WO1994014156A1 - Systeme electronique de musique - Google Patents

Systeme electronique de musique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1994014156A1
WO1994014156A1 PCT/US1993/003029 US9303029W WO9414156A1 WO 1994014156 A1 WO1994014156 A1 WO 1994014156A1 US 9303029 W US9303029 W US 9303029W WO 9414156 A1 WO9414156 A1 WO 9414156A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
instrument
event
transducer
strings
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1993/003029
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Nathanial Weiss
Jonathan Grayson
Franz Turczynsk
Original Assignee
Lyrrus Incorporated
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lyrrus Incorporated filed Critical Lyrrus Incorporated
Publication of WO1994014156A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994014156A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B15/00—Teaching music
    • G09B15/001—Boards or like means for providing an indication of chords
    • G09B15/002—Electrically operated systems
    • G09B15/003—Electrically operated systems with indication of the keys or strings to be played on instruments
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D3/00—Details of, or accessories for, stringed musical instruments, e.g. slide-bars
    • G10D3/10—Strings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H1/00—Details of electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/0008—Associated control or indicating means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2210/00—Aspects or methods of musical processing having intrinsic musical character, i.e. involving musical theory or musical parameters or relying on musical knowledge, as applied in electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2210/031—Musical analysis, i.e. isolation, extraction or identification of musical elements or musical parameters from a raw acoustic signal or from an encoded audio signal
    • G10H2210/091—Musical analysis, i.e. isolation, extraction or identification of musical elements or musical parameters from a raw acoustic signal or from an encoded audio signal for performance evaluation, i.e. judging, grading or scoring the musical qualities or faithfulness of a performance, e.g. with respect to pitch, tempo or other timings of a reference performance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/091—Graphical user interface [GUI] specifically adapted for electrophonic musical instruments, e.g. interactive musical displays, musical instrument icons or menus; Details of user interactions therewith
    • G10H2220/101—Graphical user interface [GUI] specifically adapted for electrophonic musical instruments, e.g. interactive musical displays, musical instrument icons or menus; Details of user interactions therewith for graphical creation, edition or control of musical data or parameters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/135—Musical aspects of games or videogames; Musical instrument-shaped game input interfaces
    • G10H2220/141—Games on or about music, i.e. based on musical knowledge, e.g. musical multimedia quizzes

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electronic music systems. More particularly, this invention relates to 5 music systems in which an electronic signal is generated in response to the playing of a stringed instrument, such as a guitar. This invention also relates to a computer- based interactive music system which may be used as an aid in practicing or learning how to play a musical instrument 10 such as a guitar. This invention further relates to an apparatus for securing a transducer to a stringed instrument such as a guitar.
  • certain systems such as keyboard systems may use key actuated switch closures to generate signals representing musical information.
  • the input device is not in fact a traditional musical instrument but is a keyboard which directly
  • 25 provides computer-usable data outputs and simulates a keyboard instrument.
  • the MIDI interface is designed to enable the coupling and coordination of a large number of instruments and computers.
  • the MIDI protocol is an effort to provide a standard interface between instruments and computers, so that any MIDI instrument can be coupled to any MIDI computer.
  • the MIDI protocol includes certain features which render it extremely difficult to make a converter which provides a MIDI output from a real guitar, and any modification of the protocol to facilitate the interchange of data between a guitar and a computer would remove the protocol from standard MIDI.
  • MIDI devices are synchronized by a common system timing clock, such as a sequencer or a drum machine.
  • MIDI messages include "Note On", which when *' 4 transmitted includes the key number or other frequency
  • MIDI data when a note, particularly a low note, is struck.
  • MIDI systems are typically essentially synthesizers where the instrument being played is merely a controller and the sound which is created is synthesized
  • the music system of the preferred present invention includes three primary subsystems: a transducer system adapted to be easily and detachably coupled to any standard guitar, which provides electronic output signals responsive to the playing of the guitar; an interface system for receiving transducer output signals and processing them to produce computer-usable output signals responsive to the playing of the guitar; and a computer system for receiving signals from the interface system and for generating audio and/or video outputs suitable for assisting a musician in practicing or learning to play the guitar.
  • these subsystems are physically separate and coupled by communication channels in the preferred embodiment described herein, they may also be combined.
  • a novel protocol is provided for interchanging data between the interface system and the computer system.
  • data is transmitted from the interface system to the computer system to indicate that a string has been struck as soon as such an event occurs.
  • other information such as frequency information is not transmitted at that time; rather, the event data is associated with identifying data such as by time-stamping, i.e. data representing the time of an event is transmitted with data representing the nature of the event.
  • identifying data such as time stamp data identifying the event to which the further data relates.
  • the computer system may associate data received at different times regarding a single event.
  • operation of the computer system may be controlled in response to control signals generated at the transducer.
  • an apparatus for securing a transducer assembly to a stringed instrument such as a guitar providing a housing for containing the transducer, a mounting member including means such as a suction cup for detachably securing the assembly to a generally planar surface of the instrument, preferably without marring the surface, and at least one coupling member having one end joined to the housing and another end joined to the mounting member.
  • the apparatus is articulated by joints which permit the transducer housing to be urged into one of a number of stable positions (including one position along a continuum of stable positions) relative to the mounting member so that the housing containing the transducer can be aligned and properly positioned over the strings of a wide variety of stringed instruments.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the primary elements of the music system of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is an illustration of a transducer assembly in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a side view of the transducer assembly shown in Figure 2.
  • Figure 4 is an electrical schematic diagram of the transducer assembly and of certain parts of the interface system.
  • Figure 5 shows apparatus for aiding in properly positioning the transducer with respect to the strings of an instrument.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a method and apparatus for rendering nylon or other non-ferromagnetic strings suitable for use with the transducer of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the interface system of the present invention.
  • Figure 8 is a more detailed schematic diagram of the analog circuitry of the interface system shown in Figure 7.
  • Figure 9 is a schematic diagram generally illustrating the operation of the interface system of the present invention.
  • Figure 10 is a more detailed schematic diagram illustrating certain aspects of the operation of the interface system of the present invention.
  • Figure 11 illustrates amplitude calibration and strike detection in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating communication between the interface system and the computer system of the present invention.
  • Figures 13-19 illustrate graphic displays associated with operating the system of the present invention.
  • Figure 20 is a block diagram illustrating generally the principal components of a computer system.
  • Figure 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating the general features of the apparatus for detachably securing the transducer.
  • Figure 22 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for detachably securing a transducer of the present invention.
  • Figure 23 is an elevation of the apparatus of Figure 22.
  • Figure 24 is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 22 as mounted to a guitar.
  • Figure 25 is a cross-section of the apparatus taken along the lines 25-25 of Figure 23.
  • Figure 26 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a mounting member of the present invention.
  • Figure 27 illustrates a crank used in the apparatus of Figures 22-24.
  • Figures 28a and 28b are front and side elevations, respectively, of a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figures 29a and 29b are front and side elevations, respectively, of a third embodiment of the invention.
  • Figures 30a and 30b are front and side elevations, respectively, of a fourth embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates schematically the general features of the electronic music system of the present invention.
  • the system includes a guitar 10, partially shown, including a body 12 and strings 14 which are secured to body 12.
  • a guitar is shown and is expected to be the primary instrument used with the present invention, it will be understood that the invention may be used with other string instruments, particularly instruments having frets, or other types of instruments.
  • a transducer system or assembly 16 is mounted to guitar body 12 and provides electrical outputs responsive to the vibrations of the guitar strings 14. Desirably, transducer assembly 16 is adapted to be used with any type of commercially available guitar 10.
  • transducer assembly 16 is desirably constructed so as to be easily and quickly mounted to a guitar without any modification to the guitar when use of a computer system is desired, and easily and quickly detached from the guitar to return it to its original state. Although it is preferred that transducer assembly 16 is detachably securable to an instrument, it will be understood that in certain circumstances a manufacturer or musician will desire to more permanently secure such a transducer to an instrument, and the other aspects of this invention are fully applicable to such instruments.
  • Analog electrical signals generated by transducer 16 are coupled to interface system 20 by communication channel 18.
  • communication channel 18 comprises a standard cable assembly such as a multi-conductor telephone cable assembly.
