WO2009153690A1

WO2009153690A1 - System and method for learning to play a keyboard instrument

Info

Publication number: WO2009153690A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/052367
Authority: WO
Inventors: Petronella H. Pelgrim; Evert J. Van Loenen; Berent W. Meerbeek; Marten J. Pijl
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2008-06-16
Filing date: 2009-06-04
Publication date: 2009-12-23

Abstract

The system comprises a first keyboard instrument with means for generating a first signal representing keys of the first keyboard instrument activated by a first user; and means for transmitting the first signal; means for receiving a first control signal for controlling activation of the keys of the first keyboard instrument; and a controller for receiving the first signal. The controller comprises a second keyboard instrument with means for generating a second signal representing keys of the second keyboard instrument activated by a second user; and means for transmitting the second signal as the first control signal to the first keyboard instrument; and the controller adapted to controlactivation of the keys of the second keyboard instrument in dependenceon the first signal. Controlling activation of keys can be activation or blocking of keys as a direct tactile feedback from a teacher to students.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LEARNING TO PLAY A KEYBOARD INSTRUMENT

The invention relates to a system and method for learning to play a keyboard instrument and in particular to an interactive system for learning to play a keyboard instrument.

If people want to learn to play a keyboard instrument like the piano, they often take lessons to learn how to play the keyboard instrument. In the following such people are referred to as students. In addition to these lessons, students have to practice at home or school without their teacher's guidance and instruction. During such self-practice, students depend on their own audio feedback from the sounds they produce and try to understand whether they are performing correctly. Hence, they learn to play the keyboard instrument based on their own skills. There is no dialogue or direct feedback from their teacher like participating in a lesson in the classroom. In addition, self-practice requires intrinsic motivation from the player to practice the exercises. If there is no direct stimulation from their teacher like participating in a lesson in the classroom, the effect of self-practice will be much less. US 5 252 772 discloses a computer system connected through appropriate analog and digital circuitry that controls or monitors a piano. Solenoids connected to each piano key and to each note-sounding hammer permit a computer program to control the keys and/or the sounding of a note, as well as transmitting to the computer for storage and analysis information concerning a student's performance. In one mode the computer is connected through a control system to physically move the selected keys on the piano and/or to sound the desired note(s). This will assist the student in pointing out the proper keys to play and the required timing, or in playing a duet with the computer. In another mode the control system will record the notes played by a student, as well as the timing and other indicia of technique, in order to store or analyze the performance and assist in correcting errors. With appropriate connections within the piano key actuating devices, the system of this invention can also connect or disconnect the piano key from the hammer, or prevent selected keys from being played.

Although the aforementioned invention supports students to some extent in learning to play the piano, there are some limitations. For example, the feedback is given by a computerized system that is pre-programmed and has limited flexibility and completely lacks human intuition. There is no opportunity for direct feedback and stimulation from a human teacher that is tailored to the needs of the students.

Hence, an improved system for learning to play a keyboard instrument would be advantageous. In particular, a system for learning to play a keyboard instrument allowing for direct and immediate feedback and stimulation from a human teacher to students, increased flexibility, reduced complexity, and reduced delay would be advantageous.

Accordingly, the invention seeks to provide students with a more interactive, flexible and effective system for learning to play a keyboard instrument, and to provide flexibility and improved teaching capability to teachers to help students learn to play a keyboard instrument.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for learning to play a keyboard instrument, the system comprising: a first keyboard instrument with means for generating a first signal representing keys of the first keyboard instrument activated by a first user; and means for transmitting the first signal; means for receiving a first control signal for controlling activation of the keys of the first keyboard instrument; and a controller for receiving the first signal; the controller comprises a second keyboard instrument with means for generating a second signal representing keys of the second keyboard instrument activated by a second user; and means for transmitting the second signal as the first control signal to the first keyboard instrument; and the controller adapted to control activation of the keys of the second keyboard instrument in dependence on the first signal.

Accordingly, a flexible, low complexity and low delay system for learning to play keyboard instruments is enabled. This system allows direct and immediate feedback and stimulation from a human teacher to students. The teacher and students not only play their own keyboard instruments in the same place e.g. home or classroom, but also play their own keyboard instruments in the different places. For example, the teacher plays the keyboard instrument in Copenhagen of Denmark, and the students play their own keyboard instruments in Beijing of China at the same time.

