Be_tags
Generating music and sound that varies from playback to playback2010-03-30 00:00:00AbstractA method and apparatus for the creation and playback of music, audio and sound; such that each time a composition is played back, a different sound sequence is generated in the manner previously defined by the artist. During composition creation, the artist's definition of how the composition will vary from playback to playback is embedded into the composition data set. During playback, the composition data set is processed by a playback device incorporating a playback program, so that each time the composition is played back a unique version is generated. Variability occurs during playback per the artist's composition data set, which specifies: the spawning of group(s) from a snippet; the selection of snippet(s) from each group; editing of snippets; flexible and variable placement of snippets; and the combining and/or mixing of multiple snippets to generate each time sample in one or more channels. MIDI-like variable compositions and the variable use of segments comprised of MIDI-like command sequences are also disclosed.Claims<br /><br />I claim:<br /><br /> 1. A method for generating music or sound, comprising: providing at least one group of alternative sound segments; providing at least one initiating sound segment, wherein aninitiating sound ...
Multi-feature speech/music discrimination system2010-03-29 00:00:00the name of the source data from which the feature is calculated, the sample rate, the size of the measured data value (e.g. number of bytes stored per sample), a pointer to the cache memory location, and the length of an input window, for example.
A multivariate classifier 16 is employed to account for variances between classes that can be defined with respect to interrelationships between different features. Different types of classifiers can be employed to label input signals corresponding to the various features. In general, a classifier is based upon a model which is constructed from a set of known data samples, e.g. training samples. The training samples define points in a feature space that are labeled according to their class. Depending upon the type of classifier, a decision boundary is formed within the feature space, to distinguish the different classes of data. Thereafter, the locations for unknown input data samples are determined within the feature space, and these locations determine the label to be applied to the data samples.
One type of classifier is based upon a maximum a posteriori Gaussian framework. In this type of classifier, each of the training classes, namely speech data and music data, is modeled with a single full covariance Gaussian model. Once the models have been constructed, new data points are classified by comparing the location of the point in feature space to the locations of the class centers for the models. Any suitable distance metric within the feature space can be employed, such as the Mahalanobis distance. This type of Gaussian classifier utilizes a quadric surface as the boundary between classes. All points on one side of this boundary are classified as speech, and all points on the other side are labeled as music.
Another type of classifier is based upon a Gaussian mixture model. In this approach, each class is modeled as a weighted mixture of diagonal-covariance Gaussians. Every data point in the feature space has an associated likelihood that it belongs to a particular Gaussian mixture. To classify an unknown data point, the likelihoods of the different classes are compared to one another. The decision boundary that is formed in the Gaussian mixture model is best described as a union of quadrics. For every Gaussian in the model, another boundary is employed to partition the feature space. Each of these boundaries is oriented orthogonally to the feature axes, since the covariance of each class is forced to be diagonal. For further information pertaining to Gaussian classifiers, reference is made to Duda and Hart, Pattern Recognition and Scene Analysis, John Wiley and Sons, 1973.
Another type of classifier, and one which is preferred in the context of the present invention, is based upon a nearest-neighbor approach. In a nearest-neighbor classifier, all of the points of a training set are placed in a feature space having a dimension for each feature that is employed. In essence, each data point defines a vector in the feature space. To classify a new point, the local neighborhood of the feature space is examined, to identify the nearest training points. In a "strict" nearest neighbor approach, the test point is assigned the same class as the closest training point to it in the feature space. In a variation of this approach, a number of the nearest neighbor points are identified, and the classifier conducts a class vote among these nearest neighbors. For example, if the five nearest neighbors of the test point are selected, the test point is labeled with the same class as that to which at least three of these nearest neighbor points belong. In a preferred implementation of this embodiment, the number of nearest neighbors which are considered is small, but greater than unity, for example three or five nearest data points. The nearest neighbor approach creates an arbitrarily complex linear decision boundary between the classes. The complexity of the boundary increases as more training data is employed to define points within the feature space.
Another variant of the nearest neighbor approach is based upon spatial partitioning techniques. One common type of spatial partitioning approach is based upon the K-d tree algorithm. For a detailed discussion of this algorithm, reference is made to Omohundro, "Geometric Learning Algorithms" Technical Report 89-041, International Computer Science Institute,
Berkeley, Calif, Oct. 30, 1989 (URL: gopher://smorgasbord.ICSI.Berkeley.EDU:70/11/usr/local/ftp/techreports/ 1989/tr-89-041.ps.Z), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In general, a K-d tree is constructed by recursively partitioning the feature space into rectangular, or hyperrectangular, regions. The dimension along which the features vary the most is first selected, and the training data is split on the basis of that dimension. This process is repeated, one dimension at a time, until the number of training points in a local region of the feature ...
Musical scale indicator2010-03-26 00:00:00musical instruments. FIGS. 6-9 are examples of alternative embodiments, showing how the present invention may be adapted to the alto-saxophone and the piano.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention adapted for use in the class of brass and woodwind instruments, namely for the alto-saxophone. The base 56 for the alto-saxophone is constructed like that of the base 10 for the guitar, in that it has a flat surface 58 and a pair of mutually parallel, spaced apart lips 60. Imprinted on the surface 58 of the base 56 is a series of columns 62 which are demarcated by a number of vertical lines 64. The clear overlay 66 is structured like that of the overlay 26 for the guitar, but has imprinted on its surface 68 a repetitive number of a simulated finger boards 70 for the alto-saxophone. The simulated finger boards 70 are provided by eight circles 72, each representing a fingering key on the alto-saxophone. The overlay surface 68 has a number of columns 74 demarcated by a number of vertical lines 76. In each column 74 is one of the simulated finger boards 70. Each column 74 on the overlay surface 68 has the same width as each column 62 on the base surface 58. Within each column 74, above its respective simulated finger board 70 is located a tone letter 78 from the chromatic scale. The tone letters 78 are in sequence from left to right, starting on E. In order to produce the indicated note of the letter tone in each column, the respective simulated key board in that column has the required keys which must be played indicated by solid circles 80. The surface 58 of the base 56 has, an upper portion 82 of each column 62 a fingering pattern indicia 84, shown in the figures by a cross-hatching, indicating whether that column is a column representing a fingering position to produce scale notes. Above each fingering pattern indicia 84 is a lead note indicia 88, using the Greek alphabet in the manner hereinabove described for the guitar embodiment.
Operation of the present invention for the alto-saxophone will now be described using FIG. 6. Let us say that a user wishes to find the notes and keys playable in "C Major". Then, the user simply slides the overlay 66 until the tone letter C is aligned so as to be directly below the Greek letter alpha on the base 56. Each of the tone letters which are playable in that scale are then indicated where the tone letter 78 on the overlay 66 coincides with a fingering pattern indicia 84 on the base 56. Further, the keys to be played on the alto-saxophone are indicated by the solid circles 80 of the finger boards 70 within the columns having playable tone letters.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show a third embodiment of the present invention adapted for use with a percussion instrument, namely the piano. The base 90 is similar in construction to that of the base 10 for the guitar, in that it has a flat surface 92 and a pair of mutually parallel, spaced apart lips 94. Imprinted on the surface 92 of the base 90 is a series of columns 96 which are demarcated by a number of vertical lines 98. The clear overlay 100 is structured like that of the overlay 26 for the guitar, but has imprinted on its surface 102 a substantial portion of a simulated piano finger board 104. Each key 106 thereof, inclusive of white keys 106a and black keys 106b, has a width which is equal to the width of the columns 96 on the base surface 92. An upper portion 108 of each key 106 has a tone letter 110 imprinted which represents the note that is produced by that key. The sequence of the tone letters is based upon the chromatic scale and progresses from right to left starting with C. In order to facilitate the aforesaid tone letter marking and to afford a view of the underlying base 90, a portion 112 of the black keys is left clear. At an upper portion 114 of each column 96 on the base 90, in line with the clear portion 112 of the black keys 106b, is a fingering pattern indicia 116, shown in the figures by cross-hatching, indicating whether that column is a column representing a fingering position to produce scale notes.
