Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DEVICE, METHOD AND
SYSTEM FOR MAKING MUSIC
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This Application claims priority to U. S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/511,041
which was filed on July 23, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a music device and, more particularly, to a
music device
which includes first and second input parts.
1 5 Description of the Related Art
Traditional music devices include string instruments, woodwind instruments,
brass
instruments, and keyboard instruments.
Traditional musical instruments and even electronic versions of traditional
instruments
have been essentially the same for hundreds of years. A high level of skill
and time to learn are
required to master most traditional instruments as a musician, which typically
requires instruction
from someone who has previously mastered that traditional instrument.
The basic construction of and methods for playing traditional musical
instruments have
remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of years. Different skills and
dexterities have evolved
in societies over the centuries and there is the opportunity to create a new
class of musical
instruments and musicians, adapting to the technologies, skill sets and the
trends of 21st century
people and future musicians.
SUMMARY
In view of the foregoing and other problems, disadvantages, and drawbacks of
the
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aforementioned conventional systems and methods, an exemplary aspect of the
present invention
is directed to a music device which may allow musicians and composers to
become proficient at
playing music in much less time and with fewer physical requirements than with
conventional
musical instruments.
An exemplary aspect of the present invention is directed to a music device for
making
music, including a first input part for generating a first signal based on a
user input, a music signal
generator for generating a music signal based on the first signal, and a
second input part for
generating a second signal based on a user input, the second signal
controlling the music signal
generator, and the second input part including a plurality of first buttons
which correspond to a
range including at least one of a key, a note and a chord, and a plurality of
second buttons which
correspond to at least one of a note and a musical scale within the range.
Another exemplary aspect of the present invention is directed to a music
device for making
music, including a body, a first input part formed on the body, for generating
a first signal based on
a user input, a music signal generator formed in the body, for generating a
music signal based on
the first signal, a neck connected to the body, a second input part for
generating a second signal
based on a user input, the second signal controlling the music signal
generator, and the second
input part including a plurality of first buttons which correspond to a range
including at least one
of a key, a note and a chord, and a plurality of second buttons which
correspond to at least one of
a note and a musical scale within the range, and an output part for outputting
the music signal.
Another exemplary aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for
making music,
including a device for generating a programming signal, and a music device
which is
programmable by the programming signal, for making music. The music device
including a first
input part for generating a first signal based on a user input, a music signal
generator for generating
a music signal based on the first signal, and a second input part for
generating a second signal
based on a user input, the second signal controlling the music signal
generator, and the second
input part including a plurality of first buttons which correspond to a range
including at least one
of a key, a note and a chord, and a plurality of second buttons which
correspond to at least one of
a note and a musical scale within the range.
Another exemplary aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of
making music.
The method includes generating a first signal with a first input part based on
a user input,
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generating a music signal with a music signal generator based on the first
signal and generating a
second signal with a second input part based on a user input, the second
signal controlling the
music signal generator, and the second input part including a plurality of
first buttons which
correspond to a range including at least one of a key, a note and a chord, and
a plurality of second
buttons which correspond to at least one of a note and a musical scale within
the range.
With its unique and novel features, the present invention provides a music
device which
may allow musicians and composers greater variation of musical or tonal
parameters and allow
them to become proficient at playing music in much less time than with
conventional musical
instruments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be better
understood from the
following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention with
reference to the drawings,
in which:
1 5 Figure 1A illustrates a music device 100, according to an exemplary
aspect of the present
invention;
Figure 1B illustrates a first input part 160a, according to an exemplary
aspect of the present
invention;
Figure 1C illustrates a first input part 160b, according to an exemplary
aspect of the present
invention;
Figure 1D illustrates an exemplary connection between first input part 160 and
receiving
part 150a, according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention;
Figure 1E illustrates a music device 100 including string instrument input
module 160c
connected to receiving part 150b, and neck 175 connected to receiving part
150c, according to an
exemplary aspect of the present invention;
Figure 1F illustrates an exemplary connection between string instrument input
module
160c and receiving part 150b, according to an exemplary aspect of the present
invention;
Figure 1G illustrates a music device 100 including keyboard instrument input
module 160d,
according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention;
Figure 1H illustrates a bottom surface 111a of the body 110, and bottom
surface 111b of the
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neck 175 in the music device 100, according to an exemplary aspect of the
present invention;
Figure 11 illustrates a connector 191 between the body 110 and neck 175,
according to an
exemplary aspect of the present invention;
Figure 1J illustrates a music device 100 including a neck 175 with a plurality
of first
buttons 135 and a plurality of second buttons 138 which are formed in a
lateral direction (e.g.,
substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the neck 175) from
the plurality of first
buttons 135, according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention;
Figure 1K illustrates a music device 100 including a percussion instrument
input module
160e connected to the receiving part 150b, according to an exemplary aspect of
the present
invention;
Figure 2A-2E illustrates the music device 100 having various configurations,
according to
an exemplary aspect of the present invention;
Figure 3A illustrates a system 300 including the music device 350, according
to an
exemplary aspect of the present invention;
Figure 3B illustrates a circuit 365 in the music device 100, according to an
exemplary
aspect of the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates method 400 of making music, according to an exemplary
aspect of the
present invention;
Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary hardware configuration of a system 500,
according to an
exemplary aspect of the present invention;
Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary recording medium 600 and an exemplary
recording
medium 602, according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention;
Figs. 7A-7F are top views respectively of a finger 701, bow 702, wind 703
instrument
versions, pedal 704, alternative neck 705, and a side view of bow 706,
according to another
exemplary aspect of the present invention;
Figs. 8A-8H are top views respectively of a finger instrument 701, according
to an
exemplary aspect of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the finger instrument 701, according to an
exemplary aspect of
the present invention;
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Fig. 10 is a side view of the finger instrument of 701, according to an
exemplary aspect of
the present invention;
Fig. 11 is another side view of the finger instrument 701, according to an
exemplary aspect
of the present invention;
Figs. 12A-12H are a top view of a bow instrument 702, according to an
exemplary aspect of
the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a bottom view of a bow instrument 702, according to an exemplary
aspect of the
present invention;
Fig. 14 is a side view of the bow instrument 702, according to an exemplary
aspect of the
present invention;
Fig. 15 is another side view of the bow instrument 702, according to an
exemplary aspect
of the present invention;
Fig. 16 is a side view of a bow 1601 for use with bow instrument 702,
according to an
exemplary aspect of the present invention;
Figs. 17A-17D are a top view for a wind instrument 703, according to an
exemplary
aspect of the present invention;
Fig 18 is a bottom view of the wind instrument 703, according to an exemplary
aspect of
the present invention;
Fig. 19 is a side view of the wind instrument 703, according to an exemplary
aspect of the
present invention;
Fig. 20 is another side view of the wind instrument 703, according to an
exemplary aspect
of the present invention;
Fig. 21 is a side view of the articulating neck of the wind instrument 703,
according to
an exemplary aspect of the present invention; and
Figs. 22A-22F are a top, bottom, and four side views, respectively, of a foot
pedal interface
for the instruments 701, 702 and 703, according to an exemplary aspect of the
present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
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Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1A-22F illustrate the exemplary aspects
of the
present invention.
A problem with a traditional music device is that mastering the device
typically requires
years of training, and thus, involves a great deal of time and expense.
Electric music devices (e.g.,
electronic versions of traditional music devices) such as the piano and the
guitar, have been
developed. However, these electric versions have basically the same structure
as their traditional
counterpart, and are all played by a user in basically the same manner as the
traditional music
device.
For example, as with a traditional (e.g., acoustic) guitar, a user of an
electric guitar must be
able to finger the correct chords and strum the correct strings, etc., and as
with a traditional piano,
a user of an electric piano must be able to depress the correct keys for
producing a musical chord.
Therefore, as with traditional music devices, mastering an electric music
device requires years of
training, and thus, involves a great deal of time and expense.
Further, a traditional device (e.g., a piano) is capable of playing only a
limited number (e.g.,
a small number) of musical notes. For example, a traditional piano includes
twelve (12) keys (e.g.,
per octave), and a traditional guitar includes only six (6) strings.
The exemplary aspects of the present invention may address the problems of the
prior art
devices.
Figures 1A-1K illustrate a music device 100 for making music, according to an
exemplary
aspect of the present invention. The music device 100 may allow users (e.g.,
musicians and
composers) to become proficient at playing music in much less time and with
fewer physical
requirements than with conventional musical instruments.
As illustrated in Figure 1A, the music device 100 includes a first input part
160 for
generating a first signal based on a user input, a music signal generator 130
for generating a music
signal based on the first signal, and a second input part 170 for generating a
second signal based on
a user input, the second signal controlling the music signal generator 130,
and the second input part
170 including a plurality of first buttons 135 (e.g., touch sensitive
surfaces, keys, knobs, levers,
pedals, switches, slides, etc.) which correspond to a range including at least
one of a key, a note and
a chord (e.g., a mode such as the key of "C"), and a plurality of second
buttons 138 which
correspond to at least one of a note and a musical scale within the range
(e.g., a submode for
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operating within the mode selected by the user, such as one of twelve notes
from a chromatic
scale).
The second input part 170 of the music device 100 may also include a plurality
of third
buttons 139 for defining a variation of the range or musical variables of the
plurality of first buttons
135, and a plurality of fourth buttons P which include a programmable function
for varying at least
one of chord, pitch and octave or other frequency, tonal or musical variables.
It should be noted that in Figure 1A, a string instrument input module 160c is
illustrated as
the first input part 160. However, the first input part 160 may include one or
more of the string
instrument input module 160c, a brass instrument input module 160a (as
illustrated in Figure 1B),
woodwind instrument input module 160b (as illustrated in Figure 1C), a
keyboard instrument input
module 160d (as illustrated in Figure 1G), or a percussion instrument input
module 160e (as
illustrated in Figure 1K).
In addition, although the second signal is described herein as controlling the
music signal
generator 130, it should be noted that the second signal may adjust the music
signal which is
generated by the music signal generator 130 to provide a similar effect, or in
another aspect, the
music device 100 may include a music signal adjuster and the second signal
from the second input
part 170 may control the music signal adjuster to provide a similar effect.
In the music device 100, a first button 135 of the plurality of first buttons
may be touched
by the user to select a key/chord mode of operation for the music device 100
(e.g., the key of "C"),
and a second button 138 of the plurality of second buttons 138 may be touched
by the user to select
a note submode from one of the twelve notes in a chromatic scale within the
key/chord mode
selected by the user (e.g., a "G" note). In this case, for example, if a user
plucks, strums or pulls
a bow across the strings in the string instrument input module 160c (as
illustrated in Figure 1A),
then the music signal generator 130 may generate a music signal corresponding
to a "G" note (e.g.,
a "G" note having perfect frequency) in the key of "C" from a string
instrument (e.g., guitar, violin,
banjo, etc.), or if a user blows on the mouthpiece of the brass instrument
input module 160a (as
illustrated in Figure 1B), then the music signal generator 130 may generate a
music signal
corresponding to a "G" note (e.g., a "G" note having perfect frequency) in the
key of "C" from a
brass instrument (e.g., trumpet, tuba, French horn, etc.), or if the user
blows on the mouthpiece of
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the woodwind instrument input module 160b (as illustrated in Figure 1C), then
the music signal
generator 130 may generate a music signal corresponding to a "G" note (e.g., a
"G" note having
perfect frequency) in the key of "C" from a woodwind instrument (e.g.,
clarinet, saxophone, oboe,
etc.), if a user depresses a key of the keyboard instrument input module 160d
(as illustrated in
Figure 1G), then the music signal generator 130 may generate a music signal
corresponding to a
"G" note (e.g., a "G" note having perfect frequency) in the key of "C" from a
keyboard instrument
(e.g., piano, organ, etc.), or if a user strikes the head of the percussion
instrument input module
160e (as illustrated in Figure 1K), then the music signal generator 130 may
generate a music signal
corresponding to a "G" note (e.g., a "G" note having perfect frequency) in the
key of "C" from a
percussion instrument (e.g., piano, organ, xylophone, chime, bell, etc.).
