Electronic musical instrument with sound-control panel and keyboard

An electronic musical instrument has a variety of keys including the following: a plurality of song keys for initiating the playing of a respective preprogrammed song and terminating the playing of any preprogrammed song in process, a plurality of sound effect keys for temporarily interrupting the playing of any preprogrammed song in process, inserting a respective special sound effect, and then resuming playing of any preprogrammed song which was in process, a plurality of note keys for playing a respective musical note and terminating the playing of any preprogrammed song in process, and a plurality of instrument keys for selecting the voice of any preprogrammed song being played and any musical note thereafter played. The instrument also includes solid state apparatus for producing sound, and a microcontroller for sensing actuation of each of the keys and selectively causing the sound producing means to produce particular sounds in accordance therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an electronic musical instrument, and more 
particularly to an electronic musical instrument which can play a 
plurality of preprogrammed songs, insert special sound effects, switch the 
preprogrammed songs being played between various voices, or operate in a 
play mode for playing particular musical notes 
A relatively wide variety of electronic musical instruments have recently 
become available. These instruments, primarily designed for children, are 
switchable between a play mode and a preprogrammed mode In the play mode, 
the user can sequentially actuate any of a plurality of note keys to cause 
the instrument to play a melody and thereby compose his own song. In the 
preprogrammed mode, the user can actuate any of a plurality of song keys 
to cause the instrument to play a preprogrammed song. 
Even in those instruments which permit a selection of the preprogrammed 
song simply by actuating a particular song key, typically the newly 
selected preprogrammed song will not be played by the instrument until 
after the preprogrammed song in process is finished (i.e., completed). 
Indeed, where the user desires to switch from the preprogrammed mode to 
the play mode, typically he must wait until completion of the 
preprogrammed song in process before he can play musical notes by striking 
the note keys. (Indeed, in certain instruments the change from one 
preprogrammed song to another or the change between preprogrammed and play 
modes or even between voices is not easily accomplished by merely 
actuating a key, but requires changing of a cartridge or insertion of a 
separate element, a procedure which the youthful user may find just as 
uninteresting, frustrating, and bothersome as allowing a preprogrammed 
song to play to completion.) These restrictions may cause the youthful 
user to lose interest in the instrument, become frustrated and possibly 
even misperceive the instrument as defective. 
During the playing of a preprogrammed song in the preprogrammed mode, the 
playing of particular songs is interrupted at predetermined times in order 
to permit the user to add special sound effects by actuating one of a 
plurality of sound effect keys, the actuation of a sound effect key 
causing the playing of the song to be resumed after playing of the special 
sound effect. While such instruments have the advantage of ensuring that 
the sound effects are added at the appropriate time from the point of 
either the composer of the song or the designer of the instrument, they 
fail to take into account the impatient nature of a child who wants to 
hear (i.e., insert) the sound effect when he wants to insert the sound 
effect, and not when the composer/manufacturer wants to permit the sound 
effect to be inserted. As the instrument is not immediately responsive to 
the desires of the user, the user may rapidly lose interest therein. 
Indeed, the failure of the instrument to respond to the pressing of a 
sound effect key each and every time that the user strikes that key may 
frustrate the user and even cause him to believe that the instrument is 
defective. 
Some of the instruments permit the user to select one of a plurality of 
voices in which the preprogrammed song or a musical note will be 
played--that is, the particular type of instrument sound or tonal quality 
in which the preprogrammed song or the musical note will be played. While 
the instrument keys permit the voice to be selected prior to initiation of 
the playing of the preprogrammed song, typically the instrument keys are 
not effective to change the voice during playing of the preprogrammed 
song. For the reasons stated above with regard to the sound effect keys, 
this may result in loss of interest, frustration, and even perceived 
malfunction of the instrument. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an 
electronic musical instrument which, in the preprogrammed mode, responds 
to the actuation of any of its keys with an immediate audible response. 
Another object is to provide such an instrument wherein, for example, in 
the preprogrammed mode the actuation of a sound effect key temporarily 
interrupts the playing of any preprogrammed song in process, inserts a 
respective special sound effect, and then resumes playing of the 
preprogrammed song. 