Below each fingering pattern indicia 116 is a lead note indicia 118, using the Greek alphabet in the manner hereinabove described for the guitar embodiment.&...
Musical apparatus using multiple light beams to control musical tone signals2010-03-25 00:00:00AbstractA musical apparatus which controls a variety of parameters of musical tones by detecting motion of an object in a space adjacent to the musical apparatus. More specifically, the musical apparatus may comprise a musical tone signal generator which generates a musical tone signal, at least one light source which radiates light beams into a space adjacent to the musical apparatus, at least one light detector which detects at least two light beams reflected from an object in the space and generates a detection value for each of said at least two light beams, a computing element which receives the detection values and generates a synthesized value; and a controller which controls parameters of musical tones based on the synthesized value. For example, the synthesized value may be the sum of the detection values, the difference between the detection values, the ratio between the detection values, or some other relationship between the detection values.Claims<br /><br />What is claimed is:<br /><br />1. An electronic sound generating system which responds to the motion of an object in a space exterior to the electronic musical system in order to control a sound function, the system comprising:<br /><br />at least one radiation source that emits radiation into a space outside the electronic sound generating system where the emitted radiation hits an object in the space;<br /><br />at least one detector that detects radiation reflected along at least two paths from the object in the space outside the electronic sound generating system to detect motions of the object;<br /><br />a controller for generating a control signal for controlling the sound function dependent on the motions of the object; and<br /><br />a tone generator for generating a sound that is at least partially dependent upon the sound function.<br /><br />2. The system of claim 1, wherein the radiation source that emits radiation comprises a light source that emits at least one light beam and wherein the detector that detects radiation comprises a light detector that detects light reflected along at least two paths from the object.<br /><br />3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sound function is an audio signal.<br /><br />4. The system of claim 1, Wherein the sound function is a tone signal. <br /><br />5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sound function is an electronic audio control signal.<br /><br />6. The system of claim 5, wherein the electronic audio control signal comprises a MIDI signal.<br /><br />7. An electronic audio control system which responds to the motion of an object in a space exterior to the electronic musical system in order to control a sound function, the system comprising:<br /><br />at least one radiation source that emits radiation into a space outside the electronic musical system where the emitted radiation hits an object moving in the space;<br /><br />at least one detector that detects radiation reflected from the object in the space outside die electronic audio control system and produces at least two detection values therefrom, the detection values being dependent upon the motion of the object; and<br /><br />a controller for generating a control signal for controlling the sound function dependent on the motions of the object.<br /><br />8. The system of claim 7, wherein the radiation source that emits radiation comprises a light source that emits at least one light beam and wherein the detector that detects radiation comprises a light detector that detects light reflected along at least one path from the object.<br /><br />9. The system of claim 7, wherein the sound function is an audio signal.<br /><br />10. The system of claim 7, wherein the sound function is a tone signal.<br /><br />11. The system of claim 7, wherein the sound function is an electronic audio control signal.<br /><br />12. The system of claim 11, wherein the electronic audio control signal comprises a MIDI signal.Description<br /><br />FIELD OF THE INVENTION<br /><br />The field of the invention is electronic musical apparatuses such as electronic musical instruments, music-related sound generation devices, music-related sound modification devices, and their controllers, including, for example, synthesizers, keyboards, drum machines, effects processors, effects pedals, sequencers and sound modules. More specifically, the electronic musical apparatus embodying the invention is controlled by detecting the location and/or movement of an object (e.g., a hand) within a space by using a plurality of light beams, including infrared light beams.<br /><br />BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION<br /><br />An electronic musical apparatus which detects reflected light to control the musical tone signal is known. Such a device was disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Publication Number SHO 58-195296.<br /><br />Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Publication Number SHO 58-195296 discloses attaching a light quantity detection apparatus in order to detect and sense the amount of ambient light outside an electronic musical apparatus. It reacts to the amount of light that has been sensed by the light quantity detection apparatus and controls parameters that are related to the musical tone (hereinafter, simply referred to as "parameters") such as the musical interval, timbre and volume.<br /><br />However, in the device disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Publication Number SHO 58-195296, the amount of light is detected by a single light quantity detection apparatus, and there is no disclosure in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Publication Number SHO 58-195296 of the detection of a plurality of light quantities.<br /><br />In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,687 discloses that a space is irradiated with light such as infrared light, mutually different sound pitches are assigned in advance to the multiple number of light beams reflected from the specified objects in the space, said multiple number of reflected light beams are detected and musical tone signals are produced that possess pitches which conform to the reflected light beams that have been detected.<br /><br />However, in the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,687, if a plurality of reflected light beams are detected, the device controls the musical tone signal based only on one of the reflected light beams, the one that is detected first. U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,687 does not disclose that controlling musical tone signals by means of the joint action of a multiple number of reflected light beams.<br /><br />SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION<br /><br />A first, separate aspect of the present invention is a new control mode for musical tone signals where the musical tone signal is controlled by means of the joint action of a plurality of reflected light beams.<br /><br />A second, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which has a plurality of light sources to radiate light into a space and a single light detector which detects light reflected off an object in space.<br /><br />A third, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which sets conditions and determines whether the results of the detection of light reflected off an object in space satisfy those conditions.<br /><br />A fourth, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which controls a musical tone based on whether conditions are satisfied by the results of the detection of light reflected off an object in space.<br /><br />A fifth, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which controls a musical tone based on which conditions are satisfied by the results of the detection of light reflected off an object in space.<br /><br />A sixth, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which has a single detector which detects light beams from a plurality of light sources such as infrared radiation such that the results of this detection controls a variety of parameters of musical tones.<br /><br />A seventh, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus that uses a plurality of light detectors to detect light beams from a single light source such that the results of this detection controls a variety of parameters of musical tones.<br /><br />An eighth, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which locates two light emitters in an outwardly inclined manner on the casing of the musical apparatus in order to reduce the size of the casing.<br /><br />A ninth, separate aspect of the present invention are steps formed in an opened port in the casing of the musical apparatus which prevent diffused reflection from being received by the light detector.<br /><br />A tenth, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which controls the order in which types of parameters of musical tones are changed.<br /><br />An eleventh, separate aspect of the invention is a musical apparatus which uses the sum, difference, ratio or other relationship between the detection results of two detected light beams to control a parameter of a musical tone.<br /><br />A twelfth, separate aspect of the present invention is a musical apparatus which does not require a one-to-one correspondence of light emitters to light detectors.<br /><br />BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS<br /><br />The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:<br /><br />FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electronic musical apparatus having the musical apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention;<br /><br />FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation panel of the electronic musical apparatus;<br /><br />FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a control table;<br /><br />FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting table;<br /><br />FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a buffer;<br /><br />FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt routine;<br /><br />FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for processing of a first infrared LED;<br /><br />FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for processing of a second infrared LED;<br /><br />FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for overall processing;<br /><br />FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for a conversion table of sensor output value;<br /><br />FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment of the musical apparatus according to the present invention;<br /><br />FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment with respect to the light emitter and light detector;<br /><br />FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment with respect to the light emitter and light detection;<br /><br />FIG. 14. is an explanatory diagram for explaining the assignment of parameters;<br /><br />FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the assignment of parameters;<br /><br />FIGS. 16(a), (b), and (c) are explanatory diagrams each showing a casing wherein (a) is a top view, (b) is a sectional view taken along the line 16b--16b of (a), and (c) is a view taken in the direction of the arrow C in (b);<br /><br />FIGS. 17(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams each showing a casing wherein (a) is a sectional view taken along the line 17A--17A of FIG. 16(a), and (b) is a view taken in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 16(a);<br /><br />FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged opened port of the casing;<br /><br />FIGS. 19(a), (b), and (c) are diagrams each showing an example wherein three infrared LEDs are used as light emitters wherein (a) is an example employing three infrared LEDs and one infrared sensor, (b) is an example employing three infrared LEDs and two infrared sensors, and (c) is an example employing three infrared LEDs and two infrared sensors; and<br /><br />FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a conversion table.<br /><br />FIG. 21 is a diagram of another example of a control table.<br /><br />DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT<br /><br />Embodiments of the musical apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.<br /><br />In one embodiment of the present invention, a musical apparatus which detects light rays and uses results of this detection to control musical tones may comprise a plurality of light emitters, a single light detector, and a controller for controlling parameters of musical tone. The light emitter may be a light emitting element such as an infrared light-emitting diode (infrared LED), and a plurality of light emitters may use, for example, two infrared LEDs. Likewise, a light detector may use, for example, a light receiving element such as an infrared sensor. The plurality of light emitters and the single detector are mounted on the main housing of the apparatus. The single detector detects the light rays, which were radiated from the plurality of light emitters and reflected off of a material object in space, independently for every light emitter, and outputs the results detected corresponding to each of the plurality of light emitters, respectively. In response to the detected results, the controller controls or changes parameters of a musical tone.<br /><br />In this embodiment, the plurality of light emitters are, for example, positioned at a prescribed distance (see FIG. 2), or they are positioned such that the direction of radiation of the light emitted from one light emitter is different than that of another light emitter (see FIG. 16), so that when the position of a material object is changed, the light reflected off the material object also changes. The plurality of light emitters emit light in a time-sharing manner, and the single detector outputs the detection result corresponding to the light emitter which emitted light rays synchronously with the timing of the light emission. The musical apparatus may output a detection result corresponding to each one of the plurality of light emitters respectively.<br /><br />An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of light detectors where at least one detector outputs detection results with respect to a plurality of light emitters. For instance, an embodiment of the present invention may include an apparatus containing three light emitters and two detectors where one of the two detectors outputs detection results with respect to two or three emitters. Accordingly, there is no need for a 1:1 correspondence of light detectors to light emitters, which reduces costs.<br /><br />In another embodiment of the present invention, the musical apparatus which detects light rays and uses the results of this detection to control musical tones may comprises one light emitter, a plurality of detectors, and a controller for controlling parameters of a musical tone. The single light emitter and the plurality of detectors are mounted on the main housing of the apparatus. The plurality of detectors detects the light rays respectively, which were radiated from the single light emitter and reflected off of a material object in space, and outputs the results detected. The controller changes parameters for a musical tone based on the detection results.<br /><br />In this embodiment, a plurality of detectors are, for example, positioned at a predetermined distance, or they are positioned so as to provide differing directivity thereof in their detection regions from one another, so that when a position of the material object in space is changed, a condition in detecting the light reflected by the material object changes.<br /><br />In the musical apparatus containing a plurality of light emitters, at least one light emitter is noticed in the sense that the light radiated from the light emitter is detected by a plurality of detectors. For instance, in an apparatus containing three light emitters and two detectors, one of the three light emitters may be noticed in the sense that the light rays from the light emitter is detected by two detectors. Accordingly, there is no need of a 1:1 correspondence of light emitters to light detectors, which reduces costs.<br /><br />In these embodiments, the musical apparatus may further comprise a selector capable of selecting a desired parameter in a plurality of parameters, and the controller controlling changing modes of parameters selected by the selector in response to the detection results of the detectors.<br /><br />In addition, the musical apparatus may still further comprise a performance mode for controlling or changing parameters of musical tones based on the detection results of a light detector, a setting mode for setting this performance mode, and a controller which, in the setting mode, sets values based on the detection results, and in the performance mode, changes parameters of musical tones based on the values set during the setting mode.<br /><br />FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electronic musical apparatus embodying the musical apparatus of the present invention where the electronic musical apparatus is constituted such that its entire operation is controlled by the use of a central processing unit (CPU) 10, and more specifically, a bus (BUS) 12 connected the CPU 10; a read-only memory (ROM) 14 storing a program and the like executed by the CPU 10; a random access memory (ROM) 16 having an area for a control table which will be described hereinafter, an area for a buffer, similar areas for executing the program by means of the CPU 10, and a working area; a sequencer 18 in which data of musical performance for a plurality of musical pieces (the expression "data of musical performance for musical pieces" will be hereinafter referred to as "musical piece performance data") and data for musical performance expressing a phrase having a shorter performance period of time than that of musical piece performance data (the expression "data for musical performance expressing a phrase" will be hereinafter referred to as "phrase performance data", and further "phrase performance data which have been stored in a built-in ROM will be referred to as "first phrase performance data", "second performance data", and "third performance data", respectively) have been stored in a built-in ROM and which reads the musical piece performance data and phrase performance data to output the same in accordance with the processing which will be described below; a sound source 20 in which setting conditions for musical tones and the like have been stored in a built-in ROM and which produces musical tone signals on the basis of the musical piece performance data and the phrase performance data outputted from the sequencer 18 to output the signals to a sound system composed of amplifier, loudspeaker and the like; an operating key group 22 including a variety of operating keys for setting a variety of parameters which will be described below for controlling the sequencer 18; and for similar purposes, a display section 24 for displaying setting conditions for a variety of parameters which will be mentioned below and the like; a first infrared LED 26 being the first light emitting element for outputting light rays as a means for emitting light; a second infrared LED 28 being the second light emitting element for outputting light rays as a means for emitting light; and an infrared sensor 30 being a light receiving element for rece...
Thumbrest ring adapter for musical instrument2010-03-24 00:00:00AbstractA ring adapter assembly is releasably attachable to a thumbrest of a woodwind musical instrument, such as an oboe, clarinet, English horn or straight saxophone, to provide an attachment ring in those instances when the thumbrest of the instrument does not include a permanent attachment ring. The ring adapter assembly allows a support device to be attached to the musical instrument to relieve the weight on the thumb and hand of a musician playing the instrument. One embodiment of the ring adapter assembly is used with fixed position thumbrests and is adapted to be seated on a top surface of the thumbrest so that an attachment ring within the assembly faces away from the musical instrument. A top portion of the assembly may be moved up and down by an adjustment screw and includes a spring wire which extends around the thumbrest to connect the assembly to the thumbrest. Upward adjustment of the top portion increases the tension on the wire and the downforce applied to the assembly to maintain the assembly seated on the thumbrest. Another embodiment of the ring adapter assembly fixes an attachment ring to an adjustable thumbrest. The position of the ring adapter assembly on the thumbrest is adjustable to compensate for adjustments of the thumbrest in relation to the musical instrument. An attachment component for a monopod strut device is also disclosed. The attachment component is releasably attachable to the ring adapter assembly to support the musical instrument.Claims<br /><br />The invention claimed is:<br /><br />1. A ring adapter assembly for a musical instrument having a thumbrest which includes a horizontal projection extending outward from the instrument toward a musician and under which a thumb of the musician is conventionally placed, said assembly comprising:<br /><br />a body;<br /><br />attachment apparatus for connecting the body to the thumbrest without interfering with placement and position of the musician's thumb under the horizontal projection; and<br /><br />an eye fixed to the body at a position above the horizontal projection of the thumbrest.<br /><br />2. A ring adapter assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the position of the horizontal projection is fixed in relation to the musical instrument, and wherein the body further includes:<br /><br />a base having a bottom surface seated upon a top surface of the horizontal projection.<br /><br />3. A ring adapter assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the body further comprises:<br /><br />a resilient, compressible surface bonded to the bottom surface of the base and adapted to be seated on the horizontal projection. <br /><br />4. A ring adapter assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein a vertical post is fixed to a top surface of the horizontal projection of the thumbrest and a receptacle is fixed to the musical instrument to receive the vertical post and adjustably fix the position of the horizontal projection in relation to the musical instrument, and wherein:<br /><br />the body further comprises an elongated horizontal surface defining a vertical opening at one end to receive the vertical post of the thumbrest and allow the horizontal surface to move along the vertical post; and<br /><br />the attachment apparatus includes movement limiting means to fix the location of the horizontal surface relative to the vertical post.