WO2000075917A1 - Unite d'entree midi - Google Patents

Unite d'entree midi Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000075917A1
WO2000075917A1 PCT/GB2000/002153 GB0002153W WO0075917A1 WO 2000075917 A1 WO2000075917 A1 WO 2000075917A1 GB 0002153 W GB0002153 W GB 0002153W WO 0075917 A1 WO0075917 A1 WO 0075917A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
midi
input device
user
switches
playing area
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2000/002153
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Owen Patrick Williams
Simon Roderick FIELD
Original Assignee
Owen Patrick Williams
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 Owen Patrick Williams filed Critical Owen Patrick Williams
Priority to AU52338/00A priority Critical patent/AU5233800A/en
Publication of WO2000075917A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000075917A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • G10H1/0033—Recording/reproducing or transmission of music for electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/0041—Recording/reproducing or transmission of music for electrophonic musical instruments in coded form
    • G10H1/0058—Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system
    • G10H1/0066—Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system using a MIDI interface
    • 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
    • G10H1/32—Constructional details
    • G10H1/34—Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments

Definitions

  • This invention relates to MIDI input devices for computer music composition or performance.
  • MIDI musical instrument digital interface
  • many sound cards provide MIDI input and output facilities.
  • the most common MIDI instrument is the electronic keyboard and this is particularly the instrument of choice for most composers.
  • Such keyboards can produce MIDI signals representing a wide range of instrument sounds including percussion.
  • MIDI drum kits are available, but they can only successfully be played by a trained drummer.
  • the invention consists in a MIDI input device including a body having a plurality of switches disposed in a playing area and a processor for generating a MIDI signal in dependence on the switch actuated, the body being shaped and dimensioned to support a user's palm such that the user's fingertips rest in the playing area for activating selective switches.
  • switches there are five switches (one for each fingertip) .
  • the switches may be conventional pressure switches, but it is preferred that they are touch or proximity sensitive.
  • the surface of the playing area may include markings to indicate the sensitive area for each switch.
  • At least one switch may include or comprise a velocity sensitive device for detecting the approach velocity of a fingertip.
  • the device may further include means for determining the amplitude or an amplitude related indication in response to the detected velocity, eg the faster the fingertip movement, the louder may be the outputted sound.
  • the body may be any suitable shape, but it has been found that a shape generally corresponding to one half of a vertically sectioned cantaloupe melon is particularly efficacious. It is preferred that whatever the overall shape of the body it should include a concave plateau for supporting the user's palm and that the playing area falls away steeply from that plateau. In this way the user's palm will be supported in a natural cupped hand configuration and this will significantly reduce any risk of repetitive strain injuries.
  • the microprocessor may assign MIDI values and/or touch sensitivity profiles to the respective switches.
  • different switches can cause the generation of the sound of different instruments, whilst the touch sensitivity profile can adjust the volume in response to fingertip speed.
  • the microprocessor is programmable, a user can input in their particular profile or can alter the profile in accordance with the work they are composing or playing.
  • the device may include a sound card responsive to the microprocessor.
  • the invention consists in a MIDI input device including a body having a continuous surface which includes sensitive areas which can be simultaneously tapped by the fingertips of a user's hand to generate respective MIDI signals.
  • the input device may incorporate any of the features defined above.
  • the input devices may be used in pairs, one with either hand.
  • the invention includes a MIDI sound system incorporating one or more of such input devices, a sound card and a sound output device.
  • Means for introducing sequencing software can also be incorporated in the system.
  • Figures 1 to 3 are a side view, a plan view and a front view respectively of a MIDI input device
  • Figure 4 is a block diagram showing schematically the internal components of the input device and its connection into a MIDI sound generating system.
  • an input device is generally indicated at 10. It is generally in the form of half a vertically sectioned melon and may include a top cover 11 is and a base 12.
  • the body defines an upper concave plateau 13 and a surrounding cliff -like section 14, on the latter of which is a playing area, which is indicated, in broken lines, at 15.
  • the playing area 15 may not be visually identified, but it comprises the band of the surface of the cover 11 on which the user's fingertips lie, when the palm is supported on the plateau 13 and the hand is naturally cupped.
  • the natural positions of the user's fingertips have been indicated at 16, although again no actual markings may be present. It will readily be appreciated that with a hand resting on the device 10, it is natural and simple for the user to tap their fingers against the portions marked 16 and, because of the support provided by the shape of the cover 11, this can be done without any undue strain on the user's muscles or ligaments.
  • touch sensitive switches are provided at 16, but in a generally preferred configuration proximity detectors are positioned immediately below the area 16 and one of these is indicated schematically at 17.
  • the device can operate either on the basis that a fingertip which is adjacent the proximity detector 17 generates a 'note on' signal, but equally the device can be configured to produce a 'note off signal.
  • the proximity detector may also detect the rate of travel of the fingertip and this may be used to produce changes in volume.
  • the velocity data can be provided by a switch which, when actuated, immediately generates a 'note on' signal and when it reaches the maximum extent of travel a 'note off signal. The time difference between the two is translated into volume. The shorter the interval, the harder the switch is deemed to be pressed and hence the louder the sound.
  • touch sensitive switches are used at 17, the degree of pressure may be detected.
  • the proximity detectors or switches 17 can produce 'note on' or 'note off signals either with or without volume information.
  • the input device again is indicated at 10. It will be seen internally that it comprises a pad (which consists of the combination of the proximity detectors or switches 17) which generate the 'note on' and 'note off, ' and/or volume signals mentioned above. These are fed to a microprocessor 19 which is in turn linked to a static random access memory (20) . Depending on the information contained in the memory (which will be described in more detail below) the microprocessor produces a MIDI output that is fed to a computer sound card interface 21. This in turn is linked to a MIDI sound output 22 and there may be an intermediate sequencing software module for introducing pre-determined rhythms, orchestration etc, and recording, editing and playback of MIDI events as is well known in the art.
  • input device 10 is provided with an input 24 which can receive instructions from a computer 25 via a computer sound card interface 26.
  • the user can feed a profile into the static random access memory 20 via the microprocessor 19 to assign instruments to the respective switches 17; to determine the strength of hit or rate of approach which will generate a note on signal and the strength of hit or rate of approach which will generate a particular 'volume' .
  • the user profile software may allow three output volume bands - quiet, normal and loud. Normal may be defined as anything within the input velocity range 40% to 90% and results in an 80% output. However, in order to allow 'humanising' of the output without compromising consistency, one variation of the 80% value may be allowed. For example the user can set an arrangement where any velocity below 60% results in a 79% output.
  • the computer sound interfaces cards 21 , 26 may be associated with other MIDI devices or could form part of input device 10.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une unité d'entrée MIDI pour la composition ou l'exécution musicale par ordinateur. On sait que les instruments de musique électroniques communiquent avec d'autres instruments du même type et avec des ordinateurs par l'intermédiaire d'un système connu sous le nom de MIDI (musical instrument digital interface : interface numérique pour instruments de musique) et que nombre de cartes son offrent des possibilités d'entrée et de sortie MIDI. L'instrument MIDI le plus connu est le clavier électronique, qui constitue l'instrument de choix pour la plupart des compositeurs. Une vue d'ensemble de l'unité d'entrée est présentée au numéro (10). Cette unité présente sensiblement la forme d'un demi-melon sectionné verticalement et peut comprendre un capot (11) supérieur et une base (12). Le corps comprend une plate-forme (13) concave supérieure et une section (14) verticale périphérique sur laquelle se trouve une zone (15) de commande indiquée par des lignes pointillées. La zone (15) de commande peut ne pas être visible mais couvre la bande de la surface du capot (11) sur laquelle les extrémités des doigts de l'utilisateur reposent lorsque sa paume est supportée sur la plate-forme (13) et que la main se recourbe de manière naturelle. Les positions naturelles des extrémités des doigts de l'utilisateur sont indiquées par le numéro (16) bien que les démarcations effectives puissent être absentes.
PCT/GB2000/002153 1999-06-09 2000-06-05 Unite d'entree midi WO2000075917A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU52338/00A AU5233800A (en) 1999-06-09 2000-06-05 Midi input device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9913285.4 1999-06-09
GB9913285A GB2350923B (en) 1999-06-09 1999-06-09 Midi input device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000075917A1 true WO2000075917A1 (fr) 2000-12-14

