Musical listening apparatus with pulse-triggered rhythm

• US 6,230,047 B1
• Filed: 10/15/1999
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: McHugh, David
• Original Assignee: McHugh, David
• Inventors: McHugh, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US09/419,257
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 600/502, 600/503, 600/509, 600/508, 600/519, 600/520
• US Class Current: 600/519
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/636 by using biological or physiological data
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence

Abstract

An apparatus combines a plurality of incoming audio signals and outputs a combined audio signal. The incoming audio signals include a music signal, e.g., from a CD or cassette player, and a rhythm signal triggered by a user'"'"'s heartbeat. The tempo of the rhythm will increase or decrease with the pulse rate of the user. In an alternative embodiment, the tempo may be set at a predetermined level to raise or lower the heartbeat of the user.

The apparatus includes means for storing a plurality rhythm patterns on memory means, means for the user to select one of the rhythm patterns, means for outputting the selected rhythm pattern to create a rhythm signal, means for receiving a pulse signal corresponding to the user'"'"'s pulse, means for combining the rhythm signal and the pulse signal to create a linked rhythm/pulse signal, means for receiving an audio signal from a music playback device, a musical mixing device to combine the linked rhythm/pulse signal and the audio signal to create a combined rhythm/pulse/audio signal, and means for outputting the combined rhythm/pulse/audio signal.

Also disclosed is a musical listening system which includes the musical listening apparatus of the present invention and further comprises means for monitoring a user'"'"'s pulse to generate the pulse signal, a musical playback device to generate the audio signal, and means for receiving and outputting the combined rhythm/pulse/audio signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for linking a rhythm track with a heartbeat of a user, the apparatus comprising:

means for monitoring the heartbeat of the user, the means for monitoring producing a pulse signal, the pulse signal corresponding to the heartbeat of the user;

means for storing rhythm pattern data;

means for receiving the pulse signal and for receiving the rhythm pattern data;

means for combining the pulse signal with the rhythm pattern data and for generating a linked rhythm and pulse output signal; and

means for outputting the linked rhythm and pulse output signal.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for storing rhythm pattern data includes a plurality of rhythm pattern data.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for selecting one of the plurality of rhythm pattern data, such that the selected rhythm pattern data is combined with the pulse signal.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for alerting the user when a desired pulse rate is achieved and/or exceeded.

5. An apparatus for combining rhythm tracks, a heartbeat of a user, and an audio signal, the apparatus comprising:

means for monitoring a heartbeat of a user, the means for monitoring producing a pulse signal, the pulse signal corresponding to the heartbeat of the user;

means for storing rhythm pattern data;

means for receiving the pulse signal and for receiving the rhythm pattern data;

means for combining the pulse signal with the rhythm pattern data and for generating a linked rhythm/pulse output signal;

means for receiving an audio signal from a music playback device;

musical mixing means for combining the linked rhythm and pulse output signal with the audio signal and for generating a combined rhythm/pulse/audio signal; and

means for outputting the combined rhythm/pulse/audio signal.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for storing rhythm pattern data includes a plurality of rhythm pattern data.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for selecting one of the plurality of rhythm pattern data, such that the selected rhythm pattern data is combined with the pulse signal.

8. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for alerting the user when a desired pulse rate is achieved and/or exceeded.

9. An apparatus for linking a rhythm track with a heartbeat of a user, the apparatus comprising:

a pulse monitor, the pulse monitor producing a pulse signal, the pulse signal corresponding to the heartbeat of the user;

a processor, the processor including memory, the memory storing at least one rhythm pattern data, the processor receiving the pulse signal and the processor receiving the rhythm pattern data, the processor linking the pulse signal with the rhythm pattern data, and the processor producing an output signal; and

an output device receiving the output signal from the processor.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises a switch, the switch allowing the user to select a desired at least one rhythm pattern data, and processor receiving the selected rhythm pattern data.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the pulse monitor comprises an electromagnetic sensor.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the output device includes at least one audio speaker.

13. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises alarm circuitry to alert the user when a desired pulse rate is achieved and/or exceeded.

14. A musical listening apparatus for combining rhythm tracks, a heartbeat of a user, and an audio signal, the apparatus comprising:

a music playback device, the music playback device producing an output signal;

a processor, the processor including memory, the memory storing at least one rhythm pattern data, the processor receiving a pulse signal representing the heartbeat of the user, the processor receiving the at least one rhythm pattern data, the processor linking the pulse signal with the rhythm pattern data, and the processor producing an output signal; and

a mixer, the mixer combining the output signal from the processor with the output signal from the music playback device.

15. A musical listening apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the music playback device is selected from the group consisting of a CD player, a tape player, a music memory chip, and music files.

16. A musical listening apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the musical listening apparatus further comprises a pulse monitor, the pulse monitor producing the pulse signal that represents the heartbeat of the user.