Captivation Musicals
Electronic music display appliance and method for displaying music scores2010-03-26 00:00:00AbstractAn apparatus and a method for electronically displaying music scores use a music object file format to store and display music scores. A music score file is translated into a music object file. The music object file includes music data structures that correspond to notation objects that represent music symbols of a music score. The measure is the fundamental grouping unit. The music data structures are processed to form a page image that includes the notation objects of the music symbols to be displayed. An annotation is input to a touch sensitive display using one's finger or a stylus and displayed overlaying the displayed music score. Modifications to a displayed music score include transposing, resizing, expanding, and marking measures.Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic music display appliance for displaying a music score, wherein said music score includes a plurality of notation objects, comprising: a memory for storing anEMSF music object file, said EMSF music object file comprising a plurality of EMSF music data structures, wherein each EMSF music data structure corresponds to a corresponding notation object of said music score; a processor coupled to said memory forretrieving said EMSF music object file from said memory and for forming a page image of said music score using at least one of said plurality of EMSF music data structures; and a touch sensitive display for displaying said page image to form a displayedpage, wherein said touch sensitive display is responsive to a touch input and said appliance is responsive to said touch input to said touch sensitive display for modifying said music score.
2. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said appliance is responsive to said touch input for selecting said notation object and marking said displayed page with an annotation associated with said notation object andforming an annotated notation object.
3. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said processor determines an indicator for a corresponding EMSF music data structure from said plurality of EMSF music data structures corresponding to said annotated notationobject associated with said annotation and said processor forms an annotation data structure for representing said annotation and said indicator.
4. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said processor determines an annotation location for said annotation in said displayed page to maintain a predetermined relative position of said annotation to said annotatednotation object.
5. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said processor forms an annotation image using said annotation data structure and said touch sensitive display for displaying said annotation image on said displayed page to form anannotated displayed page wherein said annotation is overlaying said music score in said annotated displayed page.
6. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said touch sensitive display removes said annotation image from said annotated displayed page in response to a user input.
7. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said processor changes a size of said annotation image in accordance with a command to resize said music score.
8. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a stylus for providing said touch input.
9. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said touch sensitive display is responsive to said touch input provided by a user's finger.
10. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said memory stores a plurality of EMSF music object files and said appliance is responsive to said touch input for selecting a selected one of said plurality of EMSF music objectfiles for processing.
11. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said processor converts a music score file corresponding to said music score into said EMSF music object file.
12. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a removable memory module interface coupled to said processor for retrieving said EMSF music object file stored on a memory module.
13. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an image memory coupled to said processor and to said touch sensitive display for storing at least one additional page image of said music score.
14. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said image memory stores a previous page image to said displayed page.
15. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said image memory stores a next page image to said displayed page.
16. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: at least one data interface coupled to said processor.
17. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said data interface couples said appliance to a remote page turning device.
18. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said data interface communicates with a remote music display appliance, wherein said appliance is responsive to said remote appliance for modifying said music score.
19. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 18, wherein: said appliance receives said EMSF music object file from said remote appliance.
20. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 18, wherein: said appliance is responsive to said remote appliance for annotating said music score.
21. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 18, wherein: said appliance is responsive to said remote appliance for navigating said music score.
22. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said data interface couples said appliance to a computer.
23. The music display appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said appliance is responsive to said touch input for resizing a portion of said music score.
24. A method for displaying a music score electronically, wherein said music score includes a plurality of notation objects, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of EMSF music data structures, wherein each EMSF music data structurecorresponds to a corresponding notation object from said plurality of notation objects; forming a page image of said music score using at least one of said plurality of EMSF music data structures; displaying said page image on a touch sensitive displayto form a displayed page; and responding to a touch input to said touch sensitive display to modify said music score.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of forming a page image comprises, for each notation object for said page image, the steps of: selecting at least one corresponding EMSF music data structure corresponding to said notation object fromsaid plurality of EMSF music data structures; determining a location for said notation object in said page image; selecting an object template from a predetermined set of templates in accordance with said corresponding EMSF music data structure,wherein said object template corresponds to a shape of said notation object; and applying said object template to said location to form a notation image of said notation object at said location in said page image.
26. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of forming a page image comprises the step of: selecting a measure based subset of EMSF music data structures from said plurality of EMSF music data structures wherein said measure based subsetcorresponds to said notation objects in a measure of music in said music score.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of: determining a measure size parameter of said measure of music using said measure based subset of EMSF music data structures; and selecting said measure of music for said page imagebased on said measure size parameter.
28. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of forming a page image comprises the step of: selecting a line based subset of EMSF music data structures from said plurality of EMSF music data structures, wherein said line based subset correspondsto said notation objects in a line of music in said music score.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of selecting a line based subset comprises the steps of: selecting a measure based subset of EMSF music data structures from said plurality of EMSF music data structures wherein said measure basedsubset corresponds to said notation objects in a measure of music in said music score; determining a measure size parameter of said measure of music using said measure based subset of EMSF music data structures; and selecting said measure of music forsaid line of music based on said measure size parameter.
30. The method of claim 28, further comprising the steps of: determining a vertical size parameter of said line of music using said line based subset of EMSF music data structures; and selecting said line of music for said page image based onsaid vertical size parameter.
31. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of providing a plurality of EMSF music data structures comprises the step of: retrieving said plurality of EMSF music data structures from a EMSF music object file.
32. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of: storing said plurality of EMSF music data structures in a EMSF music object file.
33. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of: responding to said touch input for selecting said notation object and marking said displayed page with an annotation associated with said notation object and forming an annotatednotation object.
34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the steps of: determining an indicator for a corresponding EMSF music data structure from said plurality of EMSF music data structures corresponding to said annotated notation object associatedwith said annotation; and forming an annotation data structure for representing said annotation and said indicator.
35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of: determining an annotation location for said annotation in said displayed page to maintain a predetermined relative location of said annotation to said annotated notation object.
36. The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of: forming an annotation image using said annotation data structure; and displaying said annotation image on said displayed page on said touch sensitive display to form an annotateddisplayed page wherein said annotation is overlaying said music score in said annotated displayed page.
37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of: removing said annotation image from said annotated displayed page in response to a user input.
38. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of: changing a size of said annotation image in accordance with a command to resize said music score.
39. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of: storing said annotation data structure in an annotation file.
40. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of responding to a touch input comprises the step of: resizing a portion of said music score.Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic display of music, and more specifically, to an electronic music display appliance and a method for storing and displaying music scores.
Electronic music display devices have been proposed which can display music scores using input music score files with industry standard file formats. These files formats include notational and image based formats that have been developed forcomposing and publishing music scores on a fixed page size. Image based formats use image data to represent each page of a music score. Well known PNG, TIFF and JPG are representative of image formats. Notational formats use a set of instructions onhow to build each page of a music score. The instructions include descriptions of notation elements and their associated location on a page. Well known NIFF and MusicXML are examples of notational formats. Examples of proprietary formats are thoseused in Finale.RTM. and Sibelius鈩?music composition and publishing programs.
Conventional electronic music display devices use processing methods and file formats that are not well suited for promptly displaying, manipulating, and modifying music scores. Limited capabilities of these devices can prevent practicaloperations, such as sequentially displaying repeated sections of music, resizing a portion of the music score, displaying a single instrument's part, displaying a single voice and rapidly jumping to an arbitrary measure. Some of the previous devicesrequire the use of a separate computer to convert an original music score data file into another file format used for displaying images of the music score.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is an electronic music display appliance (MDA) for display, manipulation, and modification of a music score. The MDA stores music score information in a music object file. The music object file represents themusic score using music data structures that correspond to notation objects in the music score. The music data structures are grouped on a measure by measure basis. A measure based group includes the music data structures corresponding to the notationelements in a measure of music. The measure based grouping facilitates access to measures of the music score for display, manipulation, and modification. The music data structures are processed to form a page image that includes the notation objects ina selected portion of the music score for display. The MDA includes a touch sensitive display for displaying a page image and for receiving user input. The MDA manipulates the music score in response to user input. Manipulations include marking thescore with annotations, resizing the score for display, jumping to a marked measure and transposing a portion of the music score.
An embodiment of a MDA is a light weight appliance having a LCD display with on screen control and command icons. A touch sensitive screen overlays the LCD display for receiving user input. Inputs can be made using one's finger or a stylus. Aninternal processor operates on music data structures in response to input commands. A memory stores one or more music object files. Data interfaces include USB and wireless communication capabilities. In a preferred embodiment a remote computer or afoot switch are connected using a USB interface. Multiple MDA's can communicate via a wireless interface. An audio output gives the user the option of listening to the tempo of a given music score. System errors and audio confirmation of commandinputs can be selected for audio output. A removable storage module can store music object files.
In another aspect of the invention, conventional notation based music score files are downloaded from a remote computer to the MDA. The MDA parses and translates the downloaded music score file into a measure based music object file. In anembodiment the format for a measure based music object file is the Electronic Music Storage Format (EMSF) described herein.
An aspect of the present invention uses a measure based music object format for efficient processing of music scores. A measure based music object format organizes music score data using the measure as the fundamental grouping unit instead ofthe printed page. A measure is a unit of music that contains notation objects for all the parts and voices found in the measure. The measure based music object format of the instant invention is not constrained to matching the page and line breaks andis not limited to a fixed display size or resolution.
The EMSF format groups music score information by general score data, page and measure layout, part, staff, staff grouping, and measure data. Measure hierarchy includes parts, then voices, and lastly objects and their associated modifiers.
In an aspect of the present invention, a score analyzer and page builder form a page image of the music score using music data structures extracted from the input music object file. The music object file includes measure based music datastructures that correspond to the notation objects in the music score. The active data structures are processed to form a page image that includes the notation objects of the portion of the music score that appear on the displayed page. The LCD displayof the device presents the page of music to the user.
In an aspect of the present invention, a touch screen 110 responds to touch inputs to the displayed page by a user's finger or stylus. Modifications to the displayed music score include transposing, annotating, expanding, and marking measures. Navigation inputs allow sequential page turning, jumping to a specified page, measure, or mark. View options include turning different parts on and off, changing the orientation of the page layout, portrait or landscape, and resizing a portion of thedisplayed score.
An aspect of the present invention includes flexible display options. Porti...