The music device 100 may also include a body 110, and an electronic module
(e.g.,
electrical circuit) formed in the body 110. The electronic module may include
a microcontroller
which is controls an operation and programming of the music device 100. The
electronic module
may also include the music signal generator 130 for generating the music
signal.
The first input part 160 and/or the second input part 170 may be formed on the
body 110 as
illustrated in Figure 1A.
As illustrated in Figure 1E, the music device 100 may also include a neck 175.
The first
input part 160 and/or the second input part 170 may also be formed on the neck
175.
Further, the location of the plurality of first and second buttons 135, 138 on
the body 110
and/or neck 175 is not limited. For example, as illustrated in Figure 1A, the
plurality of second
buttons 138 may be formed in a longitudinal direction (e.g., a longitudinal
direction of the neck
175) from the plurality of first buttons 135.
Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 1J, the plurality of second buttons
138 may be formed
in a lateral direction (e.g., substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal
direction of the neck 175)
from the plurality of first buttons 135. The arrangement of the plurality of
first and second buttons
135, 138 in Figure 1J may be especially effective for using the music device
100 as a brass
instrument or woodwind instrument, in which case a user may hold the neck 175
with both left and
right hands.
Further, the body 110 may also include an output part 140 which may output the
music
signal (e.g., a speaker, amplifier, recorder, etc.). The output part 140 may
be formed in the body
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110 and may include, for example, a sound generator (e.g., speaker receiving
the music signal from
the music signal generator 130) or an output device for outputting the music
signal to an external
speaker. The sound generator may generate a sound corresponding to one of a
string instrument,
woodwind instrument, brass instrument and keyboard instrument, or a
combination of any of these
instruments based on the music signal.
The body 110 may also include core electronics, processing and interface
modules. For
example, the body 110 may also include a power source 115 such as a battery
pack or a connection
(e.g., by a power cord) to an external power source (e.g., standard electrical
power source AC or
DC). The body 110 may also include a selector 116 for selecting the music
signal to correspond to
one of a string instrument, woodwind instrument, brass instrument and keyboard
instrument, or a
combination of any of these instruments.
The second input part 170 of the body 110 may also include an aural feature
setting selector
117, for fine-tuning an aural feature the first input part 160 and/or the
second input part 170. The
aural feature setting selector 117 may be used by the user to fine-tune a
musical key, a note, a chord,
a pitch, a pitch class, a scale or an octave to be played by the music device
100.
In particular, the aural feature setting selector 117 may be used by the user
to select an aural
feature setting for the second input part 170 from among a plurality of aural
feature settings. The
aural feature setting selector 117 may include at least one of a array of
musical parameters or
variables such as key setting selector, a note setting selector, a chord
setting selector, a pitch setting
selector, a pitch class setting selector, a scale setting selector and an
octave setting selector.
The body 110 may also include a transceiver 118a which may allow the music
device 100
to wirelessly communicate with external devices, and a port 118b (e.g., a
Universal Serial Bus
(USB) port, parallel port, serial port, etc.) for connecting a wire (e.g.,
parallel cable, serial cable,
ethernet cable, coaxial cable, HDMI cable, etc.) to the body 110 so that the
music device 100 may
communicate with an external device by wire.
For example, the port 118b may include a musical instrument digital interface
(MIDI) port
which is electrically connected to the music signal generator 130, for
communicating an event
message about musical notation, pitch, velocity, control signals for
parameters (such as volume,
vibrato, audio panning, cues, and clock signals (e.g., to set and synchronize
tempo) between the
musical device 100 and an external device.
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The body 110 may also include additional inputs such as switches, dials, audio
jacks, etc.
which are not illustrated in Figure 1A. In addition, the music signal
generated by the music signal
generator 130 (e.g., electronic module) may include a digital and/or an analog
signal, allowing for
different output interfaces to various devices including amplifiers,
computers, recording
equipment and any device that can accept the specific analog or digital
outputs of the exemplary
aspects of the present invention.
As illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B, the body 110 may also include a display
device 125
formed on a surface of the body 110, for displaying musical compositions
(e.g., notes, chords and
melodies of songs, a musical notation corresponding to at least one of the
plurality of first buttons
and the plurality of second buttons, or other parameters such as lyrics,
rhythm, time signatures or
any other pertinent information).
In addition, as illustrated in Figure 1B, the display device 125 may include a
display surface
125a which projects from the body 110 (e.g., a main surface of the body) so
that the user can
conveniently read the musical composition displayed on the display surface
125a while playing the
music device 100. In addition, the display device 125 may be rotatable by the
user as indicated by
the arrow in Figure 1B, so that the display surface 125a can face a desired
direction if the user is
playing the music device 100 as a brass instrument, for example, and could be
rotated to face a
different direction if the user is playing the music device 100 as a string
instrument, etc.
In addition, the electronic module (e.g., circuit including the music signal
generator) of the
music device 100 may include a memory device 370 (e.g., solid state memory
device such as
random access memory (RAM)) which stores musical compositions, and a
microcontroller (e.g.,
see Figure 3B below) which may access the memory device 370 in order to cause
the display
device 125 to display the musical compositions. The music device 100 may also
include input
devices formed on the body 110 which allows the user to control a display on a
display screen of
the display device 125.
In particular, the display device 125 may display a musical notation which may
be read by
the user to use the music device 100. The musical notation may include, for
example, a novel
notation which may indicate a chord/key, a note within that chord/key, and a
duration of the note.
That is, with the music device 100, a user does not need to know and the
display does not need to
display conventional musical notation such as a musical staff, whole notes,
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symbols, etc. Thus, the musical notation displayed on the display device 125
may include only a
chord/key, a note within that chord/key, and a duration of the note.
The body 110 may also include a mode setting switch 119 for setting (e.g.,
selecting) a
mode of the music device 100 from among a plurality of modes. For example, the
music device
100 may include a programming mode in which the music device may be programmed
such as by
an external device (e.g., a computer connected to the music device 110 via a
wireless connection
(e.g., Bluetooth) or by wire via the port 118b), or by using a keyboard formed
on the body 110.
For example, the display device 125 may include a touchscreen and the keyboard
may be displayed
on the touchscreen of the display device 125. The music device 100 may also
include a left hand
play mode, a right hand play mode, an acoustic instrument mode, an
electrical/electronic
instrument mode, and an acoustic/electronic hybrid instrument mode.
The body 110 may also include receiving parts 150a, 150b and 150c for
receiving the first
input part 160 (e.g., see Figures 1A-1C). The first input part 160 may be
fixed to the body 110 (e.g.,
integrally formed with the body 110 by a fastener such a screw, etc.) or may
be detachably
connected to the receiving parts 150a, 150b, 150c of the body 110 (e.g.,
removably connected to
the body 110). The second input part 170 may also be fixed to the body 110
(e.g., integrally
formed with the body 110 by a fastener such a screw, etc.) or may be
detachably connected to a
receiving part (not shown) of the body 110 (e.g., removably connected to the
body 110).
The music signal generated by the music signal generator 130 may be received
by the
output part 140 (e.g., sound generator, speaker, amplifier, output device for
outputting the music
signal to an external speaker) and cause the output part140 to produce a sound
(e.g., a sound such
as chords, notes, pitches) which simulates the sound of a traditional musical
instrument, and may
also produce additional sounds (e.g., hybrid sounds, such as the sound of a
combination of a
trumpet and piano) which a traditional musical instrument is not capable of
producing. More
particularly, the music device 100 may include a hybrid traditional and
electronic, analog and
digital musical instrument in the traditional instrument categories of bowed
strings, woodwinds,
brass, keyboard and guitar, or a completely digital input musical instrument
that may radically
differ from traditional musical instruments. The music device 100 may provide
a new
methodology and system for creating musical, tonal and sound variations.
Due to its design, attributes and methodologies, the music device 100 can be
more
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ergonomically designed, less physically demanding and more easily played by
individuals with a
larger variation of human hand sizes, finger strengths, arm lengths, breath
capacities and physical
characteristics. The music device 100 may facilitate easier learning, playing,
composing and
performing of music than traditional musical instruments, which would allow
for more future
musicians and composers of wider ages, physical variations and experience
levels.
The music device 100 may completely eliminate a chance of improperly playing a
desired
chord, note, pitch or other variation, and may allow musicians and composers
to easily and in much
shorter timeframes become proficient at playing music, thus freeing the user
to focus on creating,
composing, playing, performing, and/or sharing music.
In an exemplary aspect, the music device 100 may provide a new system for
making music,
and more specifically, may allow a user to change the musical parameters
(tonal or sounds) of keys,
notes, chords, pitch or pitch class, scales and octaves in real time (e.g., on
the fly). The music
device 100 may provide a series of electronic, microprocessor or "machine
intelligent" hybrid
analog and or digital musical instruments in the traditional categories of
string (e.g., guitar, violin,
cello, etc.), woodwind, brass and keyboard instruments.
The music device 100 may use different combinations or variations of input
components,
keys, switches, buttons, strings or touch sensitive zones to change musical
parameters (e.g.,
musical or tonal) of keys, notes, chords, pitch or pitch class, scales and
octaves (e.g., on a fixed or
removable neck). The music device 100 may emulate the traditional musical
instrument
categories of string (e.g., guitar, violin, cello, etc.), woodwind, brass and
keyboard instruments.
As described in more detail below, the music device 100 may allow for
variations not possible by
traditional instruments or conventional electronic instruments (e.g.,
synthesized instruments, such
as an electronic guitar or electronic piano).
Additionally, the music device 100 may include a common methodology for
producing,
changing and terminating tonal keys, notes, octaves, pitches or tonal key,
note or any sound
variations and parameters. Thus, with the music device 100, a musician (e.g.,
a beginning
musician) may be able to learn these different instruments more easily and
faster by virtue of the
methodologies and commonality between the instruments.
Referring again to Figure 1A, the second input part 170 may include a touch
sensitive
surface. Thus, for example, a user may touch the touch sensitive surface of
the second input part
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170 at a location at of a first button 135 in order to generate a second
signal corresponding to the
first button 135, and so on. In particular, the touch sensitive surface may
include a touch screen for
displaying the plurality of first buttons 135, the plurality of second buttons
138 and the plurality of
third buttons 139 and the plurality of fourth buttons P. In this case, for
example, a user may touch
the touch sensitive surface of the second input part 170 at a location at
which a first button 135 is
displayed in order to generate a second signal corresponding to the first
button 135, and so on.
The first input part 160 may include a structural element of a brass
instrument (e.g., a brass
instrument mouthpiece), woodwind instrument (e.g., a woodwind instrument
mouthpiece), string
instrument (e.g., strings for a string instrument) or keyboard instrument
(e.g., a piano keyboard).
