Motion orchestration system

• US 5,166,463 A
• Filed: 10/21/1991
• Issued: 11/24/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steven Weber
• Original Assignee: Steven Weber
• Inventors: Weber, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Application Number:
  US07/779,927
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 84/600-603, 84/645, 84/723-725, 84/737-743, 84/626, 84/615
• US Class Current: 84/600
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/00 Details of electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/34 Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/321 Garment sensors, i.e. musical control means with trigger surfaces or joint angle sensors, worn as a garment by the player, e.g. bracelet, intelligent clothing vital parameter sensing G10H2220/371; wearable interfaces in general G06F3/00
• 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 2250/235 Fourier transform; Discrete Fourier Transform [DFT]; Fast Fourier Transform [FFT]

Abstract

A motion orchestration system is provided to enable an artist or orchestrator to produce music or other sounds and to extemporaneously vary the sounds being produced without detracting from the visual effect intended by the artist or orchestrator. The system may include motion detecting sensors capable of generating three-space coordinates of various segments of the body of the orchestrator. Electrical signals generated by the motion detecting sensors may generate MIDI compounds which can be converted into appropriate music or sounds. Signals from traditional microphone equipment may also be employed. The system further includes hand switching devices responsive to various hand and/or finger movements to electronically control the orchestration of the electronic output signals generated by the motion or speech of the orchestrator or by external sources. The triggering of the hand switches by appropriate touch or motion in predetermined combinations and sequences is interpreted as instructional information, and is used to alter analog or digital electrical output signals generated by the motion or speech of the orchestrator.

Claims

1. A motion orchestration system for use by an orchestrator comprising:

a plurality of output signal generators for generating an array of output signals, a plurality of said output signal generators comprising motion sensors mounted to selected extremities on the body of the orchestrator spaced from the hands of the orchestrator for generating an array of output signals in response to selected movements of the orchestrator;

at least one control signal generator defining at least one contact sensitive switch mounted to at least one hand of the orchestrator at a location accessible to fingers of the orchestrator, such that movements of the fingers of the orchestrator are capable of generating control signals for manipulating the output signals generated from the output signal generators;

signal transmitting means mountable to the orchestrator for transmitting the output signals from the motion sensors as manipulated by the control signals;

signal receiving means for receiving the manipulated output signals from the signal transmitting means; and

signal processing means operatively connected to the signal receiving means for converting the manipulated output signals into a selected array of sounds, whereby the output signals can be generated by movement of the orchestrator'"'"'s extremities and whereby the output signals can be manipulated by selected movements of the fingers of the orchestrator without detracting from visual appearance of the orchestrator'"'"'s movements.

2. A motion orchestration system, as in claim 1 wherein each of the motion sensors generates an output signal responsive to the relative position of the associated motion sensor.

3. A motion orchestration system, as in claim 1 wherein each of the motion sensors generates a signal response to the velocity of movement of the associated motion sensor.

4. A motion orchestration system, as in claim 1 wherein each of the motion sensors generates a signal corresponding to acceleration of the respective motion sensor.

5. A motion orchestration system as in claim 1 wherein the motion sensors comprise a plurality of mercury switches.

6. A motion orchestration system as in claim 1 further comprising a bodysuit to be worn over the legs, torso and arms of the orchestrator, each of the motion sensors being connected to portions of the bodysuit.

7. A motion orchestration system as in claim 1 wherein each of the control signal generators comprises a contact sensitive switch mounted to at least selected fingers of the orchestrator.

8. A motion orchestration system as in claim 7 further comprising at least one glove to be worn by the orchestrator, the contact sensitive switches being mounted to the glove.

9. A motion orchestration system as in claim 1 wherein the signal receiving means and the signal processing means are disposed at locations remote from the orchestrator.

10. A motion orchestration system as in claim 1 wherein at least one of the output signal generators is disposed at a location spaced from the orchestrator, the control signal generator being operatively connected to the signal transmitting means such that the control signal generator is operative to manipulate output signals from the output signal generator spaced from the orchestrator.

11. A motion orchestration system as in claim 1 wherein at least one of the output signal generators comprises a microphone responsive to voice signals generated by the orchestrator.

12. A motion orchestration system as in claim 1 further comprising an analog to digital converter mountable to the orchestrator and operatively connected to the output signal generators and to the signal transmitting means for converting analog signals from the output signal generators into digital signals.

13. A motion orchestration system as in claim 1 further comprising a micro controller mountable to the orchestrator and operatively connected to the output signal generators and the control signal generators, the micro controller being operative to consolidate signals generated by the output signal generators and the control signal generators.

14. A motion orchestration system as in claim 1 further comprising a MIDI translator for receiving the manipulated output signal and translating the manipulated output signals into MIDI configured signals.

15. A motion orchestration system as in claim 1 further comprising a video output display operatively connected to the signal processing means for providing video displays indicative of the control signals and the manipulated output signals.

16. A motion orchestration system as in claim 15, wherein the video display means is mountable to the head of the orchestrator.

17. A motion orchestration system as in claim 1 further comprising an audio output means operatively connected to the signal processing means for providing audio outputs indicative of the manipulated output signals.

18. A motion orchestration system for use by an orchestrator comprising:

at least one output signal generator mounted to extremities of the orchestrator and spaced from the hands of the orchestrator for generating an array output signals in response to movements of the extremities of the orchestrator;

at least one control signal generator mounted to at least one hand of the orchestrator and responsive to selected movements of fingers of the hand of the orchestrator for generating control signals for manipulating the output signals generated from the output signal generators;

signal transmitting means mountable to the orchestrator for transmitting the signals from the signal generator mounted to the orchestrator;

signal receiving means for receiving the signals from the signal transmitting means; and

signal processing means operatively connected to the signal receiving means and to the output signal generator for manipulating the output signals in accordance with the control signal to produce an orchestrated array of music, whereby the output signals can be generated by movement of the orchestrator'"'"'s extremities and whereby the motion-generated output signals can be manipulated by selected movements of the fingers of the orchestrator without detracting from visual appearance of the orchestrator'"'"'s movements.

19. A motion orchestration system as in claim 18 wherein the control signal generators comprise a contact sensitive switch mounted to at least selected fingers of the orchestrator.

20. A motion orchestration system as in claim 19 further comprising at least one glove to be worn by the orchestrator, the contact sensitive switches being mounted to the glove.

21. A motion orchestration system as in claim 18 wherein the output signal generator mounted to the body of the orchestrator comprises a microphone.

22. A motion orchestration system as in claim 18 further comprising a video output display operatively connected to the signal processing means for providing video displays indicative of the control signals and the manipulated output signals.