GB2354873A

GB2354873A - Displaying information for musicians and other performers

Info

Publication number: GB2354873A
Application number: GB0012256A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wit James Peter De; Wit Jane Patricia De
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-05-24
Filing date: 2000-05-19
Publication date: 2001-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-19
Also published as: GB9912062D0; GB2354873B; GB0012256D0

Abstract

Apparatus (16) for displaying information, which is portable, and comprises a housing (18), a display screen (20), memory means for receiving information to be stored and subsequently displayed on the display screen. The apparatus further comprises connection means for releasably connecting the information display apparatus to a support such that the information display apparatus can be mounted on and demounted from the support. The information is that required by a person giving a live or recorded performance or presentation, or practising to give such a performance or presentation.

Description

1 2354873 APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING INFORMATION This invention relates to

apparatus for displaying information. The information is of a type that is required by a person giving a live or recorded performance or presentation, or practising to give such a performance or presentation. Thus, for example, the information may be music to be read by a musician, notes for a television presenter broadcasting from an incident scene, or words from a play to help an actor learn his part in the play.

Persons giving a live or recorded performance or presentation, or practising to give such a performance or presentation, often require information to be displayed. This is especially so with musicians. Musicians such as jazz musicians playing in clubs or like establishments with low levels of background lighting often find difficulty in reading their music. In addition, it is often inconvenient to have to turn over cards or sheets of music.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for displaying information, which apparatus is portable, and which apparatus comprises a housing, a display screen, 2 memory means for receiving information to be stored and subsequently displayed on the display screen, and connection means for releasably connecting the information display apparatus to support means such that the information display apparatus can be mounted on and demounted from the support means, and the information being that required by a person giving a live or recorded performance or presentation, or practising to give such a performance or presentation.

Because the apparatus is portable, it can easily be taken by the person to a venue and then easily and conveniently used at the venue. For example, a jazz musician can easily take the apparatus to a club and can then use the apparatus to read the music as required during a live presentation to an audience.

Depending upon the type of information to be displayed, the information may be included in the memory means at the time of sale of the apparatus, or alternatively the information may be input by the person using the apparatus.

The apparatus will normally include input means for inputting the information. Any suitable and appropriate type of input means may be employed. Thus, for example, the input means may be an input means f or enabling the information to be down-loaded from other apparatus.

3 The connection means may comprise a first connection device for connection to the housing, and a second connection device for connection to the support means.

The first connection device may be a spring biased releasable connection device. Other types of first connection device may be employed so that, for example, the first connection device may be a screw threaded clamp device.

The first connection device is preferably located in a recessed portion in the housing.

The second connection device may be a prong, or a screw threaded releasable connection device. The screw threaded releasable connection device is preferably a screw threaded clamp. Other types of second connection devices may be employed so that, for example, the second connection device may be a spring biased releasable connection device.

Generally, any suitable and appropriate first and second types of connection devices may be employed. Also generally the first connection device may be a releasable or permanent type of fixture. Similarly, the second connection device may be a releasable or a permanent type of fixture.

Preferably, the first and the second connection devices are connected together by an elongate body. The 4 elongate body may be a cranked body. The elongate body may be of any suitable and appropriate shape and size.

The information displayed on the display screen may be displayed in a page by page mode, or in a scroll mode. The apparatus of the invention may include illumination means for illuminating the display screen in order to ensure that the information is easily seen at low levels of ambient light. Preferably, the illumination means is such that it automatically turns on and of f in dependence upon the light level of the ambient light. An appropriate light sensor can cause the illumination means automatically to turn on and off. if the illumination means does not operate automatically, then a simple manually-operated on/off switch may be employed.

The housing is preferably a plastics moulding housing which surrounds the display screen. The housing may be of any suitable shape and size. Any suitable and appropriate type of plastics material may be employed.

The memory means may be any suitable and appropriate type of memory means. The memory means may be a microprocessor.

The connection means may be a lyre.

The apparatus of the present invention may include the support means. The support means may be a musical instrument if the information to be displayed is music to be read. In some instances, for example where the musical instrument being played is a flute, the connection means may be a strap for being buckled around support means in the form of a player's wrist.

The support means may be a stand, for example a microphone stand, or any other suitable and appropriate type of support.

Usually, the apparatus of the invention wi 11 be battery operated. If desired however the apparatus may be a mains operated, or both battery and mains operated.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a f ront view of a known lyre, the lyre forming connection means for connecting card or sheet music on to support means in the form of a musical instrument known as a saxophone; Figure 2 is a side view of the lyre shown in Figure Figure 3 is a front view of f irst apparatus of the present invention; Figure 4 is a side view of the first apparatus shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of part of the first apparatus shown in Figures 3 and 4; 6 Figure 6 is an underneath view of the part of the apparatus shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a front view of the first apparatus of the present invention, and including with the support means in the form of a saxophone; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of second apparatus of the present invention, with the support means being a saxophone.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a known lyre 2. The lyre 2 is adapted to be releasably secured to support means in the form of a musical instrument by way of an appropriate connection. The connection may be manufactured as an integral part of the musical instrument or, alternatively, the connection may be manufactured as an integral part of the lyre 2. When the connection is an integral part of the lyre 2, then the lyre 2 can be releasably secured to an appropriate part of the musical instrument. In the case of a flute, the lyre 2 may be fixed to a strap buckled around a player's left wrist.

