System and methods for the creation and performance of sensory stimulating content

• US 7,858,870 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2005
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Topdown Licensing LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Beamz Interactive, Inc.
• Inventors: Riopelle, Gerald Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Fletcher, Marlon T
• Application Number:
  US11/075,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20050223330A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,119 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 84/622
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0008 Associated control or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/34 Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/101 for graphical creation, edition or control of musical data or parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/305 using a light beam to detect key, pedal or note actuation light beams in general G10H2220/411
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/411 Light beams key actuation detection using light G10H2220/305

Abstract

Systems and methods for creating and presenting sensory stimulating content. One aspect of the invention allows a composer to associate content with one or more triggers, and to define behavior characteristics which control the functioning of each trigger. Another aspect of the invention provides a variety of user interfaces through which a performer can cause content to be presented to an audience.

Claims

1. A music instrument configured to allow a user to compose musical sounds, comprising:

a plurality of triggers;

a processor,

a controller responsive to the plurality of triggers, and configured to generate control signals as a function of the triggers selected by the user;

a plurality of music programs, the processor configured to generate an electronic signal as a function of the controller control signals and the plurality of music programs; and

at least one sound generator configured to generate audible said musical sounds as a function of the electronic signal; and

wherein each said music program comprises sound elements comprising a subset of a musical composition, the music programs are correlated to each other, and the generated audible musical sounds are synchronized to each other.

2. The music instrument as specified in claim 1 wherein when one of the triggers is in a first state for a prolonged period of time successive said audible musical sounds are generated.

3. The music instrument as specified in claim 1 wherein the audible musical sounds are sympathetic.

4. The music instrument as specified in claim 2 wherein the audible musical sounds are sympathetic.

5. The music instrument as specified in claim 1 wherein the sound generator is a synthesizer.

6. The music instrument as specified in claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a trigger circuit configured to determine when the triggers have changed state.

7. The music instrument as specified in claim 1 wherein each of the music programs are a subset of a song.

8. The music instrument as specified in claim 1 wherein the triggers are configured to be controlled by a user.

9. The music instrument as specified in claim 8 wherein the triggers are configured to include an electromagnetic beam.

10. The music instrument as specified in claim 8 wherein the triggers are configured to be controlled by a user'"'"'s forger.

11. The music instrument as specified in claim 10 wherein the audible musical sounds are sympathetic.

12. The music instrument as specified in claim 10 wherein the triggers are configured such that the plurality of the triggers can be simultaneously controlled by the user'"'"'s fingers.

13. The music instrument as specified in claim 12 wherein the audible musical sounds are sympathetic.

14. The music instrument as specified in claim 1 wherein one said music program is associated with one of the plurality of triggers.

15. The music instrument as specified in claim 1 wherein one said music program is selectively associated with one of the plurality of triggers.

16. The music instrument as specified in claim 14 wherein the music programs are sympathetic.

17. The music instrument as specified in claim 16 wherein the audible musical sounds are sympathetic.

18. A music instrument configured to allow a user to compose musical sounds, comprising:

a plurality of triggers;

a control module responsive to the plurality of triggers;

a plurality of music programs, the control module configured to generate electronic signals as a function of the plurality of music programs and the plurality of triggers, wherein each said music program comprises sound elements comprising a subset of a predetermined musical composition; and

a sound generator configured to generate synchronized sympathetic audible musical sounds as a function of the electronic signals.

19. The music instrument as specified in claim 18 wherein one said music program is associated with one of the plurality of triggers.

20. The music instrument as specified in claim 19 wherein the association of one said music program is configured to be selectively associated with one of the plurality of triggers.

21. The music instrument as specified in claim 18 wherein when one of the triggers is in a first state for a prolonged period of time successive said audible musical sounds are generated.

22. The music instrument as specified in claim 18 wherein the sound generator is a synthesizer.

23. The music instrument as specified in claim 18 wherein the controller comprises a trigger circuit configured to determine when one triggers has changed state.

24. The music instrument as specified in claim 18 wherein the sound elements of each said music program are correlated to the sound elements of another said music program.

25. The music instrument as specified in claim 18 wherein the musical composition is a subset of a song.

26. The music instrument as specified in claim 18 wherein the triggers are configured to be controlled by a user.

27. The music instrument as specified in claim 26 wherein the triggers are configured to include an electromagnetic beam.

28. The music instrument as specified in claim 26 wherein the triggers are configured to be controlled by a user'"'"'s finger.

29. The music instrument as specified in claim 28 wherein the triggers are configured such that the plurality of the triggers can be simultaneously controlled by the user'"'"'s fingers.