<br /><br />5. A ring adapter assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein:<br /><br />the horizontal surface further defines a threaded horizontal opening; and<br /><br />the movement limiting means comprises a set screw extending through the threaded horizontal opening to contact the vertical post.<br /><br />6. A ring adapter assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein:<br /><br />the body further comprises a vertical surface attached to an end of the horizontal surface opposite the vertical opening; and<br /><br />the eye is fixed to the vertical surface.<br /><br />7. A ring adapter assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein the vertical surface and the eye extend below the horizontal surface.<br /><br />8. A ring adapter assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein the vertical surface and the eye extend above the horizontal surface.<br /><br />9. A ring adapter assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein:<br /><br />the horizontal surface is fixed to the vertical post at a location above the receptacle; and<br /><br />the vertical surface and the eye extend below the horizontal surface.<br /><br />10. A ring adapter assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein:<br /><br />the horizontal surface is fixed to the vertical post at a location below the receptacle; and<br /><br />the vertical surface and the eye extend above the horizontal surface.<br /><br />11. A ring adapter assembly as defined in claim 1, in combination with:<br /><br />an attachment component for connecting the ring adapter assembly to a support device for the musical instrument, said attachment component comprising:<br /><br />an elongated body adapted to be connected to the support device; and<br /><br />a connector pivotably connected to the elongated body, said connector pivotable between an open position and a closed position to engage the eye and connect the elongated body to the eye without interfering with the conventional placement and position of the musician's thumb on the thumbrest.<br /><br />12. A ring adapter assembly and attachment component combination as defined in claim 15, wherein the connector includes:<br /><br />a hook; and<br /><br />an actuating handle connected to the hook to pivot the hook to the closed position through the eye and and to pivot the hook to the open position and withdraw the hook from the eye.<br /><br />13. A ring adapter assembly and attachment component combination as defined in claim 12, wherein the elongated body further includes:<br /><br />a longitudinal slot formed at one end of the elongated body to receive the eye; and<br /><br />a transverse slot formed adjacent the one end of the elongated body to capture the hook as the actuating handle moves the hook across the longitudinal slot.<br /><br />14. A ring adapter assembly and attachment component combination as defined in claim 13, wherein the connector further comprises:<br /><br />a biasing device connected between the hook and the elongated body to bias the hook into a position within the transverse slot and extending across the longitudinal slot.<br /><br />15. A ring adapter assembly and attachment component combination as defined in claim 12, wherein the elongated body further includes:<br /><br />a longitudinal slot formed at one end of the elongated body to receive the eye.<br /><br />16. A ring adapter assembly and attachment component combination as defined in claim 15, wherein the elongated body further includes:<br /><br />a transverse slot formed adjacent the one end of the elongated body to capture the hook as the actuating handle moves the hook across the longitudinal slot.Description<br /><br />FIELD OF THE INVENTION<br /><br />This invention relates to musical instruments of the type which are substantially supported by a thumb or hand of the musician while they are being played, such as an oboe, clarinet, English horn or straight saxophone. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for selectively connecting an attachment ring to either a fixed or an adjustable thumbrest of a musical instrument which did not previously provide an attachment ring. The attachment ring may be used to attach a support device such as a neck strap or a monopod support of the type described in the aforementioned application to the musical instrument to relieve the musician of some of the fatigue involved when playing the instrument.<br /><br />BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION<br /><br />Certain reed woodwind musical instruments, such as the oboe, the clarinet, the English horn and the straight saxophone, require the musician to hold the instrument by the musician's mouth embouchure and by the musician's hands, while simultaneously requiring the embouchure to be flexible enough to achieve the desired range of reed vibration and requiring the fingers to be flexible and moveable enough to depress all of the keys when playing the instrument. One consequence of these requirements for simultaneous stability and flexibility is that the support arrangement for the instrument can not limit the flexibility of the musician's fingers or mouth. As a result, an oboe, clarinet, English horn and straight saxophone all include a thumbrest which rests on the thumb of the musician's right hand. The thumbrest itself typically comprises a flange which protrudes from the musical instrument, the flange having a flat underside that is supported on the musician's right thumb while the remaining fingers of the right hand are unrestricted to contact the key pads of the instrument. The thumbrest may be fixed in position on the musical instrument or it may be adjusted over a narrow range of positions along the length of the instrument. The fingers and the thumb of the musician's left hand are all available to contact key pads.<br /><br />The substantial majority of the weight of the instrument is supported by the thumb of the musician's right hand, since the embouchure can not support the weight of the instrument and still remain flexible enough to play the instrument, and because the fingers of the left hand must remain free to contact the keypads. As a result, considerable strain in the hand and on the right thumb may be experienced by the musician during prolonged musical performances or practice sessions. For professional and student musicians, the strain may become so unbearable as to hinder their ability to play the instrument. Worse still, repeated strain may cause severe and permanent injuries of a nature similar to repetitive motion injuries.<br /><br />A variety of instrument support devices have been created to relieve the musician of the stress involved with supporting the musical instrument over a prolonged period of time. These devices include both conventional neck straps and chest support devices which are typically connected to an attachment ring mounted on a top side of the thumbrest opposite the underside where the musician's right thumb is placed. In addition to neck straps and chest supports, the attachment ring may also be connected to a monopod support such as the one described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/378,198 for "Extendable Monopod Strut Device For Musical Instrument," filed Jan. 25, 1995.<br /><br />However, not all woodwind musical instruments include an attachment ring on top of the thumbrest. In particular, clarinets and less expensive oboes often do not include such an attachment ring on the thumbrest. In these instances, a neck strap, a chest support or a monopod support can not be directly attached to the thumbrest, and the weight of the musical instrument must be fully supported by the musician's thumb and embouchure.<br /><br />Alternatively, a different means of supporting the musical instrument which is not dependent on a thumbrest attachment ring may be utilized. Such alternative means includes wrist straps which extend from the musician's wrist, between the thumb and forefinger, to the instrument at a location near a bell of the instrument. The lower end of the strap is attached by a belt which is attached around the body of the instrument. The length of the strap is adjusted to position the hand in the desired location and to relieve the weight on the thumb. Wrist support devices of this type have not achieved acceptance, possibly due to the constriction on the hand between the thumb and the forefinger and possibly due to the different feel of the instrument when it is supported near its bell rather than in the middle near its center of balance.<br /><br />A variety of other types of instrument support devices have been used with heavier instruments such as baritones, sousaphones and S-shaped saxophones. However, these other types of support devices are virtually required because of the considerably greater weight of those instruments and would not typically be effective with the smaller woodwind instruments which require a greater degree of dexterity. Thus, in spite of the variety of different types of support devices for a wide variety of different musical instruments, musicians playing the smaller woodwind instruments such as the oboe, the clarinet, the English horn and the straight saxophone typically choose to either support the entire weight of the instrument on their thumb or use a support device connected to an attachment ring on the thumbrest. In those instances where the instrument does not include an attachment ring on the thumbrest, the musician will typically be required to hold the entire weight of the instrument rather than opt for an alternative support device. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present invention has evolved.<br /><br />SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION<br /><br />The present invention provides the capability of attaching a support device, such as a neck strap, chest support or monopod device to a woodwind instrument such as the oboe, the clarinet, the English horn or the straight saxophone when those instruments do not include a permanent eye or attachment ring on the their respective thumbrests. The ability to add such a support device allows a musician to relieve as much of the weight of the musical instrument on the musician's thumb and hand as desired without limiting the position, flexibility or maneuverability of the instrument. A further objective of the present invention is to provide an assembly that allows for the attachment of a support device, where the assembly is relatively small with respect to the size of the musical instrument and where the assembly may be quickly and simply attached to the instrument.<br /><br />In accordance with the above aspects, the present invention relates to a unique ring adapter assembly which may be releasably attached to a thumbrest on the musical instrument to provide an attachment ring to those thumbrests which do not include their own permanent eye or attachment ring. One embodiment of the ring adapter assembly, which is used with fixed position thumbrests, includes a base adapted to be seated on a top surface of the thumbrest (opposite the bottom surface where the musician's thumb is positioned while playing the instrument). The base holds an attachment ring and fits within an open bottom end of a hollow tube. A cap fits within an open top end of the hollow tube and holds the ring in place within the hollow tube. Once the base is seated on the thumbrest, a spring wire attached to the cap is connected around the thumbrest to maint...