Keyboard device of electronic musical instrument2010-03-20 00:00:00AbstractA keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument has a keyboard frame, a plurality of keys which are aligned on the keyboard frame and which are vertically pivotable, a plurality of return springs each of which corresponds to one of the keys and has one end stopped by the key and the other end stopped by the keyboard frame so as to bias the key toward a nonstruck position, and a plurality of pivot members each of which is disposed on the keyboard frame at an end of a longitudinal axis of the key to correspond to one of the keys. The pivot member has a circular surface to be brought into slidable contact with a back end portion of the key so as to allow the key to perform pivotal movement. The back end portion of the key has a circular surface paired with the circular surface of the pivot member and is spring-biased against the circular surface of the pivot member by means of the return spring.ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument, comprising:
a keyboard frame;
a plurality of keys, each of said keys including a plurality of side walls that are spaced apart by a first width in a direction which is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of each of said keys;
a plurality of key support members on which one of each of said keys is correspondingly disposed so as to be freely pivotable, said key support members being removably coupled to said keyboard frame, and each of said plurality of key support members including a pivotal portion having a second width that is larger than said first width, wherein said second width being disposed in a direction that is perpendicular to said side walls and having a cross section that is parallel to said side walls, said cross section including at least an arcuate segment within a range from one side to the other side of the pivotal portion; and
a pivotal contact portion disposed at one end of the key and having a predetermined radius of curvature that is substantially the same as that of the arcuate segment of said pivotal portion, for contacting said key support members.
2. A keyboard device for an electronic musical instrument, comprising:
a plurality of keys, each of said keys including a plurality of side walls that are spaced apart by a first width in a direction tat is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of each of said keys;
a plurality of key support members on which one of each of said keys is correspondingly disposed so as to be freely pivotable within an operational range such that a positional relation between said key and said key support member remains substantially the same when said key is depressed, and wherein each of said key support members includes a pivotal portion having a second width that is larger than said first width, said second width being disposed in a direction perpendicular to said side walls and having a cross section that is parallel to said side walls, said cross section including at least an arcuate segment within a range from one side to the other side of the pivotal portion; and
a pivotal contact portion disposed at one end of the key and having a predetermined radius of curvature that is substantially the same as that of said arcuate segment of said pivotal portion, for contacting said key support member in said operational range, and wherein said keys and said key support members are combined outside of said operational range and rotated toward said operational range to thereby increase a contact area between said key support member and said pivotal contact portion so as to hold each other, with said key support members partly contacting said pivotal contact portion thereby to prevent said key support members from dropping out along a radial direction of said radius of curvature.DescriptionVarious types of keyboard devices have been developed to allow a smooth and proper manner of striking or touching the keys of a keyboard instrument and to improve durability thereof. However, these conventional keyboard devices have respective advantages and disadvantages. Only a few keyboard devices are proposed in consideration of operability at the time of assembly or disassembly for a repair.
A typical keyboard device aimed at the smooth touch has a common shaft on which back end portions of the keys are mounted. These keys are aligned to be parallel to each other along a direction perpendicular to the common shaft and can be selectively pivoted about the common shaft. According to this keyboard device, the common shaft must be inserted after all keys are completely aligned. Further, when any one of the keys is to be replaced, the common shaft must be removed from all the keys located outside the key to be replaced, resulting in inconvenience. Such a conventional keyboard device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,448.
Another conventional keyboard device is proposed wherein support shafts are respectively provided for all keys, and each key has a U-shaped back end portion whose side walls must be expanded outward and mounted on two ends of the corresponding shaft the center of which is fixed. According to this keyboard device, the side walls of the back end portion of each key must be expanded outward, and assembly and disassembly operations are time-consuming and cumbersome. A typical example of the keyboard device of this type is described in Japanese Utility Model Application Disclosure No. 57-60191.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide a keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument, which is capable of simplifying the assembly and disassembly operations while attaining smooth touch at the key depression.
It is another object of the present invention to provide the keyboard device which attains sufficient durability of the pivot structure as well as smooth touch at the key depression.
