WO2014020629A1

WO2014020629A1 - Visual display for musical instruments

Info

Publication number: WO2014020629A1
Application number: PCT/IT2013/000214
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincenzo MARESCA
Original assignee: Maresca Vincenzo
Priority date: 2012-08-03
Filing date: 2013-08-01
Publication date: 2014-02-06
Also published as: ITLT20120009A1

Abstract

This invention is an accessory for electric or acoustic stringed musical instruments (like electric and acoustic bass guitar, electric and acoustic guitar). The distinctive feature of this accessory is that it guides the musician with LED lights displayed on the instrument's keyboard. The musician can choose different notes from set elements in the control unit. Depending on the musician's choice, earlier set elements in the control unit are displayed straight on the musical instruments' keyboard with immediate visualisation. The musician is thus able to see and follow the position of notes, scales, chords or melodies displayed on the keyboard, though a matrix of visual signs, which show the correct position of the notes or sequence of notes.

Description

"Visual display for musical instruments"

Description of the invention

This new invention is an accessory for electric or acoustic stringed musical instruments

(like electric and acoustic bass guitar, electric and acoustic guitar).

This industry represents a huge, worldwide and funded market with a large amount of business.

The distinctive feature of this accessory is that it guides the musician with LED lights displayed on the instrument's keyboard. The musician can choose different notes from set elements in the control unit.

In other words, depending on the musician's choice, earlier set elements in the control unit are displayed straight on the musical instruments' keyboard with immediate visualisation.

The accessory can be used in different ways in leisure and learning.

- leisure

- learning

In the entertainment field, the musician can choose several graphic effects, for example: the light display of single LEDs depending on musical scale, rhythm or note; the opportunity to identify and display by LED lights on the keyboard the notes played by the musician over his performance; graphic effects in random modality according to set models (for example geometrical figures or sequence of enlightenment).

These choices provide the musical instrument with an added value, facilitating greater interaction between the musician, the musical instrument and the audience, in addition to increasing the graphic/scenographic/interactive effect.

In the educational field, with this invention the musician is able to see and follow the position of notes, scales, chords or melodies displayed on the keyboard, though a matrix of visual signs, which show the correct position of the notes or sequence of notes.

This specific feature makes this invention suitable both for the beginner or expert musician who wants to improve his or her performance with a musical instrument. The LED light display allows the musician to easily memorise the notes and identify the correct finger position of the note on the keyboard.

This provides a view of the all notes alongside of the keyboard with a practical advantage of the immediate identification of the notes. It also allows a direct and different approach with the musical instrument.

Specifically this system is made up of:

- a modular system of LEDS, set in a matrix, put on the instrument's keyboard on top of a flexible support with a double-sided tape that can be quickly attached or removed (element A in the picture 1 of 4). The LEDS take up little space on the keyboard so that the use and musical performance of the instrument is not spoilt.

- A multi-core cable between the control unit and the matrix of indexs (or indicators) (element B picture lof 4)

- A command and control unit with housing batteries provided, and the programmable system (hence below called CPU, element C fig 1 of 4)

A) Matrix

The Matrix is made up of single elements (picture 2 of 4) with LED lights on one side and on the other side input and output wires connected to each other creating the matrix (see detail of picture 2 of 4).

The light element stand is L shaped (picture A drawing 2 of 4). It will be on a flexible support and is applied with double-side tape, on different levels with different angles to secure the LEDs on the keyboard and the backfill of connections on the side of the handle area (element D picture 1 of 4), where the invention does not affect the use of the musical instrument.

Different segments /sections? will be connected to each other through a suitable connector / join which can housed in the same flexible support of the previous LED and key of the instrument. The matrix will be compatible with keyboards of different dimensions, according to the standard number, size of the keys, diapason scale of the keyboard and model of musical instrument. The segments /sections? will be placed on one side with LEDs corresponding to each key, directly on the keyboard of the musical instrument. The Light indicators will have the same number as the numbers of the strings and they will be placed under the strings so that they can be easily connected in the mix / midst / in between the key and the string? of key and string.

The matrix will be connected to CPU.

The matrix might be a single part or divided into two parts which can cover the whole length of the keyboard, this can be a cheaper and easier solution (as you can see in the picture 1 of 4).

B) Multicore cable

The command and control unit (CPU) and the matrix will be connected by a multicore cable, endowed with connector connected to the line number 1 of the matrix (element E picture 1 of 4).

C) Command and control unit (CPU)

The command and control unit, with a jumper wire (example USB), has got selectors, chosen by the musician, that enable the display of the required data, directly onto the keyboard through the light matrix.

The unit will have a power sector/section? for batteries and accumulators. The CPU will command the switching on of the LEDs and segments / sections. So it will be possible to command the switching on of each LEDs of the matrix individually.

The switching on of the LEDs will happen with intervals shorter than the time of the observer can perceive a fix or intermittent switching on.

