according to_tags

Electronic music display appliance and method for displaying music scores
2010-03-26 00:00:00
turn the annotation on and off as needed.

An aspect of the present invention is a system comprising a plurality of MDA's in communication with each other. In a master-slave mode, each MDA displays the same portion of a music score. The master unit controls what is displayed on a slaveunit. Annotations made by the master unit are also displayed on a slave unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a Music Display Appliance (MDA).

FIG. 2 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the MDA showing a display and locations of various control and command icons, and a speaker.

FIG. 3 is a view of a preferred embodiment showing one MDA interfaced to two remote MDA's via a wireless interface.

FIG. 4 is a view of a preferred embodiment showing one MDA interfaced to a remote computer and a remote foot switch via a USB interface.

FIG. 5 is a view of a preferred embodiment of an MDA displaying an annotation overlay on a portion of a music score.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a method for transferring music score files from a remote computer to an MDA.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a method for translating a music score file to a preferred EMSF file.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a set of notation objects representing the display of some music symbols.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a method for displaying and manipulating music object files.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a method for analyzing a music object file.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a method for building a page image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a Music Display Appliance (MDA) 100 according to the present invention. A system bus 112 couples and allows communication between electronic elements found in a MDA 100. A processor 102controls operations of the Music Display Appliance 100 following operating system and program instructions for processing the preferred Electronic Music Storage Format (EMSF) files 514. Processor 102 translates an input music score file 500 into EMSFfiles 514. The EMSF files 514 can be stored on a removable storage module.

System memory 104 stores operating system and EMSF based program instructions and a file of notation object templates including musical note, staff, clef, key signature and all other necessary representations of music and system symbols requiredto represent the music score file 500 and score information 602 on a display 108. The display 108 displays a portion of a music score. Image memory 114 stores page image 919 formed by processor 102 and maps directly to the display 108. In a preferredembodiment, a single physical memory is partitioned into system memory 104 and image memory 114.

Processor 102 constructs a page image 919 for music score by combining notation images corresponding to a notation object. Notation objects represent the music symbols displayed as a music score. Multiple pages of a music score are stored inthe image memory 114. These include the current page 920, previous page, and next page for providing prompt display of a selected page. In addition to displaying the music score the display 108 presents score information 602 including page number 222and measure number 224, tempo 226, score title 228, battery condition 230, date 232 and time 234, as well as icons 202 representing various control and command functions of different operating modes.

Operation of the MDA 100 includes three modes: File Management mode, Score mode, and Performance mode. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, in File Management mode a music score file 500 is transferred 504 from a remote computer 402 to an MDA 100. Musicscore file 500 is parsed 510 and then translated 512 into an EMSF music object file 514. Score information 602 is entered in a score list 508 file and includes title 228, composer, copyright, and version. The user works on a main list containing playlists as well as all the individual music scores. In the main list new play lists are created or deleted, individual scores deleted or transferred to a remote computer or another MDA 100 unit, or the list may be sorted by any heading. Play listscontain music scores selected by the user for a specific performance. In a play list scores are deleted from the list or reordered. The order in a play list is the order the music scores will be displayed as a performance progresses. To display aselected music score from either the main list or play list the user double taps the selected score or can tap the play score icon using their finger or the stylus 520.

In Score mode the user navigates the music score by turning pages sequentially; jumping to a specified page, mark (user defined jump point) or measure; or jumping between EMSF files 514 listed in the current play list. Also displayed in Scoremode are annotation 206, metronome 205, and transpose 204 icons.

Referring to FIG. 5, each annotation 530 is associated with a specified note, measure, word or any other user selected notation object on a displayed page. The built in metronome allows auditory and visual representation of the score tempo 226. For transposing a portion of a music score, processor 102 modifies music data structures from an EMSF file 514. There are several view modes including portrait, landscape and resizin...

Keyboard device of electronic musical instrument
2010-03-20 00:00:00
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 di...

Sound effects control system for musical instruments
2010-03-10 00:00:00
this problem has been addressed, in part, by the use of foot pedals which allow the guitarist to continue performing the musical piece without interruption while making adjustments in sound effects with the foot pedals. However, this arrangement has the disadvantage of requiring the musician to be tied to the particular location of the foot pedals, thus inhibiting a range of motion on the stage or other performing area. Other devices which have attempted to address this problem have not adequately met the needs of the musician by failing to provide an adequate range of sensitivity for adjustment. That is, such devices have not proven to be sufficiently sensitive in that they do not provide a fine range of adjustment in the volume and other sound effects which can be easily and accurately assessed by the artist.

Thus, there is a need for a device which allows a guitarist or other musician to dynamically control sound effects without interrupting play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The sound effects control system of the present invention solves the problems associated with prior devices by providing a tactile controller with enhanced sensitivity performance, thus giving the musician accurate and sensitive adjustment capabilities without interrupting play. The controller may be used with an electrical guitar or other musical instrument, and can be adjustably applied to the instrument according to the style and needs of the artist. The controller can be easily accessed by the artist, thus avoiding the need to remove his or her hands from the instrument in order to adjust the sound effects. The controller is preferably manually manipulated, but can also be operated by other parts of the body, such as the feet, etc., compressed by bodily manipulation, or even blown into by the mouth. Thus, a wide range of possible uses in applications of the control system of the present invention are possible.