Low profile keyboard device and system for recording and scoring music2010-03-23 00:00:00are in octaveunits to further provide increased flexibility to the musician; the musician may use as few or as many octave modules to record music played on only one or several octaves, to record music on a smaller keyboard instrument, or to record music which spansall octaves of, for example, a standard acoustic piano. The modules simply interconnect, thereby increasing the length of the keyboard strip comprising the device of the invention. The modules, moreover, are portable and can be easily removed andattached to a different keyboard instrument.
Musical data comprising key and key expression information and key surface reflection characteristics are captured within the modular device of the invention with the use of reflective couplers. There is one reflective coupler corresponding toeach key covered by the module; therefore, in a one octave module, there are twelve reflective couplers because there are twelve keys (including black and white keys) in a typical keyboard octave. The reflective couplers are mounted within the keyboardmold of the module. Each reflective coupler has a diode emitter portion and a phototransistor sensor or photodector portion. Emitted light from the diode emitter portion is pointed towards the key. When the key is at rest or in an "up" position, theemitted light is reflected or bounced off the key in an upward direction and is sensed by the phototransistor sensor portion. When, however, a key is struck or played and in a down position, the key is at an angle and a substantial amount of the emittedlight from the diode emitter portion is deflected at an angle rather than upwards. The phototransistor is thereby "turned off" due to insufficient lighting, resulting in a change of state which is represented by analog voltage data.
For black keys, which tend to absorb rather than reflect light, a transistor driver can be included in the module to increase the drive capability to the diode emitter to provide sufficient reflected light off of the black key to thephotodetector portion of the reflective coupler.
Because the resistance of the photodetector is a function of received light, the rise time of the output voltage is a function of this resistance. Depending on the characteristics of the key surfacecolor, this resistance will vary somewhat with each key, especially on a typical keyboard which has contrasting white and black keys. By allowing each key's photodetector to have a corresponding multiplexed on-time, these rise times can risesignificantly to attain on/off levels at the processor.
In conjunction with predetermining key surface reflection characteristics a sixth wire or line can be added to the module for remotely varying each key's emitter drive values. This line can be either an analog or simply a digital level. Since akeyboard in good condition exhibits two types of key surfaces having equal sensitivities, i.e., white keys and black keys, the sixth line can serve to remain "off" for white keys, and "on" for black keys. The on value would be an additive voltage todrive the emitter harder for each multiplexed key.
Key stroke velocity information is contained in the duration and strength of the analog voltage signal produced by the phototransistor. This information is extracted by counting clock pulses starting at a time when the signal achieves acalibrated voltage level generated by the phototransistors, and ending at a time when the signal achieves a different set voltage level. The sequential strobing of the diodes results in minimal power requirements and a minimal number of data lines inand out of the device of the invention because only one reflective coupler is enabled at a time.
Analog voltage data from the device of the invention is analyzed preferably in a processing unit. The processing unit preferably comprises a comparator circuit which compares the incoming analog voltage with previously calibrated high and lowvoltage levels for purposes of determining key stroke velocity. During this comparison process, the voltage data is digitized. The processing unit further preferably comprises a compensation circuit which functions to increase the response time of thedevice and the system of the invention.
The processing unit also further comprises clocking means derived from the processor's oscillating crystal. Clock pulses are transmitted to the modular keyboard device of the invention, thereby sequentially enabling one reflective coupler witheach clock pulse. Algorithm instructions are also executed at the clock rate within the microcomputer. The clocking means then preferably provides the rate at which each LED is strobed, a means to detect key stroke velocity, and a rate for processingnote and note expression data.
The processing unit further comprises a microcomputer. The microcomputer initializes the system of the invention and prepares the computer-compatible link for data acquisition, analysis, and transmission. The microcomputer then enables clockpulses to be transmitted to the keyboard modular device. The reflective couplers are "turned on" at the varied clock rate, one at a time. (The varied or delay clock rate is recalled from processor memory to allow analog voltages to rise in accordancewith initial key surface reflection characteristics.) The resultant analog voltage signal generated by each transistor of the reflective couplers is sent to the comparator circuit. Output data from two comparators enters the microcomputer and iscompared. If the two outputs of the comparator c...
Keyboard electronic musical instrument with guitar emulation function2010-03-20 00:00:00AbstractA polyphonic electronic musical instrument is provided wherein a keyboard is used to trigger arpeggiated chords which emulate a strumming guitar sound. Select keys are provided for selecting which notes are included in chords to be strummed. At least one triggering device is also provided for triggering chords. The triggering device is constructed to alternate between two trigger states. The triggering device may be a keyboard key, foot pedal, or other device. The instrument operates in such a fashion that two arpeggiated chords of alternating direction (ascending and descending) may be produced during, and at least partially as a result of, one triggering device cycle from one state to the other and back again.Claims<br /><br />What is claimed is:<br /><br />1. An emulator for producing a guitar style performance from a controller, said controller including a user-operated triggering device for triggering arpeggiated chords which a user may alternate between a first trigger state and a second trigger state, and at least twelve keyboard keys assigned to a note select function, each of which a user may alternate between a rest key state and a selected key state, comprising:<br /><br />a digital data processing system which receives trigger state information from said triggering device and key state information from said note select keys, and which sends commands to a tone generating device wherein,<br /><br />a first state change of said triggering device from said first trigger state to said second trigger state when at least two of said note select keys are in said selected key state causes said data processing system to command said tone generating device to initiate production of a plurality of tones corresponding to the selected note select keys in an ascending sequence; and,<br /><br />a second state change of said triggering device from said second trigger state to said first trigger state following said first triggering device state change as said selected note select keys remain in said selected key state causes said data processing system to command said tone generating device to (a) terminate production of said plurality of tones and (b) re-initiate production of said plurality of tones in a descending sequence.<br /><br />2. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;<br /><br />said triggering device is a keyboard key.<br /><br />3. An emulator as in claim 2 wherein,<br /><br />said triggering device key is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and <br /><br />said first and second trigger states are said rest and depressed key positions, respectively.<br /><br />4. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;<br /><br />said triggering device is a vertically reciprocating foot pedal.<br /><br />5. An emulator as in claim 4 wherein,<br /><br />said triggering device foot pedal is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and<br /><br />said first and second trigger states are said rest and depressed pedal positions, respectively.<br /><br />6. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;<br /><br />said triggering device is a foot position sensing device which senses horizontal position of at least a portion of one of said user's feet.<br /><br />7. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein,<br /><br />each of said note select keys is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and<br /><br />said rest and selected key states are said rest and depressed positions, respectively.<br /><br />8. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;<br /><br />production of all of said tones initiated as a result of said first trigger state change is terminated as a result of said second trigger state change before the tones are re-initiated as a result of said second state change.<br /><br />9. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;<br /><br />each of said tones initiated as a result of said first trigger state change is terminated as a result of said second trigger state change immediately prior to re-initiation; whereby,<br /><br />as a result of said second state change, the highest pitched selected musical tone is muted and re-triggered, then the next lowest pitched selected musical tone is muted and re-triggered, followed by the next lowest tone.<br /><br />10. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;<br /><br />state changes of said triggering device are affected through movement of a human appendage;<br /><br />said data processing system receives information from said triggering device regarding the velocity with which said appendage effects trigger state changes;<br /><br />said commands to initiate tone production include velocity data; and,<br /><br />the velocity values corresponding with commands to initiate tone production for selected tones are a function of the velocity of the appendage movement which triggers the initiation of the selected tones.<br /><br />11. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;<br /><br />said key state information includes information regarding aftertouch pressure applied to selected note select keys;<br /><br />said commands to initiate tone production include velocity data; and,<br /><br />the velocity values for selected tones are a function of aftertouch pressure applied to note select keys near the time of corresponding trigger state change.<br /><br />12. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;<br /><br />said data processing system measures elapsed time between successive triggering device state changes; and,<br /><br />elapse times between successive commands to initiate tone production for selected tones initiated as a result of a trigger state change are a function of the elapsed time between that trigger state change and the preceding trigger state change.<br /><br />13. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;<br /><br />state changes of said triggering device are affected through movement of a human appendage;<br /><br />said data processing system receives information from said triggering device regarding the velocity with which said appendage effects trigger state changes; and<br /><br />elapse times between successive commands to initiate tone production for selected tones initiated as a result of a trigger state change are an inverse function of the velocity of the appendage movement which affected the corresponding trigger state change.<br /><br />14. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;<br /><br />the center-to-center distance between two of said note select keys which correspond with two tones one octave apart is not more than 14.5 centimeters.<br /><br />15. An emulator as in claim 1 wherein;<br /><br />said data processing system communicates with said tone generating device according to a standardized digital protocol.<br /><br />16. An emulator as in claim 15 wherein;<br /><br />said protocol is selected from the group consisting of MIDI and ZIPI.