In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, there is provided a keyboard device wherein a pivot member having a circular or arcuated cross section is disposed in a keyboard frame, and a substantially semicircular bearing portion which is brought into tight contact with an outer surface of the pivot member by means of a return spring is disposed at a back end portion of a key.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument, comprising:
a keyboard frame;
a plurality of keys which are aligned on the keyboard frame and which are vertically pivotable;
a plurality of return springs each of which corresponds to one of the keys and has one end stopped by the key and the other end stopped by the keyboard frame so as to bias the key toward a nonstruck position; and
a plurality of pivot members each of which is disposed on the keyboard frame in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the key to correspond to one of the keys, and has an arcuated surface to be brought into slidable contact with a back end portion of the key so as to allow the key to perform pivotal movement,
the back end portion of the key being spring-biased against the arcuated surface of the pivot member by means of the return spring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a representation for explaining radial load on the pivot member;
FIGS. 3A to 3D are representations for explaining changes in biasing force of a return spring which acts on a pivot member shown in FIG. 1 and changes in radial load R acting on the pivot member in accordance with such changes in the biasing force of the return spring;
FIG. 4 is a representation showing an angular range within which a radial load acts on the pivot member when a key is depressed or struck;
FIGS. 5A to 5D are representations showing a keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument according to another embodiment of the present invention, and changes in biasing force of a return spring which acts on a pivot member and changes in radial load R acting on the pivot member in accordance with such changes in the biasing force of the return spring;
FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged perspective views showing pivot members and back end portions (i.e., bearing portions) slidably contacting the corresponding pivot members in keyboard devices of an electronic musical instrument according to still other embodiments of the present invention, respectively;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between a pivot member of a keyboard device and a keyboard frame according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 9A and 9B are respectively a sectional view and a side view of a pivot structure of a keyboard device according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a pivot structure of a keyboard device according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 11 and 12 are respectively a longitudinal sectional view and a side view of a keyboard device according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of a keyboard device according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a pivot structure of the keyboard device shown in FIG. 13; and
FIGS. 15 and 16 are exploded perspective views showing pivot structures of keyboard devices according to still other embodiments of the present invention, respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument, esp., the keyboard device which is applied to a natural or white key. Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 21 denotes a white key integrally formed by a synthetic resin such as acrylonitrile-styrene resin. The lower side portion of the key 21 is hollow such that the key 21 has a substantially U-shaped breadthwise cross section. A substantially semicircular, concave bearing portion 23 is formed on a back end face 22 of the key 21.
A through hole 6 is formed in a back end surface of a keyboard frame 1 by punching with a press or the like so as to receive an extended portion 25 extending from the lower surface of a back end portion 21A of the key 21. A pivot member 26 is fitted and fixed to a back edge 6b which defines the through hole 6 of the keyboard frame 1. As shown in FIG. 1 in detail, the pivot member 26 is formed in columnar shape to have a circular cross section and is snugly but slidably received in the bearing portion 23 so as to support the key 21 to be pivotal in the vertical direction. The pivot member 26 is made of a plastic material such as an oil-impregnated polyacetal and has a radial fitting groove 27 in which the back edge 6b is fitted. Silicone grease is preferably applied between the surface of the pivot member 26 and the bearing portion 23. A plate 28 is mounted and fixed by a screw on a front edge 6a which defines the through hole 6 so as to partially close the through hole 6, thereby preventing the extended portion 25 of the key 21 from being disengaged from the pivot member 26.
A substantially L-shaped stopper 29 integrally depends from the front end lower surface of the key 21. A lower limit stopper 31 and an upper limit stopper 32 are respectively mounted on the upper and lower surfaces of a front end portion 30 of the keyboard frame 1 so as to determine a vertical pivotal range of the key 21. An inertia weight 33 is mounted through a damper 34 on the lower surface of the front end portion of the key 21. The weight 33 increases the inertia of the key 21 and serves to provide the same key touch as in the conventional piano in cooperation with damping action of the damper 34. The weight 33 is described in detail in U.S. Ser. No. 460,954 of Kumano filed on Jan. 25, 1983 and assigned to the same assignee with the present application (Japanese Patent Application No. 57-10450; filing date: 1/26/1982) U.S. Ser. No. 460,954 is under examination as continuation application No. 725,212 and U.S. Ser. No. 446,491 was allowed as U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,769 (issued Oct. 16, 1984). FIG. 1 shows a state wherein the lower surface of the front end portion of the key 21 abuts against the lower limit stopper 31 when the key 21 is struck. When the key 21 returns to the initial position or nonstruck position by the biasing force of a return spring 35, an abutment surface 29a of the stopper 29 abuts against the lower surface of the upper limit stopper 32. When a player strikes the key 21 against the biasing force of the return spring 35, an actuator 36 arranged integrally with the key 21 actuates a key switch 37 mounted on the rear surface of the keyboard frame 1, thereby electrically generating a tone corresponding to the key 21.
A spring seat wall 39 is integrally formed with a back end portion of an inner side surface of the key 21. One end 35a of the return spring 35 is stopped by the wall 39. The other end 35b of the...