  • Interface system 20 comprises circuitry for receiving output signals from transducer 16 and generating responsive digital signals in a predetermined data format suitable for input to a computer.
  • the system of the invention further includes a computer system 24, shown in more detail in the block diagram of Figure 20, including a central processing unit or CPU 2, memory preferably including removable non ⁇ volatile memory 4 such as a magnetic disk, input/output devices and ports, and similar components of a standard computer system.
  • the preferred computer system 24 is an Apple Macintosh computer system, because of its wide commercial availability and good graphics and audio capabilities, but other commercially available devices such as PC-type computers or the NintendoTM entertainment system may also be used.
  • Computer 24 comprises a video display output 26 such as a CRT and an audio output 5 such as a speaker for output of information to the user.
  • Computer system 24 includes a port 8 through which CPU 2 is coupled to interface system 20 by a communication channel 22 for transmitting data between the interface system and the computer system.
  • Communication channel 22 may desirably be a standard data communication channel such as a serial channel employing an RS-232 cable coupled to RS-232 ports on computer system 24 and interface system 20.
  • the MIDI interface in contrast, requires a special MIDI port not generally provided in computer systems.
  • Computer system 24 receives data representing the playing of the guitar from communication channel 22, and is programmed to operate on such data to provide an interactive teaching or practicing system.
  • Computer system may generate audio and/or video outputs for such teaching or practicing, such as outputs representing a note, scale, chord, or composition to be played by the user, and outputs representing what was actually played by the user.
  • Computer system 24 may be operable in a variety of modes to assist the user in setting up the system and practicing or learning music, and may generate outputs informing the user of the current mode of operation and changes thereto which may be effected by the user.
  • the transducer assembly 16 is coupled to computer system 24 by flexible cables, to permit the musician to move while playing the guitar.
  • Interface system 20 may be adapted to be worn by the musician such as by being clipped on the musician's belt, or it may be placed near computer system 24, as desired. It will be understood that interface system 20 is preferably provided as a separate physical unit, and this is because of the weight and bulk which a unit attached to the guitar would require if the functions of the interface system were incorporated into such a unit, but incorporating the transducer and interface functions in a single unit may be feasible.
  • transducer assembly 16 includes switches 28. These switches provide means for generating transducer output signals to communication channel 18 which may be used to control the program flow and operation of computer system 24. To this end, interface system 20 transmits data corresponding to such transducer output signals to computer 24 over communication channel 22 upon receipt of such signals. This permits the user to control program flow from the location of the guitar, eliminating the need for the user to go to a keyboard or a mouse to do so. Desirably, the functions effected by actuating switches 28 are varied under program control by computer 24 so that a few switches may perform a wide variety of functions which may be varied depending on context.
  • computer 24 desirably outputs video display information indicating what function will be effected by actuation of the switches at the time. Because the music generating instrument of the present invention is a real instrument such as a guitar, the musician receives acoustic feedback to hear what he is playing directly from the guitar. Since most MIDI instruments are synthesizer controllers, no direct acoustic feedback is available and such feedback must be synthesized by the computer.
  • FIGS 2 and 3 show a transducer assembly 16 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is an illustration of transducer assembly 16, in the same orientation as shown in Figure 1
  • Figure 3 is a side view of the transducer assembly of Figure 2 including a partial cross section taken along the lines 3-3 in Figure 2.
  • Transducer 16 comprises a housing 30 to which the remaining components are directly or indirectly mounted. Housing 30 may be a molded plastic shell or the like. Mounted within housing 30 are a plurality of ferromagnetic coils 50-60 functioning as transducers or pickups, although other means producing an analog electrical output signal responsive to string movement may be used as transducers.
  • One coil is provided for each string of the musical instrument; for a six- string guitar having six strings 14, six ferromagnetic coils 50-60 are provided. Such coils may be standard pickups of the sort typically used with electric guitars.
  • the coils 50-60 are spaced from one another at about the standard spacing of guitar strings so that one coil will be positioned adjacent each string when the transducer assembly 16 is mounted to a guitar 10.
  • standard guitar string spacing varies depending on the type of guitar, it has been found that a single spacing at the mean of the minimum and maximum traditional spacings will position the ferromagnetic coils sufficiently accurately to enable detection with any such guitar string spacing.
  • Standard guitar string spacing (E-E) ranges from 2.03 inches to 2.25 inches, or about .41 to about .45 inches between adjacent strings.
  • coils 50-60 are desirably and as shown mounted in fixed positions, in a generally linear orientation, at a substantially uniform spacing along such a line of orientation. It will be understood that the coils may also be mounted by means permitting mechanical adjustment of the coil spacing, to permit the spacing to be adjusted to correspond to the string spacing of a particular guitar, although this is not believed generally to be necessary. It will also be understood that the coils may not be oriented in a line perpendicular to the strings; for instance, with coils having diameters larger than the string spacing, it may be necessary to mount the coils in a staggered fashion or in a line which is not perpendicular to the strings. What is important is the spacing along a line of orientation perpendicular to the strings, and this spacing is desirably uniform in the ranges stated above.
  • Ferromagnetic coils 50-60 are desirable mounted to printed circuit board 62 so as to facilitate connection of the coils to other circuitry.
  • the coils are desirably electrically arranged so that one conductor is common to all coils, and one line is dedicated to the output of each coil.
  • Transducer assembly 16 includes means for detachably securing the transducer assembly to guitar 10 so that the ferromagnetic coils are spaced adjacent the strings of the instrument, preferably in the region of the bridge of the instrument.
  • Such a mounting means desirably does not require any marring, defacing, or modification to the guitar in order to mount the transducer assembly 16.
  • the preferred embodiment of such mounting means includes a plurality of suction cups 34, 36, and 38 which are mounted to the transducer assembly and adapted to be detachably secured by suction to the surface of guitar body 12. It has been determined that by making the position of one of such suction cups 38 adjustable, between the positions as shown, the transducer assembly may be secured to a wide variety of commercially available guitars without interfering with the strings or other portions of such guitars. It is highly desirable that the transducer be mounted to the guitar in a way which does not require any permanent modification, such as drilling of holes in the guitar. Suction cups are preferred, but other means for such mounting may be employed, such as a belt or strap attached to the transducer and adapted to be placed around the guitar body, or mounting in the same manner as the guitar strings are attached to the guitar body.
  • the transducer assembly 16 of the present invention includes means for adjusting the height of the coils 50-60 so that the coil-string spacing may be optimized.
  • the preferred means for adjusting the coil- string spacing comprises an adjustable length post 64 mounted to transducer assembly 20 adjacent the coils.
  • Post 64 may include a pair of cooperatively engaged threaded members, and as shown includes a post 61 having an externally threaded portion engaging an internally threaded member 63 mounted to housing 30. Other well known means for adjusting height may also be used.
  • Post 64 bears against the surface of guitar body 12 ' in order to establish the height of the housing 30 with respect to guitar body 12 and, therefore, the spacing between coils 50-60 and strings 14.
  • Post 64 is desirably mounted to housing 30 so that it may be placed between the two middle strings (D and G) of the guitar.
  • a line 32 may be provided in housing 30 to provide a visual indication of the location of post 64 which may be visually aligned with the space between the middle strings.
  • it may be provided with a thumbwheel 65.
  • transducer assembly 16 For certain guitar bridge configurations, such as the Floyd Rose bridge, it may be necessary or desirable to provide an opening in the bottom of transducer assembly 16 to avoid mechanical interference with the bridge while permitting the coils to be positioned close to the strings. Other mechanical configurations may also be used to provide such mounting.
  • transducer coils 50-50 above strings 14 is preferred because of the variability among guitars in the spacing of strings 14 from guitar body 12. However, it would also be possible to dispose the coils 50-60 between strings 14 and guitar body 12, and such mounting may be preferable for a permanently mounted transducer assembly.
  • transducer assembly 20 may be provided with other means for adjusting the coil-spring spacing, such as means for adjusting the position of the coil assembly within housing 30.
  • transducer assembly 16 includes switch means for generating signals for controlling the operation of the computer.
  • the interface system includes means for detecting switch actuation and transmitting corresponding data to the computer system, more fully described later.
  • a switch block 28 comprising four switches 42, 44, 46, and 48 is provided. These switches are placed so that they may be easily accessed and operated by the fingers of the guitarist without removing his hand from the instrument. Switches 42-48 may be of any suitable type.
