Keyboard switch detect and assignor
OwnerRalph Deutsch, Leslie J. Deutschinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Keyboard switches are arranged in groups of P switches, Q groups per set, and S sets per keying system. During a search cycle, each group of P switches is sequentially examined to detect a change in a switch state of any member since the preceding search cycle. A change in switch state causes system to enter an assign mode cycle during which a data word is created in memory corresponding to a newly detected switch closure, or is removed from memory corresponding to a newly detected switch opening. Provision is incorporated for coupling between switch groups and switch sets. After an assignment has been completed, system returns to a search cycle. The system is particularly useful in a keyboard musical instrument.
Claims22
A keyboard switch system comprising:
- a plurality of switches arranged in groups, a plurality of said groups comprising a set, a plurality of said sets comprising a keying system,
- first means for operating said keying system in a search mode,
- detection means responsive to said first means for detecting a change of switch states in said groups,
- second means responsive to said detection means for operating said keying system in an assign mode,
- identifying means responsive to said second means for generating signals identifying switches in said groups detected by said detection means to have changed state and whereby identification data is created,
- assignment memory means for storing said identification data to be thereafter read out,
- assignor means including means responsive to said identifying means for transferring said identification data corresponding to a switch in new closed state detected by said detection means into said assignment memory means, said means responsive to said detection means for clearing identification data from said assignment memory means corresponding to a switch in new open state detected by said identification means, and whereby identification data corresponding to switch in new closed state is not read into said assignment memory means when all assignment words are assigned.
- signal generation means whereby a full signal is created when all said assignment words are assigned, and
- third means responsive to said assignor means whereby said keying system is caused to terminate operation in said assign mode and to return to said search mode when said identification data is cleared or stored for all switches detected as having changed state.
A keyboard musical instrument incorporating a keyboard switch system, said musical instrument having keyboard actuated note selection switches and other switches controlling the characteristics of musical sounds generated by said musical instrument, said keyboard and other switches being arranged in groups of S switches, Q groups of S switches arranged in a division set, and R such division sets, said system comprising;
- first means for operating said system in search mode,
- detection means responsive to said first means for detecting change of switch stated in said groups,
- second means responsive to said detection means whereby said system is operated in assign mode,
- identifying means responsive to said second means for identifying switches in said groups detected to have changed state and whereby identification data is created,
- assignment memory means for writing said identification data to be thereafter read out,
- assignor means responsive to said identification means whereby identification data corresponding to switch in new closed state detected by said identification means is read into said assignment memory means, whereby identification data corresponding to switch in new open state detected by said identification means is cleared from said assignment memory means, and whereby identification data corresponding to switch in new closed stated is not read into said assignment memory when all assignment words are assigned,
- signal generation means whereby a full signal is created when all said assignment words are assigned,
- third means responsive to said assignor means whereby said system is caused to terminate operation in said assign mode and thereby causing said first means to be operative, and
- reading means whereby said identification data read from said assignment memory means is supplied to said musical sound generation circuitry for utilization thereby.
A keyboard control for a musical instrument in which musical sounds are generated in response to activation of the keyboard switches, the keyboard switches corresponding to notes being arranged in groups corresponding to musical octaves, the groups being arranged in divisions corresponding to different keyboards, said keyboard control comprising;
- a storage means for simultaneously storing data identifying the note, group, and division of a predetermined number of keyboard switches,
- identifying means responsive to actuation of any of said keyboard switches for generating signals identifying the note, group and division of the actuated keyboard switches,
- means sensing if said storage means is storing data for less than said predetermined number of keyboard switches,
- means responsive to said sensing means for transferring data in response to the key identifying signals to said storage means only when the storage means contains data on less than said predetermined number of keyboard switches, and
- means responsive to release of any of said keyboard switches for clearing the corresponding identifying data from said storage means.
A control circuit for a keyboard operated musical instrument in which the keys are arranged in groups corresponding to the notes in an octave, comprising;
- means repeatedly scanning the groups of keys sequentially,
- means for interrupting the scanning means in response to a change in status of any key within a group from the status in the previous scanning cycle,
- memory means for storing data identifying the group and note within the group of a plurality of keys simultaneously,
- means responsive to said interrupting means for generating data signals identifying each note within the group and the group in which the corresponding key has been activated since the previous scanning cycle,
- means transferring said data signals to said memory means, and
- means responsive to the interrupting means for clearing data signals stored in the memory means for each note within the group in which the corresponding key has been released since the previous scanning cycle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.