Sound effects control system for musical instruments2010-03-10 00:00:00AbstractA sound effects control system for musical instruments comprises a tactile controller and a control box. The controller generates, by means of manual or other bodily manipulation, a control signal which is communicated to the control box. The control box receives an output signal from the musical instrument and modifies it in accordance with the control signal received from the controller. The modified output signal is then communicated to a traditional amplifier which produces variations in the sound effects of the musical instrument, such as volume, tremolo, reverberation, etc. The tactile controller comprises a fluid-filled lumen which, in combination with the compressible material of the controller, is collapsible in response to manual manipulation in order to generate a static pressure control signal for varying the sound effects of the musical instrument. A wide variety of controller shapes, sizes, configurations, and locations on the musical instrument are available.Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sound effects control system adapted to be used in connection with a musical instrument, said instrument generating an output signal for transformation into a musical sound, the system comprising:
a tactile controller mounted externally on said instrument so as to be in a raised positioned on the surface of said instrument, said controller being constructed from a compressible material which can be readily compressed by a musician through a predefined range of physical movement, said controller further comprising a fluid-filled lumen which, upon the compression of said controller, collapses in response to said pressure to define a fluid static pressure; and
a control box in communication with said controller so as to receive said static pressure as a control signal, said control box receiving said output signal from said instrument and modifying it in accordance with said control signal to generate a modified output signal for varying the sound effects of said musical instrument.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said tactile controller comprises a tube that is positioned on a surface of said musical instrument and wherein said musician depresses said tube towards said surface to induce said control box to generate a modified output signal.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said lumen comprises a chamber having a first and a second end, wherein said first end of said chamber is closed and said second end of said chamber is in fluid communication with said control box.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein said tactile controller has a top and a bottom surface and wherein said bottom surface is adhered to said surface of said musical instrument and wherein said upper surface of said tactile controller is rounded.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein said tactile controller has a cross-sectional width of approximately 0.25 inches, a height, from said bottom surface to an uppermost point on said upper surface, of approximately 0.25 inches and wherein said lumen is a concentric circular passageway having 0.125 inches diameter.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said lumen of said tactile controller is air filled and said control box receives a pneumatic signal as said control signal.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said tactile controller is constructed from a length of closed cell neoprene sponge which is externally coated with a urethane coating.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said musical instrument comprises an electric guitar and wherein said tactile controller is positioned on said guitar in a position where said musician can depress said tactile member while simultaneously playing the guitar without removing his or her hands from the strings of guitar.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein said tactile controller is positioned on the neck of the guitar on a surface wherein said musician can depress said tactile controller with his or her thumb while simultaneously depressing the strings of the guitar on the frets on the neck of said guitar.
10. A system for varying the sound signals output from a musical instrument comprising:
at least one tactile controller constructed from a compressible material and defining a lumen, wherein said at least one tactile controller is compressible through a pre-determined range of physical motion which results in a corresponding change of pressure within said lumen and wherein said at least one tactile controller is configured to be mounted externally in a raised position on a surface of said musical instrument in a location wherein said musician can depress said at least one tactile controller towards said surface to thereby produce a control signal that corresponds to the change of pressure within said lumen of said at least one tactile controller, while simultaneously playing said musical instrument; and
a control box which receives said control signal and also receives an output signal from said musical instrument and, in response to receiving said control signal, modifies said output signal to generate a modified output signal for varying the sound effects of said musical instrument.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one tactile controller comprises a plurality of tactile controllers wherein each of said plurality of tactile controllers are configured to be mounted externally in a raised position on a plurality of surfaces of said musical instrument in locations wherein said musician can depress each of said plurality of tactile controllers towards said surface to thereby produce said control signal, while simultaneously playing said musical instrument.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein said control box receives said control signal from each of said plurality of tactile controllers and uses said control signal to modify said output signal to produce said modified output signal.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein said one or more tactile controllers are comprised of one or more lengths of tubing having central lumen filled with fluid wherein depression of said one or more tactile members results in a proportionate change in pressure within said lumen and wherein said proportionate change in pressure comprises said control signal.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein said one or more lengths of tubing comprises a plurality of lengths of tubing and said system further comprises a manifold which receives said control signal from each of said plurality of lengths of tubing and said manifold provides said control signal to said control box.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein said musical instrument comprises an electric guitar and wherein a first length of tubing of said plurality of lengths of tubing is mounted on a top surface of a neck of the guitar wherein the musician can depress said first length of tubing towards said top surface with his or her thumb of a first hand while simultaneously using his or her fingers of said first hand to depress the strings on the frets of the guitar.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein said first length of tubing is sized to permit simultaneous depression of said first length of tubing and depression of said strings on the frets of the guitar over the entire length of the fret portion of the neck of the guitar.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein a second length of tubing of said plurality of tubing is positioned on a surface of said guitar adjacent the location of said guitar where said musician strums said guitar so that said musician can depress said second length of tubing towards said surface with one digit while using the other digits of his or her hand to strum the guitar.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein a third length of tubing of said plurality of lengths of tubing is positioned on a back side surface of said guitar so that said musician can depress said third length of tubing by compressing said third length of tubing between said back side of said guitar and said musician's body.
19. A system for varying the sound signals output from a musical instrument comprising:
means for producing a control signal by depression of said means from a raised position above a first surface towards said first surface of said musical instrument wherein said means includes a lumen and depression of said means towards said first surface results in a change of pressure within said lumen; and
means for modifying an output signal of said musical instrument in response to receiving said control signal.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein said means for producing a control signal comprises a tactile controller mounted externally in a raised position on a surface of said musical instrument.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein said tactile controller comprises a length of tubing having a central lumen wherein depression of said length of tubing towards said surface of said musical instrument results in a change of pressure within said central lumen and wherein said control signal is reflective of said change in pressure.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein said musical instrument comprises an electric guitar and said length of tubing is positioned on the neck of said guitar.
23. The system of claim 19, wherein said means for modifying an output signal comprises a control box which receives an output signal from said musical instrument and said control signal.
24. A method of varying the sound signals output from a musical instrument comprising the steps of:
positioning a tactile member having a lumen on a first surface of a musical instrument so that an upper surface of said tactile member is raised above said first surface;
depressing said tactile member towards said first surface so that a change of pressure within said lumen occurs and so that said tactile member produces a control signal that corresponds to said change of pressure wi...