The first input part 160 may be used by the user to control sound creation
parameters of input
including, but not limited to, loudness, duration, location variation,
velocity, pressure, rhythm,
strumming-keyboarding-bowing-blowing patterns, pitch bending, vibrato,
tremolo, deadening,
plucking, slapping and buzzing, etc.
For example, by plucking harder on the strings of the string instrument input
module 160c
in Figure 1A, a user may cause the music signal generator 130 to generate a
music signal
corresponding to a louder sound, and by plucking softer on the strings of the
string instrument
input module 160c in Figure 1A, a user may cause the music signal generator
130 to generate a
music signal corresponding to a softer sound, by blowing harder (e.g.
increased air pressure,
velocity, etc.) on the brass instrument input module 160a of Figure 1B, a user
may cause the music
signal generator 130 to generate a music signal corresponding to a louder
sound, and by blowing
softer (e.g. increased air pressure, velocity, etc.) on the brass instrument
input module 160a, a user
may cause the music signal generator 130 to generate a music signal
corresponding to a softer
sound, and so on.
The second input part 170 may be used by the user to provide a methodology for
setting
and/or adjusting a sound parameter which may be radically different than any
conventional
acoustic or electronic (e.g., synthesized) music device (e.g., musical
instrument). In particular,
the parameters which may be set by the first plurality of buttons 135 of the
second input part 170
may include but are not limited to, musical key A thru G (including harmonic
center or tonic),
chords (including major, minor, sharp, flat, diminished, augmented, slash,
power, dominant), pitch
(including harmonics, frequency), and octave (twelve semitones).
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The parameters which may be set by the second plurality of buttons 138 include
scales
(including chromatic, whole tone, pentatonic, diminished, diatonic,
accidentals), and notes.
The parameters which may be set by the third plurality of buttons P include
effects
(including accent, sustain, distortion, dynamics, filters, modulation, time-
based, reverb, feedback).
The plurality of fourth buttons P may be programmed, for example, to provide a
fine
adjustment of the key/chord set by the user by touching a button of the
plurality of first buttons 135.
Alternatively, the plurality of fourth buttons P may be programmed to provide
other effects such as
accent, sustain, distortion, dynamics, filters, modulation, time-based, reverb
and feedback.
Importantly, the plurality of first, second, third and fourth buttons, 135,
138, 139, P may be
1 0 programmable by the user. This may allow the music device 100 to be
customized to the unique
needs of the user. For example, if a user generally plays music only the key
of "C", the user can
program the music device 100 to eliminate other keys (e.g., D, E, F, etc.)
from the other plurality
of first buttons 135, in which case the remaining plurality of first buttons
135 may be programmed
to be dedicated for some other use (e.g., effects such as accent, sustain,
distortion, dynamics, filters,
modulation, time-based, reverb and feedback).
Further, the settings of the music device 100 may be stored in a memory device
(e.g.,
memory device 370 for one or more users. Thus, for example, a first player may
program the
music device 100 to include his settings (e.g., first input part setting,
second input part setting, etc.),
and a second player may program the music device 100 to include his settings.
Then, the first
player may select first player mode using the mode setting switch 119 in which
case, the music
device 100 will be set to the settings of a first player, and the second
player may select second
player mode using the mode setting switch 119 in which case, the music device
100 will be set to
the settings of a second player, and so on.
Further, as illustrated in Figure 1A, the music device 100 may be programmed
such that
plurality of first buttons 135 may include the first seven subdivisions (e.g.,
the seven buttons which
are furthest from the body 110), and are primary (tonic, key of instrument's
tune) or secondary (key
or major chord of sound or music being played) musical keys A through G
inputs. Further, the
plurality of fourth buttons P may be formed adjacent to the plurality of first
buttons 135 in a
longitudinal direction, and may be programmable for variations including, but
not limited to,
chords, pitch, and octave. Further, the plurality of second buttons 138 may be
adjacent to the
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plurality of fourth buttons P in a longitudinal direction, and may include
twelve input/output
subdivisions which are programmed for the solo note play in the selected key
(e.g., the key selected
by the user by touching a button of the plurality of first buttons 135),
chromatic scales or twelve
octave semitones.
In addition, the plurality of third buttons139 which may be formed on the body
110 as
illustrated in Figure 1A, or may be formed on a side of the neck 175 as
illustrated in Figure 1E.
The plurality of third buttons 139 may be programmed, for example, to provide
a fine adjustment
of the key/chord set by the user by touching a button of the plurality of
first buttons 135. For
example, a user may touch a third button 139 to cause the music device 100 to
play in a "key"
which is between the key of "C" and the key of "D". Alternatively, the
plurality of third buttons
139 may be programmed to provide other effects such as accent, sustain,
distortion, dynamics,
filters, modulation, time-based, reverb and feedback.
With the music device 100, if the user selects a C chord, then the music
signal generator
130 may generate a music signal for creating a perfect C chord, regardless of
a musical abilities,
experience and talents of the user, regardless of the placement within the C
chord section, and
regardless of the force used by the user. If the user switches from a C chord
to an Am7 and the
input sequence is correct, then the music signal generator 130 may generate a
perfect Am7 chord,
again regardless of a musical abilities, experience and talents of the user,
and regardless of the
placement within the Am7 chord section, the force used by the user.
Further, the user may use the plurality of second buttons 138 to operate in a
solo note
section. For example, by selecting a button of the plurality of second
buttons, a user may cause the
music signal generator to generate a note within the twelve variations of the
chromatic scale to be
played, and moreover, the note may be perfectly based on the key/chord
selected by the user by
touching one of the plurality of first buttons 135. In short, each variation
played by the user may
be perfect tonally and musically.
Further, the first and second input parts 160, 170 of the music device 100 may
be
programmed to a unique desire of a user. For example, a user may program the
music device 100
to have a first setting in which a button of the plurality of second buttons
138 includes C (e.g., C4
in the chromatic scale), C#, D and D# which are depressed by a user to cause
the music signal
generator 130 to generate a music signal corresponding to a musical notes C,
C#, D and D#
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respectively (i.e., sounds having frequencies of 261.63 Hz, 277.18 Hz, 293.67
Hz and 311.13 Hz,
respectively).
Alternatively, a user may desire to play particular parts (e.g., notes) of the
music device 100
"out of tune" or "off key" in some circumstances. In this case, for example,
the user may program
the music device 100 to have a second setting such that a button of the
plurality of second buttons
138 may be depressed by a user to cause the music signal generator 130 to
generate a music signal
corresponding to a sound which is other than a frequency of a musical note of
the musical scale
(e.g., other than notes C, C#, D and D#). Thus, for example, a second button
of the plurality of
second buttons 138 may be depressed to generate a sound having a frequency
between 261.63 Hz
and 277.18 Hz, another second button of the plurality of second buttons 138
may be depressed to
generate a sound having a frequency between 277.18 Hz and 293.67 Hz, and so
on.
Further, the user may touch a third button of the plurality of third buttons
139, or a fourth
button of the plurality of fourth buttons P, to "tweak" the settings of the
plurality of first and second
buttons 135, 138 in real time (e.g., to adjust the settings "on the fly").
Thus, for example, a user
may be playing in the first setting (e.g., playing notes C, C#, D and D#), and
may touch a third
button of the plurality of third buttons 139, or a fourth button of the
plurality of fourth buttons P to
change to the second setting (e.g., playing other than notes C, C#, D and D#).
Referring again to the drawings, Figure 1B illustrates the music device 100
configured to
include a first input part 160 in the form of a brass instrument input module
160a (e.g., brass
instrument mouthpiece) connected to the receiving part 150a, and Figure 1C
illustrates the music
device 100 configured to include first input part 160 in the form of a
woodwind instrument input
module 160b (e.g., woodwind instrument mouthpiece) connected to the receiving
part 150a.
The input module 160a may have a shape and function similar to that of a
mouthpiece of a
conventional brass instrument (e.g., French horn, trumpet, trombone and tuba),
and the input
module 160b may have a shape and function similar to that of a mouthpiece of a
conventional
woodwind instrument (e.g., bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe and saxophone,
harmonica, bagpipe,
etc.).
The first input part 160 may include systems or intelligence imbedded therein
which may
operate with the music device 100 to recognize multiple parameters of the
music device 100,
including but not limited to left or right-handed designation and type of
conventional instrument
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emulation, electrification or non-electrification, lighted or non-lighted,
etc.
Figure 1D illustrates an exemplary connection between a brass instrument input
module
160a (e.g., first input part 160) and a receiving part 150a of the body 110.
As illustrated in Figure
1D, the input module 160a (e.g., first input part 160) includes metal contacts
161 and a first
portion 162 of a fastening structure (e.g., snap, clip, clamp, screw, hole,
etc.), and the receiving part
150a includes metal contacts 151 which mate with the metal contacts 161 to
complete an electrical
connection between the brass instrument input module 160a and the receiving
part 150a.
The metal contacts 151 and 161 may also be used to transmit power from the
power source
115 in the body 110 to the brass instrument input module 160a. In addition,
the input module 160a
includes a metal contact 169 and the receiving part 150a includes a metal
contact 159 which may
be used to transmit the second input signal which is generated in the input
module 160a to the body
110.
It should be noted that the drawings are only exemplary and should not be
considered as
limiting. That is, the first input part 160 and the receiving part 150a may
include any number of
metal contacts for transmitting power from the body 110 to the first input
part 160, and for
transmitting the second input signal from the first input part 160 to the body
110. In addition, it
should be noted that a portion of the circuit 165 (e.g., filter, amplifier,
etc.) for generating the
second input signal may also be located in the body 110 instead of in the
first input part 160.
In addition, the receiving part 150a includes a second portion 152 (e.g.,
connecting part 152)
of a fastening structure (e.g., snap, clip, clamp, screw, hole, etc.) which is
configured to mate with
the first portion 162 in order to securely and detachably connect the brass
instrument input module
160a to the receiving part 150a of the body.
Figure 1D also illustrates a circuit 165 for sensing and transmitting an input
in the brass
instrument input module 160a. The circuit 165 includes a pressure transducer
164a which is
connected to the metal contacts 161 and senses a pressure in the input module
160a and generates
an electrical current representative of the pressure, and a processing circuit
164b for processing the
current from the transducer 164a into the second input signal.
The pressure transducer 164a may be used to convert the pressure inside the
input module
160a (e.g., mouthpiece) which is caused, for example, by a user blowing into
the hole 165 (e.g., see
Figure 1B) of the input module 160a. The input module 160a may also include
another hole (not
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shown) which may allow air to exit the input module 160a and the user is
blowing into the hole 165.
The pressure transducer 164a may produce an electrical signal by measuring a
change in one of
capacitance, resistance and inductance in response to the pressure inside the
input module 160a.
For example, the pressure transducer may include a capacitor such that the
pressure inside the input
module 160a pushes a plate of the capacitor closer to another plate causing a
change a capacitance
of the capacitor, or the pressure transducer 164a may include a strain gauge
attached to a
diaphragm, and the pressure may distort the diaphragm causing a change in
resistance of the strain
gauge, and so on.
A structure and operation of the woodwind instrument input module 160b may be
similar
to the structure and operation of the brass instrument input module 160a
described above.
Figure 1E illustrates the music device 100 configured to include a neck 175
(e.g., similar to
a guitar neck, violin neck, cello neck, etc.) for a string instrument (e.g., a
guitar neck), which is
connected to receiving part 150c. As illustrated in Figure 1E, the second
input part 170 may be
formed on the neck 175.