The tactile controller of the present invention preferably interfaces with a control box which receives a control signal generated by the controller. The control box uses this control signal to process, in any suitable manner well within the abilities of one of ordinary skill in the art, the signal generated by the electrical guitar or other musical instrument. The control box thus produces a resultant output signal which is relayed, either by direct wire or a wireless mechanism, to a typical amplifier containing a speaker for musical output. Thus, the control signal generated by the tactile controller of the present invention can be used to modify the typical sound of an electrical guitar or other musical instrument to produce a wide variety of sound effects, such a volume variations, reverberations, tremolo, and the like. These variations in sound effects, and the switching from one effect to another, can be achieved without musical interruption.

In one embodiment, the controller of the present invention comprises a compressible tube having an inner lumen filled with suitable fluid, such as air, liquid, gel, etc. The tube fluid, when its static pressure is increased or decreased, provides a control signal which is relayed to the control box for modifying the output of the instrument. Thus, the tactile controller of the present invention, in t...

Assessment Tool For Storing and Sharing Music Therapy Patient Records
2010-03-04 00:00:00
audio recordings of sounds, speech and music, recordings of video, and photographs.

[0014]Any known scale of clinical evaluation can be used with the assessment tool. It is also expected that future scales can be adapted for use with the invention. Non-limiting examples of such scales that can be used with the invention include the Western Aphasia Battery and the Test of Adolescent/Adult Word Finding (both available from Pro-Ed, Austin Tex.).

[0015]The Western Aphasia Battery is a scale that identifies and measures the severity of aphasia syndromes in adolescents and adults. The scale evaluates a patient's responses for information content, fluency, auditory comprehension, repetition, and naming. The Western Aphasia Battery yields an Aphasia Quotient that can be used to categorize patients according to various aphasia taxonomic classifications and determine the degree of severity. Known characteristics of behavior and recovery can be associated with each classification.

[0016]The Test of Adolescent/Adult Word Finding is an individually administered scale that assesses an important expressive vocabulary skill: word finding. Therapists use this test to diagnose word-finding disorders quickly and reliably. The test has five core sections: Picture Naming: Nouns; Picture Naming: Verbs; Sentence Completion Naming; Description Naming; and Category Naming. Optionally, the test can be used with a special sixth comprehension section that allows the examiner to determine if errors are a result of word-finding problems or are due to poor comprehension. The test provides formal and informal analyses of two dimensions of word finding: speed and accuracy. The formal analysis yields standard scores, percentile ranks, and grade standards for item response time. The informal analysis yields secondary ...

Electronic musical instrument
2009-10-12 00:00:00
(7-8), and pitch processor (9);including pitch-processor system schematic diagrams of hardware arrangement and multi-bit structure for a pitch value (8a, 8b, respectively).

FIG. 5 is a sine-wave graph form showing normalized sine values-phase angle correlation utilized in connection with the FIG. 4/6 components.

FIGS. 10-14 show a TTL hardware-simplified embodiment, incorporating complex system approaches to enable hardware simplification consistent with performance values.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows in block diagram form, the apparatus of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such apparatus comprises a the host processor 10 which handles input signals representing one or more selected parameters (such as notes being played)from a keyboard port 16, front panel port 18, and/or the musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) link 20, and creates a list of notes. The apparatus then processes these notes using information contained in an internal sound modelling ROM 12 (whichmay be supplemented by one or more external complementary ROM(s) 30 of the same type), to produce the list of partials required to produce the sounds requested by the player. These partials are then allocated from an available pool of 240. Amplitudeenvelopes are also produced by the host processor 10 according to the list of envelope segments also contained in ROM 22 (or 30). Durations for each segment are timed by an event timer module 24 and attack/decay rates are handled automatically by theengine 14, for the duration of each note. By judicious use of this automatic envelope generation feature, host processor 10 overhead can be minimized. At the end of the note, all partials are returned to the pool.

The host processor 10 directly controls three memory arrays. These are the program ROM 26, the sound modelling ROM 22, and scratchpad RAM 28 which provide for multiply, typically 7-8 basic voices (e.g., a grand piano, Rhodes, B3, and otherinstruments). The additional sound modelling ROM(s) 30 can be added in interchangeable modules, allowing additional voices for the instrument.

Scratchpad RAM 28 is divided up into two parts: a nonvolatile RAM (battery backup) for storing keyboard and panel setups, and a scratchpad RAM which may also have battery backup.

Resident ROM 26 typically comprises sixty four kbytes of stored data for sound modelling use, to support the installed voices, and thirty two K-bytes for program use. All peripherals are memory mapped.

Functionally, the operating software of the apparatus has five basic tasks to address. First, it must service requests for notes to be played, whether received from the keyboard 16 or the MIDI link 20. Secondly, it must assemble (from thecurrently selected sound model resident in the host processor's sound moddeling ROM) a list of partials and their associated amplitude envelopes necessary to create that note. Third, it must allocate these partials from the engine's 14 free pool of 240,diverting partials from other notes whose decays have nearly finished if need be. This is accomplished by writing the appropriate data in the partial descriptors maintained in the engine parameter store. Fourth, it must then maintain the envelopes forall current partials by updating the attack/decay values in real time, as required by the currently selected notes. It is aided in this task by the event timer 14, allowing it to set up an interrupt for the host processor 10 for some future time. Finally, it provides for self-test functions.

Data f...

Electronic musical instrument with semi-automatic playing function
2009-09-22 00:00:00
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 music...

20: The Younger Generation Enjoys The Rich Sound Of Vinyl On The New Audio Turntables
2009-08-29 00:00:00
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 ha...