Method and apparatus for composing and performing music

• US 20040074375A1
• Filed: 06/26/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fingersteps, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fingersteps, Inc.
• Inventors: Moffatt, Daniel William, Davis, Steven Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,129,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 84/464A
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0058 Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system G10H1/0083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0083 using wireless transmission, e.g. radio, light, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/34 Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2230/371 Using hook and loop-type fastener or similar attachment to fasten detachable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/056 MIDI or other note-oriented file format
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/211 Wireless transmission, e.g. of music parameters or control data by radio, infrared or ultrasound beam G10H2220/405
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/285 USB, i.e. either using a USB plug as power supply or using the USB protocol to exchange data
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/305 Internet or TCP/IP protocol use for any electrophonic musical instrument data or musical parameter transmission purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/311 MIDI transmission G10H2240/056 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention is method and apparatus for music performance and composition. More specifically, the present invention is an interactive music apparatus comprising actuating a signal that is transmitted to a processing computer that transmits output signals to a speaker that emits sound and an output component that performs an action. Further, the present invention is also a method of music performance and composition.

Claims

1. An interactive music apparatus comprising:

at least one actuator configured to transmit a signal upon actuation;

a voltage converter operably coupled to the at least one actuator, the voltage converter configured to convert the signal from the actuator into a data stream;

a processing computer configured to receive the data stream from the voltage converter, the processing computer configured to convert the data stream into a first output signal and a second output signal;

a speaker configured to receive the first output signal and emit sound based on the first output signal; and

an output component, the output component configured to receive the second output signal and perform an action based on the second output signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sound and the action are interactive.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output component comprises a web browser and a display monitor and the action comprises launching the web browser and displaying the browser on the display monitor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the action further comprises displaying an image on the browser.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the action further comprises displaying sheet music on the browser.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the action further comprises displaying text on the browser.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein output component comprises a display monitor and the action further comprises displaying a keyboard on the display monitor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein output component comprises a display monitor and the action further comprises displaying a music staff on the display monitor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output component comprises a lighting controller and at least one light and the action comprises displaying light at the at least one light.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a MIDI sound card operably coupled to the processing computer, the MIDI sound card configured to receive the first output signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a MIDI sound module operably coupled to the MIDI sound card, the MIDI sound module configured to receive the first output signal from the sound card, process the first output signal, and transmit the output signal to the processing computer.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wireless transmitter operably coupled to the at least one actuator and a wireless receiver operably coupled to the voltage converter, the wireless transmitter configured to transmit wireless signals to the wireless receiver.

13. An interactive music apparatus comprising:

at least one actuator configured to transmit a signal upon actuation;

a wireless transmitter operably coupled to the at least one actuator, the wireless transmitter configured to transmit a wireless signal;

a wireless receiver configured to receive the wireless signal from the wireless transmitter;

a voltage converter operably coupled to the wireless receiver, the voltage converter configured to convert the signal from the actuator into a data stream;

a processing computer configured to receive the data stream from the voltage converter, the processing computer configured to convert the data stream into a first output signal, a second output signal, a third output signal, and a fourth output signal;

a speaker configured to receive the first output signal and emit sound based on the first output signal;

a display monitor configured to receive the second output signal and display an image based on the second output signal, the image configured to be interactive with the sound;

a web browser configured to receive the third output signal and launch on the display monitor, the browser configured to be interactive with the sound; and

a lighting controller configured to receive the fourth output signal and display light at the at least one light, the lighting controller and the at least one light configured to be interactive with the sound.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a MIDI sound card operably coupled to the processing computer, the MIDI sound card configured to receive the first output signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a MIDI sound module operably coupled to the MIDI sound card, the MIDI sound module configured to receive the first output signal from the sound card, process the first output signal, and transmit the output signal to the processing computer.

16. A method of music performance and composition comprising:

actuating transmission of a signal;

converting the signal into a data stream;

converting the data stream at a processing computer into a first output signal and a second output signal;

emitting sound at a speaker based on the first output signal; and

performing an action at an output component based on the second output signal.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein performing an action at an output component comprises launching a web browser on a display monitor.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein performing an action at an output component comprises displaying an image at a display monitor.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein performing an action at an output component comprises launching a web browser and displaying an image at a display monitor.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein performing an action at an output component comprises displaying lights at an at least one light with a lighting controller.