The lyre 2 comprises a manually operated spring biased card-retaining part 4. The card-retaining part 4 comprises a spring 6 which biases a jaw 8 to a closed position against a back support 10. The jaw 8 is opened against pressure of the spring 6 by pressing on a portion 12. The card- retaining part 4 is thus able to 7 retain a miniature score on a card. The card-retaining part 4 is normally capable of holding five or six miniature score cards simultaneously. A player selects the card which he or she wishes to view, and places it in front of the bundle of cards. The lyre 2 is designed to hold the miniaturised musical score on the cards in such a position that the player of the musical instrument can read the score, and simultaneously have freedom of movement whilst playing the musical instrument, as for example whilst marching in a marching band. When the player performs in a static position, the lyre 2 may be used as a convenient alternative to a conventional music stand. The lyre 2 includes a f lanked body portion 14 for connecting to an appropriate connection device on the musical instrument.

The lyre 2 is not entirely satisfactory in that the score cards retained in the card-retaining part 4 have to be changed over every so of ten as required by the musician. Still further, in dark environments such for example as night clubs, the level of ambient lighting is often low and this makes it difficult for the musician to read the music on the cards.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown first apparatus 16 of the present invention. The apparatus 16 includes the lyre 2 and thus similar parts as in Figures I and 2 have been given the same reference 8 numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In addition to the lyre 2, the apparatus 16 includes a housing 18 having a display screen 20. Contained within the housing is memory means 22 for receiving information to be stored and subsequently displayed on the display screen 20. The housing also contains battery terminals (not shown) and one or more batteries. The lyre 2 forms connection means for releasably connecting the apparatus 16 to support means in the form of a musical instrument such for example as a saxophone. The connection is such that the apparatus 16 can be mounted on and demounted from the support means as required. The information is that required by a person giving a live or recorded performance or presentation, or practising to give such a performance or presentation.

The apparatus 2 may be sold such that the memory means 22 contains the information. Alternatively, the information may be input into the memory means 22 by the musician, or by another person such as the Director of a music ensemble, where it is intended to use several examples of the apparatus simultaneously in a performance or presentation. Appropriate input means 24 may be provided for inputting information into the memory means 22 of the apparatus 16.

As mentioned above, the lyre 2 forms the connection means 2. As can be appreciated f rom Figures 3 and 4, 9 the connection means 2 has a f irst connection device in the form of the card-retaining part 4 for connection to the housing 18. The connection means 2 has a second connection device in the form of the lower part 26 of the body part 14 for connection to the support means in the form of the saxophone musical instrument.

As can best be appreciated f rom Figures 3, 5 and 6 the first connection device in the form of the cardretaining part 4 locates in a recessed portion 28 in the housing 18.

The information in the apparatus 16 may be displayed on the display screen 20 in a page by page mode by activating a button 30. The information may alternatively be displayed on the display screen 20 in a scroll mode by operating button 32.

The apparatus 16 includes illuminating means (not shown) for illuminating the display screen 20 in order to ensure that the information is easily seen at low levels of ambient light. The illumination means is operated by an on/off button 34.

As can be seen from Figures 1 and 5, the housing 18 is such that it surrounds the display screen 20. The housing 18 is a plastics moulded housing.

Figure 7 shows the apparatus 16 connected to support means in the form of a saxophone 36. The saxophone 36 has a screw threaded clamp connection device 38 which has a bore for receiving the lower part 26 of the body part 14. The lower part 26 is in the form of a prong and it is tightened in the bore by tightening a finger/thumb screw 40.

Referring now to Figure 8, there is shown second apparatus 42 which has a housing 18 and its various devices as for the apparatus 16. The body part 14 in the apparatus 16 is replaced by a body part 44 which is slightly differently shaped to the body part 14. The body part 44 is permanently connected by first connection means 46 to the housing 18. The body part 44 is releasably connected by second connection means 48 to the saxophone 36. The second connection means 48 is a clamp device which f its over a rim So of the saxophone 56 and is held in place by tightening a finger/thumb screw 52.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, instead of employing the on/off button 34 to operate the light source for the display screen 20, a sensor (not shown) may be employed to automatically cause the light source to come on and of f in dependence upon ambient light levels. Also, if desired, the apparatus 16, 42 can be mounted on other musical instruments, or it can be mounted on a flute player's wrist using an appropriate strap. Still further, the apparatus 16, 42 can be mounted on other types of support means which are not musical instruments if the information in the memory means is another type of information, for example notes by a television presenter broadcasting from an incident scene.

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Claims

1. Apparatus for displaying information, which apparatus is portable, and which apparatus comprises a housing, a display screen, memory means for receiving information to be stored and subsequently displayed on the display screen, and connection means for releasably connecting the information display apparatus to support means such that the information display apparatus can be mounted on and demounted from the support means, and the information being that required by a person giving a live or recorded performance or presentation, or practising to give such a performance or presentation.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the memory means includes the information.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 and including input means for inputting the information.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the connection means comprises a first connection device for connection to the housing, and a second connection device for connection to the support means.

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5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the f irst connection device is a spring biased releasable connection device.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the f irst connection device is located in a recessed portion in the housing.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 6 in which the second connection device is a prong, or a screw threaded releasable connection device.

B. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the screw threaded releasable connection device is a screw threaded clamp.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 8 in which the first and the second connection devices are connected together by an elongate body.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the elongate body is a cranked body.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the information displayed on the display 14 screen is displayed in a page by page mode or in a scroll mode.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including illumination means for illuminating the display screen in order to ensure that the information is easily seen at low levels of ambient light.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the illumination means is such that it automatically turns on and of f in dependence upon the light level of the ambient light.

14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the housing is a plastics moulded housing which surrounds the display screen.

15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the connection means is a lyre.

16, Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including the support means.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 in which the support means is a musical instrument.

is

18. Apparatus according to claim 16 in which the support means is a stand.

19. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and which is battery operated.

20. Apparatus for displaying information, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 3 - 8 of the accompanying drawings.