Family

ID=10854936

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2000/002153 WO2000075917A1 (fr) 1999-06-09 2000-06-05 Unite d'entree midi

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU5233800A (fr)
GB (1) GB2350923B (fr)
WO (1) WO2000075917A1 (fr)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19702225C1 (de) * 1997-01-23 1998-05-20 Harro Prof Dr Kiendl Eingabeeinrichtung zur mehrfingrigen Dateneingabe
DE29804023U1 (de) * 1998-02-27 1998-07-30 Schoetzau, Claus, 10629 Berlin Halbkugelförmiges Gerät zur Echzeitsteuerung von Synthesizern bzw. "Midi"-Klangerzeugern über Drucktasten

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4998457A (en) * 1987-12-24 1991-03-12 Yamaha Corporation Handheld musical tone controller
EP0400163A1 (fr) * 1989-05-30 1990-12-05 J. Factory Co., Ltd. Tambour électrique
US5434350A (en) * 1994-02-10 1995-07-18 Zendrum Corporation Drum and percussion synthesizer
US5786540A (en) * 1996-03-05 1998-07-28 Westlund; Robert L. Controller apparatus for music sequencer

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19702225C1 (de) * 1997-01-23 1998-05-20 Harro Prof Dr Kiendl Eingabeeinrichtung zur mehrfingrigen Dateneingabe
DE29804023U1 (de) * 1998-02-27 1998-07-30 Schoetzau, Claus, 10629 Berlin Halbkugelförmiges Gerät zur Echzeitsteuerung von Synthesizern bzw. "Midi"-Klangerzeugern über Drucktasten

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2350923B (en) 2003-08-13
GB2350923A (en) 2000-12-13
GB9913285D0 (en) 1999-08-04
AU5233800A (en) 2000-12-28

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