According to a feature of the invention, controlling the activation of the keys comprises activating the keys corresponding to the user activated keys. This allows immediate tactile feedback from the teacher to students. Specifically, the teacher shows which keys should be pressed at a certain time to students when the teacher plays a keyboard instrument. Therefore, the students can see and feel what keys he/she should use and find out possible mistakes. On the other hand, this allows the teacher to see, feel and evaluate the performance of the student when the students are playing their own keyboard instruments.

According to another feature of the invention, controlling the activation of the keys comprises blocking the keys corresponding to the user activated keys. This allows immediate tactile feedback from the teacher to students. Specifically, the teacher shows which keys should not be pressed at a certain time to students when the teacher plays a keyboard instrument. Therefore, the students can see and feel what keys he/she should not use and avoid making mistakes. According to another feature of the invention, the data type of the first control signal and/or second control signal is a scripting language. This reduces the complexity of transmission. Consequently, enhanced transmittability and reduced delays may be achieved. Specifically, this allows the data transmitted between the teacher's keyboard instrument and the students' keyboard instruments is only the essential information of a few bits e.g. which key is being pressed at given time and not the audio signal or other media signals. Therefore, a real-time bi-directional communication is realized in the feedback loop.

According to another feature of the invention, the first keyboard instrument further comprises at least a storage device for storing the first signal. This allows the asynchronous communication between students and the teacher. Specifically, Students can practice on playing a particular piece firstly, and then the signal is stored in the storage device, so the teacher can retrieve this at any given moment and evaluate the practice performed by students.

According to another feature of the invention, the second keyboard instrument further comprises at least a storage device for storing the second signal. This allows the asynchronous communication between the teacher and students. The teacher can demonstrate how to play a particular piece of a work firstly, and then the signal is stored in the memory, so the students can retrieve this at any given moment and practice on their own keyboard instrument.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a keyboard instrument for learning to play the keyboard instrument, the apparatus comprises a generator for generating a signal representing keys of the keyboard instrument activated by a first user, and a transmitter for transmitting the signal as a first control signal suitable for controlling the activation of the keys of a second keyboard instrument, and a receiver for receiving a second control signal representing keys of the second keyboard instrument activated by a second user, and a controller for controlling the activation of the keys of the first keyboard instrument according to the second control signal. This allows students' and teachers' keyboard instruments alone for use in the invention.

According to another feature of the invention, controlling the activation of the keys comprises activating the keys corresponding to the user activated keys. This allows immediate tactile feedback from the teacher to students. Specifically, the teacher shows which keys should be pressed at a certain time to students when the teacher plays a keyboard instrument. Therefore, the students can see and feel what keys he/she should use and find out possible mistakes. On the other hand, this allows the teacher to see, feel and evaluate the performance of the student when the students are playing their own keyboard instruments.

According to another feature of the invention, controlling the activation of the keys comprises blocking the keys corresponding to the user activated keys. This allows immediate tactile feedback from the teacher to students. Specifically, the teacher shows which keys should not be pressed at a certain time to students when the teacher plays a keyboard instrument. Therefore, the students can see and feel what keys he/she should not use and avoid making mistakes.

According to another feature of the invention, the data type of the first control signal and/or second control signal is a scripting language. This reduces the complexity of transmission. Consequently, enhanced transmittability and reduced delays may be achieved. Specifically, this allows the data transmitted between the teacher's keyboard instrument and the students' keyboard instruments is only the essential information of a few bits e.g. which key is being pressed at given time and not the audio signal or other media signals. Therefore, a real-time bi-directional communication is realized in the feedback loop.

According to another feature of the invention, the keyboard instrument further comprises at least a storage device for storing the signal. Hence, this allows the asynchronous communication between students and the teacher. An increased flexibility may be achieved. Specifically, Students can practice on playing a particular piece firstly, and then the signal is stored in the storage device, so that the teacher can retrieve the stored signal at any given moment and evaluate the practice performed by students. On the other hand, the teacher can demonstrate how to play a particular piece of a work firstly, and then the signal is stored in the memory, so the students can retrieve the stored signal at any given moment and practice on their own keyboard instrument.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for learning to play a keyboard instrument, the method comprising generating a signal representing keys of a first keyboard instrument activated by a first user; and transmitting the signal as a first control signal for controlling the activation of the keys of the second keyboard instrument; and receiving a second control signal representing keys of the second keyboard instrument activated by a second user; and controlling the activation of the keys of the first keyboard instrument according to the second control signal. This allows for a more flexible, convenient and advantageous method for learning to play keyboard instruments.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

An embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is an illustration of a system for learning to play a keyboard instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of a system for learning to play the keyboard instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 3 is an illustration of a first method for learning to play the keyboard instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is an illustration of a second method for learning to play the keyboard instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is an illustration of a third method for learning to play the keyboard instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

The following description focuses on an embodiment of the invention.