  • a connector 40 having a plurality of conductors is provided for connecting a communication channel 18 such as a telephone cable to the transducer assembly.
  • Connector 40 provides an input/output port at the transducer for interchanging information over communication channel 18 with interface system 20.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical operation of certain portions of transducer 16 and interface 20.
  • communication channel 18 comprise a standard cable assembly, and an 8-conductor telephone cable is particularly preferred because of availability.
  • 8-conductor cable places constraints on the use of the conductors of the cable.
  • One conductor 70 may be used as a common or ground line.
  • six additional lines 74-84 may be used, each coupled to the active or non-grounded end of a different ferromagnetic coil.
  • Interface system 20 comprises a source of voltage V. This voltage source is coupled to conductor 72 through a resistor 86. One terminal of each of switches 42-48 is coupled to the common or ground potential on conductor 70. The other terminal of each of switches 42-48 is coupled to conductor 72 through one of the resistors 88-94, respectively. Resistors 88-94 are chosen to have different values.
  • the voltage V fi of conductor 72 equals V, and this condition may be detected by an A/D converter in the interface unit 20.
  • the corresponding resistor is coupled into the circuit and forms a voltage divider with resistor 86, rendering V Q different than the open circuit voltage V.
  • V Q By monitoring voltage V Q , a switch closure on the switch block may be detected.
  • the voltage V render may be made to unambiguously represent the switch closure condition of the switch block. It will be understood that a similar scheme may be utilized with more or less than four switches.
  • switches 42-48 may generate detectable control signals of other types or in other ways.
  • the resistors may be configured differently, or other voltage or current signal generating means may be used, or D.C. signals may be coupled to coil output lines, or A.C. signals may be coupled to output lines.
  • Transducer assembly 16 may desirably include amplification for signals generated by the coils.
  • the preferred embodiment of transducer assembly 16 therefore includes six amplifier circuits, one for each of the coils 50-60, one such circuit being shown in Figure 4.
  • the circuit includes an amplifier 67, which may be a type LM324 amplifier, which is connected as an inverting amplifier.
  • a regulator 95 such as a type LM 78L05 may be coupled to line 72 to provide a regulated output supply. Use of such a regulator requires that the voltage supplied from interface system 20 be maintained above a certain minimum to permit operation of the regulator.
  • Amplifier 67 may be powered from the regulated supply or directly from conductor 72. DC bias is supplied to the positive input of amplifier 67 by a divider network consisting of resistors 87 and 99.
  • One of the coils 50-60 is coupled to the negative input of amplifier 67 through coupling capacitor 71 and input resistor 73.
  • the gain of the amplifier may be selected by positioning switch 105 to couple in one of the feedback resistors 101, 103, or 85.
  • These feedback resistors may desirably establish gains of, for instance, one, ten, and one hundred for use with electric guitars, steel string acoustic guitars, and nylon string acoustic guitars, respectively.
  • the gain of the amplifier circuit may also be made continuously adjustable, or adjustable under control of signals transmitted to transducer assembly 16 from interface system 20.
  • the output 69 from each of the six amplifiers circuits coupled to coils 50-60 is coupled to one of the six separate conductors 74-84 of the communication channel coupling transducer 16 and interface system 20.
  • Figure 4 also shows an additional switch 98 in series with LED 96 and resistor 93 coupled between common conductor 70 and the regulated supply.
  • Switch 98 and LED 96 provide a convenient means for optimally setting the height of the ferromagnetic coils with respect to the strings, as shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 5.
  • a pair of wires 100,102 may be disposed so as to be capable of being bridged by one or more of the strings 14.
  • wires 100,102 are disposed perpendicularly to and parallel to the plane of guitar strings 14, and as shown in Figure 3, parallel to and spaced from ferromagnetic coils 50-60.
  • Wires 100 and 102 form normally open switch 98 as shown in Figure 4. This structure may be used to aid in optimally set the height of the transducer assembly 16 as follows.
  • transducer assembly 16 When transducer assembly 16 is initially placed on guitar 10, the wires 100,102 may be assumed not to be in contact with any of the strings 14. The height of adjustable post 64 may then be adjusted so as to move the ferromagnetic coils toward the strings 14. When wires 100,102 reach a predetermined height so as to contact any of the strings 14, assuming the strings 14 are conductive, the switch 98 will be closed and current flows through LED 96 to illuminate it. Accordingly, the illumination of LED 96 serves as an indication that wires 100,102 are in contact with strings 14. The height of transducer assembly 16 may then be raised by a predetermined amount by any convenient means, such as effecting a predetermined number of turns of a screw-mounted adjustable post 64.
  • the predetermined coil-string distance should be set so that the coils are as close as possible to the strings without the possibility of the strings contacting the coils during vigorous playing. It should be noted that if the coil height is set too close to the strings, string contact with wires 100, 102 during playing will cause illumination of LED 96 to indicate the error condition. Also, closure of switch 98 creates a change in voltage V Q due to the current supplied to LED 96, and this voltage condition may be detected by interface system 20 to generate a data signal representing string contact.
  • Setting the coil-string spacing may also be accomplished in an interactive process under control of software in computer system 24.
  • Computer system 24 may receive data from interface system 20 based on the strength of the signals output by the transducer assembly 16, and may display information such as an image of coils and strings to assist the user in adjusting the spacing.
  • the present invention is desirable for the present invention to be usable with any ordinary commercially available guitar, whether electric or acoustic, and regardless of the type of strings used on the guitar.
  • Many guitars employ steel strings, whose movements may be directly detected by the ferromagnetic coils to generate a voltage output signal related to the movement of the strings.
  • other types of guitar strings particularly nylon strings, are not ferromagnetic and thus their movement will not be detected by a ferromagnetic coil.
  • Applicant has discovered that such guitar strings may be provided with ferromagnetic properties so that they may be detected by typical ferromagnetic pickup coils.
  • Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of one of the strings 14 of the guitar, which may be assumed to be a nylon or other non-ferromagnetic material.
  • ferromagnetic material 104 may be affixed to the string to render its movement detectable by a ferromagnetic coil. Such ferromagnetic material 104 need only be applied to the string locally, in the vicinity of the ferromagnetic coil. In the preferred embodiment, the ferromagnetic material is applied to the string by painting the string .with a fluid containing ferromagnetic material.
  • nickel print which comprises a suspension of nickel particles in a solvent and is used for such applications as repairing printed circuit traces.
  • ferromagnetic material to the strings may also render them locally conductive, so that the previously-described string contact detection system may be used with nylon or other non-conductive strings.
  • material 104 may comprise a foil of ferromagnetic material which is wrapped around and adhered to the strings, or it may comprise a ferromagnetic wire which is helically wound around the string. It may even be possible to introduce ferromagnetic material into the bulk of the string, such as by ion implantation.
  • the outputs of the ferromagnetic coils are low- level analog signals, generally voltage signals whose amplitude and frequency is related to the amplitude and frequency of movement of the adjacent string. Such signals are not well suited for direct input to a computer system. Accordingly, interface system 20 is provided in order to generate computer-compatible data signals representing pertinent information relating to the playing of the guitar.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the preferred embodiment of interface system 20.
  • Interface system 20 functions as a signal processor which comprises an analog section 130 coupled at input 142 to communication channel 18, to receive low level analog signals from transducer assembly 16.
  • the outputs of the analog circuitry 130 are coupled to a microprocessor 110, which generates digital signals at a data output 144 suitable for coupling to a computer system 24.
  • Microprocessor system 110 is coupled to a memory 120 including EPROM 124 for storage of operating programs and RAM 122 for storage of results of computations. Alternatively, of course, programs could be downloaded from computer system 24 into RAM 122, and EPROM 124 could be omitted.
  • Microprocessor 110 is desirably implemented using a type 80C196KB processing chip, because it includes an on board A/D converter, which is useful for processing amplitude information and, an on board high speed input block, which is useful for extracting frequency information.
  • this chip may include A/D convertor 112, high speed input block 118 and processing block 114 of microprocessor 110.
  • Serial port transmitter 116 may be implemented using a type AD 232 device.