<br /><br />17. A method of generating ascending and descending musical chord arpeggiations comprising:<br /><br />assigning at least twelve of the keys within a keyboard to a note select function;<br /><br />determining which keys are included within a group of said note select keys being held in a selected state by a user;<br /><br />instructing a tone generating device to play an ascending arpeggiation of the notes corresponding with said group of keys in response to a first user-initiated state change of a triggering device from a first trigger state to a second trigger state as said group of keys continue to be held in selected state; and<br /><br />instructing said tone generating device to (a) mute the notes played in response to said first trigger state change and (b) play a descending arpeggiation of the same notes in response to a second user-initiated state change of said triggering device from said second trigger state to said first trigger state as said group of keys continue to be held in selected state.<br /><br />18. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein;<br /><br />said triggering device is a key within said keyboard.<br /><br />19. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 18 wherein,<br /><br />said triggering device key is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and<br /><br />said first and second trigger states are said rest and depressed key positions, respectively.<br /><br />20. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein;<br /><br />said triggering device is a foot pedal.<br /><br />21. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 20 wherein,<br /><br />said triggering device foot pedal is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and<br /><br />said first and second trigger states are said rest and depressed pedal positions, respectively.<br /><br />22. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein,<br /><br />each of said note select keys is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and<br /><br />said rest and selected key states are said rest and depressed positions, respectively.<br /><br />23. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein;<br /><br />production of all of said notes initiated in response to said first triggering device state change is terminated as a result of said second triggering device state change before the notes are re-initiated in response to said second triggering device state change.<br /><br />24. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein;<br /><br />each of said notes initiated in response to said first triggering device state change is terminated as a result of said second triggering device state change immediately prior to re-initiation; whereby,<br /><br />in response to said second state change, the highest pitched selected note is muted and re-triggered, then the next lowest pitched selected note is muted and re-triggered, followed by the next lowest note.<br /><br />25. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 further comprising;<br /><br />measuring the velocity with which a human appendage effects a triggering device state change; and<br /><br />instructing said tone generating device to produce the corresponding arpeggiation at a volume which is a function of the measured appendage velocity.<br /><br />26. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 further comprising;<br /><br />measuring the aftertouch pressure applied to said group of keys near the time of a triggering device state change; and<br /><br />instructing said tone generating device to produce the corresponding arpeggiation at a volume which is a function of the measured aftertouch pressure.<br /><br />27. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 further comprising;<br /><br />measuring elapsed time between successive triggering device state changes; and,<br /><br />instructing said tone generating device to produce said arpeggiations of notes in such a manner that elapse times between successive notes within an arpeggiation are a function of the elapsed time between the triggering device state change which triggered the arpeggiation and the preceding triggering device state change.<br /><br />28. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 further comprising;<br /><br />measuring the velocities with which a human appendage effects triggering device state changes; and<br /><br />instructing said tone generating device to produce said arpeggiations of notes in such a manner that elapse times between successive notes within an arpeggiation are an inverse function of the velocity of the appendage movement which triggered the arpeggiation.<br /><br />29. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein;<br /><br />the center-to-center distance between two of said note select keys which correspond with two notes one octave apart is not more than 14.5 centimeters.<br /><br />30. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 17 wherein;<br /><br />instructions are sent to said tone generating device according to a standardized digital protocol.<br /><br />31. A method of generating arpeggiations as in claim 30 wherein;<br /><br />said protocol is selected from the group consisting of MIDI and ZIPI.<br /><br />32. An emulator for producing a guitar style performance from a controller, said controller including first and second user-operated triggering devices, each of which a user may alternate between a rest trigger state and a selected trigger state, and at least twelve keyboard keys assigned to a note select function, each of which a user may alternate between a rest key state and a selected key state, comprising:<br /><br />a digital data processing system which receives trigger state information from said triggering devices and key state information from said note select keys, and which sends commands to a tone generating device wherein,<br /><br />a state change of said first triggering device from said rest trigger state to said selected trigger state when at least two of said note select keys are in said selected key state causes said data processing system to command said tone generating device to initiate production of a plurality of tones corresponding to the selected note select keys in an ascending sequence; and,<br /><br />a state change of said second triggering device from said rest trigger state to said selected trigger state following said state change of said first triggering device as said selected note select keys and said first triggering device continue to be held in selected state causes said data processing system to command said tone generating device to (a) terminate production of said plurality of tones and (b) re-initiate production of said plurality of tones in a descending sequence.<br /><br />33. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein said processing system<br /><br />(a) allows said tone generating device to continue production of the tones initiated as a result of said state change of said second triggering device when either of said triggering devices is returned to rest state as the other triggering device and said selected note select keys remain in selected state; and<br /><br />(b) commands said tone generating device to terminate production of the tones initiated as a result of said state change of said second triggering device when the triggering device remaining in selected state is returned to rest state.<br /><br />34. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;<br /><br />at least one of said triggering devices is a keyboard key.<br /><br />35. An emulator as in claim 34 wherein,<br /><br />said triggering device key is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and<br /><br />said rest and selected trigger states are said rest and depressed key positions, respectively.<br /><br />36. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;<br /><br />at least one of said triggering devices is a foot pedal.<br /><br />37. An emulator as in claim 36 wherein,<br /><br />said triggering device foot pedal is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and<br /><br />said rest and selected trigger states are said rest and depressed pedal positions, respectively.<br /><br />38. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein,<br /><br />each of said note select keys is reciprocative between a rest position and a depressed position; and<br /><br />said rest and selected key states are said rest and depressed positions, respectively.<br /><br />39. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;<br /><br />production of all of said tones initiated as a result of said state change of said first triggering device is terminated as a result of said state change of said second triggering device before the tones are re-initiated as a result of said state change of said second triggering device.<br /><br />40. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;<br /><br />each of said tones initiated as a result of said state change of said first triggering device is terminated as a result of said state change of said second triggering device immediately prior to re-initiation; whereby,<br /><br />as a result of said state change of said second triggering device, the highest pitched selected musical tone is muted and re-triggered, then the next lowest pitched selected musical tone is muted and re-triggered, followed by the next lowest tone.<br /><br />41. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;<br /><br />state changes of said triggering devices from rest to selected state are affected through movement of one or more human appendages;<br /><br />said data processing system receives information from said triggering devices regarding the velocity with which said one or more appendages effect state changes of said triggering devices from rest to selected state;<br /><br />said commands to initiate tone production include velocity data; and,<br /><br />the velocity values corresponding with commands to initiate tone production for selected tones are a function of the velocity of the appendage movement which triggers the initiation of the selected tones.<br /><br />42. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;<br /><br />said key state information includes information regarding aftertouch pressure applied to selected note select keys;<br /><br />said commands to initiate tone production include velocity data; and,<br /><br />the velocity values corresponding with commands to initiate tone production for selected tones are a function of aftertouch pressure applied to note select keys near the time of corresponding triggering device state change from rest to selected state.<br /><br />43. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;<br /><br />said data processing system measures elapsed time between successive triggering device rest-to-selected state changes; and,<br /><br />elapsed time between successive commands to initiate tone production for selected tones initiated as a result of a triggering device rest-to-selected state change is a function of elapsed time between successive triggering device rest-to-selected state changes.<br /><br />44. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;<br /><br />state changes of said triggering devices from rest to selected state are affected through movement of one or more human appendages;<br /><br />said data processing system receives information from said triggering devices regarding the velocity with which said one or more appendages effect state changes of said triggering devices from rest to selected state; and<br /><br />elapsed time between successive commands to initiate tone production for selected tones initiated as a result of a triggering device rest-to-selected state change is an inverse function of the velocity of the appendage movement which affected the corresponding rest-to-selected trigger device state change.<br /><br />45. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;<br /><br />the center-to-center distance between two of said note select keys which correspond with two tones one octave apart is not more than 14.5 centimeters.<br /><br />46. An emulator as in claim 32 wherein;<br /><br />said data processing system communicates with said tone generating device according to a standardized digital protocol.<br /><br />47. An emulator as in claim 46 wherein;<br /><br />said protocol is selected from the group consisting of MIDI and ZIPI.<br /><br />48. A method of generating ascending and descending musical chord arpeggiations comprising:<br /><br />assigning at least twelve of the keys within a keyboard to a note select function;<br /><br />determining which keys are included within a group of said note select keys being held in a selected state by a user;<br /><br />instructing a tone generating device to play an ascendi...