However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this application but may be applied to many other devices and systems.

Fig. 1 is an illustration of a system for learning to play a keyboard instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

The system 100 comprises a first keyboard instrument 101, a second keyboard instrument 102, a connection 103 between the first keyboard instrument 101 and the second keyboard instrument 102. Preferably, the connection 103 is a communication network e.g. the Internet or an intranet. The connection 103 also may be a cable line or other lines used for building up the connection between the first keyboard instrument 101 and the second keyboard instrument 102.

Fig. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of a system for learning to play the keyboard instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system 200 comprises the first keyboard instrument 101, the controller 201 and the connection 103.The first keyboard instrument 101 played by a student comprises a generator 111, a storage device 112, a transmitter 113, and a receiver 114. The controller 201 comprises the second keyboard instrument 102. The second keyboard instrument 102 played by a teacher comprises a generator 121, a storage device 122, a transmitter 123, and a receiver 124.

When the student plays the first keyboard instrument 101, the generator 111 generates a signal representing keys of the first keyboard instrument activated by the student, then the transmitter 113 transmits the signal to the controller 201, the controller 201 receives the signal and is adapted to control activation of the keys of the second keyboard instrument in dependence on the signal. The teacher evaluates the student's performance according to activation of the keys of the second keyboard instrument 102 and gives immediate tactile feedback to the student. In addition, the signal transmitted by the transmitter 113 may be stored in the storage device 112. The teacher may retrieve the signal at any given moment and evaluate the practice performed by students.

When a teacher plays the second keyboard instrument 102, the generator 121 generates a signal representing keys of the second keyboard instrument activated by the teacher, then the transmitter 123 transmits the signal as a control signal to the controller 201, then the controller 201 transmits the control signal to the first keyboard instrument 101, the receiver 114 receives the control signal and controls activation of the keys of the first keyboard instrument. The teacher shows which keys should be pressed at a certain time to the students when the teacher plays a keyboard instrument. Therefore, the students can see and feel what keys he/she should use and find out possible mistakes from activation of the keys of the first keyboard instrument. In addition, the signal transmitted by the transmitter 123 may be stored in the storage device 122. The students may retrieve the stored signal at any given moment and practice on their own keyboard instrument.

It will be appreciated that the above description for clarity has described embodiments of the invention with reference to different functional units of the storage device. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units may be used without detracting from the invention. Hence, references to specific functional units are only to be seen as references to suitable means for providing the described functionality rather than indicative of a strict logical or physical structure, organization or geographical separation between one or more students and a teacher using the system of the invention. Preferably, the data type of the control signal may be a scripting language. A scripting language is a programming language that controls a software application. The scripting language is often treated as distinct from "programs", which executes independently from any other application. Such as TcI and Lua, were specifically designed as general purpose scripting languages that could be embedded in any application or used on their own. Using a scripting language may reduce the data bytes of the control signal. Consequently, enhanced transmittability and reduced delays may be achieved. Specifically, this allows the data transmitted between the first keyboard instrument and the second keyboard instruments is only the essential information of a few bits e.g. which key is being pressed at given time and not the audio signal or other media signals. Therefore, a real-time bi-directional communication is realized in the feedback loop.

Fig. 3 is an illustration of a first method for learning to play the keyboard instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method will be described with reference to the wireless system of Fig. 2. In step 301, when the student plays the first keyboard instrument 101, the generator 111 generates a signal representing keys of the first keyboard instrument activated by the student.

The method proceeds in step 303, wherein the transmitter 113 transmits the signal to the controller 201. In step 305, which follows step 303, the controller 201 receives the signal and is adapted to control activation of the keys of the second keyboard instrument in dependence on the signal.

In this method, the student plays and his/her keyboard instrument records which keys are pressed. The keyboard instrument saves this in a script which is sent via the Internet to the keyboard instrument of the teacher. The keyboard instrument of the teacher activates the appropriate keys automatically, hence producing the according sound. This allows the teacher to see, feel and evaluate the performance of the student when the students are playing their own keyboard instruments.

Fig. 4 is an illustration of a second method for learning to play the keyboard instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method will be described with reference to the wireless system of Fig. 2.

In step 401, when the teacher plays the second keyboard instrument 102, the generator 121 generates a signal representing keys of the second keyboard instrument activated by the teacher. The method proceeds in step 403, wherein the transmitter 123 transmits the signal to the first keyboard instrument 101.