  • Analog circuitry generally shown in block 130 is duplicated for each of the 6 active ferromagnetic coil outputs. Each section of analog circuitry has an input adapted to be coupled to one of the active coil output conductors 74-84 of communication channel 18. Input 142 is coupled to the input of an amplifier 132, or gain stage, which produces an amplified and low-impedance output signal suitable for further processing. Further processing takes place in two parallel paths. In one path, the output of amplifier 132 is coupled to the input of a filter 134. The output of filter 134 is coupled to the input of A/D converter 112 of microprocessor 110. The filtered signal provided by filter 134 provides detectable information which may be used to determine the envelope of the wave and the associated dynamics. In this way, processor 114 coupled to A/D convertor 112 may determine when the musician has started or stopped playing a string. Generally, the first signal path comprising filter 134 provides amplitude information regarding the playing of the instrument such as string strike events and power out events.
  • the second signal path includes filter 136, automatic gain control (AGC) block 138 and comparator 140, coupled in series .
  • This second path is used to provide information regarding the frequency of movement to the string.
  • the output of amplifier 132 is coupled to the input of filter 136 which operates to eliminate the bulk of the harmonic content of the input, leaving principally the fundamental frequency.
  • the output of filter 136 is coupled to the input of AGC circuit 138, which applies automatic gain control and generates an output of substantially constant amplitude despite variations in the input amplitude.
  • the output of AGC circuit 138 is coupled to the input of comparator 140.
  • Comparator 140 provides an output square wave at the frequency of the fundamental frequency of the input wave received at input 142.
  • the square wave output of comparator 140 is coupled to processor 114 via high speed input block 118.
  • a high speed input block 118 in microprocessor 110 is highly desirable for quickly and accurately extracting frequency information from the output of comparator 140.
  • the high speed input block stores the time of an event, such as the edge of an input wave, with the time resolution of the processor clock. This gives an extremely good resolution, e.g. 80 nanoseconds, without requiring interrupts which might create software bottlenecks.
  • processor 114 receives amplitude information and frequency information relating to the movement of the guitar strings. Processing block 114 processes this information and transmits data representing the string movement via serial port transmitter 116 and communication channel 22 to computer system 24, as described more fully hereinafter.
  • analog circuitry 130 It is believed that construction of appropriate analog circuit elements as shown in analog circuitry 130 is well within the ordinary skill in the art. While many circuits implementing the specified or equivalent functions may be employed, the preferred circuitry is shown in the schematic diagram of Figure 8.
  • Figure 8 shows circuit blocks based on amplifiers 300, 318, 330, 336, and 350 which implement the functions shown in Figure 7 as blocks 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140, respectively.
  • These amplifiers may be type LM324 operational amplifiers.
  • the amplifiers may desirably be operated from a single supply potential, and an intermediate common voltage for input biasing may be generated by resistor 356 and voltage regulator 358, although other equivalent biasing means may be employed.
  • Input 142 coupled to one of the coil output conductors 74-84, is coupled to an input of amplifier 300 through coupling capacitor 302 and input resistor 304.
  • Feedback resistor 306 establishes the gain of the amplifier.
  • the amplifier output 308 is coupled to the input of a two pole low pass active filter comprising amplifier 318, resistors 310 and 312, and capacitors 314 and 316.
  • the output 320 of the filter is coupled to A/D convertor 112, for extraction of information regarding the amplitude of the fundamental frequency present.
  • Amplifier output 308 is also coupled to another similar two pole low pass active filter comprising amplifier 330, resistors 322 and 324, and capacitors 326 and 328.
  • the active filter output 332 is coupled to an AGC amplifier based on amplifier 336.
  • the amplifier provides a high gain established by input resistor 334 and feedback resistor 338.
  • diodes 342 and 344 become conductive, which couples in feedback resistor 340 to reduce the gain of the circuit.
  • the circuit provides a substantially constant output level at output 341, for all signals present at input 332 greater than a threshold amount, by providing dynamically variable gain.
  • Output 341 of the AGC amplifier is coupled to the input of a high gain amplifier comprising amplifier 350 and resistors 348 and 352 functioning as a comparator to provide high amplitude square wave output signals at 354, having the frequency of the fundamental frequency of the signal at input 142, for input to high speed input block 118.
  • analog circuitry for six coil inputs may have an identical structure to that shown in Figure 8, component values desirably will be different in each of the six circuits, to establish different gains and filter cutoff frequencies appropriate for each of the six strings.
  • microprocessor 130 Operation of microprocessor 130 to perform the functions described herein is controlled by a program stored in EPROM 124. Operation of the microprocessor 110 may be in one of a plurality of modes selected by signals transmitted from computer 24 via communication channel 22.
  • Figure 9 illustrates the principal features of the software controlling operation of the interface system. The system of the preferred embodiment has three principal modes of operation which are accessed via a main menu. These modes are the calibrate mode 152 ("CAL”), the tune mode 156 (“TUNE”), and the listen mode 154 (“LISN”), which are entered after serial port initialization in block 160.
  • CAL calibrate mode 152
  • TUNE tune mode 156
  • LSN listen mode 154
  • the interface system calibrates itself to the guitar to which it is coupled. Calibration is performed in the calibrate mode with respect to two variables, amplitude calibration and frequency calibration. Amplitude calibration is performed in order to set threshold input signal amplitudes which when crossed are interpreted as playing events such as "strikes" and "power outs". -In amplitude calibration, a string or strings to be calibrated is struck, and the maximum signal amplitude produced is determined in processing block 114 on the basis of information received from A/D converter 112. The strike threshold level T vinegar. for a particular string is computed in block 114 to be between the maximum amplitude thus detected and a noise threshold amplitude, for instance 60% of the maximum amplitude, and is stored in memory 120.
  • a lower threshold T ⁇ Li indicative of "power out” is also computed in block 114 and stored in memory 120, for instance 10% of the maximum amplitude, and when the signal level falls below the power out threshold, that condition is considered a termination of the note being played.
  • Amplitude calibration is performed at the time a calibrating strike is made. By performing such amplitude calibration, the interface system of the present invention can establish appropriate signal amplitude thresholds to account for variations in guitars, the positioning of the ferromagnetic coils with respect to guitar strings, and like variables. Such amplitude calibration may be done interactively by user prompts generated by computer system 24.
  • an intermediate threshold is also established to account for conditions often encountered in guitar playing.
  • a second note may be struck on a given string before the amplitude of the first note has fallen below the power out threshold. If falling below the power out threshold is required to reset the strike detection function and enable detection of a subsequent strike, then such second notes may fail to be detected.
  • a third threshold level T culinary is established intermediate in amplitude between the strike threshold and power out threshold. An input signal falling below the intermediate threshold resets the strike detection function so that subsequent excursions of the signal level above the strike threshold will be detected as further strikes.
  • the intermediate threshold is dynamically updated automatically and repeatedly on a continuing basis in accordance with the signal amplitude in a time interval preceding each update, such as the amplitude of the most recent strike or strikes.
  • the intermediate threshold M may be set at 40% of the amplitude of the most recent strike(s). In this way the interface system may detect strikes which rapidly occur before preceding strikes have died away, regardless of changes in note amplitude which may occur during the playing of a song.
  • Figure 11 is a graph of amplitude versus time showing the amplitude calibration and strike detection of the present invention.
  • the curve indicated represents the amplitude characteristics of two notes struck in quick succession on the same string.
  • the amplitude exceeds strike threshold T réelle at time t, which causes transmission of data representing the strike of the first note.
  • strike threshold T Cei At time t_ when the amplitude falls below the intermediate threshold T fur, the function of transmitting strike information upon exceeded T fur is reset. This occurs at time t and data representing this second strike is transmitted.
  • the amplitude falls below power out threshold T. at time t . and data representing a power out event is transmitted. Without the use of the intermediate threshold T M w , however, the second strike would not be detected since the strike function would not be reset until time t..
  • a string to be calibrated to is struck, and frequency of the open string is determined in processing block 114 in accordance with frequency data obtained through the second path of the analog circuitry.
  • Data is stored representing the frequency of each open string, so that the initial tuning (or mistuning) of the guitar is established. Since for each string the frequency generated when it is played at a particular fret is established by the string's open frequency and the fret geometry, the frequency calibration data permits the subsequent determination of which fret is being played on any string of the guitar.
