US4724736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Keyboard musical instruments with transpositional function
Assignee: Nippon Gakki Co Ltd
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Filing: 1986-08-11
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Granted: 1988-02-16
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Expires: 2006-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard musical instrument with a transpositional function includes a keyboard, a mode selection switch, a microcomputer, a musical tone signal generator and a sound system. The keyboard has a plurality of keys respectively representing different notes in a musical scale. The mode selection switch selects one of a transposition mode and a play mode. The microcomputer includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM to detect first and second depressed keys when the transposition mode is selected by the mode selection switch. The microcomputer generates transposition data having a value corresponding to an interval between the notes represented by the first and second keys. The microcomputer generates a note signal representing a note higher or lower by the interval represented by the transposition data than a note of a given depressed key when the play mode is selected by the mode selection switch. The musical tone signal generator generates a musical tone signal in response to the note signal and the sound system sounds a musical tone corresponding to the musical tone signal, so that the musical tone is a transposed one of a tone represented by the given depressed key by the interval.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshimasa Isozaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:29
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B15/00; G09B15/009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A keyboard musical instrument with a transpositional function comprising: a keyboard having a plurality of keys respectively representing different notes in a musical scale; mode selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of modes at least including a transposition mode and a play mode; key depression detection means for detecting first and second depressed keys when said transposition mode is selected by said mode selecting means; a means for forming transposition data such that when said transposition mode is selected and said first and second keys are depressed, said transposition data is generated having a value corresponding to an interval between the notes represented by said first and second keys; a means for forming pitch information such that when said play mode is selected and a given key representing a first note is depressed, said transposition data is employed to generate a note signal representing a second note, said second note being higher or lower than said first note by an amount equal to said interval represented by said transposition data; and musical tone generating means for generating a musical tone corresponding to said note signal when said play mode is selected and said given key is depressed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A keyboard musical instrument with a transpositional function comprising: a keyboard having a plurality of keys respectively representing different notes in a musical scale; mode selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of modes at least including a transposition mode and a play mode; key depression detection means for detecting first and second depressed keys when said transposition mode is selected by said mode selecting means; a means for forming transposition data such that when said transposition mode is selected and said first and second keys are depressed, said transposition data is generated having a value corresponding to an interval between the notes represented by said first and second keys; a means for forming pitch information such that when said play mode is selected and a given key representing a first note is depressed, said transposition data is employed to generate a note signal representing a second note, said second note being higher or lower than said first note by an amount equal to said interval represented by said transposition data; and musical tone generating means for generating a musical tone corresponding to said note signal when said play mode is selected and said given key is depressed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A keyboard musical instrument with a transpositional function according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for displaying a manipulation for a performer to do when said transposition mode is selected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A keyboard musical instrument with a transpositional function according to claim 2, further comprising initial state setting means for setting said display unit in a predetermined state when a power switch of said musical instrument is turned on.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A keyboard musical instrument with a transpositional function according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for displaying said transposition data when said transposition mode is selected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A keyboard musical instrument with a transpositional function according to claim 4, further comprising initial state setting means for setting said display unit in a predetermined state when a power switch of said musical instrument is turned on.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A keyboard musical instrument with a transpositional function according to claim 1, further comprising a mode display unit for displaying a mode selected currently among said plurality of modes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A keyboard musical instrument with a transpositional function according to claim 1, further comprising initial state setting means for setting said transposition data forming means in a predetermined state when a power switch is turned on.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A keyboard musical instrument with a transpositional function according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of modes comprises only said transposition mode and said play mode, and said mode selecting means comprises an ON/OFF type self-return switch for alternately selecting said transposition and play modes.
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) | 1991-02-15 | 1991-08-17 | 1992-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-15 | 1995-08-17 | 1996-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-15 | 1999-08-17 | 2000-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |