Metronome with wireless transducer

• US 20060070513A1
• Filed: 05/26/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solutions For Thought LLC
• Original Assignee: Solutions For Thought LLC
• Inventors: Tumey, David M., Parsons, Christopher V.
• Granted Patent: US 7,390,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 84/730
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 5/025 Electronic metronomes rhytem generation for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/36
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/311 with controlled tactile or haptic feedback effect; output interfaces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3114 Cross-sectional configuration of the strand material is other than circular
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3138 Including inorganic filament
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/674 Nonwoven fabric with a preformed polymeric film or sheet

Abstract

A metronome for use by a musician or group of musicians generally includes a signal generator for producing an electrical signal according to a desired timing scheme and one or more transducers in wireless communication with the signal generator. Each transducer, which may take the form of a piezoelectric device, a buzzer, electrodes or any substantial equivalent, is adapted to impart a sensation to the musician in response to the generated electrical signal. The wireless communication may be established with an infrared link or a radio frequency transmission system. The signal generator is under the centralized control of a conductor, bandleader, lead musician or music instructor.

Claims

1. A metronome for use under the control of a leader by one or more musicians, said metronome comprising:

a signal generator for producing an electrical signal according to a desired timing scheme, said timing scheme being produced by a controller; and

a transducer in wireless communication with said signal generator, said transducer being adapted to impart a sensation to each musician in response to said electrical signal.

2. The metronome as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said electrical signal comprises a unique indicator of downbeats; and

said timing scheme comprises a user selectable tempo.

3. The metronome as recited in claim 1, wherein said transducer comprises a piezoelectric device.

4. The metronome as recited in claim 1, wherein said transducer comprises a buzzer.

5. The metronome as recited in claim 1, wherein said transducer comprises an audible device.

6. The metronome as recited in claim 1, wherein said timing scheme comprises complex rhythms.

7. The metronome as recited in claim 6, wherein said complex rhythms are user selectable.

8. The metronome as recited in claim 7, wherein said complex rhythms are user definable.

9. The metronome as recited in claim 8, said metronome further comprising a programming interface to said controller, said programming interface being adapted to enable the user to input a rhythmic pattern to said controller.

10. The metronome as recited in claim 9, wherein said rhythmic pattern comprises a musical score.

11. The metronome as recited in claim 1, wherein said transducer comprises a vibrating transducer.

12. The metronome as recited in claim 11, wherein said vibrating transducer comprises:

a rigid housing;

an electric motor enclosed within said rigid housing, said electric motor having attached thereto an eccentric weight; and

wherein said electric motor is supported within said rigid housing by a flexible motor mount.

13. The metronome as recited in claim 12, wherein said rigid housing comprises a generally cylindrically shaped tube.

14. The metronome as recited in claim 11, wherein said vibrating transducer comprises:

a rigid housing;

an electric motor enclosed within said rigid housing, said electric motor having attached thereto an eccentric weight; and

wherein said electric motor is supported within said rigid housing by a flexible motor mount, said flexible motor mount comprising a cushion.

15. The metronome as recited in claim 14, wherein said rigid housing comprises a generally cylindrically shaped tube.

16. The metronome as recited in claim 14, wherein said cushion comprises a foam material.

17. The metronome as recited in claim 14, wherein said cushion is wrapped substantially about said electric motor.

18. The metronome as recited in claim 17, wherein said rigid housing comprises a generally cylindrically shaped tube.

19. The metronome as recited in claim 11, wherein said vibrating transducer comprises:

a rigid housing;

an electric motor enclosed within said rigid housing, said electric motor having attached thereto an eccentric weight and being supported within said rigid housing by a flexible motor mount; and

a driver circuit for facilitating operation of said electric motor.

20. The metronome as recited in claim 19, wherein said rigid housing comprises a generally cylindrically shaped tube.

21. The metronome as recited in claim 19, wherein said driver circuit comprises a current amplifier.

22. A metronome for use under the control of a leader by one or more musicians, said metronome comprising:

a signal generator for producing an electrical signal according to a desired timing scheme, said timing scheme being produced by a controller;

a transmitter, in electrical communication with said signal generator, for transmitting the information represented by said electrical signal to a remote location;

a receiver compatible with said transmitter, for receiving the transmission from said transmitter at the remote location; and

a transducer in electrical communication with said receiver, said transducer being adapted to impart a sensation to each musician in response to said electrical signal.

23. The metronome as recited in claim 22, wherein said transmitter is adapted to transmit an infrared signal.

24. The metronome as recited in claim 23, wherein said transmitter is adapted to transmit a radio frequency signal.

25. The metronome as recited in claim 24, wherein said radio frequency signal is frequency modulated.

26. The metronome as recited in claim 22, wherein said controller is programmable by interface with a computer.

27. The metronome as recited in claim 26, wherein said computer comprises a personal computer.

28. The metronome as recited in claim 26, wherein said computer comprises a PDA.