  • Calibration data comprising frequencies and corresponding frets for each string is desirably implemented as a look-up table computed by processing block 114 on the basis of the open string frequencies and stored in memory 120. Stored frequency data may be compared by processing block 114 with frequency data responsive to transducer assembly 16 to generate and transmit data representing the strings and frets of the guitar which are being played.
  • interface system 20 In the TUNE mode of operation (block 156), interface system 20 repeatedly transmits data to computer system 24 over communication channel 22 representing the instantaneous frequency of the string being played.
  • the computer 24 may display data representing the correctness of the tuning, such as an image of a tuning meter, to assist the guitarist in properly tuning the guitar.
  • the guitarist may cause the system to enter the calibrate or tune mode at any desired time by pressing the appropriate buttons on transducer assembly 16. Since the guitar tuning may change during a playing session, whether accidently or on purpose, the guitarist may enter the calibrate mode at any time to recalibrate the interface system 20 to the present tuning. If at any time the guitarist wishes to correct the tuning, he may enter the tune mode to assist in tuning the guitar as desired.
  • an important advantage of the present invention over the MIDI system is that the computer system and the interface system are designed to work together in the context of inputs from real guitars, and the novel communication protocol of the present invention avoids the limitations of the MIDI protocol which render it undesirable for use with guitars.
  • the protocol of the present invention does not require transmission of frequency data simultaneous with strike information; rather, the occurrence of an event causes immediate transmission of data indicating that an event has occurred and data identifying the event, such as a time stamp. Information relating to the event, such a frequency data, may be transmitted later with identification data permitting the later data to be associated with the previously transmitted event data.
  • TYMIN 1 f_ *** ****j TYMIN h [ ** ****j TSTRK Message#/Header [ ⁇ 000 0100] $04 String* .
  • a STRIKE packet includes data representing the string on which the strike occurred (string #) and time stamp data identifying the event by the time at which the strike occurred (low and high TYMIN bytes). Such data may be generated by a clock provided in microprocessor 110.
  • a FRET packet includes frequency data including the string number which was struck and the fret number (fret #) being played on that string, as well as time stamp data.
  • the power out packet PWOUT includes string number data and time data relating to the time of the power out event on that string.
  • Packets sent in the tuning mode include a tuning strike packet TSTRK, containing string and time data when a string is struck during tuning; tuning frequency packet TFREQ, containing frequency data for the string which was struck; and a tuning power out TPOUT packet indicating power out of a string which was struck during tuning.
  • a packet BUTT identifying the pressing of a button includes data representing which button was pressed and the time which it was pressed.
  • Messages which may ' be exchanged between the interface system and the computer system include MENU, LISN, TUNE, and TEST messages to coordinate the operation of these components in those modes.
  • the interface system may also send an NMIN message indicating that a new minute has occurred on its internal clock, and an ERROR message upon the occurrence of an error condition.
  • the computer system may send VAL and INV messages to indicate that packets received from the interface system are valid or invalid.
  • the primary mode of operation of interface system 20 is the listen or LISN mode set forth in block 154. Operation of the system in the listen mode is detailed in the flow chart of Figure 10, which also shows several interrupt and auxiliary routines utilized in the listen as well as other modes.
  • the basic interface system architecture includes interrupt-driven routines, main level routines, and auxiliary routines.
  • the interrupt routines include ADService routine 178, which determines the amplitude or signal strength of the signal being received from a string and its associated coil. By comparison with stored data representing amplitude thresholds, as previously described, the occurrence of a "strike” or "power out” event may be detected.
  • the ServiceClock routine 180 comprises an on-board event clock. This clock is used to time stamp events as they occur, by associating data representing the time of an event with data representing the nature of an event. This permits, among other things, analysis of the temporal accuracy of the musician's playing. Desirably, this clock has resolution on the order of hundredths of a second.
  • Getpds routine 182 is a routine for determining the period, and therefore the frequency, of a string being played. As has been previously described, such information enables the determination of which fret is being played on a particular string.
  • the period of the input signal to the high speed input block may be counted in clock cycles.
  • a predetermined number of periods may be required to occur sequentially with period times within a predetermined tolerance in order to consider the frequency data valid.
  • the processor may wait until four substantially identical periods have been received in a row to provide transmittable frequency data. While the delays caused by such a frequency detection scheme are generally not objectionable in the learning and practicing environment for which the present invention is intended, various techniques may be used to improve the speed of frequency data acquisition. For instance, the number of periods required to obtain valid data may vary from string to string.
  • CheckPalette routine 184 is a routine used to poll signals received from the control buttons 42-48 of transducer 16. This routine determines if any of the buttons have been pushed, and if so, identifies them.
  • the main level flow chart in Figure 10 illustrates the operation of the listen routine entered at step 162.
  • step 164 all variables are initialized.
  • step 166 the string number is updated to correspond to the guitar string being evaluated in the current loop, and steps 168-176 are performed for that string.
  • step 168 the signal strength is evaluated and compared with predetermined strike thresholds and power out thresholds, in accordance with ADService routine 178. A data packet representing a strike will be transmitted if the signal strength has exceeded the predetermined strike threshold, and a data packet indicating a power out will be transmitted if the signal strength has fallen below a predetermined threshold after a strike.
  • step 170 the fret number being played is determined based upon the Getpds routine 182.
  • GetButtons step 172 the routine checks to see if the CheckPalette routine has returned a switch closure indicating that a button has been pressed. If so, a data packet representing the pressing of a button will be transmitted.
  • System check step 174 performs an overall system check to determine whether everything is properly functioning. This check includes whether communication is still intact between interface system 16 and computer 24, and whether any of the memory has overflowed.
  • UART Control step 176 is responsible for all communication between interface system 16 and computer 24. In this step, all data packets representing conditions determined in the listen loop are transmitted to computer 24 in accordance with a predetermined data protocol.
  • Cachein auxiliary routine 186 stores packets that are detected while passing through the loop into a memory cache for transmission during UART Control step 176.
  • Another auxiliary routine, D&EGetpd enables and disables the interrupts that are triggered by an input wave. This routine is provided to speed up processing of input signals. For instance, striking one string may directly or indirectly induce a signal in a coil adjacent a nearby string.
  • This signal may.be amplified sufficiently to be detected in the frequency determining branch of interface system circuitry, but it wastes time to determine this frequency when it does not represent a real playing event. Therefore, the period computation routine is disabled for a given string unless the amplitude detection means indicates that a strike has been made on that string.
  • computer- processable data may be generated relating to the playing of a guitar or other string musical instrument.
  • a computer receiving such data may provide a software-based interactive learning program for a musician, to improve the musician's skills and music knowledge.
  • computer 24 may be programmed to provide an intelligent and interactive system for teaching and improving the skills of a musician.
  • the program of computer 24 desirably provides the musician with the ability to practice with the computer as the computer provides feedback to the musician; suggests exercises to the musician based on the specific skills which have been or ought to be learned; and presents context-sensitive music theory to the musician to effectively teach the musician in accordance with the musician's level of skill and previous learning.
  • Such interactive teaching and practicing is primarily effected through generation of graphic or visual outputs and of audio outputs by computer 24.
  • FIG 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the computer system 24 and the interface system 20 in accordance with the protocol of the present invention.
  • the interface system 20 communicates with computer system 24 through one of three protocols: CAL, TUNE, and LISN. These may be layer two protocols available in the preferred Macintosh computer. These protocols carry data specific to the functions which the computer system is to perform in a current mode. For instance, in tuning mode 382, " data transmitted in the TUNE protocol 380 would include frequency data which would be converted for display in block 388 and displayed to an end user 406 by a graphic user interface 390. In the calibrate mode 386, data transferred in the CAL protocol 384 would include data regarding calibration commencement, completion, and error.
  • data transferred in the LISN protocol 392 includes string strikes, frets, and power outs.
  • Computer system 24 may operate in three modes in accordance with LISN protocol. These are COMPARE mode 396, GUESS mode 408, and RECORD mode 410.
  • COMPARE mode 396 input data from the guitar is compared with data created by a chord generator 398, data created by a scale generator 400, or a played structure 402 such as an exercise stored in memory or data representing music played by the user. Based on the results of the comparison, an output is generated in block 388 and displayed on graphic user interface 390.
  • a GUESS mode 408 attempts to determine what the user intended to play when what was actually played does not correspond to stored data, such as an intended chord when a played chord does not correspond with known chords stored in memory.