Assessment Tool For Storing and Sharing Music Therapy Patient Records2010-03-04 00:00:00Abstract text
This invention relates to an assessment tool for use in musical therapy comprising: (a) at least one patient record stored within the assessment tool; (b) at least one field or datum within the patient record; (c) a security scheme that either permits or denies authorization a user to view and/or edit each field or datum within each patient record; and optionally, (d) a plurality of users of the assessment tool each with a unique identification. This invention also relates to combining the above embodiments with a computer to store the patient records, and the security scheme. This above tool may also be connected to a network, including the internet, via the computer element.Claims
1. An assessment tool for use in musical therapy comprising:(a) at least one patient record stored within the assessment tool;(b) at least one field or datum within the patient record; and(c) a security scheme that either permits or denies authorization a user to view and/or edit each field or datum within each patient record.
2. The assessment tool of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of users of the assessment tool each with a unique identification.
3. The assessment tool of claim 2, wherein a computer is used to store at least one patient record.
4. The assessment tool of claim 2, wherein a computer is used to implement the security scheme.
5. The assessment tool of claim 4, wherein the security scheme either permits or denies authorization to view each field or datum within each patient record for each user.
6. The assessment tool of claim 4, wherein the security scheme either permits or denies authorization to edit each field or datum within each patient record for each user.
7. The assessment tool of claim 3, wherein the computer is connected to a network comprising at least one other computer.
8. The assessment tool of claim 4, wherein the computer is connected to a network comprising at least one other computer.
9. The assessment tool of claim 7, wherein the network is the internet.
10. The assessment tool of claim 8, wherein the network is the internet.
11. The assessment tool of claim 3, wherein at least one field or datum stored comprises an audio recording.
12. The assessment tool of claim 3, wherein at least one field or datum stored comprises a video recording.
13. The assessment tool of claim 2, wherein at least one field or datum stored is an evaluation of a patient on a scale of clinical evaluation.
14. The assessment tool of claim 13, wherein the scale of clinical evaluation is the Western Aphasia Battery.
15. The assessment tool of claim 13, wherein the scale of clinical evaluation is the Test of Adolescent/Adult Word Finding.Description
[0001]This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 61/036,645 filed Mar. 14, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002]Music therapy is a health care profession that serves a variety of clinical populations, including patients with psychological, psychiatric, neurological, developmental, rehabilitative and other medical conditions. In the U.S., music therapists are licensed and board-certified. Music therapists have standardized training and qualifications. However, music therapists lack a standardized assessment tool to measure the progress of their patients. The lack of such a tool hampers their ability to gather clinical progress data easily and employ it for outcome-oriented research. To make such a tool available especially in an online computerized form would make it even more useful for patient monitoring and research purposes.
[0003]There is a need for a novel assessment tool for music therapists who work with patients suffering from neurological and psychological disabilities. The development of such a tool could help to advance the delivery of music therapy services as part of comprehensive care in the U.S. and around the world, particularly in the area of clinical care of physically and psychologically disabled people of all ages. Such a tool will advance the use and effectiveness of music therapy and thereby improve the function of people with neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and dementia.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004]The invention described herein is an assessment tool for use in musical therapy comprising
[0005](a) at least one patient record stored within the assessment tool;
[0006](b) at least one field or datum within the patient record;
[0007](c) a security scheme that either permits or denies authorization a user to view and/or edit each field or datum within each patient record; and optionally,
[0008](d) a plurality of users of the assessment tool each with a unique identification.
[0009]Another embodiment of the invention combines either of the above embodiments with a computer to store the patient records, and the security scheme.
[0010]Another embodiment further limits the above embodiment wherein the computer is connected to a network comprising at least one other computer, including the internet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011]Here we present the invention of a novel assessment tool for music therapists who work with patients suffering from neurological and psychological disabilities. The assessment tool describe...
Electronic musical instrument2009-10-12 00:00:00An electronic musical instrument comprising a host processor (10), process/engine interface (12) and sound engine (14) the latter utilizing partial control chip modules (32, 34) and a data path chip module (36) to effect multiple partial (Fourier) synthesis, in conjunction with a sound modelling technique, to generate up to 240 independent partials and impress time-varying amplitude envelopes on them and select and apply them to sound generation, each partial being controlled by selected parameters of frequency, amplitude, phase and attack/decay rate. A modulo-sumdither and oversampling approach to noise reduction is utilized in connection with the data path chip arrangement. Log sine addition is utilized to avoid multiplication apparatus ordinarily required to combine sine wave defining parameters.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Electronic musical instrument comprising in combination:
means defining a digitized waveform for utilization with multiple input parameter selections,
means for making parameter selections via a user interface to generate digital inputs,
means for generating logarithms of multiple parameters, adding the same and converting the sum to antilog equivalent and feeding back on itself to produce a sample sum and,
means for applying the sample to output device and further comprising:
means for modulating the sample sum by clipping the bit length of each digital word thereof by clip rounding off the most significant bits, from an original n bit length, and further reducing into p bit length usable as a data unit bytruncate-elimination of the most significant p bits of n.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electronic means for music generation and more particularly has as its object the provision of such instrument with a sound engine comprising an architecture enabling the application of thousands of stored unitsof music digital data to rapid production of analog speaker-driving forms, utilizing practical solid state circuit means.