Device for cleaning wind musical instruments2010-03-18 00:00:00AbstractA device for cleaning an inner wall of a tube for a wind musical instrument. The device includes a semi-rigid rod formed of separable half sections, which define, when contiguous to one another, an axially directed slit. A removable cleaning cloth is secured within the slit between the confronting walls of the half sections of the rod, when the confronting walls of the half sections are contiguous to one another. The cloth extends along the rod in the axial direction substantially the entire distance of the rod, when the walls of the half sections are contiguous to one another.Claims<br /><br />What is claimed is:<br /><br />1. A cleaning device for cleaning a tube of a wind musical instrument comprising:<br /><br />(a) an elongated member having separable sections separable from one another along the axis of said elongated member, said separable sections confronting one another in the axial direction of said elongated member and defining therebetween a slit axially directed along the axis of said elongated member when said separable sections are disposed in contiguous relation;<br /><br />(b) a cleaning cloth removably secured between said separable sections and disposed within said axially directed slit, said cleaning cloth having at least one flap extending out of said slit for cleaning the tube of the wind musical instrument, said flap being furled about said elongated member to prevent the elongated member from marring the tube of the wind musical instrument; and<br /><br />(c) means for releasably securing said separable sections in contiguous relation,<br /><br />(d) said slit extending substantially along the entire axial distance of said elongated member, and said cleaning cloth being disposed in and extending out of said slit substantially along the entire axial distance of said elongated member.<br /><br />2. A cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said separable sections are formed with confronting walls between which said cloth is removably secured when said separable sections are disposed in contiguous relation, said device further comprising abrasive means adhering to said confronting walls to improve the securement between said separable sections and said cloth.Description<br /><br />BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION<br /><br />The present invention relates in general to devices for cleaning musical instruments, and more particularly to a device for cleaning wind musical instruments. <br /><br />The playing of wind musical instruments causes moisture to collect on the inner wall of the tube of the wind instrument. The breath of the instrumentalists condenses on the inner wall of the tube of the wind instrument. Proper care of the wind instrument requires the removal of the moisture from the inner wall of the tube of the wind instrument. Heretofore, cotton swabs have been employed to remove the moisture that has collected on the inner wall of the tube of the wind instrument. Such swabs were intended to be disposable. Heretofore, filaments were employed to remove moisture that has collected on the inner wall of the tube of the wind instrument. The filaments with the moisture collected thereon extended through the tone holes of the musical instrument, resulting in moisture collecting on the pad that covers the tone holes. The repeated wetness of the pad causes the pad to become hard rather than remain a soft material.<br /><br />The U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,504, to Koregelos, issued on Sept. 19, 1978, for Demoisturizer For Wind Musical Instrument, discloses an elongated device with filaments disposed along an elongated member. The filaments extend radially outward from the elongated member. The device is inserted into the tube of the wind instrument, whereby the filaments absorb moisture that has collected on the inner walls of the tube.<br /><br />The U.S. Pat. No. 1,421,529, to Millhouse, issued on July 4, 1922, for Cleaning Device, discloses a cleaning device having an elongated resilient wire. At the free end of the elongated resilient wire is a bristle brush. The elongated wire is inserted into the tube of the wind instrument and the brush at the free end thereof removes the moisture from the inner wall of the tube of the wind musical instrument.<br /><br />In the U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,790, to Satch, issued on Jan. 13, 1970, for Cleaning Rod For Woodwind Musical Instruments, there is disclosed a cleaning rod for musical instruments. At the free end of the rod is a hole through which a piece of cloth passes.<br /><br />In the U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,420, to Kafkis, issued on June 19, 1973, for Device Swabbing The Base of A Musical Instrument, there is disclosed a device for removing moisture from the inner wall of a tube of a wind musical instrument. The device includes a flexible cord. At the free end of the cord is a triangularly shaped body of foamed plastic material. On the foamed plastic body is a contour conforming chamois cloth.<br /><br />The U.S. Pat. No. 3,151,517, to Guinness, issued on Oct. 6, 1964, for Musical Pipes, discloses a musical pipe made of telescoping tubes. The U.S. Pat. No. 2,637,865, to Posson, issued on May 12, 1953, for Tube Cleaning Tool, discloses a ramrod. At the free end of the ramroad is a cleaning swab.<br /><br />The U.S. Pat. No. 1,427,582, to Cumpston, issued on Aug. 29, 1922, for Gun Cleaning Device, discloses a ramrod. At the free end of the ramrod is a tip with a slit. A cleaning rag is disposed on the slit of the tip and wrapped around the tip. A sleeve is slipped over the tip. The unwrapped portion of the rag passes through a slit in the sleeve and the free end of the rag hangs loosely from the slit in the sleeve. The British Patent to Foster, No. 26,650, issued Nov. 17, 1910, for An Improved Cleaning Device For The Barrels of Firearms and For Other Tubes, discloses a cylindrical rod slotted diametrically at the free end thereof. A flannel cloth is inserted into the slot. The cloth is wrapped around the rod and presents a cylindrical surface. The German Patent to Glatz, No. 25415, issued on Aug. 25, 1906, discloses a rod with a tip at one end.<br /><br />SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION<br /><br />A device for cleaning an inner wall of a tube of a wind musical instrument, which includes an elongated member having an axially directed slit disposed along substantially the length of the elongated member and across the cross-sectional area of the elongated member. Disposed in the slit is a cleaning cloth that extends substantially along the entire length of the slit. By separating the elongated member along the length thereof, the cleaning cloth can be removed from or inserted between sections of the elongated member. By placing the separated sections of the elongated member into contiguous relation, the cloth is removably secured in the slit between the sections of the elongated member. A cap is disposed on at least one end of the elongated member to retain the cloth securely between the sections of the elongated member. The cloth, while retained securely between the sections of the elongated member, projects radially outward from the elongated member and along the length of the elongated member.<br /><br />An object of the present invention is to provide a device for cleaning an inner wall of a tube of a wind instrument in which a cleaning cloth extends substantially along the entire length of an elongated member and is removably secured between separable sections of the elongated member.<br /><br />A feature of the present invention is that the cleaning cloth can be removed with facility from the device for washing and reuse after being washed.<br /><br />Another feature of the present invention is to provide abrasive confronting surfaces on the separable se...
