Richard J Swain

US Patent:

40742334, Feb 14, 1978

Filed:

Jun 30, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/701391

Inventors:

Richard S. Swain - Des Plaines IL

Assignee:

Norlin Music, Inc. - Lincolnwood IL

International Classification:

H04Q 900

US Classification:

340147LP

Abstract:

A selection switch memory circuit having a priority encoder for providing a code for the highest priority actuated one of a plurality of momentary contact selection switches, a memory for storing the code and a decoder for providing a select signal on one of a plurality of outputs thereof to activate a circuit corresponding to the stored code. A control includes a comparator to determine if the provided code is the same as the stored code. In one embodiment, if the provided and stored codes are the same, the memory is cleared of the stored code, and the circuit corresponding thereto is deactivated. In another embodiment, the decoder is disabled to terminate activation of the previously selected circuit if the provided and stored codes are the same. In both embodiments, if the provided and stored codes are different, the provided code is entered into the memory in lieu of the stored code. Response of the control to switch actuation is delayed to avoid deleterious effects of switch contact bounce.

US Patent:

41866371, Feb 5, 1980

Filed:

Sep 22, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/835832

Inventors:

Richard S. Swain - Des Plaines IL
Douglas R. Moore - Vernon Hills IL

Assignee:

Norlin Industries, Inc. - Lincolnwood IL

International Classification:

G10H 100
G10H 102
G10H 506

US Classification:

84 101

Abstract:

This invention relates to tone generating systems for polyphonic electronic musical instruments. The system includes a plurality of programmable tone generators each of which is assigned to a different note to be sounded. For a preferred embodiment, one of the programmable tone generators is designated as a solo high tone generator, and is always utilized to produce the highest note to be sounded. Another generator may be designated as the solo low generator, and will always be utilized to generate the lowest note to be sounded. Additional solo note generators may be provided if desired. Tone generators are interconnected in a priority scheme with one generator at a time being designated as the next generator to be assigned a note to be sounded, and the designation being advanced in a predetermined manner as notes are assigned successively to the generators. One or more keyers are associated with each programmable tone generator, and receive a keyer enable signal from the tone generator when a note to be sounded is stored therein. Each generator also generates one or more pulse code outputs to its corresponding keyers, programming them to adapt to the selection of musical notes over a multi-octave range.

US Patent:

41187911, Oct 3, 1978

Filed:

Apr 25, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/790293

Inventors:

Richard Slaughter Swain - Des Plaines IL

Assignee:

Norlin Music, Inc. - Lincolnwood IL

International Classification:

G06F 1300
G06F 300

US Classification:

364900

Abstract:

An encoder providing on a single terminal of a circuit package a composite serial data stream containing both stored data bits of a multistage binary memory and a clock signal needed for decoding the data. A parallel to serial converter serially shifts the stored binary data bits to an output thereof in response to clock pulses of an internal clock, and a logic circuit responsive to both the internal clock and the serial binary data from the converter generates first, second and third signals of amplitudes discernibly different from one another respectively in response to 1-state data bits, 0-state data bits and the termination of clock pulses. Two fixed inputs to the converter respectively provide a 1-state start bit at the beginning of the set of data bits and a 0-state stop bit at the end of the set of data bits for purposes of decoding. An amplitude discriminating decoder uses the periodic third signals and the start and stop bits to decode the serial data.