In step 405, which follows step 403, the receiver 114 receives the control signal and controls activation of the keys of the first keyboard instrument. In this method, the teacher plays and his/her keyboard instrument records which keys are pressed. The keyboard instrument saves this in a script which is sent via Internet to the keyboard instrument of the student. The keyboard instrument of the student presses and blocks the corresponding keys automatically.

Fig. 5 is an illustration of a third method for learning to play the keyboard instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method will be described with reference to the wireless system of Fig. 2.

In step 501, when the student plays the first keyboard instrument 101 and the teacher plays the second keyboard instrument 102 at the same time. The generator 111 generates a first signal representing keys of the first keyboard instrument activated by the student, and the generator 121 generates a second signal representing keys of the second keyboard instrument activated by the teacher at the same time.

The method proceeds in step 503, wherein the transmitter 113 transmits the first signal to the controller 201, and the transmitter 123 transmits the second signal to the first keyboard instrument 101 at the same time. In step 505, which follows step 503, the controller 201 receives the first signal and is adapted to control activation of the keys of the second keyboard instrument in dependence on the first signal, and the receiver 114 receives the control signal and controls activation of the keys of the first keyboard instrument at the same time.

In this method, the student and teacher play their own keyboard instruments together. Hence, there is a synchronous recording of keys that are pressed at both sites and exchange thereof between the two keyboard instruments, as mentioned in the first method. Since this simple information will require only a few bits, a real-time bi-directional connection between the student and teacher may be realized, which is experienced by the human ear as real time. It will be appreciated that the invention tends to provide one or more of the following advantages singly or in any permutation or combination:

This system allows direct and immediate feedback and stimulation from a human teacher to students. A remote teaching functionality comprises activating and blocking the keys corresponding to the teacher or students activated keys may be easily achieved. Delays associated with data representing keys of the keyboard instrument activated by a student or a teacher may be significantly reduced. Further advantages will be apparent from the above description.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the accompanying claims. In the claims, the term comprising does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented by e.g. a single unit or processor. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly be advantageously combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is no feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. Thus references to "a", "an", "first", "second" etc do not preclude a plurality.

In general, the invention relates to a system and method for learning to play a keyboard instrument with a direct tactile feedback from a teacher to students.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system for learning to play a keyboard instrument, the system comprising: a first keyboard instrument with means for generating a first signal representing keys of the first keyboard instrument activated by a first user; and means for transmitting the first signal; means for receiving a first control signal for controlling activation of the keys of the first keyboard instrument; and a controller for receiving the first signal; wherein the controller comprises a second keyboard instrument with means for generating a second signal representing keys of the second keyboard instrument activated by a second user; and means for transmitting the second signal as the first control signal to the first keyboard instrument; and the controller adapted to control activation of the keys of the second keyboard instrument in dependence on the first signal.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein controlling the activation of the keys comprises activating the keys corresponding to the user activated keys.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein controlling the activation of the keys comprises blocking the keys corresponding to the user activated keys.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data type of the first control signal and/or second control signal is a scripting language.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first keyboard instrument further comprises at least a storage device for storing the first signal.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second keyboard instrument further comprises at least a storage device for storing the second signal.

7. A keyboard instrument for learning to play the keyboard instrument, the apparatus comprising: a generator for generating a signal representing keys of the keyboard instrument activated by a first user; and a transmitter for transmitting the signal as a first control signal suitable for controlling the activation of the keys of a second keyboard instrument; characterized in that, the keyboard instrument further comprises: a receiver for receiving a second control signal representing keys of the second keyboard instrument activated by a second user; and a controller for controlling the activation of the keys of the first keyboard instrument according to the second control signal.

8. A keyboard instrument as claimed in claim 7, wherein controlling the activation of the keys comprises activating the keys corresponding to the user activated keys.

9. A keyboard instrument as claimed in claim 7, wherein controlling the activation of the keys comprises blocking the keys corresponding to the user activated keys.

10. A keyboard instrument as claimed in claim 7, wherein the data type of the first control signal and/or second control signal is a scripting language.

11. A keyboard instrument as claimed in claim 7, the keyboard instrument further comprises at least a storage device for storing the signal.

12. A method for learning to play a keyboard instrument, characterized in that, the method comprising: generating a signal representing keys of a first keyboard instrument activated by a first user; and transmitting the signal as a first control signal for controlling the activation of the keys of the second keyboard instrument; and receiving a second control signal representing keys of the second keyboard instrument activated by a second user; and controlling the activation of the keys of the first keyboard instrument according to the second control signal.