Method and apparatus for composing and performing music

• US 7,129,405 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2003
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fingersteps, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fingersteps, Inc.
• Inventors: Davis, Steven Robert, Moffatt, Daniel William
• Primary Examiner(s): FLETCHER, MARLON T
• Application Number:
  US10/606,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20040074375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 846/00, 84615-616, 84622-625, 846/34, 846/45, 84653-654, 84659-660, 846/66, 844/77.R, 84D/IG.6
• US Class Current: 84/600
• 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 by a user;

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, wherein the first and second output signals are directly related to the actuation by the user;

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

a visual component comprising a display monitor and configured to receive the second output signal and perform an action based on the second output signal, wherein the action based on the second output signal comprises displaying a keyboard on the display monitor and indicating a key on the keyboard corresponding to the sound emitted based on the first output signal.

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

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the action further comprises displaying an image on the browser.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the action further comprises displaying sheet music on the browser.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the action further comprises displaying text on the browser.

6. 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.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 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.

8. 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.

9. A method of music performance and composition comprising:

actuating, by a user, 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, wherein the first and second output signals are directly related to the actuating transmission of the 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, wherein the action at an output component based on the second output signal comprises at least one of displaying a keyboard in conjunction with indicating a key on the keyboard corresponding to the sound emitted based on the first output signal, displaying a music staff in conjunction with indicating an appropriate note in an appropriate location on the music staff corresponding to the sound emitted based on the first output signal, and displaying light at an at least one light controlled by a lighting controller and corresponding to the sound emitted based on the first output signal.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein performing an action at an output component further comprises launching a web browser on a display monitor.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein performing an action at an output component further comprises displaying an image at a display monitor.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein performing an action at an output component further comprises launching a web browser and displaying an image at a display monitor.

13. An interactive music apparatus comprising:

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

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, wherein the first and second output signals are directly related to the actuation by the user;

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

a visual component configured to receive the second output signal and perform an action based on the second output signal, wherein the action based on the second output signal comprises at least one of displaying a music staff on a display monitor in conjunction with indicating an appropriate note in an appropriate location on the music staff corresponding to the sound emitted based on the first output signal and displaying light on at least one light controlled by a lighting controller and corresponding to the sound emitted based on the first output signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the visual component further comprises a web browser and the action further comprises launching the web browser and displaying the browser on the display monitor.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the action further comprises displaying an image on the browser.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the action further comprises displaying sheet music on the browser.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the action further comprises displaying text on the browser.

18. 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.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 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.

20. The apparatus of claim 13 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.