  • the COMPARE mode may be used to compare any two data structures representing musical information, such as any played structure and any library structure stored in memory which may include recorded structure 412 and structures generated by the chord and scale generators.
  • input data from the guitar is stored in memory, such as on a disk, either as it was input or after processing.
  • COMPARE, GUESS and RECORD modes are used in the five main program areas, Discovery, Practice, Apply, Evaluate, and Perform, described below.
  • FIG. 13 A representation of the graphic output of the computer to be displayed on display 26, such as a CRT, is shown in Figure 13.
  • This display contains a variety of types of information. As shown in Figure 13, such information includes a text or other icon 200 identifying the active area of the program. It further includes a main display area 204 providing information to assist the musician in navigating or selecting available program options, a display of information relating to music which has been played by the musician, or a display of information comprising instructions to the musician as to music theory generally or specific exercises to be performed by the student.
  • the graphic display also includes information regarding the buttons 42-48 of transducer 16.
  • this information consists of a graphic representation 218-224 of the buttons 42-48, which may inform the musician by appropriate text information as to the function which will be performed by pressing the buttons.
  • the functions performed by the buttons can be changed during program execution to suit the requirements of particular portions of the program, and by viewing the display 26 the musician is informed of the action which will be taken by pressing a particular button at that time.
  • the musician can take such action from the transducer by pressing the appropriate button without the need to remove the hands from the guitar and go to a computer keyboard.
  • Other means such as menus may be used to represent the action which will be taken by pressing the buttons.
  • the preferred embodiment of the software operating computer 24 comprises a modular architecture, with each program area designed to strengthen a specific skill of a musician using the system.
  • five program areas of the preferred system are identified in the main display area 204.
  • Each of the program areas 208- 216 shown is supported by links into a music theory stack stored in memory.
  • the music theory stack comprises a set of data which is used to analyze inputs and generate outputs pertinent to the practicing or instruction being performed.
  • the discover module 208 produces output information relating to the basic foundations and building blocks of music, and relates them to the guitar. Such foundations and building blocks include notes, chords, scales, and arpeggios.
  • Figure 14 illustrates a display which may generated_upon actuating the discover program area 208.
  • Display area 200 shows that the discover program is active.
  • the display area 204 contains information relating to a selected chord. This information includes an identification 232 of which chord is being played, as shown an A Major chord in the root position.
  • the main display area 204 includes a graphic representation 230 of a guitar neck, showing fret numbers along the left side of the display and string identifications along the bottom of the display.
  • the representation includes indicia 238 illustrating which fingers are to be placed on which strings at which frets in order to play the selected chord.
  • the main display area also includes a representation 234 of a staff showing the notes comprising the selected chord. Also, indicia 236 indicate the root string and fret position for the selected chord.
  • buttons 220 and 224 By actuating button 220, the display is revised to show other inversions of the selected chord.
  • Button 224 causes the system to return to the main menu illustrated in Figure 13. If the musician plays a chord, data will be transmitted to computer 24 corresponding to the strings and frets played. The software can then evaluate the chord played, compare it with the selected chord, and display information indicating whether the chord was properly played.
  • a display of the scale corresponding to the selected chord is generated, as shown in Figure 15.
  • This display includes a staff having the notes of the selected scale indicated thereon (240).
  • an audio output is generated corresponding to the selected scale.
  • Which scale is being displayed can be changed by actuating button 218.
  • Actuating button 222 in the state shown in Figure 15 causes generation of the fingerboard display shown in Figure 16.
  • This display comprises a graphic representation of the fingerboard of a guitar, with the fret numbers indicated at the bottom and the strings indicated at the right. At the appropriate strings and frets, indicia are provided to show the correct fingering used to play the selected scale.
  • the selected scale may be altered by actuation of button 218, and display may be returned to that of Figure 15 by actuating staff button 222.
  • a display which may be generated by selecting the practice icon 210 in Figure 13 to enter the practice program area is illustrated in Figure 17.
  • the practice area provides exercises designed to improve the musician's level of expertise in a particular skill or technique. Exercises may be selected in accordance with the progress and skill level of the musician, which may be modeled in the software. This model categorizes and classifies various areas of musical knowledge, and assigns an ability level to those classes based upon the performance of the musician.
  • the main area of the visual display includes a visual representation of the exercise to be played in the selected scale.
  • buttons 218, 218, the indicated music is played via the audio output of computer 24, so that the musician can hear the selected exercise.
  • Actuation of button 222 causes an evaluation of the musician's playing by comparing it with the displayed exercise. If the musician is " having difficulty with a particular part of the displayed exercise, button 220 may be actuated to move to a particular section of the music, so that it can be practiced. Actuation of button 224 will generate a visual display illustrating the keyboard and the fingerings appropriate for playing the specified exercise.
  • the apply program area made active by selecting icon_ 212 in the main display of Figure 13, is similar to the practice area previously described.
  • buttons representations 218-224 may be configured in the apply program area to operate as previously disclosed with respect to the practice program area, i.e. a play button to cause an audio output of the selected music, a move button to select a particular portion of the music, an evaluate button to compare the musician's playing with the selected music, and a fingerboard button to illustrate the guitar fingerboard and the appropriate fingering of the selected music.
  • the evaluate program area may be activated by selecting icon 214 in Figure 13.
  • This program evaluates the musician's progress in a specific area by testing the musician on the material covered to that point.
  • a graphic display of the musician's speed and accuracy in playing the test selections may be generated, as illustrated in Figure 16.
  • the perform program area is activated by selected icon 216 in Figure 13.
  • the perform program comprises a set of games which simulate a live performance by the musician. Such games provide an entertaining method to practice previously covered musical material.
  • Figure 19 illustrates the graphic display associated with one preferred game in accordance with the present invention.
  • the display comprises a representation of a guitarist upon a stage.
  • a set of objects, each of which displays indicia of a musical note, chord, scale, or the like, is represented as being thrown towards the musician on the stage. If the musician correctly plays the music associated with an object, it will vanish. Otherwise, the object will hit the representation of the guitarist.
  • the computer In a second preferred game in the perform program area, the computer generates a sequence of notes by audio and/or graphic display.
  • the musician is required to duplicate the sequence of notes generated played by the system.
  • a progression of sequences is desirably generated, each of which is more difficult that the previous sequence.
  • the game may be associated with graphic representations of hazards to be avoided by a player icon, which hazards are successfully avoided only if the musician correctly duplicates the sequences generated by the system.
  • the preferred protocol and interface system described herein need not be used to supply music data to an interactive computer system operating as described herein.
  • a computer system may, for instance, be used with an instrument providing a MIDI output, and will still provide the desirable interactive teaching and practicing functions described above.
  • memory media having different stored programs may be provided to the user for different teaching and practicing applications. For instance disks may be provided which have different exercises to be performed, music and information related to particular artists, songs, styles of playing, types of music, and the like. This enables the user to tailor the system to his skills and interests..
  • FIG 21 is a schematic drawing which shows the basic elements of a transducer mounting apparatus in accordance with the invention.
  • the apparatus includes a transducer assembly 603 which includes a transducer 609 and a transducer housing 608 in which transducer 609 is mounted.
  • the apparatus also includes means for detachably securing the transducer assembly 603 to a generally planar surface 601 of a stringed instrument and for adjustably positioning the transducer assembly 603 with respect to the instrument strings 602 so that the transducer 609 is appropriately positioned to respond to string vibrations when the apparatus is secured to surface 601.
  • the apparatus includes at least one mounting member 604 by which the apparatus may be detachably secured to a generally planar surface 601 of an instrument, preferably without marring the surface 601 or requiring any modification thereof to permit such detachable securement.
  • suction cups are the most preferred detachable securing means since they are inexpensive, provide adequate securing force, are detachably securable without marring, are easily repositioned, and will accommodate most if not all string instrument surfaces.
  • detachable securement means include certain adhesives which can be applied to a surface to mount an item, can be removed without marring the surface or leaving any substantial residue, and maintain their tack so that they may be reapplied to a surface. If modification of the instrument would be acceptable, a variety of known devices may be used to provide a detachably securable, adjustably positionable mounting.
  • a coupling member 605 joins transducer assembly 603 to mounting member 604.