Consequently, after putting the matrix on each key of the musical instrument, the opportunity to visually view each position key/note or combination or sequence of them on the whole keyboard will be realized.

In the visualization of set combinations of the LEDs, selected by the musician, there will always be the opportunity to recognize tonic notes, which open and close the scale according to its importance.

These will be underlined through a flashing light while the other one will be fixed. For example, selecting a note and scale through the command and control unit, all the notes of this scale will be displayed through the LEDs. The musician will have the opportunity, for example, of studying this scale or getting the right positions of the notes to create piece of music.

The programming of the command and control unit's broad functionality make it suitable for different updates. It is expected that the creation of a website will provide updates and specific software to download onto the CPU as the musician can gets new specific knowledge depending on his or her expectations.

The crucial feature is the depth of the band of the LED, which will be put on the keys. The low height, narrow width and especially the shallow depth (less than 0.5 mm) - greater dimensions would cause the instrument to be "mute") - allow universal application of the strip on most musical instruments with keyboards (on sale in the market) without making changes to the structure of the instrument or importantly without modifying the instrument's sonorous, electric or acoustic features and the technique of use.

The LED-side of the strip will laid on the keys of the instrument (in other words, the "unused area" represented by the intersection between a metallic key and the keyboard where no friction is applied, See picture 4 of 4) without ever touching the musician's fingers and taking up space on the keyboard. This guarantees the complete usability of the instrument's features before the application of this invention. The application facility of the light elements allows for quick installation and the possibility of substitution, in case of a damaged, element.

Since keyboard's of musical instruments on sale are made according to standard measurements; production can be simplified by focusing on those few models suitable the chosen market.

This system is illustrated using as an example only, the electric guitar with 6 strings (see picture 3 of 4).

There are neither technical limitations in the production of the invention for compatible systems, nor for instruments with a different number of strings, nor for different dimensions of the keyboard and keys.

This invention can be adapted for the whole range of stringed musical instruments. All the systems are portable and powered by batteries or accumulators due to the small size and weight and of the elements. This invention needs to be fixed directly on the musical instruments without changing anything on the instrument.

The system can be removed from instruments where it was once attached. It is fundamental to underline that for all musical instruments the acoustics of all used materials (mechanic vibrations through wood or mechanic materials or magnets) is an essential element of their sonority, and specific to each instrument and the personal taste and choice of the musician. In other words any system applied to a musical instrument that interferes with these features, will modify and spoil the performance of the instrument.

The system in question has been studied so as not to interfere in anyway with these features described, but also for the technical usability of the instrument.

Indeed the small size of the elements; the narrow section on the keyboard used to attach the system intentionally fixed to the "unused area" see picture NEW); and a thin carryover cable on the higher angular side of the keyboard (where it does not touch the musician's hand), all represent fundamental and exclusive features of this invention that ensure for the user the absolute neutrality of the invention, when compared with the instrument without this equipment. In other words these features are essential conditions for the feasibility of the whole project. The current technical scenario / situation /setup allow the realization of this project. A feasibility study has shown that the essential materials and technologies are present in the market

This description - a technical one - is related to the most suitable shape but the realization of this invention can be modified with several variations and architectural modifications, without affecting the essential theory of this invention as explained and illustrated above and hereafter claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system for the graphic display of data in the form of light inputs that are

applied directly on the keyboard of stringed musical instruments for recreational and learning purposes.

2. A system, according to the claims in point 1, able to add graphics and recreational features to the instrument to which it is attached. This adds new features and visuals to the instrument.

2.1 A system, according to the claims in point 2, which enables the creation of graphic effects, through variables chosen by the user like: rhythm, note or scale used during the performance of a song, or through the recognition and lighting of notes/keys/ played by the musician over the performance of a song or in random modality according to casually set models (for example, modalities related to geometrical figures or sequences of lighting).

3. A system, according to the claims in point 1, which provides an educational, original and direct approach to the musical instrument compared to the classic method.

3.1 A system according to the claims of the point 1, which by graphic visualization facilitates the memorization and learning of musical notes, scales, chords, specific positions and their execution on the whole keyboard of the musical instrument on which the invention is used. The system also provides update and expansion of features through dedicated software.

4) A system, according to the previous claims, characterized by a matrix of light indicators - small in size and narrow in width, which will be applied close to the keys of the instrument but not touching the musician's fingers. It uses the minimum surface of the keyboard possible, with a thin carry-over cable on the higher angular side of the keyboard where it does not interfere with the musician's movements alongside the handle of the instrument.

5) A system, according to the previous claims, that can be applied on stringed musical instruments: without any structural changes to the instrument, without affecting the sound, or the electronic and acoustic features, nor importantly affecting the musician's playing of the instrument. The system can also be removed, and because of its small dimensions, power supply inside the CPU and direct application on the instrument, is portable.