A further object to provide such an instrument which at all times provides 
an immediate response to the actuation of a key, thereby maintaining the 
child's interest, avoiding his frustration, and proving the operability of 
the instrument. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide such an instrument 
which utilizes only a single sound chip for producing sounds. 
It is also an object to provide such an instrument which is economical to 
manufacture and of sturdy, rugged construction. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It has now been found that the above and related objects of the present 
invention are obtained in an electronic musical instrument comprising a 
plurality of keys, means for producing sound, and a microcontroller for 
sensing actuation of each of the keys and selectively causing the sound 
producing means to produce particular sounds in accordance therewith. The 
instrument includes the following keys: 
(A) a plurality of song keys for initiating the playing of a respective 
preprogrammed song and terminating the playing of any preprogrammed song 
in process; 
(B) a plurality of sound effect keys for temporarily interrupting the 
playing of any preprogrammed song in process, inserting a respective 
special sound effect, and then resuming playing of the preprogrammed song; 
(C) a plurality of note keys for playing a respective musical note and 
terminating the playing of any preprogrammed song in process; and 
(D) a plurality of instrument keys for selecting the voice of any 
preprogrammed song being played and any musical note thereafter played. 
In a preferred embodiment, the instrument includes an on switch for 
initiating playing of a preprogrammed song, which may be randomly 
selected. The microprocessor is switchable between a play mode and a 
preprogrammed mode, the microprocessor entering the play mode in response 
to actuation of a note key or the finishing of a preprogrammed song and 
entering the preprogrammed mode in response to actuation of a song key. 
The microprocessor also enters the preprogrammed mode in response to 
actuation of the on switch. 
Upon actuation of one of the instrument keys, means, active when a 
preprogrammed song is not being played, play a brief preprogrammed song 
portion in the associated voice, and, when a preprogrammed song is being 
played, interrupt the playing of the preprogrammed song and thereafter 
resuming the playing of the preprogrammed song in the voice associated 
with the actuated instrument key. The terminating and resuming means 
interposes a preprogrammed riff intermediate the termination and the 
resumption, playing the preprogrammed riff in the associated voice. 
A song key, upon actuation during playing of its respective preprogrammed 
song, re-initiates the playing of that respective preprogrammed song from 
its beginning. 
The instrument optimally includes an ending key for terminating the playing 
of any preprogrammed song in process and thereafter playing a special 
ending segment. The special ending segment includes a special 
preprogrammed song portion, a special sound effect portion, and a special 
voice-over portion. The instrument may additionally include means, active 
upon the finish of any preprogrammed song, for playing such a special 
ending segment. 
The sound effect keys may include keys for playing symbol crashes, steam 
whistles, horns and slide up-pops, and the instrument keys may include 
keys for playing bassoon, xylophone, hurdy-gurdy, wah-wah guitar and brass 
sounds. 
The means for producing sound includes a sound chip (preferably only one 
sound chip) and a speaker operatively connected thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, therein 
illustrated is an electronic musical instrument according to the present 
invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The top face 
12 of the instrument 10 has a plurality of keys which may be actuated by 
depression and preferably bear icons or images indicative of the function 
of the key. It will be appreciated that the configuration and dimensions 
of the keys may be varied without departing from the principles of the 
present invention. Indeed, while the function selecting means is referred 
to herein as a "key," the term "key" is being used in its broadest sense 
and may include any function selecting means such as toggle switches, 
rotary dials, membrane switches, and the like. 
On the face 12 are a plurality of square song keys 20 (four being 
illustrated) for initiating the playing of a respective preprogrammed song 
and terminating the playing of any preprogrammed song in process. The 
icons or images on the song keys 20 reflect the songs initiated 
thereby--for example, a star representing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," a 
bridge indicating "London Bridge is Falling Down," etc. Actuation of a 
song key 20 during playing of its respective preprogrammed song 
re-initiates the playing of that respective preprogrammed song from its 
beginning. 
Also on the face 12 are a plurality of round sound effect keys 24 (four 
being illustrated) for temporarily interrupting the playing of any 
preprogrammed song in process, inserting a respective special sound 
effect, and then resuming play of any preprogrammed song which was in 
process. When the instrument is in the play mode actuation of a sound 
effect key 24 simply causes the associated sound effect to be played. 
While the selection of special sound effects for keys 24 will vary with 
the particular application intended for the instrument, preferred sound 
effects include cymbal crashes, steam whistles, horns, and a slide up-pop, 
each being indicated by an appropriate icon or image on the sound effect 
key 24. 
Also on the face 12 are a plurality of rectangular note keys 26 (resembling 
piano keys) for playing respective musical notes in the play mode and 
terminating the playing of any preprogrammed song in process. While the 
selection of the number and sounds of the musical notes will vary with the 
particular application, preferably there are eight note keys 26 ranging 
over one octave from "C" to "C" as illustrated. 
Further on the face 12 are a plurality of vaguely star shaped instrument 
keys 22 (five being illustrated) for selecting the voice of a 
preprogrammed song being played--that is, the instrumental sound in which 
the preprogrammed song (and any preprogrammed songs played thereafter) 
will be played until a different instrument key 22 is actuated. While the 
particular instruments selectable will be dependent upon the particular 
application intended for the instrument, a preferred selection includes a 
bassoon, xylophone, hurdy-gurdy, wah-wah guitar, and brass. Each of these 
instruments may be illustrated upon the associated instrument key 22, 
either alone or in combination with a cartoon or comic character playing 
the same. When an instrument key 22 is actuated during playing of a 
preprogrammed song, the playing of that preprogrammed song in the voice in 
which it was being played (whether that is the same voice or a different 
voice) is interrupted and thereafter the playing of the preprogrammed song 
is resumed in the voice associated with the actuated instrument key 22. 
Preferably intermediate the termination and the resumption, a 
preprogrammed riff or collection of notes is played as an immediate 
response to the actuation of the instrument key, the preprogrammed riff 
preferably being played in the voice associated with the actuated 
instrument key. 
When a preprogrammed song is not in the process of being played but the 
instrument is in the preprogrammed mode, actuation of an instrument key 22 
causes a riff or brief preprogrammed song portion to be played in the 
voice associated with the actuated instrument key 22. When the instrument 
is in the play mode, actuation of an instrument key 22 causes the musical 
notes played thereafter to be played in the voice associated with the 
actuated instrument key 22 until a different instrument key 22 is 
actuated. 
The instrument 10 additionally includes an on switch 30 for turning the 
instrument on and initiating playing of a randomly selected preprogrammed 
song. While a separate off switch (not shown) may be provided, preferably 
the instrument automatically powers down after a predetermined time (for 
example, three minutes) without any key actuation to conserve batteries. 
Optionally, the face 12 additionally includes a square ending key 28 for 
terminating the playing of any preprogrammed song in process and 
thereafter playing a special ending segment. While the special ending 
segment used in a given instrument will depend upon the intended 
application thereof, a preferred special ending segment may include a 
special riff or brief preprogrammed song portion, a special sound effects 
portion, and a special voice-over portion. The voice-over portion may be a 
fixed phrase or one randomly selected upon each actuation of the ending 
key 28 from a library of phrases (such as "Oh boy!" or "Great!") performed 
in a comic or cartoon-character style. The special sound effects portion 
may be randomly selected upon each actuation of the ending key 28 from 
those available by actuation of the sound effect keys 24 or may be a 
different sound effect. 
In order to make the user aware that the natural completion or finishing of 
a preprogrammed song has been reached, the natural completion or finishing 
is preferably followed by a special ending segment which is preferably the 
same as that obtained by a depression of the ending key 28, but optionally 
different therefrom. 
The instrument 10 is switchable between a play mode and a preprogrammed 
mode. The instrument enters the play mode in response to the actuation of 
a note key or the finishing of a preprogrammed song, and the instrument 
enters the preprogrammed mode in response to the actuation of a song key 
22 or actuation of the on switch 30. Actuation of the on switch 30 causes 
a fixed or randomly selected one of the preprogrammed songs, with the 
special ending segment at the natural completion thereof, to be played. 
Playing of this song can, of course, be stopped while its play is in 
progress in a variety of different ways such as pressing a note key 26, 
actuating a different song key 20, or the like. In the play mode, the note 
keys 26 are active--that is, upon actuation of a note key 26, a respective 
musical note is played. In the preprogrammed mode, actuation of a note key 
26 not only causes its respective musical note to be played, but also 
terminates the playing of any preprogrammed song in process--that is, 
switches the instrument to the play mode. 
It will be appreciated by those in quality control that, as the pressing of 
any key interrupts the current functioning of the instrument and causes it 
to begin a new function (which may simply be changing the voice of the 
next musical note to be played), the instrument may rapidly be tested 
without waiting for each function in process to come to its natural 
conclusion or termination before initiating testing of the next function 
key. 
Referring now to FIG. 2 in particular, the instrument 10 has two main 
electronic components: means 50 for producing sound, and a microcontroller 
52 for sensing actuation of each of the keys (including the on switch 30) 
and selectively causing the sound producing means 50 to produce particular 
sounds in accordance therewith. More particularly, the microcontroller 52 
is preferably a solid state integrated circuit, such as the custom 
programmed COPS 413L chip (available from National Semiconductor). The 
microcontroller 52 scans the keyboard for key actuations, stores 
preprogrammed songs in its memory, and controls the power-on and power-off 
circuitry (the latter preferably being a time-out control to save power). 
The microcontroller sends the appropriate control data to the sound 
producing means 50 via data bus control lines specifying voice, pitch and 
duration information. The sound producing means 50 is a solid state 
integrated circuit, such as the high quality custom programmed sound chip 
Sound Magician ES3116 (available from Electronic Speech Systems of 
Hayward, Calif.), having both a programmable logic area (PLA) and a 
programmable sound data area. The sound chip 50 drives a 32 ohm speaker 54 
located within the instrument directly according to instructions received 
from the microcontroller 52. Both chips 50, 52 are programmable to enable 
the various keys and switches of the instrument to have the functions 
described herein. The detailed connection information for chips 50, 52, so 
that they provide the functions enclosed herein, may be obtained by 
referring to the specification sheets for the chips. 
In FIG. 2, the designations P1 . . . P8 designate the note keys 26, the 
designations X1 . . . X4 represent the sound effect keys 24, the 
designations S1 . . . S4 represent the song keys 20, the designations V1 . 
. . V5 represent the instrument keys 22, and the designation E represents 
the ending key 28. 
Power is controlled in conventional fashion with the use of an external 
transistor. Actuating the on switch 30 holds the transistor on long enough 
to power and reset the microcontroller 52, allowing it time to hold the 
transistor in the on state. When no key closures are sensed for a 
predetermined period (e.g., three minutes), the microprocessor 52 releases 
the transistor and power to the system is terminated. 
In order to permit actuation of a sound effect key 24 to interrupt the 
playing of a preprogrammed song in process, cause the playing of the 
desired sound effect, and then permit resumption of the playing of the 
preprogrammed song without any loss of the notes of the preprogrammed 
song, the microprocessor may make use of a sound effect flag which is 
turned on before a sound effect is played and turned off once the sound 
effect is completed. Then, when the instrument 10 is in the preprogrammed 
song mode, before each succeeding note of the preprogrammed song is 
played, the microprocessor checks to see if the sound effect flag is "on" 
(indicating that a sound effect is in process). If so, the microprocessor 
waits until the sound effect flag is "off" (indicating that the sound 
effect has been completed) before causing the next note of the 
preprogrammed song to be played. The microprocessor may "wait" either by 
repeatedly testing of the sound effect flag status, either immediately or 
after a predetermined time interval. It will be appreciated that the sound 
effect flag may be any bi-stable memory unit (e.g., a bit or byte) which 
is controlled by either the microprocessor or sound chip to reflect 
whether or not a sound effect is currently in process. Where the 
microprocessor or sound chip knows the duration of the sound effect, the 
sound effect flag may be turned on for a predetermined period of time 
corresponding to the desired duration of the sound effect, which may 
differ one sound effect key to another. Otherwise, the microprocessor or 
sound chip may simply turn off the sound effect flag once the sound effect 
is completed. 
While, as earlier indicated, a variety of different selecting devices may 
be used rather than the illustrated keys 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, the keys 20, 
22, 24, 28 are preferably membrane keyboards configured and dimensioned to 
provide appropriate input to the microprocessor 52. For example, the 
instrument face 12 may consist of a multi-color label comprising an upper 
layer of mylar printed with an undercoating of conductive ink. A lower 
layer of mylar is printed with an overcoating of conductive ink. A paper 
layer is disposed intermediate the conductive inks of the upper and lower 
layers to act as a spacer, the insulative paper layer defining cutouts 
through which the conductive inks of the upper and lower layers may be 
placed in conductive contact when an appropriate area of the upper layer 
is depressed. The entire membrane keyboard is supported by a plastic 
support plate in the product housing. The minimum force required for key 
closure (preferably 1.0 lbs.) and the maximum force required to effect any 
key closure (preferably 2.5 lbs.) may be appropriately selected, depending 
upon the intended application of the instrument. As such membrane 
keyboards are well known, further details and illustrations thereof are 
not deemed necessary herein. 
While the note keys 26 may be formed of membrane keyboards like the other 
keys 20, 22, 24, 28, preferably the note keys 26 are standard silicone 
rubber switches disposed on a printed circuitboard, with a living hinge 
design. Again, the maximum force required to effect key closure 
(preferably 3.0 lbs.) is selected in view of the intended application of 
the instrument. The on switch 30 is preferably a spring loaded cap that 
closes a silicone rubber switch, similar to the preferred note keys 26. 
The instrument is preferably battery powered (as illustrated), although 
provision may be made for operatively connecting the same to a line 
circuit through an appropriate transformer. As is customary in order to 
permit a demonstration of the device at a retail store, non-replaceable 
button-cell batteries may be permanently installed in the instrument at 
the factory, sealed inside the instrument, and not accessible by the user 
for reasons of safety. When the unit requires replacement batteries, the 
consumer installs appropriate larger batteries, thereby mechanically 
disconnecting the button-cell batteries originally provided. 
To operate the instrument 10, the user simply presses the on switch 30 to 
turn the instrument on and initiate playing of a randomly selected 
programmed song followed by a special ending segment. After completion of 
this song or during playing thereof, the user may change songs (by 
pressing a different song key 20), re-start the same song (by pressing the 
corresponding song key 20), change the voice in which the song is played 
(by pressing an instrument key 22 corresponding to a different voice), 
terminate playing of the song and initiate a special ending segment (by 
pressing the ending key 28), insert a special sound effect (by pressing a 
sound effect key 24), or abruptly terminate playing of the song and cause 
entry into the play mode and playing of a musical note (by pressing a note 
key 26). When the instrument is in the play mode, it may be switched to 
the preprogrammed mode by pressing a song key 20 or pressing the on switch 
30. 
To summarize, the electronic musical instrument of the present invention in 
the preprogrammed mode responds to the actuation of any of its keys with 
an immediate audible response--for example, the actuation of a sound 
effect key temporarily interrupts the playing of any preprogrammed song in 
process, inserts a special sound effect, and then resumes playing of the 
preprogrammed song. The instrument at all times provides an immediate 
response to the actuation of a key, thereby maintaining the child's 
interest, avoiding frustration and proving the operability of the 
instrument. The instrument is economical to manufacture and of sturdy, 
rugged construction, utilizing only a single sound chip for producing 
sounds. 
Now that the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown 
and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon 
will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the 
present invention is to be construed broadly and limited only by the 
spirit and scope of the appended claims, and not by the foregoing 
specification.