  • the apparatus is articulated so as to permit relative movement between transducer assembly 603 and mounting member 604.
  • the apparatus may be articulated at the joint 606 between the coupling member 605 and the mounting member 604, at the joint 607 between coupling member 605 and transducer assembly 603, and/or intermediate these joints.
  • the articulation permits the transducer assembly 603 to be positioned so that the transducer 609 is in an appropriate position for detecting and responding to vibrations of strings 602 when mounting member(s) 604 are secured to the surface 601 of the instrument.
  • the articulation may permit relative movement between transducer assembly 603 and mounting member(s) 604 by translation, rotation, or both.
  • the articulated apparatus desirably permits easy adjustment of relative position in an adjusting mode, and inhibits adjustment of relative position in a mode suitable for playing the instrument.
  • the apparatus may be easily adjusted so that the transducer 609 may be properly positioned with respect to the strings 602 when the mounting member 604 is in a suitable position for mounting to the instrument surface 601, and after appropriately positioning the apparatus it may be effectively locked in place to rigidly locate the transducer 609 during playing of the instrument.
  • the joints by which the apparatus is articulated may include means for varying the friction between the joint members, so that there is relatively little friction in an adjusting mode and substantial friction in a playing mode.
  • the assembly desirably and as shown in Figure 21 includes a plurality of mounting members 604 and coupling members 605, so that one mounting member 604 may be disposed on surface 601 on each side of the set of strings 602 and the transducer assembly 603 straddles the strings 602, as shown in Figure 21.
  • the apparatus must permit the mounting members to be mounted with a separation of at least x.
  • Figure 22, 23, and 24 are pictorial views illustrating the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for detachably securing a transducer to a stringed instrument, and Figures 25, 26, and 27 are illustrations of portions of this preferred apparatus.
  • Figure 22 is a perspective illustration of the apparatus showing the bottom thereof, i.e. the portion which faces an instrument.
  • Figure 23 is a front elevation of the apparatus, viewed in the direction in which the strings of the instrument extend.
  • Figure 24 is a plan view of the apparatus as mounted to a guitar.
  • a transducer array 610 comprises ferromagnetic coils 612 as transducer elements. Typically one such transducer element is provided for each string of the instrument, and the apparatus of Figure 22 is suitable for use with six-string instruments such as guitars.
  • the transducer array 610 is mounted to housing 614.
  • a pair of mounting members 20a, 20b each includes detachable securement means in the form of suction cups 22a, 22b which are used to detachably secure the apparatus to a guitar or other stringed instrument so that the coils 612 of transducer array 610 may be positioned over the strings of the instrument.
  • Cranks 30a, 30b comprise coupling members and provide means for coupling the transducer housing 614 to the mounting members 20a, 20b.
  • Alignment marks 628 which may be stenciled on housing 614, provide a means for.visually aligning coils 612 over the strings, in the position shown in Figure 23.
  • Cable 632 couples the signals from coils 612 to an electronic system.
  • cranks 630 provide articulated coupling of housing 614 to mounting members 620.
  • Housing 614 is provided with journals for accommodating the pairs of cranks 630a and 630b. Each pair of cranks couples housing 614 to one of the mounting members 620a, 620b.
  • Cranks 630 are rotatable within the journals in housing 614, so that each mounting member 620 is moveable with respect to housing 614 in an arc, the length of the arc depending on the geometry of the cranks.
  • the journals also permit cranks 30 to slide in and out of housing 614, to allow mounting members 620a, 620b to be spaced closer together or further apart from each other.
  • the relative positions of mounting members 620a, 620b to each other and to housing 614 are highly adjustable.
  • Figures 25, 26, and 27 illustrate portions of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 22-24.
  • Figure 25 is a cross-section of the apparatus taken through the cranks 630a along the lines 65-65 in Figure 23.
  • housing 614 is preferably constructed with an upper portion 616 and a lower portion 618.
  • the upper and lower housing portions 616 and 618 may be secured together with screws 634 which pass through clearance holes in lower portion 618 and are threaded into upper portion 616.
  • the adjacent portions of upper housing member 616 and lower housing member 618 may be provided with opposing generally semi-cylindrical surfaces 646 and 648 having radii about the same as that of the cranks so as to form journals for receiving the cranks.
  • the surfaces 646 and 648 are sized and located so as to provide a small gap between upper housing portion 616 and lower housing portion 618 when the surfaces are in contact with the cranks 630a.
  • the screws 634 may be torqued to establish a desired amount of friction between cranks 630a and surfaces 646 and 648, which comprise an articulation corresponding to joint 67 of Figure 21.
  • Housing portions 616 and 618 may be constructed for instance out of molded plastic such as polycarbonate.
  • FIG 26 is a perspective view of the preferred mounting member 620.
  • Mounting member 620 includes a crank support 626 having a tapped hole 650 for receiving a friction-adjusting screw 652 at one end thereof and having a suction cup 622 secured to the other end thereof.
  • Crank support 626 has a pair of grooves 654 on a top surface 656, the grooves being deep enough to accommodate at least a portion of a segment of a crank 630.
  • the grooves 654 are the same distance apart as the distance between the journals in housing 619.
  • Friction-adjusting screw 680 comprises threaded portion 682 and a cap 660.
  • Cap 660 is at least as wide as the distance between grooves 654 so as to bear against the cranks 630 when the screw 652 is advanced into hole 650.
  • cap 660 is as wide as crank support 626.
  • Suction cup 622 may be attached to bottom surface 662 of crank support 626 by any suitable means, including glue or mechanical fastening means.
  • cranks 630 disposed in grooves 654 provide an articulated joint between the cranks 630 and mounting members 620, corresponding to the joint 606 of Figure 21.
  • friction-adjusting screw 652 By loosening friction-adjusting screw 652, the frictional resistance to rotation and translation exerted on cranks 630 is lessened, so that in this first range of position of friction-adjusting screw 652, the position of cranks 630 within grooves 654 may be adjusted.
  • cap 660 frictionally engages cranks 630 more strongly to secure them from rotating within or translating along grooves 654.
  • housing 614 By tightening friction- adjusting crews 652 of both mounting members, either before or after attaching suction cups 622 to the instrument, housing 614 is effectively locked into place, subject to "fine tuning" its position by overcoming the friction between the cranks and the journals in the housing and the mounting members.
  • each of the preferred cranks 630 has a first segment 670, a second segment 672, and a third segment 674, segments 670 and 674 functioning as shafts in the journaled joints.
  • Angle a is formed between segments 670 and 672 and angle b is formed between segments 672 and 674.
  • segment 670 is parallel to segment 674 (angles a and b are equal) and segments 670, 672, and 674 are coplanar.
  • Cranks 630 may be conveniently formed from aluminum welding rod of 3/32" diameter, although other materials are suitable. It is not essential that segments 670-674 be formed from a single rod; segments 670-674 may be separate members joined in any suitably permanent manner.
  • each segment 670-674 may have a different diameter and segment 672, which does not rotate within a journal, may have a ' square or other noncircular cross-section.
  • cranks 630a comprise a first pair of cranks and that cranks 630b comprise a second pair of cranks, the cranks of each pair having the same dimensions as each other but not necessarily the same dimensions as the cranks of the other pair.
  • the lengths of the crank segments may be selected in accordance with the dimensions of the stringed instrument to which the pickup is to be attached. It has been found that greater stability has been provided by the length of segment 672 is different in the crank pair 630a than in the crank pair 630b, although satisfactory results may be obtained when the length is the same in both crank pairs.
  • angles a and b be equal to each other so that crank segments 670 and 674 are parallel for a particular crank.
  • the apparatus is preferably mounted to an instrument with the mounting members displaced in opposite directions.
  • the mounting member 620b is displaced toward the bridge 642 and the mounting member 620a is displaced toward the fretboard 644, both with respect to the housing 614.
  • This provides increased stability in that it tends to resist housing movement toward the strings 62 which might occur in response to pressure exerted on housing 614 by a person's hand during playing of the instrument. The reason for this may be understood by comparison with a mounting arrangement with both mounting members displaced toward the same side of housing 614. That would permit each pair of cranks to "parallelogram" in the same direction, resisted only by the frictional forces in the journals opposing rotation.
  • the housing 614 may be provided with a rigid member disposed between the housing 614 and the instrument surface 601.
