Metronome and system for maintaining a common tempo among a plurality of musicians
First Claim
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1. A method of providing tempo information to one or more musicians using a lead device and musician metronomes comprising:
- providing a musician with a metronome, the metronome having a receiver for receiving wireless signals from a lead device relating to programming a desired tempo during an advancing time period, and having a tactile device for conveying a tactile message to a user of the metronome;
enabling the receiver when a signal is expected from the lead device for programming the tempo for the advancing time perioddisabling the receiver during times when a signal is not expected from the lead device; and
providing tactile messages to the user of the metronome, wherein the tactile messages convey the desired tempo to the user, and wherein tactile messages are provided to the user of the metronome as previously programmed while the receiver is disabled.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus provides metronomes capable of wireless synchronization with other similar metronomes. A metronome includes a tactile device capable of conveying the tempo and beat to a user without the use of sound. In one example, one of the metronomes is used as a lead unit (for example, controlled by a band leader or conductor) and transmits control signals to the other metronomes. This allows multiple musicians in an orchestra, or similar music ensemble, to each have a metronome that is synchronized with other metronomes and shares a common tempo and beat.
42 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of providing tempo information to one or more musicians using a lead device and musician metronomes comprising:
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providing a musician with a metronome, the metronome having a receiver for receiving wireless signals from a lead device relating to programming a desired tempo during an advancing time period, and having a tactile device for conveying a tactile message to a user of the metronome; enabling the receiver when a signal is expected from the lead device for programming the tempo for the advancing time period disabling the receiver during times when a signal is not expected from the lead device; and providing tactile messages to the user of the metronome, wherein the tactile messages convey the desired tempo to the user, and wherein tactile messages are provided to the user of the metronome as previously programmed while the receiver is disabled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of providing tempo information to one or more musicians using a lead device and musician metronomes comprising:
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providing a musician with a metronome, the metronome having a receiver for receiving wireless signals from a lead device that provide programming to the metronome and having a tactile device for conveying a tactile message to a user of the metronome; synchronizing the metronome with the lead device; during a first time period, enabling the receiver and receiving a signal from the lead device, the signal having information relating to programming a desired tempo during an advancing time period providing tactile messages to the user of the metronome, wherein the tactile messages convey the desired tempo to the user; and during a second time period, continuing to provide the tactile messages to the user programmed in the first period while disabling the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A metronome comprising:
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a transceiver for transmitting and receiving wireless signals encoded with messages regarding a tempo programming for the metronome; a tactile device and configured to provide a tactile sensation to a user of the metronome; a beat generator; and a processor electrically coupled to the transceiver, the tactile device, and the beat generator, wherein the processor and beat generator cause the tactile device to convey tempo information to a user in response to a desired tempo indicated by one or more messages received by the transceiver, and wherein the beat generator maintains the desired pre-programmed operation of the tactile device during times that the transceiver is not receiving messages. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification