US3692389A

US3692389A - Visual effects for music

Info

Publication number: US3692389A
Application number: US154346A
Authority: US
Inventors: Selden Levy; Stuart Grant; Vincent Coryell; Fred Diamond
Original assignee: Disc O Lite Corp Inc
Current assignee: Disc O Lite Corp Inc
Priority date: 1971-06-18
Filing date: 1971-06-18
Publication date: 1972-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-19

Abstract

Method and apparatus for accentuating beats in a musical arrangement. A continuous loop of film is prepared containing sequential sets of different images. A predetermined number of the images is projected for no more than one-third of a second ensuring that there is a discrete image change within one-sixth of a second of the time of occurrence of a beat.

Description

[ Sept. 19,1972

[54] VISUAL EFFECTS FOR MUSIC [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Inventors: Selden Levy, New York, NY.

10023; Stuart Grant, Baldwin, N.Y.

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[2]] Appl. No.1 154,346

Primary Examiner-Louis R. Prince Rem"! pp Assistant Examiner-Joseph W. Roskos [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 878,140, Nov. Attorney-Peter Berger 19, l969, abandoned. ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for accentuating beats in a [52] US. Cl.

353/ musical arrangement. A continuous loop of film is .G03b 31/06 .352/12-15, l, 5, 352/31, 85; 353/15, 16, l9;240/3.1, 10.1

51 Prepared mainin8 sequential different images. A predetermined number of the images is projected for no more than one-third of a second ensuring that there is a discrete image change within one-sixth of a second of the time of occurrence of a beat.

[58] Field of 9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures II l2 l3 l4 l5 l6 l7 l8 I9 2| 22 23 24 loss DEDDCSIIIDIZDD m m m n m a n w m U m m m m mBLKm EB Km. m m m :AM u

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SHEET 2 OF 2 Selden Levy Stuart Grunt Vincent Coryell Fred Diamond Attorney:

VISUAL EFFECTS FOR MUSIC This application is a continuation-in-part of US. Ser. No. 878,140 filed Nov. 19, I969 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Our invention relates generally to audio-visual effects and, more particularly, to visual effects for musical arrangements.

With the advent of rock-and-roll and, more recently, hard rock, light shows have become increasingly utilized to add to the emotional experience of the music. Such light shows are produced by using complex and expensive electronic equipment, such as strobe lights and other visual display means synchronized with the music. As a result, light shows can only be enjoyed at discotheques where the cost of the expensive equipment can be borne.

In addition to the visual effects commonly used with present day music, more conventional musical arrangements having predetermined tempos can be even further appreciated with visual effects which emphasize or reinforce the tempo. Included among such musical arrangements are the conventional Latin rhythms, such as the rhumba, mambo, merengue, and cha-cha as well as the foxtrot, waltz, etc. Unfortunately, prior apparatus is designed exclusively for rock-and-roll, and other afficiendos go wanting.

An object of the present invention is to provide a light show for use with musical arrangements having tempos.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a continuous light show in which sets of sequences of visual images are projected.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such visual effects relatively inexpensively.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for producing such effects which may conveniently be used in the home.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide such visual effects which will enhance the presentation of any musical arrangement having a tempo.

Still another object of this invention is to provide such visual effects which can be projected on any reflective surface.

Otherobjects, advantages, and features of this invention will become more apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the above objects are accomplished by providing a method of accentuating beats in a musical arrangement having a tempo, the method comprising the steps of preparing a motion picture film having sequential sets of different images and projecting a predetermined number of said sets for a duration of no greater than one-third of a second. It has been found that by changing from one image to another within one-sixth of a second of the time of occurrence of a beat, the effect of the beat is significantly enhanced.

In a preferred embodiment of our invention, a continuous loop of film is provided which contains the sequential sets of different images. Each of the sets comprises a plurality of substantially identical frames with each of the sets being different from adjacent sets. The film is capable of being run on a standard 8 millimeter home projector which can project 24 frames :1 second. When the beats occur within one-sixth of a second (four frames) ofthe time ofchange of an image, the musical beats appear to be accentuated, which enhances the presentation of the entire musical arrangement, the accentuation increasing as the percentage of beats falling within this time duration increases.

The sets of images are arranged on the film such that the continuous loop of film can be started or stopped at any point with the same effect being substantially achieved. The images change in timed relation to dominant or sub-dominant beats, such as the upor downbeat.

As another embodiment of our invention, the additional sequential sets of images may overlap each other with multiple changes of images occurring simultaneously. In addition, the time interval for which successive images are projected may progressively increase or decrease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a pictorial view of a segment of a continuous loop of film plotted on a time basis with respect to the occurrence of beats in a musical arrangement.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a projection system for use with our invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Musical arrangements with a tempo have predetermined beats in the musical arrangement. Most conven tional popular music is of the two-quarter, threequarter, four-quarter or six-eight time, which means that there are a predetermined number of beats in each measure. For instance, in the three-quarter time, there are 3 beats per measure. Contemporary music, such as rock, is generally formed of an uneven time signature, such as five-quarter time, which means there are 5 evenly spaced beats per measure.