  • the preferred form of such a stop is shown in Figures 22 and 23.
  • a set of holes 636 is provided in the lower surface of housing 614 into which pegs 638 may be inserted.
  • pegs 638 may be cut or selected to the appropriate length for a given instrument.
  • pegs 638 might comprise a threaded portion of a screw which is advanced through a threaded hole in housing 614 to contact instrument surface 61 when the apparatus is* appropriately positioned.
  • cranks 630 at each end of housing 614 tends to maintain the housing 614 in the same plane (e.g. generally parallel to the instrument surface 601 during adjustment of its height. This is generally an advantage, although it will be understood that an apparatus constructed with a single crank at each end of housing 614 would permit adjustment of the plane of housing 614 in additional to height adjustment.
  • Figures 28a and 28b, 29a and 29b, and 30a and 30b show partial front and side elevations, respectively, of three other structures having the general properties shown in Figure 21.
  • Figures 28a and 28b schematically illustrate an alternative embodiment .of the apparatus of the present invention which is articulated by ball and socket joints.
  • a mounting member 700 is provided with socket 702, which is a socket portion of a conventional ball and socket joint.
  • Mounting member 700 also includes means 704, such as a suction cup, for detachably securing the apparatus to a substantially planar instrument surface.
  • Coupling member 706 includes balls 708, 710 each providing the ball portion of a conventional ball and socket joint.
  • Ball 708 mates with socket 702 of mounting member 700
  • ball 710 mates with socket 712 secured to transducer housing 714.
  • Each of the ball and socket joints provides a moderate amount of friction between the various moving parts, which is small enough to be overcome by a human operator grasping coupling member 706 or housing 714 to position the transducer in housing 714 over the strings of a stringed instrument, but large enough to maintain the alignment of the transducer over the strings once the transducer is positioned.
  • Ball and socket joints 702, 708 and 710, 712 provide an articulated means for positioning housing 714 in a continuum of stable positions relative to coupling member 706, and for positioning coupling member 706 in a continuum of stable positions relative to mounting member 700.
  • FIGS 29a and 29b show another alternative embodiment of the invention, using a different journal and bearing configuration than that of Figures 22-27.
  • Mounting member 720 and coupling member 722 are each provided with a hole at one end functioning as a journal for receiving fastening means 724 including a shaft.
  • Fastening means 724 which may be a bolt, passes through the respective holes of coupling member 730 and mounting member 704 to define as axis about which they may rotate.
  • a nut threaded onto a bolt 724 may provide adjustable friction between mounting member 720 and coupling member 722 and secure them in a fixed relationship when in a tightened or locked position.
  • coupling member 722 When the friction adjusting means is in a loosened or unlocked position, coupling member 722 is rotatable for positioning of a transducer housing 726, which may be fastened to coupling member 722 by a similar joint, in one of a number of possible positions.
  • FIGS. 30a and 30b show another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Mounting member 730 is provided with slide 732 and pivot anchor 734.
  • Telescoping multi- segmented coupling member 736 is pivotably mounting to pivot member 734 at one end and to transducer housing 738 at its other end.
  • a threaded hole is provided in telescoping coupling member 736, so that coupling member 736 may be frictionally locked to slide 732 by a fastening means such as screw 740.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Educational Administration (AREA)
  • Educational Technology (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
  • Stringed Musical Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

Un système électronique de musique, conçu pour la pratique interactive contrôlée par ordinateur et pour l'apprentissage de la guitare (10), comprend un transmetteur (16) qui est fixé de manière amovible à la guitare et qui génère des signaux analogiques représentant le jeu de la guitare, une interface (20) pour convertir les signaux analogiques en signaux numériques pouvant être traités par l'ordinateur, et un ordinateur (24) pour recevoir et traiter les signaux numériques. Le système utilise un protocole de communication qui emploie le datage des données pour permettre l'utilisation de guitares ordinaires mais sans détermination de fréquence à très haute vitesse. L'ordinateur fournit une sortie audio basse fréquence (5) et une sortie vidéo (26) comportant la représentation des notes, des accords, des gammes, des compositions et les structures musicales similaires sous forme de tablatures, pour enseigner à l'utilisateur et lui suggérer la musique à jouer et pour illustrer ce qu'il a joué.
PCT/US1993/003029 1992-12-15 1993-03-31 Systeme electronique de musique WO1994014156A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US99296192A 1992-12-15 1992-12-15
US07/992,961 1992-12-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994014156A1 true WO1994014156A1 (fr) 1994-06-23

Family

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PCT/US1993/003029 WO1994014156A1 (fr) 1992-12-15 1993-03-31 Systeme electronique de musique

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WO (1) WO1994014156A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2297860A (en) * 1992-06-03 1996-08-14 John Hesnan A music learning and instrument playing aid
EP0837436A1 (fr) * 1996-10-18 1998-04-22 Yamaha Corporation Méthode et système pour apprendre à jouer d'un instrument de musique ainsi que support de données déchiffrable machinellement incorporant un programme approprié

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US3120144A (en) * 1958-07-23 1964-02-04 Bayer Willi String and process for its manufacture
US4501186A (en) * 1982-06-21 1985-02-26 Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha Pickup device for stringed musical instrument
US4690026A (en) * 1985-08-22 1987-09-01 Bing McCoy Pitch and amplitude calculator and converter which provides an output signal with a normalized frequency
US4702141A (en) * 1984-11-08 1987-10-27 Carmine Bonanno Guitar controller for a music synthesizer
US4841827A (en) * 1987-10-08 1989-06-27 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Input apparatus of electronic system for extracting pitch data from input waveform signal
US4854210A (en) * 1987-08-26 1989-08-08 Palazzolo Nicholas P Detachable electric guitar pick-up system
US4873904A (en) * 1987-04-22 1989-10-17 Yamaha Corporation Electronic musical instrument having playing and parameter adjustment modes
US4951545A (en) * 1988-04-26 1990-08-28 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Electronic musical instrument
US5005461A (en) * 1988-04-25 1991-04-09 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Plucking-sound generation instrument and plucking-data memory instrument
US5024134A (en) * 1988-05-02 1991-06-18 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Pitch control device for electronic stringed instrument
US5029511A (en) * 1990-03-19 1991-07-09 Kevin Rosendahl Exchangeable pickups for electric guitars
US5140890A (en) * 1990-01-19 1992-08-25 Gibson Guitar Corp. Guitar control system

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2710557A (en) * 1949-11-18 1955-06-14 Sundt Engineering Company Musical instrument strings
US3120144A (en) * 1958-07-23 1964-02-04 Bayer Willi String and process for its manufacture
US4501186A (en) * 1982-06-21 1985-02-26 Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha Pickup device for stringed musical instrument
US4702141A (en) * 1984-11-08 1987-10-27 Carmine Bonanno Guitar controller for a music synthesizer
US4690026A (en) * 1985-08-22 1987-09-01 Bing McCoy Pitch and amplitude calculator and converter which provides an output signal with a normalized frequency
US4873904A (en) * 1987-04-22 1989-10-17 Yamaha Corporation Electronic musical instrument having playing and parameter adjustment modes
US4854210A (en) * 1987-08-26 1989-08-08 Palazzolo Nicholas P Detachable electric guitar pick-up system
US4841827A (en) * 1987-10-08 1989-06-27 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Input apparatus of electronic system for extracting pitch data from input waveform signal
US5005461A (en) * 1988-04-25 1991-04-09 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Plucking-sound generation instrument and plucking-data memory instrument
US4951545A (en) * 1988-04-26 1990-08-28 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Electronic musical instrument
US5024134A (en) * 1988-05-02 1991-06-18 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Pitch control device for electronic stringed instrument
US5140890A (en) * 1990-01-19 1992-08-25 Gibson Guitar Corp. Guitar control system
US5029511A (en) * 1990-03-19 1991-07-09 Kevin Rosendahl Exchangeable pickups for electric guitars

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2297860A (en) * 1992-06-03 1996-08-14 John Hesnan A music learning and instrument playing aid
EP0837436A1 (fr) * 1996-10-18 1998-04-22 Yamaha Corporation Méthode et système pour apprendre à jouer d'un instrument de musique ainsi que support de données déchiffrable machinellement incorporant un programme approprié

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