d. a driver connected to one of said sets of lines for successively energizing individual ones of said cores to produce said pulse train in accordance with operated ones of said keys.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said magnetic field generator comprises a permanent magnet juxtaposed with said core for normally maintaining it in a saturated condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cores of said matrix are arranged in a linear array, and said keys are arranged in a linear array directly above said cores.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of said cores is provided with a bracket for supporting said core, first and second conductors extending through said core, said conductors being mounted on said bracket, and having terminals extending outwardly from said bracket by which said conductors are connected to the lines of said two sets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
191 words
In an electronic musical instrument having a plurality of selectively operable actuating members including selectively operable keys and control actuators, the combination comprising: a. a matrix formed with a plurality of conducting lines arranged in first and second sets, the lines of the first set intersecting the lines of the second set; b. a plurality of ferromagnetic core members juxtaposed with intersections of said matrix; c. a driver for applying pulses sequentially to the lines of said first set; d. a decoder for sequentially enabling the lines of said second set to successively and individually scan said core members; e. a plurality of movable magnetic field generators connected with said actuating members for selectively being movable to a position enabling individual ones of said core members to transform signals from the lines of said first set to the lines of said second set; and f. means connected to said matrix for producing output signals, when pulses are applied to said core members over the lines of said first set, in respoNse to each enabled magnetic core member which is juxtaposed with an intersection of an enabled line of said second set.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
191 words
In an electronic musical instrument having a plurality of selectively operable actuating members including selectively operable keys and control actuators, the combination comprising: a. a matrix formed with a plurality of conducting lines arranged in first and second sets, the lines of the first set intersecting the lines of the second set; b. a plurality of ferromagnetic core members juxtaposed with intersections of said matrix; c. a driver for applying pulses sequentially to the lines of said first set; d. a decoder for sequentially enabling the lines of said second set to successively and individually scan said core members; e. a plurality of movable magnetic field generators connected with said actuating members for selectively being movable to a position enabling individual ones of said core members to transform signals from the lines of said first set to the lines of said second set; and f. means connected to said matrix for producing output signals, when pulses are applied to said core members over the lines of said first set, in respoNse to each enabled magnetic core member which is juxtaposed with an intersection of an enabled line of said second set.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said actuating members comprise a plurality of keys arranged as a keyboard of a musical instrument.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, including a gate having inputs connected to the lines of said second set and arranged to provide, on a single output line, a train of pulses encoded in time position in response to operated ones of said actuating members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, including a counter and a source of clock pulses connected to said counter, said driver being connected to said counter and responsive to the state of said counter for successively energizing a plurality of outputs connected to the lines of said first set.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, including a source of clock pulses and a counter connected to said clock pulses, said decoder being connected with said counter and connected to energize individual lines of said second set in response to the state of said counter, for enabling each of the lines of said second set for a plurality of cycles of said clock pulse source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said decoder is connected to the lines of said second set through individual resistors, and including a gate connected directly to the outputs of said decoder for producing an output signal whenever a signal is present on any of said second plurality of lines by the transforming action of one of said ferromagnetic members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said ferromagnetic members comprise ferromagnetic cores linking said lines at a plurality of intersections thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said magnetic field generators comprise a permanent magnet for each of said ferromagnetic members, said magnet being movable relative to its ferromagnetic member between a first position in which said magnetic member is magnetically saturated by the flux produced by said permanent magnet, and a second position at which said magnetic member is not magnetically saturated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, including a housing for supporting said magnetic member in fixed condition, and a movable assembly connected with said actuating members for carrying said magnet, said assembly supported to be movable in rectilinear relationship relative to said ferromagnetic member, said magnet being juxtaposed with said ferromagnetic member when said actuating member is in said first position, and displaced from said ferromagnetic member when said actuating member is moved to said second position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, including a second decoder, connected with the first decoder and with said driver for generating a synchronizing pulse at a predetermined time within each cycle of said driver and said first decoder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said decoder provides a constant current signal on one of said lines of said second set, to enable said line to conduct pulses transformed by said cores.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |