Rockin’ Patent – TONUS Inc’s “Music Synthesizer Keyboard”

US Patent No. 3,665,089 – TONUS Inc – Music Synthesiser Keyboard - Patents Rock - Russell IP
  • Rockin’ Patent®: US Patent No. 3,665,089
  • Filed: 17 December 1970
  • In the name of: TONUS Inc
  • Title: Music Synthesizer Keyboard
  • What’s claimed“In an electronic system, in combination: means for providing a plurality of voltages of different values; means for selecting at least two of said voltages substantially simultaneously; means for providing a reference voltage; means for deriving a difference signal from the values of said reference voltage and one of the selected voltages; means for deriving an output signal from the values of said difference signal and the other of said selected voltages; and means for generating two signals having frequencies in accordance respectively with the values of said output signal and said other of said selected voltages.”
  • Why this patent rocks: This patent appears to relate to the two-voice ARP keyboards for the ARP 2500 and the 3620 keyboard for the original ARP 2600 synthesiser. This synthesiser has been used by a range of musicians from Stevie Wonder and Elton John to bands like Joy Division and The Cure. If you’re curious about the specifications, see here. If you’re interested to know more about the synthesiser, see here for a short documentary on the story of the ARP 2600.

If you’re a patent-savvy music tech business looking for patent help, get in touch with Russell IP here!

The information above is for general interest and information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Share the Post:

Related Posts

Banner for Russell IP’s “Petent Pending” blog series

Petent Pending: Pet Display Clothing

Petent Pending™: Pet Display Clothing Welcome to Petent PendingTM, Russell IP’s series of pet-related patent posts! 🐾 Each post will feature a patent application or granted patent relating to technology for or involving pets 🐕🐈. From time to time, we’ll also try to coax a furry Russell IP representative into making an appearance and offering their take on the featured pet tech! Pet-Related Patent Snapshot Patent: US5901666 Inventor: Brice Belisle Title: Pet Display Clothing Granted: 11 May 1999 Jurisdiction: US A Vest-ed Interest in Pet Fashion Lots of pet owners enjoy taking their pets out and about and showing them off to

Read More
A banner for Russell IP’s blog post on writing an article for Music Technology UK (MTUK) about patents that have changed how we make and hear music

Iain Russell Writes For Music Technology UK (MTUK)

It was a pleasure to write recently for Music Technology UK (MTUK) on patented inventions that have changed how we make and hear music. As MTUK’s Patents Expert, Russell IP Founder and Director Iain Russell is proud to support MTUK’s work driving recognition of the UK as a global leader in music tech innovation. You can read the full article on the MTUK website here. Iain has previously collaborated with MTUK on hosting a Patents Rock workshop for music-tech innovators. If you are developing a music tech product and would like advice on protecting it, please get in touch with

Read More

Gain the Competitive Edge

Let's see how we can help protect your IP

Get in touch using the contact form or the phone number below to see how we can protect your IP.

There’s no obligation to sign up for anything.