Similar to the first input part 160, the neck 175 includes metal contacts 161
and a first
portion 162 of a fastening structure (e.g., snap, clip, clamp, screw, etc.),
and the receiving part 150c
includes metal contacts 151 which mate with the metal contacts 161 to complete
an electrical
connection between the neck 175 and the receiving part 150c. In addition, the
receiving part 150c
includes a second portion 152 of the fastening structure (e.g., snap, clip,
clamp, screw, etc.) which
is configured to mate with the first portion 162 in order to securely and
detachably (e.g., and
rotatably) connect the neck 175 to the receiving part 150c of the body 110.
Similar to the body 110, the neck 175 may also include core electronics,
processing and
interface modules. For example, the neck 175 may also include a power source
such as a battery
pack or a connection (e.g., by a power cord) to an external power source
(e.g., standard AC or DC
electrical power source). The neck 175 may also include a selector for
selecting the music signal
to correspond to one of a string instrument, woodwind instrument, brass
instrument and keyboard
instrument. The neck 175 may also include systems or intelligence imbedded
therein which may
operate with the music device 100 to recognize multiple parameters of the
music device 100,
including but not limited to left or right-handed designation and type of
conventional instrument
emulation, electrification or non-electrification, lighted or non-lighted,
etc.
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As illustrated in Figure 1E, the subdivisions of the neck 175 (e.g., the
plurality of first and
second buttons 135, 138) may be separated, for example, by the plurality of
fret 177 emulators (e.g.,
shown in Figure 1E as a line separating the plurality of first and second
buttons 135, 138). The fret
emulators 177 may include, for example, a raised surface on a surface of the
neck 175, or a lighted
surface (e.g., which may be illuminated by a plurality of light-emitting
diodes formed in the neck
175).
The neck 175 may also include an aural feature setting selector, for selecting
an aural
feature setting for the first input part (e.g., and other input parts
described below), from among a
plurality of aural feature settings, the aural feature setting selector
includes one of a musical key
setting selector, a note setting selector, a chord setting selector, a pitch
setting selector, a pitch class
setting selector, a scale setting selector and an octave setting selector. The
neck 175 may also
include inputs such as switches, dials, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), parallel
ports and serial ports,
and may also include outputs such as audio jacks, wireless transmitters, etc.
Further, the neck 175 may be connected to the receiving part 150a or the
receiving part
150c, which may allow the user to configure the music device 100 as a
primarily left-handed or
right-handed instrument. This may allow the music device 100 to be arranged in
a right-handed
mode or a left-handed mode. Further, the music device 100 may be symmetrically
configured for
either left or right-hand use.
As illustrated in Figure 1E, the neck 175 may also include a touch-sensitive
input/output
zone 176 formed on a main surface of the neck 175 (e. g., a surface which is
coplanar with a main
surface of the body 110), the plurality of fret emulators 177 formed on the
main surface, and other
input structures (e.g., switches, keys, buttons, etc.) which may be formed on
a side of the neck 175.
The neck 175 may also include a receiving part 179, and a logo 190 which is
detachably
connected to the receiving part 179. The logo 190 may be connected to the
receiving part 179 in
a manner similar to that described with respect to Figure 1F. The logo 190 may
be fixed or
detachable, interchangeable, electronic or non-electronic, electrifiable (for
lighting or other
electrified applications), personalized-identifier, standard or customizable
logo or shape. The logo
190 may include systems or intelligence imbedded therein which may operate
with the music
device 100 to recognize multiple parameters of the music device 100, including
but not limited to
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left or right-handed designation and type of conventional instrument
emulation, electrification or
non-electrification, lighted or non-lighted, etc.
The logo 190 may also be equipped with electronics for providing a "handshake"
protocol
between the logo 190 and neck 175. With such a protocol, the electronic module
of the music
device 100 may be required to detect a recognized handshake signature of the
logo 190 in order for
the logo 190 to connect properly to the neck 175 and operate properly. Other
features of the music
device 100 may also include such a handshake signature (e.g., the neck 175,
the brass instrument
input module 160a, etc.).
In addition to the second input part 170 (or instead of the second input part
170) the neck
175 may include a touch sensitive surface. In particular, the touch sensitive
surface may include
a touchscreen (e.g., a display screen with a touch sensitive surface) for
displaying features for
generating an input signal which may be used by the music signal generator 130
to generate the
music signal. For example, a touch sensitive surface on the neck 175 may
display a plurality of
first buttons 135, a plurality of second buttons 138, and a plurality of
fourth buttons P (e.g., similar
to the second input part 170). That is, for example, a user may touch the
touch sensitive surface of
the neck 175 at a location at which the first button 135 is displayed in order
to generate a second
input signal corresponding to the first button 135, and so on.
Further, as illustrated in Figure 1E, the first input part 160 may also
include a string
instrument input module160c as another structural element of the stringed
instrument (e.g., guitar).
The string instrument input module 160c may be connected (e.g., electrically
connected and
physically connected) to receiving part 150b on the body 110 in a manner which
is similar to the
manner described above with respect to Figure 1D (e.g., see Figure 1F).
Further, the first input part 160 (e.g., the brass instrument input module
160a, woodwind
instrument input module 160b, string instrument input module 160c and keyboard
instrument input
module 160d) may include both electronic and traditional acoustic features.
Thus, for example, a user may select acoustic mode (e.g., using the mode
setting switch 119)
which causes the first input part 160 to operate in an acoustic mode causing
the music signal
generator 130 to generate a music signal corresponding to an acoustic
instrument. For example, if
the string instrument input module 160c is connected to the body 110, and
acoustic mode is
selected by the user, then the music signal generator 130 may generate a music
signal
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corresponding to an acoustic guitar, acoustic violin, etc.
The acoustic features of the string instrument input module 160c may include,
for example,
a soundboard (e.g., wooden piece mounted on the front of the body 110) which
amplifies the sound
generated by a sound generator which is connected to the strings of the module
160c, to generate
a sound of an acoustic guitar.
Thus, in the music device 100 of Figure 1E, the music signal generator 130 of
the electronic
module may generate the music signal based on one of more of the first input
signal generated by
the second input part 170, and the second input signal generated by the string
instrument input
module 160c. Alternatively, the neck 175 may also include a third input part
formed thereon, in
which case, the music signal generator 130 may generate the music signal based
on one or more of
a first input signal generated by the second input part 170, a second input
signal generated by the
string instrument input module 160c, and a third input signal from the third
input part formed on
the neck 175.
The body 110 may also include a vibrato lever (e.g., whammy bar) which is
connected to
the input module 160c, and may enable a user to quickly vary the tension and
sometimes the length
of the strings on the input module 160c temporarily, changing the pitch to
create a vibrato,
portamento or pitch bend effect.
Figure 1F illustrates a detailed view of a bottom surface of the string
instrument input
module 160c which is to be connected to the receiving part 150b. The string
instrument input
module 160c may include a plurality of strings 166 (e.g., metal strings)
(e.g., see Figure 1E) and an
electrical circuit 165 for generating a second input signal. In particular,
the plurality of strings 166
may be electrically connected to a sensor 167 in the circuit 165 for sensing a
vibration of the
plurality of strings166 electronically to generate the second input signal.
Similar to the brass instrument input module 160a in Figure 1D, the string
instrument input
module 160c may include metal contacts 161 and a first portion 162 of a
fastening structure (e.g.,
snap, clip, clamp, screw, etc.). In addition, input module 160c includes a
metal contact 169 and the
receiving part 150a includes a metal contact 159 which may be used to transmit
the second input
signal which is generated in the first input part 160 to the output part 140
in the body 110.
The circuit 165 in the string instrument input module 160c may be similar to a
circuit in a
conventional electric guitar. For example, the sensor 167 may include a
magnetic pickup mounted
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under the strings on the string instrument input module. The magnetic pickup
may include a bar
magnet wrapped with a coil, the vibrating strings produces a corresponding
vibration in the
magnet's magnetic field and therefore a vibrating current in the coil.
The string instrument input module 160c may also include a signal processing
circuit 168
(e.g., similar to a traditional electric guitar processing circuit) for
processing the current generated
in the coil into the second input signal. For example, the processing circuit
168 may include a
variable resistor for adjusting a tone of the first input signal, and a low-
pass filter for filtering out
higher frequencies, and a resistor for controlling an amplitude of the second
input signal.
Figure 1G illustrates a music device 100 configured to include the second
input part 170,
the neck 175 and a keyboard instrument input module 160d. Thus, in the music
device 100 of
Figure 1G, the music signal generator 130 (e.g., the electronic module) may
generate the music
signal based on one of more of the first input signal generated by the second
input part 170, and the
second input signal generated by the keyboard instrument input module 160d.
The keyboard instrument input module 160d, may include a circuit similar to
circuit 165 in
Figure 1F. The input module 160d may generate the second input signal in a
manner which is
similar to a manner of generating an input signal in a conventional digital
piano, electric piano or
electronic piano.
For example, configured as a digital piano, the input module 160d may
duplicate the sound
and feel of playing an acoustic piano, by producing a digitally-sampled sound
signal, and having
keys with a weighted key action to imitate the action of an acoustic piano.
Configured as an
electric piano, the input module 160d may include a metal tine or string which
vibrates, and a
pickup (e.g., as in an electric guitar) to detect the vibration of the string.
Configured as an
electronic piano (e.g., electronic keyboard), the input module 160d may
include a memory for
storing a database of computer-generated sounds, and may generate a computer-
generated sound
signal based on a selected key on the keyboard of the input module 160d.
Similar to the second input part 170 and the neck 175, the receiving part 150a
may be
replaced with a touch sensitive surface (e.g., a touchscreen) for displaying
the structural elements
of a string instrument, woodwind instrument, brass instrument, or keyboard
instrument. That is,
for example, a user may touch the touch sensitive surface at a location at
which the structural
element to generate a second input signal corresponding to the structural
element.
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Figure 1H illustrates a back surface 111a of the body 110 (e.g., a planar
surface formed
opposite to a main surface of the body 110 on which the receiving part 150b is
formed), and a back
surface 111b of the neck 175. As illustrated in Figure 1H, an access opening
112a (e.g., access
door, panel, etc.) may be formed on the back surface 111a, and an access
opening 112b may be
formed on the back surface 111b of the neck 175. In addition, an access
opening 113a may be
formed on a side surface of the body 110, and an access opening 113b may be
formed on a side
surface of the neck 175. For example, internal electronics, boards, systems
and peripherals of the
music device 100 may be accessed through the access openings 112a, 112b, and
113a, 113b.
Figure 11 illustrates the music device 100 including a connector 191 for
connecting the
neck 175 to the body 110. As illustrated in Figure 11, the connector may
include a rotating
mechanism such as a hinge-mechanism or socket for allowing the neck 175 to
rotate out of the
plane of body 110. For example, the connector 191 may allow the neck 175 to
rotate in a range
from 0 to 90 , and may include a locking mechanism (e.g., screw, bolt, pin,
clip, clamp, etc.) for
locking the neck 175 to be at a fixed angle relative to the body 110. This may
provide the music
device 100 with an appearance similar to a woodwind instrument such as a
clarinet or saxophone.
Further, the connector 191 may include a mechanism (e.g., a socket or biaxial
hinge) which
allows the neck 175 to rotate down and out of the plane of the body 110, and
may also allow the
neck 175 to rotate side-to-side (e.g., in the plane of the body).
The connector 191 may also include a rotating mechanism for allowing the neck
195 to be
rotatable about its longitudinal axis (e.g., the dashed line in Figure 11)
with respect to the body 110,
as illustrated by the arrow in Figure H.
Further, although the neck 175 is illustrated in Figure 11 as having a square
cylinder shape,
the neck 175 may have other shapes including, for example, a plate shape, a
circular cylinder shape
or a semi-circular cylinder shape.
Figure 1K illustrates a music device 100 including a percussion instrument
input module
160e connected to the receiving part 150b, and a neck 175 connected to
receiving part 150c and
including a touch sensitive surface 285 displaying the surfaces of a
percussion instrument (e.g.,
drums, xylophone, chimes, cymbals, etc.). The percussion instrument input
module 160e may
include a head and a circuit which is connected to the head and is similar to
a circuit in a
conventional electric percussion instrument (e.g., electric drum set).
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As illustrated in Figure 1K, the input module 160e may include a head (e.g.,
programmable
touch-sensitive bar) that can be programmed by the user for various input play
modes. As in all
of the second input parts 160 (and touch sensitive surfaces 280, 285), the
input module 160e may
include systems or intelligence imbedded therein which may operate with the
music device 100 to
recognize multiple parameters of the music device 100, including but not
limited to left or
right-handed designation and type of conventional instrument emulation,
electrification or
non-electrification, lighted or non-lighted, etc.
Thus, the music device 100 may include many different configurations. For
example,
Figures 2A-2E illustrate some examples of how the music device 100 may be
configured.
Figure 2A illustrates a music device 100 including a touch sensitive surface
280 (e.g.,
touchscreen formed on the body 110 (e.g., in place of the receiving part
150b), and a woodwind
instrument input module 160b connected to receiving part 150a, and a neck 175
connected to
receiving part 150c. The neck 175 includes a touch sensitive surface 285
(e.g., touchscreen). In
this exemplary aspect, the touch sensitive surface 280 and the touch sensitive
surface 285 both
display keys of a woodwind instrument such as a clarinet, saxophone, oboe or
bassoon.
Further, the keys displayed on touch sensitive surface 280 and/or touch
sensitive surface
285 may correspond to the keys of the second input part 170. Thus, for
example, by touching a key
displayed on the touch sensitive surface 280, 285, the music signal may cause
a C note to be
generated, by touching a different key the music signal may cause a G note to
be generated, and so
on.
The touch sensitive surfaces 280, 285 may include a programmable touch-
sensitive user
interface that can be programmed by the user for various input play modes. For
example, the touch
sensitive surface 280, 285 may display the keys of a keyboard (e.g., a
traditional piano key layout),
the valves of a brass instrument, the keys of a woodwind instrument and/or the
strings of a string
instrument.
Like the second input part 170 and the input modules 160a-160d, the touch
sensitive
surfaces 280, 285 may include embedded processing or intelligence electronics
that interfaces with
the electronics of the music device 100 (e.g., see Figure 3B) in order to
identify type of input
module, type of instruments to be emulated, left-handed or right-handed mode
selection, etc.
A user may use the selector 116 to select an instrument structural element to
be displayed
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on the touch sensitive surface 280 and the touch sensitive surface 285 from
among a plurality of
structural elements (e.g., clarinet keys, trumpet valves, saxophone keys,
piano keys, guitar strings,
etc.). In addition, the neck 175 may include a selector 295 for adjusting the
display of an
instrument structural element to be displayed of the touch sensitive surface
285.
Figure 2B illustrates a music device 100 including a brass instrument input
module 160a
connected to the receiving part 150a, a touch sensitive surface 280 which
displays the valves of a
brass instrument or the keys of a woodwind instrument, and a neck 175 which
includes a touch
sensitive surface 285 which displays a trombone slide 286. Further, as
illustrated in Figure 2B, the
neck 175 may be rotatably connected to the body 110. In particular, the neck
175 may be rotatable
about its longitudinal axis so that a planar surface of the touch sensitive
surface 285 is substantially
perpendicular to a planar surface of the body 110.
As illustrated in Figure 1A, the body 110 may also include an orientation
detection/setting
module 114 which detects an orientation of the body 110, and sets a display of
the touch screen 280
on the body 110 based on the detected orientation. Similarly, the neck 175 may
include an
orientation detection/setting module which detects an orientation of the neck
175, and sets a
display of the touch sensitive surface 285 on the neck 175. The orientation
detection/setting
module 114 may allow the music device 100 to be configured differently
depending upon whether
the music device 100 is being used by a right-handed user or a left-handed
user. In particular, the
orientation detection/setting module 114 may cause the touch sensitive surface
280 on the body
110 and the touch sensitive surface 285 on the neck 175 to be configured
differently depending on
whether the device 100 is being used by a left-handed user or a right-handed
user. Further,
changing from a left-handed user to a right-handed user may cause the device
100 to reconfigure
(e.g., automatically reconfigure), without needing any user input.
Figure 2C illustrates a music device 100 including a keyboard instrument input
module
160d connected to the receiving part 150b, and a neck 175 connected to
receiving part 150c and
including a touch sensitive surface 285 which displays keys of a keyboard
instrument.
Figure 2D illustrates a music device 100 including a string instrument input
module 160c
connected to the receiving part 150b, and a neck 175 connected to receiving
part 150c and
including a touch sensitive surface 285 which displays keys of a keyboard
instrument.
Figure 2E illustrates a music device 100 including a string instrument input
module 160c
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connected to the receiving part 150a, and a neck 175 connected to receiving
part 150c and
including a touch sensitive surface 285 which displays a trombone slide 286.
Alternatively, the string instrument input module 160c in Figure 2E may be
replaced with
a touch sensitive surface 280. In this case, similar to the circuit 165 in the
string instrument input
module 160c illustrated in Figure 1F, the touch sensitive surface 280 may also
include a memory
device which stores various programs and data, and a microcontroller which
accesses the memory
device to control the operations of the touch sensitive surface 280. In
particular, the memory
device may store a plurality of "string" configurations. Variations can
include number of strings,
gauge and spacing variations, analog or digital actuation identification of
strings with exemplary
embodiments of four (4) or more strings. Variations may include but are not
limited to emulation
of traditional instruments, including but not limited to mandolins, banjos,
guitars and bass guitars
and finger input based emulation of classical string instruments such as
double bass, cello, harp or
violin.
Figure 3A illustrates a system 300 for making music, according to an exemplary
aspect of
the present invention.
As illustrated in Figure 3, the system 300 includes a device (e.g., computer
394) for
generating a programming signal, and a music device 350 which is programmable
by the
programming signal, for making music. The music device 350 includes a first
input part for
generating a first signal based on a user input, a music signal generator for
generating a music
signal based on the first signal, and a second input part for generating a
second signal based on a
user input, the second signal controlling the music signal generator, and the
second input part
including a plurality of first buttons which correspond to a range including
at least one of a key, a
note and a chord, and a plurality of second buttons which correspond to at
least one of a note and
a musical scale within the range.
The system 300 may also include a display device 360 which may display musical
notation
(e.g., indicia) corresponding to the plurality of first buttons of the first
input part of the music
device. The display device 360 may include a transceiver for communicating
(e.g., wired or
wirelessly communicating) with the music device 350. A user may read and
follow a musical
composition displayed on the display device 360 to play the device 350.
The system 300 may also include a display device 397 which may be worn by a
user, such
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as a heads-up display device display device. The display device 397 may
include, for example, a
wireless transceiver which is wirelessly connected to the music device 100.
Figure 3B illustrates an electrical circuit 365 which may be included in the
music device
350 (e.g., and the music device 100), according to an exemplary aspect of the
present invention.
As illustrated in Figure 3B, the circuit 365 may include a memory device 370
which may store
programs and data such as personal information and musical compositions, and a
microcontroller
371 (e.g., a programmable microcontroller) which may access the memory device
370 in order to
control an operation of the music device 350. The circuit 365 may be
electrically connected to the
second input part 170, the music signal generator 130 and the output part 140.
The
microcontroller 371 may also be electrically connected to the receiving parts
150a, 150b and 150c
(and, therefore, to the second input part), the power source 115, the selector
116, and the aural
feature setting selector 117.
The microcontroller 371 may also be connected to the transceiver 118 so that
the
microcontroller 371 can control a communication between the music device 350
and external
devices such as the other devices in the system 300.
Referring again to Figure 3A, the system 300 may also include a foot pedal
module 390
which includes a transceiver for communicating (e.g., wired or wirelessly
communicating) with
the music device 350. The module 390 may include an input portion 391 (e.g.,
foot pedal) which
receives an input for wireles sly setting the music signal generated by the
music signal generator
130. For example, the input portion 391 may generate an input signal that may
alter the music
signal to change the musical parameters (tonal or sounds) of keys, notes,
chords, pitch or pitch
class, scales and octaves of sounds generated by the output part 140 (e.g.,
sound generator) based
on the music signal. In this case, the music signal generator 130 may generate
the music signal
based at least in part on the input signal from the module 390.
The system 300 may include a bow 392 (e.g., a hybrid bow) for playing the
music device
350 when configured to include a string instrument input module 160c. The bow
392 may also
include a transceiver for communicating (e.g., wired or wirelessly
communicating) with the music
device 350.
The system 300 may also include an external sound generator 393 which may, for
example,
include an amplifier for amplifying the music signal generated by the music
signal generator 130.
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The external sound generator 393 may also include a transceiver for
communicating (e.g., wired
or wirelessly communicating) with the music device 350.
The system 300 may also include a computer 394 or a computer system (e.g.,
server) which
is connected to a network (e.g., Internet). The computer 394 may be used, for
example, to program
the microcontroller 371 of the music device 350. Further, the music device 350
may access
information such as music libraries online through the computer 394 (e.g.,
online music libraries),
and store such information in the memory device 370. The computer 394 may also
include a
transceiver for communicating (e.g., wired or wirelessly communicating) with
the music device
350.
The elements of the system 300 may represent an input, output, interface,
control, operating
system, processing, storage, memory, software, firmware, interconnect,
standard and proprietary
protocols, power supply and battery components, wired and wireless connections
and updateable
software and/or firmware and upgradeable capability system to not only emulate
traditional
musical instruments, systems and sounds, but also to allow for inputs and
outputs not possible on
conventional musical instruments. Achieving this capability requires the
following elements:
The components of the system 300 include but not limited to fixed or removable
input,
output, interfaces, controls, operating system, processing, storage, memory,
software, firmware,
interconnects, standard and proprietary protocols, power supply and battery
components, wired
and wireless connections and updateable software and/or firmware and
upgradeable capability.
It should be noted that the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1A-3B are only
exemplary
and should not be considered limiting the present invention.
In particular, the plurality of first buttons 135 in the second input part 170
in Figure 1A may
include, for example, twenty-four (21) buttons (e.g., input/output
subdivisions). These
subdivisions are completely programmable by the user. In another exemplary
aspect, the first
seven subdivisions of the second input part 170 (those nearest logo output
part 140) are primary
(tonic, key of tune for the music device 100) or secondary (key or major chord
of sound or music
being played by the music device 100) musical keys A through G inputs. The
next two buttons
(after the first seven buttons in a direction away from the output part 140)
may be programmable
for variations including, but not limited to, chords, pitch, and octave. The
next twelve buttons may
be programmed for the solo note play in the select key, chromatic scales or
twelve octave
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semitones, and so.