Each musical arrangement can be played at varying speeds, such as allegro largo, presto, etc. These terms relate to the basic real time frame of reference for the tempo, and for each instrument, the number of beats or distinct and' discrete notes or sounds obtainable varies. For a base fiddle, the number of possible beats per minute that can be heard is much less than that obtainable for a base guitar. Similarly, a percussion instrument is capable of producing a large number of beats per minute, depending on the drummer. Although we are aware of no standard maximum number of beats per minute, it is true that most musical arrangements do not contain portions in excess of 252 beats per minute. Generally, the conventional range is from to 144 beats per minute.

Such beats are obtained in many different ways depending on the instruments used. For a percussion instrument, each distinct beat is clear, while for a horn instrument a beat can comprise a rest between two discrete horn sounds.

It has been found that presentation of visual images can significantly enhance the effect of the presentation of the musical piece, if the music is accentuated. Specifically, with musical arrangements having a tempo, as described above, including predetermined beats, visual effects which accentuate the beats significantly enhance the impact of the music. It has been found that when there is a discrete image change within approximately oneesixth of a second of the time of occurrence of the beat, the beat is significantly accentuated, while the accentuation seems to diminish as the time dif ferential between the beat and image change increases.

Accordingly, and in accordance with the principles of our invention, we provide a method and apparatus for accentuating the beats in a musical arrangement by preparing a motion picture film to contain sequential sets of different images which change discretely, and by projecting a predetermined number of the images for no more than one-third of a second, we ensure that the image change so projected will occur within approximately one-sixth of a second of the time of occurrence of a beat. This follows from the fact that if an image is projected for no more than one-third of a second and a number of the projected images last for that period, there will be sufficient correlation between the changing images and beats in the music to significantly enhance its presentation. As the number of beats which fall within the one-sixth of a second time interval of the change of an image increases, the accentuation of the musical arrangement increases.

In accordance with a feature of our invention, we prepare a continuous loop ofv film to contain the sequential sets of different images. Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a portion of the motion picture film 60 having sprocket wheels 62 along the edges thereof, the strip including frames 1 48 plotted against a time base graph representation of a number of sequential beats which occur within the time represented by the 48 frames. In order to enable the motion picture film to be used in the home, the film loop can be made for an 8 millimeter film projector which projects 24 frames a second. Thus, the time of projection represented by the portion of the film shown in FIG. 1 is 2 seconds. For purposes of illustration,

there are seven beats shown which would represent.

three beats a second or 180 beats per minute, which is relatively fast. Of course, if the beat rate is slower, the number of beats per second would also be less.

The motion picture film contains sequential sets of different images, represented by letters. In actual practice, each frame includes an image, not a letter, but for purposes of explanation, the film is shown with the letters A W. The letter A appears on the frames 1 4, letter B on frames 10, letter C on frames ll 18, letter D on frames 19 22, letter E on frames 23 25, letter F on frames 26 40, letter G on frames 4l 46, and letter H begins on frame 47. Most of these frames will be projected for less than a third of a second which would be eight frames. Therefore, the image change is much more rapid than the frequency of the beat, although it has been found that those image changes occurring closest to the beats are noticed, while the others seem to pass without such special attention.

Beat 63 occurs at one-sixth of a second before the change from image A to B at frame 5; beat 64 occurs one-eight of a second after the change from image A to image B and one-eighth of a second before the change from image B to C at frame 11; beat 65 occurs fivetwenty-fourths of a second after the image change from B to C and one-eighth of a second before the image change from C to D at frame 19; beat 66 occurs fivetwenty-fourths of a second after the image change from C to D and one-twenty-fourth of a second after the image change from D to E at frame 23 and one-twelfth of a second before the image change from E to F at frame 26; beat 67 occurs one-fourth of a second after the image change from E to F; beat 68 occurs onetwenty-fourth of a second before the image change from F to G at frame 41 and seven-twenty-fourths of a second before the image change from G to H at frame 47; and beat 69 occurs one-twenty-fourth of a second after the image change from G to H. Where the beat occurs within one-sixth of a second of more than one image change, the image change closest to the time of occurrence of the beat will be more significantly sensed than will the other image changes.

The length of time the images are projected progressively increases and decreases, in particular, image A lasts four frames, image B lasts six frames, image C lasts eight frames, image D lasts four frames, and image E lasts three frames. If the frequency of the beats were significantly less so that only beats 63, 66 and 68 were to occur, for instance, the correlation indicated above between the time of occurrence and the nearest change of an image would still be valid, while the other changing images would not accentuate the beat, and therefore not be noticed as greatly.

