Method and apparatus for composing and performing music

• US 8,242,344 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2010
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fingersteps, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fingersteps, Inc.
• Inventors: Moffatt, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donels, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US12/785,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20110041671A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 846/09, 846/45, 846/10, 846/34, 846/50, 846/66, 844/77.R
• US Class Current: 84/609
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0008 Associated control or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0066 using a MIDI interface
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/121 for graphical editing of a musical score, staff or tablature mere score display G10H2220/015; score transcription G10H2210/086
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/395 Acceleration sensing or accelerometer use, e.g. 3D movement computation by integration of accelerometer data, angle sensing with respect to the vertical, i.e. gravity sensing. conductor baton movement sensing G10H2220/206, angle sensing without reference to gravity G10H2220/391; player body joint angle sensing G10H2220/321
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2230/275 Spint drum
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/211 Wireless transmission, e.g. of music parameters or control data by radio, infrared or ultrasound beam G10H2220/405

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. Additionally, the present invention is an interactive wireless music apparatus comprising actuating an event originating on a remote wireless device. The transmitted event received by a processing host computer implements the proper handling of the event.

Claims

1. An interactive music apparatus comprising:

a processing host computer;

a remote wireless device configured to transmit data comprising remote wireless device location information obtained from an accelerometer of the remote wireless device, to display performance information on a touch-sensitive LCD of the remote wireless device, and to receive data from the processing host computer comprising LCD x-y coordinate location information defining an area of the LCD for providing a cue or series of cues related to a musical performance;

a transmit/receive device enabling wireless transmission between the remote wireless device and the processing host computer; and

a speaker and a second output component, each configured to receive an output signal from the processing host computer and emit an output based on the output signal; and

wherein the processing host computer is configured to receive the data transmitted from the remote wireless device, convert the data into a first output signal and a second output signal, transmit the first output signal to the speaker and the second output signal to the second output component, and generate and send the performance information to the LCD of the remote wireless device based upon the data received from the remote wireless device.

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

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second output component comprises a display monitor and the action further comprises displaying a keyboard on the display monitor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second output component comprises a display monitor and the action further comprises displaying a music staff on the display monitor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second output component comprises a lighting controller and at least one light and the action comprises displaying light at the at least one light.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a MIDI sound card operably coupled to the processing host computer, the MIDI sound card configured to receive the first output signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing host computer is further configured to assess at least one of the cognitive or physical abilities of the user of the remote wireless device and assign at least a portion of a music performance to the remote wireless device based on the user'"'"'s cognitive or physical abilities.

8. An interactive music apparatus comprising:

a remote wireless device comprising a proximeter, an LCD for displaying performance information, a processor, and software, said remote wireless device configured to transmit data comprising remote wireless device proximity information obtained from the proximeter;

a processing host computer;

a transmit/receive device enabling wireless transmission between the remote wireless device and the processing host computer; and

a speaker and a second output component, each configured to receive an output signal from the processing host computer and emit an output based on the output signal; and

wherein the processing host computer is configured to receive the data transmitted from the remote wireless device, convert the data into a first output signal and a second output signal, transmit the first output signal to the speaker and the second output signal to the second output component, and generate and send the performance information to the LCD of the remote wireless device based upon the data received from the remote wireless device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second output component comprises a web browser and a display monitor and the action comprises launching the web browser and displaying the browser on the display monitor.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second output component comprises a display monitor and the action further comprises displaying a keyboard on the display monitor.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second output component comprises a display monitor and the action further comprises displaying a music staff on the display monitor.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second output component comprises a lighting controller and at least one light and the action comprises displaying light at the at least one light.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a MIDI sound card operably coupled to the processing host computer, the MIDI sound card configured to receive the first output signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the LCD screen is a touch sensitive LCD screen, and wherein the remote wireless device is further configured to receive data from the processing host computer comprising LCD x-y coordinate location information defining an area of the LCD screen for providing a cue or series of cues related to a musical performance.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processing host computer is further configured to assess at least one of the cognitive or physical abilities of the user of the remote wireless device and assign at least a portion of a music performance to the remote wireless device based on the user'"'"'s cognitive or physical abilities.

16. A method of music performance and composition comprising:

establishing a connection with one or more remote wireless devices, each wireless device controlled by a musical performer;

receiving an assessment of at least one of the cognitive or physical abilities of each user of the one or more remote wireless devices;

assigning at least a portion of a music performance to each of the one or more remote wireless devices based on the respective performer'"'"'s cognitive or physical abilities;

presenting a cue or series of cues to the users of the one or more remote wireless devices, wherein the cue or series of cues presented to each user is related to the respective portion of a music performance assigned to the remote wireless device, the cue or series of cues based on the respective performer'"'"'s cognitive or physical abilities;

receiving transmission of a remote wireless device event, wherein the remote wireless device event represents a motion-based response to the cue or series of cues;

converting the device event at a processing computer into an output signal;

emitting sound at a speaker based on the output signal.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein performing an action at an output component comprises displaying an image at a display monitor.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein performing an action at an output component comprises displaying lights at an at least one light with a lighting controller.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising filtering, correcting, assisting, and quantizing a remote wireless device event to aid the performer.