Further, the neck 175 in Figure 1E may include twelve buttons (e.g.,
input/output
subdivisions). Twelve buttons may provide a user with all of the functionality
of the twenty-one
buttons in conjunction with three inputs, though the fewer buttons would
reduce variations and
most probably speed and dexterity of changes. Embodiments with less than
twelve buttons are
contemplated, but will have compromises in regards to inputs and outputs
variations and
playability.
Further, the foot pedal module 390 illustrated in Figure 3A includes three
pedals 391 (e.g.,
input/output switches), but the module 390 can include any number pedals 391.
Further, the
module 390 can control any of the parameters of the first and second input
parts 160, 170, and may
also add another user input (e.g., via a foot or feet) to the potential user
(e.g., simultaneous) input
variations.
The invention and its various input/output parts (e.g., first input part 160,
second input part
170, foot pedal module 390) may enable the user to never play an incorrect
musical sound or
variation. The user may attain virtually perfect timbre. For example, if the
user selects a C chord,
it will always be a perfect C chord regardless of the time the user has
dedicated to the invention, the
placement within the C chord section, the force used by the user, the duration
over which the user
depresses the button (e.g., key, etc.), or the number of times the user has
played a C chord.
If the user switches from a C chord to an Am7 and the input sequence is
correct, it will also
be a perfect Am7 chord. If the user moves to the solo note section, the twelve
variations of the
chromatic scale will be perfectly based on the key the user is currently
playing. Even if the
sequence or variation of notes, chords, etc. were not intended to be played by
the user, each
variation will be perfect tonally and musically.
Further, the components of the music device 100, 350 and the other components
of the
system 300 may be digital electronics components, and may include an operating
system and
supporting software for supporting the operating system. The invention
contemplates both digital
and analog input/output between the music device 100, 350 and other features
of the system 300.
Further, although not illustrated in Figure 3A, the system 300 may include
other devices and
corresponding interconnections including, but not limited to, amplifiers,
sound boards, digital and
analog recording equipment, computer type keyboards, internet protocols,
Bluetooth or other
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wireless protocols, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart phones (e.g.,
iphones), other musical
protocol devices (e.g., MIDI enabled devices), USB devices, Firewire,
headphones, plug-in
speaker output modules, solid state drive (SSD) storage devices and other
music devices 100, 350.
For example, the transceiver 118 (e.g., wireless transceivers) in the music
device 350 may
allow for wireless communication between a plurality of music devices 100,
350. Thus, for
example, user 1 may play a music device 100 and may coordinate his performance
with user 2
which is playing a different music device 100. For example, user 1 and user 2
may coordinate
rhythms, harmonies, chords, compositions, etc. on the music devices 100 via
their respective
transceivers 118.
Figure 4 illustrates a method 400 of making music, according to another
exemplary aspect
of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 4, the method 400 includes
generating (410) a
first signal with a first input part based on a user input, generating (420) a
music signal with a
music signal generator based on the first signal, and generating (430) a
second signal with a second
input part based upon a user input, the second signal controlling the music
signal generator, and the
second input part including a plurality of first buttons which correspond to a
range including at
least one of a key, a note and a chord, and a plurality of second buttons
which correspond to at least
one of a note and a musical scale within the range.
Another exemplary aspect of the present invention is directed to a user-
selectable primarily
left or right-handed operable neck (e.g., neck 175) including a connecting
part (e.g., connecting
part 191 in Figure 11, or connecting part 152 in Figure 1D) for connecting to
the body of the music
device 100.
Another exemplary aspect of the present invention is directed to a user-
selectable primarily
left or right-handed operable input module (e.g., input modules 160a-160e),
including a connecting
part (e.g., connecting part 191 in Figure 11, or connecting part 152 in Figure
1D) for connecting to
the body of the music device 100.
Another exemplary aspect of the present invention is directed to an electronic
logo,
including a connector and compatibility verifiable part (e.g., connecting part
191 in Figure 11, or
connecting part 152 in Figure 1D), for connecting to the neck 175 of the music
device 100.
Referring now to Figure 5, system 500 illustrates a typical hardware
configuration which
may be used for implementing the method of the present invention (e.g., music
device 100, music
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device 350, system 300 and method 400). The configuration has preferably at
least one processor
or central processing unit (CPU) 511. The CPUs 511 are interconnected via a
system bus 512 to a
random access memory (RAM) 514, read-only memory (ROM) 516, input/output (I/0)
adapter
518 (for connecting peripheral devices such as disk units 521 and tape drives
540 to the bus 512),
user interface adapter 522 (for connecting a keyboard 524, mouse 528, speaker
528, microphone
532, pointing stick 527 and/or other user interface device to the bus 512), a
communication adapter
534 for connecting an information handling system to a data processing
network, the Internet, an
Intranet, a personal area network (PAN), etc., and a display adapter 536 for
connecting the bus 512
to a display device 538 and/or printer 539. Further, an automated
reader/scanner 541 may be
included. Such readers/scanners are commercially available from many sources.
In addition to the system described above, a different aspect of the invention
includes a
computer-implemented method for performing the above method. As an example,
this method
may be implemented in the particular environment discussed above.
Such a method may be implemented, for example, by operating a computer, as
embodied
by a digital data processing apparatus, to execute a sequence of machine-
readable instructions.
These instructions may reside in various types of non-transitory signal-
bearing media.
Thus, this aspect of the present invention is directed to a programmed
product, including
signal-bearing media tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable
instructions executable
by a digital data processor to perform the above method.
Such a method may be implemented, for example, by operating the CPU 511 to
execute a
sequence of machine-readable instructions. These instructions may reside in
various types of
signal bearing media.
Thus, this aspect of the present invention is directed to a programmed
product, including a
non-transitory signal-bearing media tangibly embodying a program of machine-
readable
instructions executable by a digital data processor incorporating the CPU 511
and hardware above,
to perform the method of the invention.
This signal-bearing media may include, for example, a RAM contained within the
CPU
511, as represented by the fast-access storage for example. Alternatively, the
instructions may be
contained in another signal-bearing media, such as a magnetic data storage
diskette 600 or compact
disc 602 (Figure 6), directly or indirectly accessible by the CPU 511.
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Whether contained in the computer server/CPU 511, or elsewhere, the
instructions may be
stored on a variety of machine-readable data storage media, such as DASD
storage (e.g., a
conventional "hard drive" or a RAID array), magnetic tape, electronic read-
only memory (e.g.,
ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM), an optical storage device (e.g., CD-ROM, WORM, DVD,
digital
optical tape, etc.), paper "punch" cards, or other suitable non-transitory
signal-bearing media. In
an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the machine-readable instructions
may include
software object code, compiled from a language such as C, C++, etc.
Figures 7A-22F illustrate a music device according to another exemplary aspect
of the
present invention.
Due to its design, attributes and methodologies, the hybrid instrument
according to the
exemplary aspects of the present invention may be more ergonomically designed,
less physically
demanding and more easily played by individuals with a larger variation of
human hand sizes,
finger strengths, arm lengths, breath capacities and physical characteristics.
The hybrid instrument according to the exemplary aspects of the present
invention may
also facilitate easier learning, playing, composing and performing of music
than traditional
musical instruments, which may allow for more future musicians and composers
of wider ages,
physical variations and experience levels.
The exemplary aspects of the present invention may completely eliminate
playing the
selected chord, note, pitch or other variation improperly. The exemplary
aspects of the present
invention may allow musicians and composers to easily and in much shorter
timeframes become
proficient on the hybrid instrument of the exemplary aspects of the present
invention, thus
freeing the user of the present hybrid musical instrument to focus on
creating, composing,
playing, performing, and/or sharing music.
In an exemplary aspect, the present invention includes a new system for making
music,
and more specifically, changing the musical parameters (tonal or sounds) of
keys, notes, chords,
pitch or pitch class, scales and octaves.
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes a series of
electronic,
microprocessor or "machine intelligent" hybrid analog and or digital musical
instruments in the
traditional categories of bowed strings, woodwinds, brass, keyboard and guitar
instruments.
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The present invention may use different combinations or variations of input
components,
keys, switches, buttons, strings or touch sensitive zones to change musical
parameters of (musical
or tonal) keys, notes, chords, pitch or pitch class, scales and octaves on a
fixed or removable
neck. The exemplary aspects of the present invention may emulate the
traditional musical
instrument categories of bowed strings, woodwind, brass, keyboard and guitar.
The exemplary features of the present invention may also allow for variations
not
possible by traditional instruments or current synthesized instruments.
In one exemplary embodiment, the hybrid musical instruments have a main body
which
includes different input and output sections, fixed or optional switchable
string, "piano" key,
mouthpiece input or touch sensitive pad or touch sensitive bar modules with
various switchable
modules and/or "necks" to create an entirely new class of musical instruments.
Further, the exemplary aspects of the present invention can be manufactured as
a single
unit or in modules to be configured by the user of the exemplary aspects of
the present invention
as a primarily left-handed or right-handed instrument.
For example, the body of the hybrid instrument according to the exemplary
aspects of the
present invention includes the core electronics, processing and interface
modules. The exemplary
aspects of the present invention may use various input and output interfaces
for musicians.
Additionally, the exemplary aspects of the present invention may include a
common
methodology for producing, changing and terminating tonal keys, notes,
octaves, pitches or tonal
key, note or any sound variations and parameters. Thus, with the exemplary
aspects of the
present invention, a musician (or beginner) may be able to learn these
different instruments more
easily and faster by virtue of the methodologies and commonality between the
instruments.
Additionally, the exemplary aspects of the present invention may be able to
output both
digital and/or analog signals, allowing for different output interfaces to
various devices including
amplifiers, computers, recording equipment and any device that can accept the
specific analog or
digital outputs of the exemplary aspects of the present invention.
Referring now to the exemplary aspects of the present invention in more
detail, in Fig. 7A
there is shown a "guitar/keyboard" type hybrid musical instrument version of
the finger 701, in
Figure 7B, there is shown a "bowing" type bow hybrid musical instrument
version of the bow
702, in Figure 7C there is shown a "blowing" type wind hybrid musical
instrument version of
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the wind 703, in Figure 7D, there is shown a foot pedal 704 interface for
finger 701, bow 702 and
wind 703 of the exemplary aspects of the present invention, in Figure 7E there
is shown a neck 705
(e.g., an alternative number of inputs "neck" configuration) for invention
hybrid musical
instruments finger 701, bow 702 and wind 703; and in Figure 7F there is show a
specific hybrid
bow, xbow 706 which may be used with an bow 702
In Fig. 7A, and Figs. 8A to Fig. 11, there are shown the main elements of
finger
instrument 701. The finger instrument 701 has input and output elements.
In Figs. 8A and 8E-8G, there are shown sections body 800, first input/output
zone 801 and
corresponding modules strings 810, touch pad 811 or keys 812, input/output
zones and
conesponding modules 802, first removable neck connection zones CZ 803 and
conesponding
input/output zone two, I/0 Two necks, and neck 8051 (Figure 8A) which is a
right-handed mode
touch sensitive neck 8051.
