Interactive multimedia apparatus

• US 7,151,214 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2001
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jabriffs Limited
• Original Assignee: Thurdis Developments Limited
• Inventors: Barry, James Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan, Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): Warren, David S.
• Application Number:
  US10/240,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20030140770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,080 Days
• Field of Search: 84600-602, 84634-637, 84650-652, 84666-669, 434/307.A
• US Class Current: 84/600
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0008 Associated control or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/361 Recording/reproducing of accompaniment for use with an external source, e.g. karaoke systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/061 MP3, i.e. MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, lossy audio compression
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 3/18 using a string, e.g. electric guitar mechanical features G10D1/085

Abstract

The apparatus (1) comprises a guitar (3) having strings (42) operable by a user to generate electric signals, a control unit (2), storage means for a simulation backing track in any desired multi-media file format and audio/audio-visual equipment for playing a main track. The control unit (2) has software for receiving and analyzing the electrical signals from the guitar (41) and for synchronizing the backing track with the main track during playback. The software of the control unit (2) opens the backing track multi-media file and streams the file in mute mode in synchronisation with the main track. In response to the electrical signals from the guitar (41), the control unit generates an output from the multi-media file to the audio/audio-visual equipment. Alternatively, the apparatus opens and plays extracts from the multi-media file and generates an output from the multi-media files to the audio equipment (4) together with the background track.

Claims

1. An interactive multimedia apparatus comprising:

(a) a computer gaming peripheral input device (CGPID) operable by a user to convert simulated-musical-instrument-playing movements into an electrical output signal;

(b) a source of at least one pre-recorded music track; and

(c) a control unit connected to

i. said source of at least one pre-recorded music track to receive at least one pre-recorded music track, and

ii. said CGPID to receive said electrical output signal and modify said pre-recorded music track in response to said electrical output signal to produce a musical output signal,

said control unit analyzing said pre-recorded music track to provide output during periods when said pre-recorded music track is silent, said control unit generating said musical output signal based on said analysis output file and in agreement with at least one of a structure and a melody of a main track in response to said user operating said CGPID at least one of at the wrong time and incorrectly.

2. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the at least one pre-recorded music track is downloadable in at least one of MP3 format, wav format, and any other file format for storing audio information digitally.

3. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the source of at least one pre-recorded music track comprises an instrumental track from a selection of available tracks, whereby an operator may download a piece of music with any track removed and download that track separately to play along with the musical output signal.

4. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which software in the control unit starts a main track and streams a backing track in mute synchronization with the main track and when the software receives the electrical output signal from the CGPID, the software outputs the musical output signal.

5. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the control unit detects at least one of length, amplitude, and frequency of the electrical output signal received from the CGPID and in which the control unit adjusts the pre-recorded music track in response to the electrical output signal from the CGPID.

6. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the control unit comprises software adapted to algorithms.

7. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the control unit is operable by user activated control members which send a signal to software of the control unit in response to being pressed.

8. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which each control member has an associated file stored in the control unit, whereby in use, the user activates the control member and the control unit opens the associated file and plays the file for a length and at an amplitude in response to an electrical signal received from a transducer as a result of the user'"'"'s activation of a string of the CGPID.

9. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising special effect controls which when operated by the user send signals to the control unit to produce special effects on the musical output signal.

10. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the CGPID comprises a guitar or a guitar type device operable by the use and comprises strings and a transducer to convert strumming of the strings into the electrical output signal.

11. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the guitar or guitar type device includes a control panel, selection controls, a volume control and the special effect controls.

12. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 10, further comprising an interface for sending the electrical output signal generated by the transducer to the control unit, the interface being provided between the transducer and the control unit, the interface enabling the user to transmit a plurality of different control signals to the control unit.

13. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the interface includes an amplifier and level detectors adapted to detect a force with which the user strums or strikes the strings.

14. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a storage device adapted to store the musical output signal to at least one of a hard disk, a compact disk, and a DVD device.

15. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising visual display screens which are operable to enable the user to at least one of launch a game experience, select different operating modes, choose a source music device, select a backing track, and assign digital sound effects files to the special effects controls on the CGPID.

16. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the CGPID is connectable to at least one of a joystick port, USB port, and RS232port of at least one of a personal computer and games console.

17. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the CGPID is connectable to a microphone input/output connection of the control unit.

18. An interactive multimedia apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises at least one of a personal computer, a cable television decoder, a satellite television decoder, and a games console, wherein the apparatus further comprises an audio/audio-visual means that comprises at least one of a mono high fidelity audio apparatus, stereo high fidelity audio apparatus, headphones, television, and monitor.

19. An interactive multimedia apparatus comprising:

(a) a computer gaming peripheral input device (CGPID) operable by a user to convert simulated-musical-instrument-playing movements into an electrical output signal;

(b) a source of at least one pre-recorded music track; and

(c) a control unit connected to

i. said source of at least one pre-recorded music track to receive at least one pre-recorded music track, and

ii. said CGPID to receive said electrical output signal and modify said pre-recorded music track in response to said electrical output signal to produce a musical output signal,

said control unit analyzing said pre-recorded music track to provide output during periods when said pre-recorded music track is silent, said control unit generating said musical output signal based on said analysis output file and in agreement with at least one of a structure and a melody of a main track in response to said user operating said CGPID at least one of at the wrong time and incorrectly, the control unit being operable by user activated control members which send a signal to software of the control unit in response to being pressed, each control member having an associated file stored in the control unit, whereby in use, the user activates the control member and the control unit opens the associated file and plays the file for a length and at an amplitude in response to an electrical signal received from a transducer as a result of the user'"'"'s activation of at least one string of the CGPID.