GB2293915A

GB2293915A - Computer controlled electronic music display unit

Info

Publication number: GB2293915A
Application number: GB9420070A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Youd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-10-05
Filing date: 1994-10-05
Publication date: 1996-04-10
Also published as: GB9420070D0

Abstract

A computer controlled electronic music display unit has an electronic slim-line display screen 10, linked to a central processor unit 12 by an interface cable 11. The unit is controlled by a simple keyboard unit 13 linked to the central processor unit by an interface cable 14. The whole unit is powered by electricity through a mains supply power cable 15, and/or batteries built into the central processor unit. <IMAGE>

Description

COMPUTER CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC MUSIC DISPLAY.UNIT This invention relates to a computer controlled electronic music display unit.

Traditionally music has been printed on paper. This can take the form of hand written manuscripts, or printed sheet music, short single pieces a few pages long, through to large bound volumes of two to three hundred pages in length. Such music is placed on a free standing music stand, or a music stand which is an integral part of a musical instrument, to be read by the musician during performance or practice.

The pages have to be turned, backwards or forwards, often at awkward points in the musical phrasing, so disrupting the musician's concentration, timing and continuity. In addition, the paper of the musical scores deteriorates with age and usage, in particular, single sheet music loses its rigidity and is prone to collapse during performance, especially when the pages are being turned. Also, a problem with paper musical scores is that two pages can be turned over at the same time.

According to the present invention there is provided a computer controlled electroninc music display unit comprising an electronic slim-line display screen, a central processor unit connected to either a disk drive or a C.D. Rom, and a control box for forwarding and reversing the music. The unit is powered by electricity, mains supply and/or batteries. The unit can be self-contained and portable, or built into a music stand, or built into a musical instrument as an integral part of that instrument.

specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective the electronic slim-line display screen with the drive system and the control box; Figure 2 shows in perspective a free standing music stand incorporating the invention; Figure 3 shows in perspective a keyboard incorporating the invention; Figure 4 shows in perspective a keyboard incorporating the invention, with in particular, the electronic slim-line display screen being incorporated into the keyboard lid;; Referring to the drawing the unit comprises an electronic slimline display screen 10 connected by an interface cable 11 to the central processor unit 12 which in turn is connected to the keyboard control 13 by the keyboard cable 14 the whole unit being powered by electricity through the mains electricity supply cable 15, or batteries built into the central processor unit 12.

Music is stored on dedicated floppy disks, hard disks, or C.D. The music is displayed on the electronic slim-line display screen 10, with page changes effected by the use of the keyboard control 13. Minimum controls on the keyboard control 13 will be page turn forward, page turn backwards, rapid page search forwards, rapid page search backwards, and a speed control where the software has been written to allow the music to appear on the screen as a continuous scroll so eliminating the need to turn pages.

The keyboard control 13 can be either hand operated or foot operated, dependent on the type of instrument being played.

Three adaptations of the basic invention are shown at Figure 2, where the unit is built into a music stand, Figure 3 where the unit is built into an electronic keyboard, and at Figure 4 where the unit is built into an electronic keyboard with the electronic slim-line display screen as an integral part of the electronic keyboard lid.

Claims

1. A computer controlled electronic music display unit comprising an electronic slim-line display screen, a central processor unit connected to either a disk drive or a C.D. Rom, and a control box for forwarding and reversing the music. The unit is powered by electricity.

2. A computer controlled electronic music display unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the unit can be fully portable and placed on a free-standing music stand or onto a music stand which is an integral part of a musical instrument.

3. A computer controlled electronic music display unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the unit can be built into a portable music stand.

4. A computer controlled electronic music display unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the unit can be built into an electronic keyboard with the electronic slim-line display screen not only replacing the normal music stand, but also acting as a music stand for traditional paper music if required. The electronic slim-line display screen would be hinged to allow it to fold flat on top of the keyboard when not in use.

5. A computer controlled electronic music display unit as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the electronic slim-line display screen is incorporated into the electronic keyboard lid. which can also act as a music stand for traditional paper music if required.

6. An extension of the unit built into the portable music stand, as claimed in Claim 3, where all the units can be linked to a master central processor unit under the control of a conductor for use with orchestras, bands and other musical ensembles.