Tactile metronome

• US 20070119294A1
• Filed: 05/26/2005
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solutions For Thought LLC
• Original Assignee: Solutions For Thought LLC
• Inventors: Parsons, Christopher, Tumey, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,268,290 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 tactile metronome for use by a musician generally includes a signal generator for producing an electrical signal according to a desired timing scheme and a tactile transducer in electrical communication with the signal generator. The tactile transducer, which may take the form of a piezoelectric device, a buzzer, electrodes or any substantial equivalent, is adapted to impart a tactile sensation to the musician in response to the generated electrical signal. A strap, which may be formed from an elastic material or a soft cloth material with hook and loop fasteners, is provided to secure the tactile transducer in place on the musician'"'"'s body.

Claims

1. A tactile metronome for use by a musician, said tactile metronome comprising:

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

a tactile transducer in electrical communication with said signal generator, said tactile transducer being adapted to impart tactile stimulations to the musician corresponding to the complex beat pattern in response to said electrical signal

5. The tactile metronome as recited in claim 1, said tactile metronome further comprising a strap, said strap being adapted to secure said tactile transducer in place on the musician'"'"'s body.

6. The tactile metronome as recited in claim 5, wherein said strap comprises an elastic material.

8. The tactile metronome as recited in claims 5, wherein said strap comprises hook and loop fasteners for securing one edge of said strap to another.

10. The tactile metronome as recited in claims 1, wherein said complex beat pattern is user definable.

11. The tactile metronome as recited in claim 1, wherein said complex beat pattern is user definable.

12. The tactile metronome as recited in claim 11, said tactile 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.

13. The tactile metronome as recited in claim 12, wherein said rhythmic pattern comprises a musical score.

14. The tactile metronome as recited in claim 10, wherein said rhythmic pattern comprises downbeats and said transducer is adapted to impart differentiable tactile stimulations corresponding to and indicative of said downbeats.

15. The tactile metronome as recited in claim 1, wherein said tactile 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 motor mount that enables the electric motor, when energized, to wobble within the rigid housing so that the eccentric weight orbits about an elliptical path.

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

25. The tactile metronome as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller is programmable by interface with a computer.

26. The metronome as recited in claim 25, wherein said computer comprises a personal computer.

27. The metronome as recited in claim 25, wherein said computer comprises a PDA.

28. The tactile metronome as recited in claim 1, wherein said tactile transducer is adapted to impart a tactile stimulation indicative of a sub-beat.

2-4. -4. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

17-24. -24. (canceled)

29. A metronome for use by musicians comprising:

a digital input device including a digital display and a user interface, operable to enable a musician to define or select a beat pattern for use in practicing or performing music;

a signal generator communicatively coupled to the digital input device, the signal generator being adapted to generate electrical signals in response to the defined or selected beat pattern;

a tactile transducer communicatively coupled to the signal generator and adapted to impart tactile stimulations to a musician corresponding to beats of the beat pattern defined or selected by the musician;

a first portable housing containing the signal generator;

a second portable housing containing the tactile transducer, the second portable housing being independent of and separate from the first portable housing; and

an electrical cable connecting the signal generator to the transducer.

30. The metronome of claim 29, wherein the second portable housing is cylindrical in shape.

31. The metronome of claim 29, wherein the tactile transducer comprises:

an electric motor having a motor shaft carrying an eccentric weight; and

a motor mount that enables the electric motor, when energized, to wobble within the second portable housing so that the eccentric weight orbits about an elliptical path.

32. The metronome of claim 29, said metronome further comprising a strap, said strap being adapted to secure said tactile transducer in place on the musician'"'"'s body.

33. The metronome of claim 29, wherein said strap comprises hook and loop fasteners for securing one edge of said strap to another.

34. The metronome of claim 29, wherein said digital input device enables a musician to define or select a complex beat pattern for use in practicing or performing music.

35. The metronome of claim 29, wherein said tactile transducer is adapted to impart multiple, differentiable discrete, pulse-like tactile stimulations to a musician corresponding to different beats of the complex beat pattern.

36. A metronome for use by musicians comprising:

a digital input device. including a digital display and a user interface, operable to enable a musician to define or select a complex rhythm, including a tempo and varying note values, for use in practicing or performing music;

a signal generator communicatively coupled to the digital input device, the signal generator being adapted to generate electrical signals in response to the defined or selected complex rhythm; and

a tactile transducer communicatively coupled to the signal generator and adapted to impart multiple differentiable discrete, pulse-like tactile stimulations to a musician corresponding to varying note values of the complex rhythm defined or selected by the musician.

37. The metronome of claim 36, wherein the user interface enables the musician to independently define both the tempo and the note values of the complex rhythm.

38. The metronome of claim 36, further comprising:

a power supply for supplying power to the tactile transducer;

a first portable housing containing the power supply;

a second portable housing containing the tactile transducer, the second portable housing being independent of and separate from the first portable housing; and

wires connecting the power supply to the transducer.

39. The metronome of claim 36, wherein the tactile transducer comprises:

an electric motor having a motor shaft carrying an eccentric weight; and

a motor mount that enables the electric motor, when energized, to wobble within the second portable housing so that the eccentric weight orbits about an elliptical path.