Also provided are a neck 8052 (Figure 8C) which is a left-handed mode touch-
sensitive neck
8052, neck 8061 (Figure 8B) which is a right-handed mode switch neck 8061 or
neck 8062 which is
a left-handed mode switch neck 8062 (Figure 8D), fourth input/output zone and
corresponding
modules 807, first "fret emulators" or touch- and pressure-sensitive neck
input output
subdivisions NIS 808, switches, second keys or buttons neck input output
subdivisions NIS 809,
second handle connection zones CZ 804 and corresponding handle 8041, third
logo connection
zone CZ 813 and fixed or detachable, interchangeable, electronic or non-
electronic,
electrifiable (for lighting or other electrified applications), personalized-
identifier, standard or
customizable logos or shapes , logo 814 (Figure 8H).
In Fig. 9, there is shown the backside of finger 701, in which access panel
901
represents removable panels for access to body 800 internal electronics,
boards, systems and
peripherals, neck connection zone 803 and neck designations 8051, 8052, 8061
and 8062 are shown
for reference.
In Fig. 10, there is shown a first side view of finger 701's third
input/output zone and
corresponding modules 1001, input/output zone six and corresponding modules
1002, body 800
and neck designations 8051, 8052, 8061 and 8062 are also shown for reference.
In Fig. 11 there is shown another side view of finger 701, body 800, I/O Five
1002 and
neck designations 8051, 8052, 8061 and 8062 are also shown for reference.
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Referring to Figs. 12A to Fig. 16, there are shown the main elements of bow
instrument
702 shown in Figure 1B.
The instrument bow 702 has input and output elements. In Fig. 12A, there are
shown
sections of body 1200, including an input/output zone (I/O) 1201 and
corresponding modules
strings 1210 (Figure 12C) or touch bars 1211 (Figure 12D), input/output zones
and corresponding
modules (I/O) 1202, removable neck connection zones CZ 1203 and corresponding
two
input/output zone I/0 necks, including a neck 1251 which is a right -handed
mode touch sensitive
neck 1251, and a neck 1252 which is a left-handed mode touch sensitive neck
1252 (Figure 12F).
Also shown are a neck 1261 which is a right-handed mode switch neck 1261
(Figure 12B)
or neck 1262 (Figure 12E) which is a left-handed mode switch neck 1262,
input/output zone and
corresponding modules I/O 1207, "fret emulators" or touch and pressure
sensitive neck input
subdivisions NIS 1208, switches, keys or buttons neck input subdivisions NIS
1209, two handle
connection zones CZ 1204 and corresponding chin rest 1241, logo connection
zone CZ 1212
and fixed or detachable, interchangeable, electronic or non-electronic,
electrifiable (for lighting
or other electrified applications), personalized-identifier, standard or
customizable logos or shapes
1213 in Figure 12G.
In Fig. 13, there are shown the backside of bow 702, in which access panel
1301 represents
removable panels for access to body 1200 internal electronics, boards, systems
and peripherals,
neck connection zone 1203 and neck designations 1251, 1252, 1261 and 1262 are
shown for
reference.
In Fig. 14, there are shown a side view of bow 702 input/output zone and
corresponding
modules I/0 1401, input/output zone and corresponding modules 1402, body 1200
and neck
designations 1251, 1252, 1261, and 1262 are also shown for reference.
In Fig. 15, there are shown another side view of bow 702, in which body 1200,
I/O
1402 and neck designations 1251, 1252, 1261, and 1262 are also shown for
reference.
In Fig. 16, there are shown a side view of a specific bow xbow 706 for bow 702
optional
input and output module capabilities are anticipated string bow input/output
zone I/0 1601 for bow
702.
Referring to wind 703, in Fig. 17A to Fig. 21, there are shown the main
elements of wind
instrument 703. The instrument wind 103 has input and output elements.
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In Fig. 17A, there are shown sections of body 1700, including input/output
zone I/O 1701
and corresponding module mouthpiece 1709 (Figure 17C), input/output zone and
corresponding
modules I/O 1702, removable neck connection zones CZ 1703 and conesponding
input/ output
zone 1/0 necks, which include neck 1704 shown in left-handed mode touch
sensitive neck 1704, and
neck 1705 shown in right-handed mode paired switches neck 1705, input/output
zone and
conesponding modules I/0 1706, "fret emulators" or touch and pressure
sensitive neck input
subdivision pairs MS 1707, switches, keys, buttons or touch pads neck input
subdivision pairs NIS
1708, logo connection zone CZ 1710 and fixed or detachable, interchangeable,
electronic or
non-electronic, electrifiable (for lighting or other electrified
applications), personalized-
identifier, standard or customizable logos or shapes, 1711 in Figure 17D.
In Fig. 18, there are shown the backside of wind 703, access panel 1801
represents
removable panels for access to body 1700 internal electronics, boards, systems
and peripherals, neck
designations 1704 or 1705 are shown for reference.
In Fig. 19, there are shown a side view of wind 703 including input/output
zone and
corresponding modules I/O 1901, input/output zone and conesponding module(s)
1/0 1902, body
1700 and neck designations 1704 or 1705 are shown for reference.
In Fig. 20, there are shown another side view of wind 703, body 1700 and neck
designations
1704 or 1705 and modules 1/0 1902 are shown for reference.
In Fig. 21, which shows another side view of wind 703, the neck 1704 or 1705
can
articulate or rotate up to ninety degrees (90 ) down toward a user (i.e., a
degree of rotation is
shown at reference number 2001), with body 1700 being shown for reference.
In Fig. 22A, there is shown a peripheral input/output device designated zone
I/0 pedal 704
for use with finger 701, bow 702 or wind 703, in which electronics and other
functions and systems
are housed in the body 2200, one or more zones and conesponding buttons,
switches, keys, modules
or other input methods or output devices are designated switch 2201.
In 2202 (seed Figure 22B), there is shown the bottom side of body 2200. A
removable panel
2203 for access to the pedal internals is shown in panel 2202.
In Figures 22C-22F, respectively, there are shown four side views of pedal 704
including
a first side view of side 2204, a second side view of side 2205, a third side
view of side 2206, and
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a fourth side view of side 2207. Each side 2204, 2205, 2206, 2207 may have an
input output
module I/O 2208.
In more detail, the invention of finger 701, bow 702 and wind 703, and pedal
704, may
include a system of inputs and outputs to change musical parameters (tonal or
sounds). The finger
701, bow 702, wind 703 and pedal 704 represent an input, output, interface,
control, operating
system, processing, storage, memory, software, firmware, interconnect,
standard and proprietary
protocols, power supply and battery components, wired and wireless connections
and updateable
software and/or firmware and upgradeable capability system to not only emulate
traditional
musical instruments, systems and sounds, but also to allow for inputs and
outputs not possible on
conventional musical instruments. Achieving this capability may require the
following
elements:
In Fig. 7A-7F, the finger 701, bow 702, wind 703 and pedal 704, have common
elements
that may encompass a system according to an exemplary aspect of the present
invention.
Figs. 8A-8H, 12A-12H, 17A-17D and 22A-22F show body 800, 1200, 1700 and 2200,
respectively, which may be designed to house the main system components of the
invention
finger 701, bow 702, wind 703 and pedal 704.
The system's components may include but are not limited to fixed or removable
input,
output, interfaces, controls, operating system, processing, storage, memory,
software, firmware,
interconnects, standard and proprietary protocols, power supply and battery
components, wired and
wireless connections and updateable software and/or firmware and upgradeable
capability. The
finger 701, bow 702, and wind 703 when manufactured as a system comprised of
components
detailed in the figures and descriptions of Fig. 8A to Fig. 21 of the
invention is manufactured with
all components configured as symmetrical for user configuration and assembly
in either left or
right-hand use.
In Fig. 7A-7F, the finger 701, bow 702, wind 703 and pedal 704 inputs and
outputs
include input output zone I/0 801, 1201, and 1701, respectively, and
input/output zone I/0 2201
(Figure 22A-22F). These sections utilize strings 810, touch pad 811, keys 812
designated as
primary input methodology utilizing fingers for I/O 801, I/O 1201, strings
1210, touch bars 1211
designated as primary input methodology utilizing a specific bow in Fig. 16
for I/O 1201,
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mouthpiece 1709 designated as primary input methodology utilizing mouth or
blowing for I/O
1701, and I/O 2201 designated as primary input methodology utilizing a foot or
feet.
When designed as removable modules strings 810, touch pad 811, keys 812,
strings 1210,
touch bars 1211 and mouthpiece 1709 have systems or intelligence imbedded
within the module that
allow systems within body 800, 1200 and 1700 to recognize multiple parameters
of the modules
including but not limited to left or right-handed designation and type of
conventional instrument
emulation.
The face or top of body 800, 1200, 1700 and 2200 also includes input/output
zones 802,
1202, 1702 and 2201, respectively, which can have dedicated or programmable
inputs or outputs.
Many embodiments directed to functionality, size, number of inputs or outputs,
etc. are
contemplated and the I/O Zones 802, 1202, 1702, and 2201 are designated as
primary input
methodology utilizing fingers.
The face of body 800 and 1200 also includes a connection zone CZ 804 and 1204,
respectively, used for input and output functions in conjunction with handle
8041 or chin rest 1241.
The back of body 800, 1200, 1700 and 2200, (e.g., see Fig. 9, 13, 18 and 22)
includes the
ability to access the embedded and removable systems and components panel 901,
1301, 1801
and 2201, respectively, within body 800, 1200, 1700 and 2200 shown in Figures
8, 12, 17, and
22.
In Figures 8A-8H, 12A-12H, 17A-17D and 22A-22F, there are shown sides of body
800,
1200, 1700 and 2200, respectively. In Figures 10, 11, 14, 15, 19,22 and 22C-
22F, there are shown
input/output zones 1002, 1402, 1902 and 2208, respectively, which may have
dedicated or
programmable inputs or outputs. Many embodiments directed to functionality,
size, number of
inputs or outputs, etc. are contemplated and the input/output zones 1002,
1402, 1902 and 2208 are
designated as primary input methodology utilizing fingers.
There is shown connect zones CZ 804 and 1204 on the face of body 800 and 1200,
respectively. The connection zones may have the primary task of providing an
input for pitch
bending when handle 8041 is designated as primary input methodology utilizing
hands and
fingers on finger 701 or chin rest 1241 is designated as primary input
methodology utilizing
chin, cheek or jaw, on bow 702. The connection zones can take on additional
functionality with
a series of anticipated input and output modules.
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In Fig. 21, there is shown for wind 703, body 1700, at CZ 1703, neck 1704 and
1705, the
ability to articulate or cantilever up to ninety-degrees (90 ) downward toward
the user, and/or rotate
2001 for easy customization of a user's choice of neck position 1704 or 1705.
In Figs 8A-8H, 12A-12H, and 17A-17D, as 1/0 necks, neck 8051, 8052, 8061 and
8062;
1251, 1252, 1261 and 1262; 1704 and 1705, respectively, are designated as
conesponding to
connection zones CZ 803 for finger 701, CZ 1203 for bow 702, CZ 1703 for wind
703. I/0 necks are
designated as primary input methodology utilizing fingers.
When designed and designated as removable 1/0 necks, neck 8051, 8052, 8061 and
8062;
1251, 1252, 1261 and 1262; 1704 and 1705 have systems or intelligence embedded
within the neck
that allow systems within body 800, 1200 and 1700 to recognize multiple
parameters of the modules
including, but not limited to, left or right-handed designation, types of
conventional instrument
emulation, electrification or non-electrification, lighted or non-lighted,
types of conventional
instrument emulation, types of I/O neck input system (NIS), first NIS 808,
1208 and 1707; second
NIS 809, 1209 and 1708, the programming interface protocol for input/output
zones 807, 1207,
1706.
When designed and designated as non-removable I/O necks, neck 8051, 8052, 8061
and 8062; 1251, 1252, 1261 and 1262; 1704 and 1705 may or may not have the
same functions,
systems and components embedded within neck 8051, 8052, 8061 and 8062; 1251,
1252, 1261 and
1262; 1704 and 1705.
In Figs. 10, 14 and 19, the programming interface protocol for third
input/output zones
1001, 1401 and 1901 can have dedicated or programmable, fixed or removable
inputs or outputs.
Many embodiments of functionality, size, numbers of inputs or outputs etc. are
contemplated and
the third I/O 1001, 1401 and 1901 sections are designated as primary input
methodology utilizing
fingers.
In Figs. 8A-8H, 12A-12H, and 17A-17D, there are shown second 1/0 necks,
including neck
8051, 8052, 8061 and 8062; 1251, 1252, 1261 and 1262; and 1704 and 1705. The
referenced necks
can be designated and manufactured as fixed to body 800, 1200 and 1700 or as a
removable
module. There is shown a connection interface for a logo, including logo 813,
1213 or 1710, or input
output functions including but not limited to programming, left or right-
handed designation, type
of conventional instrument emulation, electrification or non-electrification,
type of conventional
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instrument emulation at the end away from body 800, or 1700 and connection
zone CZ One
803, 1203 or 1703, in the case of a fixed neck or both ends of removable
necks, neck 8051, 8052,
8061 and 8062; 1251, 1252, 1261 and 1262; 1704 and 1705. The end that takes on
the
functionality shown in logo 813, 1213 or 1703 is the end not connected or to
be connected into
first CZ 803, 1203 or 1703.
Still refening to the invention in more detail Figs. 7A to 22F, the systems,
methodologies and
techniques to create music or sounds are unique to the exemplary aspects of
the present invention.
The finger 701, bow 702 and wind 703 (i.e., see Figures 7A-7C) maintain
differentials and
uniqueness in the input/output section one.
In strings 810 shown in Fig. 8A, a "string-based" module is shown for
placement in first 1/0
801 and anticipates various "string" configurations. Variations can include
number of strings,
gauge and spacing variations, analog or digital actuation identification of
strings with prefened
embodiments from 4 or more strings. Variations may include but are not limited
to emulation of
traditional instruments, including but not limited to mandolins, banjos,
guitars and bass guitars
and finger input based emulation of classical string instruments such as
double bass, cello, hag) or
violin.
Touch pad 811 is a programmable "touch-sensitive" pad that can be programmed
by the
user for various input play modes. Keys 812 shows a "piano" type key
configuration, and embodies
a traditional "piano" key layout or as shown in keys 812 a finger 701
invention specific "piano" type
key layout.
Strings 810, touch pad 811, keys 812 and other future embodiment modules may
have
embedded processing or intelligence electronics that interface with first I/O
801 to identify
type of input module, type of instruments to be emulated, left-handed or right-
handed mode
selection and other future contemplated variations.
In Figs. 12A-12F, strings 1210 are shown including a "string-based" module for
placement
in first 1/0 1201 and anticipates various "string" configurations. Variations
can include number
of strings, gauge and spacing variations analog or digital actuation
identification of strings with
prefened embodiments from 4 or more strings. Variations include, but are not
limited to,
emulation of traditional instruments, including but not limited to violin,
fiddle, viola, cello,
double bass, etc.
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Touch bars 1211 are programmable "touch-sensitive" bars that can be programmed
by
the user for various input play modes. Strings 1210, touch bars 1211 and other
future
embodiment modules may have embedded processing or intelligence electronics
that interface
with first I/0 1201 to identify type of input module, type of instruments to
be emulated, left-handed
or right-handed mode selection and other future contemplated variations.
In Figs. 17A-17D, a mouthpiece 1709 is shown for a wind module for placement
in first I/0
1701 and anticipates various wind configurations. Variations can include type
of wind instrument
emulation of traditional instruments, including but not limited to French
horn, trumpet, trombone
and tuba, bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe and saxophone, harmonica, etc.
Mouthpiece 1709 and other
future embodiment modules may have embedded processing or intelligence
electronics that
interface with first I/0 1201 to identify type of input module, type of
instruments to be emulated
and other future contemplated variations.
In Fig. 8A-8I, strings 810, touch pad 811 and keys 812, in Figs. 12A-12H
strings 1210 and
touch bars 1211 and in Figs. 17A-17D, mouthpiece 1709, the first Input/output
section of the
invention has the most similarity to conventional instruments in its
methodologies and parameters
of input for creating sound variations.
Figs. 8A-8I, 12A-12H and 17A-17D fingers 810, touch pad 811 and keys 812,
strings
1210, touch bars 1211 and mouthpiece 1709 are shown as first I/0 inputs used
to control sound
creation parameters of input including, but not limited to, loudness,
duration, location variation,
velocity, pressure, rhythm, strumming-keyboarding-bowing-blowing patterns,
pitch bending,
vibrato, tremolo, deadening, plucking, slapping and buzzing, etc..
The second input/output section of the invention encompasses (see Figs. 2A-2I,
6A-6H and
11A-11D), necks including neck 2051, 2052, 2061 and 2062; 6051, 6052, 6061 and
6062; and
1104 and 1105. The methodology for changes to sound parameters in this section
is
radically different than any conventional or synthesized conventional
instrument.
Unlike conventional instruments, input/output methodology system of the second
I/0
section of the invention of Figures 7A-7B's fmger 701 and bow 702 may be
virtually identical.
Figure 7C' s wind 703, by virtue of the first input zone of wind 703 using a
mouthpiece 1709,
has the same input/output system methodology as finger 701 and bow 702, but
allows for using
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both hands on the Fig. 17A-17D' s neck 1704 and 1705, thereby allowing two
symmetrical sets of
MS 1707 and 1708 (right- and left-hand), on neck 1704 and 1705.
The methodology system parameters are exemplary embodiments and thus other
embodiments are contemplated. The parameters of sound or music can be changed
by second
input/output section necks of Fig. 8A-8I, 12A-12H and 17A-17D including neck
8051,8052,
8061 and 8062; 8051, 8052, 8061 and 8062; and 1704 and 1705 which also
includes first
sections NIS 808, 1208 and 1707, second NIS 809, 1209 and 1708, four 1/0 807,
1207 and
1706 and Figs. 10, 14 and 19 third I/Os 1001, 1401 and 1901.
The parameters may include but are not limited to, musical key A thru G
(including
harmonic center or tonic), chords (including major, minor, sharp, flat,
diminished, augmented,
slash, power, dominant), pitch (including harmonics, frequency), octave
(twelve semitones),
scales (including chromatic, whole tone, pentatonic, diminished, diatonic,
accidentals), notes,
effects (including accent, sustain, distortion, dynamics, filters, modulation,
time-based, reverb,
feedback). The partial list of parameters can be executed with variations
beyond any conventional
instrument based on the user's ability to change virtually all sound
parameters in real-time as fast
as the correct input sequence can be made by the user.
In Figs. 8A-8I, 12A-12H and 17A-17D, there is shown a system for changing the
parameter(s) outlined previously in the second input/output section, including
first MS 808, 1208
and 1707 and second MS 809,1209, and 1708. The drawings show an exemplary
embodiment of
twenty-one input output subdivisions. These subdivisions are completely
programmable by the user.
However, an exemplary version program is the first seven subdivisions (those
nearest logo
814, 1213 and 1711) which are primary (tonic, key of instrument's tune) or
secondary (key or
major chord of sound or music being played) musical keys A through G inputs.
The next two input output subdivisions in conjunction with third 1/0 1001,
1401 and
1901, are programmable for variations including, but not limited to, chords,
pitch, and octave.
The next twelve input output subdivisions are programmed for the solo note
play in the select key,
chromatic scales or twelve octave semitones.
In Fig. 7E, there is shown a neck 705 which is a minimum exemplary embodiment.
There is shown in neck 705, twelve input/output subdivisions. Twelve
input/output
subdivisions may provide a user with all of the functionality of the twenty-
one
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input/output subdivisions, in conjunction with three 1/01001, 1401 and 1901
inputs, though the
fewer input/output subdivisions would reduce variations and most probably
speed and dexterity of
changes. Embodiments with less than twelve input output subdivisions are
contemplated, but will
have compromises in regards to inputs and outputs variations and playability.
In Fig. 7D, there is shown a pedal 704, which is the third input/output
section of the
invention. The exemplary embodiment of pedal 704 shows three separate
programmable
input/output switches shown in greater detail in Fig. 22A as I/0 switches
2201. The third
Input/output section can control any of the parameters of the first and second
input/output sections,
but adds another user input (a foot or feet) to the potential user
simultaneous input variations.
The invention and its three input/output zones enable the user to never play
an inconect
musical sound or variation. The user attains virtual perfect timbre or the
user may choose to select
off timbre variations as they choose for musical variations.
For example, if the user selects a C chord, it will always be a perfect C
chord regardless
of the time the user has dedicated to the invention, placement within the C
chord section, the force
used, the duration time, or the number of times the user has played a C chord.
If the user switches
from a C chord to an Am7 and the input sequence is correct, it will also be a
perfect Am7 chord.
If the user moves to the solo note section, the twelve variations of the
chromatic scale will be
perfectly based on the key the user is cunent playing. The user may not like
the sequence or
variations chosen, but with the exemplary aspects of the present invention,
each variation will be
perfect tonally and musically.
In Figs. 7A-7D and 7F, there are shown finger 701, bow 702, wind 703, pedal
704 and
xbow bow 706, which are digital electronics based, with an operating system
and supporting
software. The invention contemplates both digital and analog outputs of the
invention to other
devices and corresponding interconnections including, but not limited to,
amplifiers, sound
boards, digital and analog recording equipment, computers, computer type
keyboards, internet
protocols, Bluetooth or other wireless protocols, PDA's, smart phones, other
musical protocol
devices (such as MIDI enabled devices), USB devices, Firewire, headphones,
invention specific
plug-in speaker output modules, SSD storage devices and other finger 701, bow
702, wind 703 and
pedal 704 and xbow 706.
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In further detail, still refening to the invention of finger 701, bow 702,
wind 703, pedal 704
and xbow 706 shown in Figs. 7A-22F, the dimensions, shapes, materials and
variations are
virtually infinite. The invention and inventors contemplate that level of
variation.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of
ordinary skill to make and
use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of
ordinary skill will understand
and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of
the specific
embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be
limited by the
above described exemplary embodiment, method, and examples, but by all
embodiments and
methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.
In summary, the exemplary aspects of the present invention may provide an
electronic
hybrid or completely digital musical instruments and a system for producing,
changing and
terminating tonal keys, notes, chords, scales, pitch, octaves and sound
variations.
With its unique and novel features, the present invention provides a music
device which
may allow musicians and composers to become proficient at playing music in
much less time than
with conventional musical instruments.
While the invention has been described in terms of one or more embodiments,
those skilled
in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with
modification within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims. Specifically, one of ordinary skill in the art
will understand that the
drawings herein are meant to be illustrative, and the design of the inventive
assembly is not limited
to that disclosed herein but may be modified within the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
Further, Applicant's intent is to encompass the equivalents of all claim
elements, and no
amendment to any claim the present application should be construed as a
disclaimer of any interest
in or right to an equivalent of any element or feature of the amended claim.
44