In order to enhance the visual presentation, a plurality of images may be simultaneously projected. This is accomplished by double and triple exposing of the frames of the film strip, so that multiple images simultaneously appear. Referring again to FIG. 1, this multiple image presentation is illustrated again by way of letters rather than actual images. The letter J is placed on

frames

1 and 2, while the letter K appears on each of the frames 1 through 7. On

frames

1 and 2, letters J and K overlap, while on

frames

3 and 4, letters A and K are apart. Letter B commences at frame 5 as does letter K. Letter L is placed on frames 6 through l0 and appears with letters B and K in frames 6 and 7, with letter B in frame 8 and with letter M in

frames

9 and 10, letter M appearing on frames 9 through 14. As illustrated in frames 9 through 11, letters L and M appear one on top of the other. Letter N appears on frames 19 through 24, and letter 0 appears on

frames

19 and 20 overlapped with letters D and N. The above description with regard to letters I through N is also applicable for the letter symbols used in frames 25 through 48 particularly letters P through W.

By varying the position of the projected image, that is by causing it to jump, further accentuation is achieved. By changing the projected color background in the frames, still additional accentuation can be realized.

While the arrangement of characters on each frame may be projected in a variety of ways, such as by passing slides through a projector, it has been found that a continuous film loop is advantageous. To that end, frames 1 through 48 form a portion of a continuous film loop 70 having the plurality of sprocket holes 62 disposed on opposite side edges of the film strip.

Referring to FIG. 2, the film is projected with a projector 72 comprising a housing 74 resting upon a base 73. The film is driven by means of sprocket wheels 76 connected to a drive motor 77, the sprocket wheels engaging the sprocket holes 62. The film is carried in front of a light source 78, which projects the characters on the frame appearing in front of a lens 80. The

characters are projected through a front window 82 onto a screen 84. Standard 8, standard 16, and super 8 millimeter projectors may be utilized which pass 24 frames per second in front of the light source 78. Once the projector is turned on, the continuous loop of film will continue moving in front of light source 78 thereby causing a continuing series of changing images to be projected on screen 84.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides both a method and apparatus for the production of inexpensive and continuous visual effects to accompany a musical arrangement. The visual effects may enhance the audio for all types of music including not only mod music but more standard types. Further, by providing a continuous film for producing the visual effects, a broad segment of the society may easily utilize the present invention by merely providing a standard projector and a suitable projection surface. For purposes of convenience, the continuous loop of film may be housed in a cassette adapted to be easily inserted and attached to a standard projector.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained. While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is apparent that other modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. In this sense, the above embodiment illustrates the principles of the present invention and should not be construed in a limiting sense. The invention should be accorded its full scope of the protection to which it is entitled by reason of this patent application.

We claim:

1. A method of accentuating beats in a musical arrangement having a tempo, said method comprising the steps of preparing a motion picture film having frames to contain sequential sets of different images, each of said sets comprising a plurality of substantially identical frames, each of said sets being different from adjacent sets, and projecting a predetermined number of sets of sequential images for a time duration of no greater than one-third of a second whereby a discrete image change occurs within approximately one-sixth of a second of the time of occurrence ofa beat.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein a majority of said sets of different images are projected for no greater than one-third of a second.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1, including the additional step of forming a continuous loop of film containing said sequential sets of different images.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3, including the additional step of projecting successive ones of said sequential sets of different images for progressively increasing time durations.

5. A method as set forth in claim 3, including the additional step of preparing said continuous loop of film to contain multiple images on frames of said motion picture film to be simultaneously projected.

6. Apparatus for accentuating beats in a musical arrangement having a tempo, said apparatus comprising a continuous loop of film having a plurality of frames, sequential sets of different images being contained on said frames, each of said sets com rising a plurality of substantially identical frames, eac of said sets being different from adjacent sets, a predetermined number of said sets of different images being placed on a predetermined number of frames such that said predetermined number of sets of different images are projected for no greater than one-third ofa second.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein 24 frames a second are projected and said predetermined number of frames is no greater than eight.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said frames include multiple images.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said predetermined number of said sets of different images is more than a majority of all the different images on said continuous loop of film.

Claims

1. A method of accentuating beats in a musical arrangement having a tempo, said method comprising the steps of preparing a motion picture film having frames to contain sequential sets of different images, each of said sets comprising a plurality of substantially identical frames, each of said sets being different from adjacent sets, and projecting a predetermined number of sets of sequential images for a time duration of no greater than onethird of a second whereby a discrete image change occurs within approximately one-sixth of a second of the time of occurrence of a beat.

6. Apparatus for accentuating beats in a musical arrangement having a tempo, said apparatus comprising a continuous loop of film having a plurality of frames, sequential sets of different images being contained on said frames, each of said sets comprising a plurality of substantially identical frames, each of said sets being different from adjacent sets, a predetermined number of said sets of different images being placed on a predetermined number of frames such that said predetermined number of sets of different images are projected for no greater than one-third of a second.