The invention is described below with reference to electronic piano usage, but is also usable in a number of other electronic musical instrument roles to provide, singly or combined, the sounds of a variety of instrument, elements of human voiceand other sound sources and in analogous instrument contexts not involving music or voice, but involving comparably varying waveform data.
Multiple Partial (Fourier) Synthesis is a technique well known in engineering practice. Any arbitrary periodic waveform (e.g., musical instruments' sound) may be reproduced by summing up a series of sine waves of appropriately determinedfrequencies, amplitudes, and relative phases. This technique allows great flexibility, much more so than subtractive synthesis (which starts out with a complex waveform and filters out unwanted spectral content) or wave-table synthesis (which can onlyreproduce whatever is in the table).
It is the object of the present invention to establish effective instrumentation using Fourier synthesis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The musical apparatus of the invention inputs a stream of digital signals which represent a sequence of audio notes to be ultimately produced. The apparatus creates a sequential list of partials and impresses time-varying amplitude envelopes onthem, such that the sequential list completely characterizes the desired audio signal. A multiple partial synthesis, sometimes referred to as a Fourier Synthesis, is formed.
Each partial from the sequential list is digitally generated by stepping through a ROM containing a single cycle forming the frequency of that partial and combining it with the amplitude envelope for that partial resulting in a signal with thedesired frequency, amplitude, duration and attack and decay rates. All the partials are summed into a digital data stream which is converted to an analog form, filtered and made available for use, for example by an audio amplifier and speakers producingsound.
With reference to the preferred embodiment a sine wave is digitally stored and sensed at an appropriate rate of change of phase angle per sample frequency of a given partial. The phase angle determines the next value selected from the storedsine wave so that changing the rate of change of the phase angle changes the resulting frequency. The stored amplitude is scanned synchronously with the sine wave scanning in a pipe line design ensuring the proper time relationship between the two. Since a partial is a waveform multiplied by an amplitude, both are stored in log form, then added and the anti-log generated forming the resultant partial as a digital stream of signals.
The technique has many useful properties. One is that the quality of a given sound increases as more partials are used to represent it. Another is that partials are controlled independently of one another. This feature allows less importantpartials to be "stolen" from notes already sounding, and used to form new notes. Taken together, these two properties allow both the ability to play many complex timbres simultaneously, as well as allowing enhanced quality for notes played singly or insome instances against a demanding background of silence. This is in contrast to many commercially available synthesizers, which allow only a limited number of voices. The latter force entire previously played notes to be silenced as more notes areplayed (e.g., a 10-note chord played on an 8-voice synthesizer).
Additionally, multiple partial synthesis can be used with sound modelling data stored in one or more read only memories to lower the cost of extra installed voices, because of the greatly reduced storage requirements that go withpartials-synthesis. One second of waveform table as in conventional wave table storage may be tens of Kilobytes, whereas the information that describes a sound and the 10 to 50 partials needed to synthesize the same sound with the present inventionwould be smaller by a factor of up to 20. Similarly, having several voices available at once for a keyboard split or orchestral effect is much less expensive.
The sound model data comprises, in accordance with the invention, the amplitude envelope for each partial as a series of exponential "segments" stored in ROM. Segments have the properties of duration (time) and rate/direction of change(attack/decay). During each segment, the amplitude of a given partial increases or decreases exponentially at a fixed rate maintained by the hardware of what is described herein as a sound engine. Thus, all the processor of such engine has to do isupdate the rate of change of amplitude for each partial after the apropriate duration, starting the next segment.
The invention allows maintenance of a far greater number of accurate models for sounds available at all times compared to prior art capability. A digital model of the sound generation process is calculated in real time, as opposed to playing outa sample table. Each note on each pitch of each voice can be modeled separately, to any required accuracy, if so desired.
The "engine" comprises the hardware in VLSI and or TTL and/or other integrated and modular versions to synthesize, control, and sum up a number of sine waves. It can generate (in a typical configuration) up to 240 independent partials, andadditionally can impress time-varying amplitude envelopes upon them. These partials can be put together in any combination, producing 10 different sounds that each require 24 partials, one sound of 236 partials and 2 sounds of 118, or any otherarbitrary combination.
Each partial is controlled by four parameters: frequency, amplitude, phase, and attack/decay rate. All these parameters are made available to the programmer, and are described in detail below.
Generation of each partial is handled by stepping a pointer through a ROM containing a quarter cycle of a sine wave. This pointer is maintained automatically for each partial by one of two partial control chips, each of which contains storagefor 240 16-bit phase pointers and 240 16-bit frequency control values (one of each per partial). Each partial's phase pointer is incremented by the frequency control value one per sample cycle, and the resulting new pointer is handed to a data path chip(DPC) for processing. Thus, the larger the frequency constant, the fewer cycles required to step through the sine wave ROM and the higher the resultant frequency.
Amplitude envelope generation is handled in a VLSI version of the invention by a partial control chip (PPC). The PCC contains RAM arrays for the 240 current amplitude values and the 240 attack/decay increments. Values for the current amplitudeof each partial are derived in a similar manner to that used for the phase pointers, and handed to the DPC for processing.
The DPC takes in the phase and amplitude values in a pipelined stream, and uses the phase pointer to look up the value of the sine wave for that partial (stored in an internal sine wave ROM table herein). It then scales the value of the sine forthat partial by the amplitude value (functionally performing a multiplication). It also accumulates all 240 partials into the final output sample, and provides stable data to a digital to analog converter for conversion via its sample bus.
A host processor maintains control over all this by creating and maintaining a model of the sound desired, and modifying the frequency, attack/decay rate, amplitude, and phase of each partial required, all in real time.
The use of phase angle and frequency information in address form facilitates generating log-sine functions through a look-up table (avoiding use of logarithmic conversion circuitry of analog or digital form and providing an inherently fast, cleansource of the data). Relevant prior art includes the article of Snell, "Design of Digital Oscillator Which Will Generate Up To 256 Low Distortion Sine Waves In Real Time," Computer Music Journal, pp. 4-25 (April, 1977). Snell provides--in electronicmusical instrument context--slope and data phase angle RAM's which yield digital information, an adder thereof, a phase angle RAM determining stored sine wave scan parameters, addition of the phase and slope/delta phase, all with feedback essentially asdescribed for corresponding components of the present instrument. Also, Snell provides a sine wave look up table (but not log-sine information).
Amplitude information is multiplied by the sine wave information--rather than providing an adding of logs as taught herein. The product of such multiplication comprises the partials information which is used (typically as 28 bit words) for latertruncation (to 16 bit words) and then provision to a holding register, DAC's and music output elements. There is no correction or accuracy enhancement of the rounding.
Parks, "Hardware Design Of A Digital Synthesizer," Computer Music Journal, pp. 44-16 (Spring, 1983), shows usage ...
Electronic musical instrument with semi-automatic playing function2009-09-22 00:00:00h4>AbstractIn an electronic musical instrument, playing data are produced by depressing a key in a keyboard, and divided into plural groups. At least one of the semi-automatic playing channels processes sound data of a musical piece read out of a memory to generate musical tones in synchronism with the playing data of at least one group. The sound data may be corrected according to sound correcting data before being used to generate musical tones.Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic musical instrument comprising:
playing data generating means for production of playing data in response to an action on a playing controller;
musical piece data memory means for storing musical piece data comprising a series of musical sound data units;
separating means for dividing the playing data into a plurality of groups according to a predetermined reference; and
at least one semi-automatic playing means responsive to each said production of playing data in at least one of the plurality of groups, for reading a sequence of sound data units of the musical piece data out of the musical piece data memory means, said sound data units which are read out being determined by the group that the playing data belongs to, and ...
20: The Younger Generation Enjoys The Rich Sound Of Vinyl On The New Audio Turntables
2009-08-29 00:00:00The CDs out there have a pristine sound, but records provide a better sound. Younger kids like the cover art on the records as well, according to James Patterson, age 17, who doesn't even remember when they LPs were popular in the past. He found some old LPs up in the attic at his grandparents home by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, then his uncle grabbed him a player on eBay and he know displays it in his room.
Replica turntable systems are available from various manufacturers. They look like the past machines but have today's technology used in them. A few top manufacturers include Memorex, jWin, Teac, and Crosley. Various functions are included, which includes USB connections, stacking up multiple LPs, and even recording from the LPs to CD as well.
Raman of Classic Buys says that Nostalgia turntables are among the best seller audio electronics during gift giving Christmas season. Nostalgia turntables from popular brands like Crosley, Teac, Memorex and Thomas Pacconi are the top picks.
Shoppers are looking for the best brands and great features when they purchase audio turntables today according to The Magma Group president. They prefer to go with systems that are four in one, playing the radio,...
I guess in the pop2009-08-15 00:00:00Ionfessed a long time ago eltro-musomartle.php?t=225I guess in the pture there is a zoom H2 and beyer-dynam headphoneshomepage - - myspe - virb - berkleemusQuote:
Stolen? What more?? has the pre of heroin gone up in Norway rently?! ---------------------------------------------------------"At the evening sermon tonight, the sermon top will be; "What is HELL?".ome early to listen to ourhoir prte".
Has the pre of heroin gone up in Norway rently?!
This ima...
lyme disease have lended 2009-08-15 00:00:00its very ne, but I want to get some new sounds. All I was wondering is if its possible to get new sounds on it if I got midi-> and bk. If someone know how to get new sounds and sh, or if you just know a few things about the korg, please add me on msn: Kelvinsollihogda@hotmailom, or just Hard at work in the Peruvian Amazon, Skeetaz are buzzing freely, yanking aural synthet inspiration from the lal animalia kingdom and integrating them dirtly into their beetle-poweredommodore 64s. The long hour...
theollaboration between 2010-02-22 00:00:00The Boss VT-1 was always my fave.---------------------------------------------------------"At the evening sermon tonight, the sermon top will be; "What is HELL?".ome early to listen to ourhoir prte".
One of my favorites is the Roland S-350. Another is this oneThe brain behind the infiltrator is our most eellent janitor Dr. Juste.I bought the Roland VP 550 yesterday as a replement for the Roland VP 330 and the Korg -10.Aharity Pantomime in aid of Paranoid hizophrens deended into...