Automatic performance apparatus of an electronic musical instrument2010-03-15 00:00:00AbstractThe present invention relates to an automatic performance apparatus of an electronic musical instrument for activating and deactivating an automatic performance for each musical part such as melody tone, accompaniment tone, or rhythm tone. The first performance data memory stores an instruction signal which instructs the second reading circuit to start and stop reading performance data stored in the second performance data memory, so that the reading of the performance data stored in the second performance data memory can automatically start and stop in accordance with the progressing of the reading based on the performance data stored in the first performance data memory. Both performance data stored in the first performance data memory and in the second performance data memory are read by respective reading circuits, so that it is possible to selectively start and stop reading the performance data stored in both the first performance data memory and the second performance data memory.ClaimsWe claim:<br /><br />1. An automatic performance apparatus of an electronic musical instrument comprising:<br /><br />first automatic performance means for performing music comprising:<br /><br />first memory means for storing first performance information and instruction information; and<br /><br />first reading means for reading said first performance information and said instruction information from said first memory means;<br /><br />second automatic performance means for performing music comprising:<br /><br />second memory means for storing second performance information; and<br /><br />second reading means for reading said second performance information from said second memory means; and<br /><br />control means for controlling said second automatic performance means in response to the readout of said instruction information.<br /><br />2. An automatic performance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first memory means comprises a chord sequence memory for storing said first performance information including basic tone data. <br /><br />3. An automatic performance apparatus of an electronic musical instrument comprising:<br /><br />first automatic performance means having a first performance data memory for storing first performance data and first reading means for reading out performance data stored in said first performance data memory;<br /><br />second automatic performance means having a second performance data memory for storing second performance data and second reading means for reading out performance data stored in said second performance data memory; and<br /><br />selection means for selecting at least one of said first automatic performance means and said second automatic performance means in accordance with the state of stored instruction data, said selection means comprising a start-stop switch and said stored instruction data comprising registered content data included in said first performance data memory.<br /><br />4. An automatic performance apparatus of an electronic musical instrument comprising:<br /><br />first automatic performance means having a first performance data memory for storing first performance data and first reading means for reading out performance data stored in said first performance data memory;<br /><br />second automatic performance means having a second performance data memory for storing second performance data and second reading means for reading out performance data stored in said second performance data memory; and<br /><br />selection means for selecting at least one of said first automatic performance means and said second automatic performance means in accordance with the state of stored instruction data,<br /><br />wherein said first performance data memory is a chord sequence memory for storing said first performance data including basic tone data.<br /><br />5. An automatic performance apparatus of an electronic musical instrument comprising:<br /><br />first automatic performance means having a first performance data memory for storing first performance data and first reading means for reading out performance data stored in said first performance data memory;<br /><br />second automatic performance means having a second performance data memory for storing second performance data and second reading means for reading out performance data stored in said second performance data memory; and<br /><br />selection means for selecting at least one of said first automatic performance means and said second automatic performance means in accordance with the state of stored instruction data,<br /><br />wherein at least one of said first memory and said second memory stores said instruction data.DescriptionBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS<br /><br />The present invention is described in the following; reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.<br /><br />FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware construction of the automatic performance apparatus of an electronic musical instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention;<br /><br />FIG. 2 is a layout diagram showing the data stored in a chord sequence memory CM shown in FIG. 1;<br /><br />FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the details of a reading control circuit 22 in this embodiment;<br /><br />FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware construction of a melody on-off detecting circuit 36 shown in FIG. 1; and<br /><br />FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the details of a registered data detecting circuit 42 shown in FIG. 1.<br /><br />DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT<br /><br />Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described by reference to the drawings.<br /><br />FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware construction of the present invention. In FIG. 1, numeral 1 designates a keyboard having plural keys, each of which provides key switches thereunder to detect the OPEN or CLOSED state thereof. The keyboard 1 is divided into three key-areas, KB1 to KB3, in which the output signal of each key in the key-area KB1 is supplied to a manual performance musical tone generating circuit 2 and a chord data generating circuit 3. The output signal of each key in the key-area KB2 is supplied to manual performance musical tone generating circuit 2, and the output signal of each key in the key-area KB3 is supplied to manual performance musical tone generating circuit 2 and note length data generating circuit 4 respectively.<br /><br />The manual performance musical tone generating circuit generates a musical tone signal corresponding to the depressed key on keyboard 1 and outputs this musical ton signal to an amplifier 5. The chord data generating circuit detects the depressed key in key-area KB1 to generate its chord data in accordance with the detected key data, in which chord data indicates a chord of an accompaniment tone.<br /><br />In the present embodiment, many types of chords such as C major or A minor are designated by the key operation of key-area KB1. For example, depressing keys C, E, and G of key-area KB1 designates C major. The chord data generating circuit 3 receives a signal based on the key which is depressed in key-area KB1. According to this received signal, the chord data generating circuit 3 generates chord data which includes basic tone data CCD indicated by the basic tone of the chord (C, D, E, or the like) and type data TPD indicated by type of the chord (major minor, or the like). In accordance with the generated chord data, an automatic accompaniment tone is generated as described later. The note length data generating circuit 4 generates note length data FTD corresponding to the depressed key in key-area KB3. Herein, the note length data of the accompaniment chord is indicated by the key operation of key-area KB3. The note length data generating circuit 4 then outputs note length data FTD to the next circuit in accordance with the detected key data of key-area KB3.<br /><br />A tone color switch 6 is used for setting the tone color of the accompaniment tone; an effect switch 7 for setting an effect of the accompaniment tone; a melody-ON switch 8 for storing a starting signal of a melody tone in the automatic performance; a melody-OFF switch 9 for storing a stopping signal of the melody tone in the automatic performance; a multi-stage tone volume switch 10 is used for controlling the volume of the accompaniment tone; and an end switch 11 is used to indicate the completion of the accompaniment tone.<br /><br />Numeral 12 designates a record switch which is CLOSED when writing data to chord sequence memory CM. A play switch 13 CLOSES when reading data stored in chord sequence memory CM to automatically perform the accompaniment tone. A start-stop switch 14 manually turns the melody tone on and off during the automatic performance.<br /><br />A code converter circuit 16 generates the registered data corresponding to one of the operated switches 6 to 11. The registered data includes registered type data RGS and registered content data RGD, in which registered type data RGS indicates a type (tone color switch, effect switch, etc.) of the operated switch, while registered content data RGD indicates a switch number, a tone volume level (when tone volume switch 10 is operated), or the like. Numeral 17 designates an OR gate which executes the logical OR among the above-mentioned note length data FTD, registered data RGS, and RGD by every bit to thereby output its result to a differentiation circuit 18. The differentiation circuit 18 outputs a pulse signal to the next circuit when the output of OR gate 17 is a trailing edge.<br /><br />Numeral 20 designates an OR gate for executing the logical OR among registered data RGS and RGD.<br /><br />Numeral 21 designates a selector for selectively outputting the data at an input terminal <1>or <0>from the output terminal thereof depending on whether the output of OR gate 20 is "1" or "0".<br /><br />A chord sequence memory CM stores basic tone data CCD, type data TPD, note length data FTD, and registered data RGS and RGD, in which basic tone data CCD and type data TPD are inputted from chord data generating circuit 3, the note length data is inputted from note length ...
Wavetable-modification instrument and method for generating musical sound2010-03-12 00:00:00components are combined to form the electrical signal which drives the speaker. The filtering method is commonly used to synthesize human speech and has often been used with analogelectronic organs. The filtering method is comparatively inflexible since each sample relies upon the stored values of fixed samples. In order to achieve natural sound, the filtering method requires a large number of multiplication steps which areeconomically expensive to achieve.
In a typical example of a filter technique, a waveshape memory provides digital samples of one cycle of a waveshape to a loop circuit which includes a filter and a shift register. The digital waveshape samples read out from the waveshape memoryare caused to circulate at a predetermined rate of time in the loop circuit. A output from the loop circuit varies as time lapses, and is utilized as a musical tone.
The classical filter techniques result in systems in which the pitch frequency fs /N, is determined by division using an integer, N, and hence desirable variations due to non-integral division are not achieved.
In many prior art systems, the divisor, N, is forced to be an integer when shift-register or other fixed circuits are employed. Also, the integer is further limited to some power of 2 in order to facilitate processing. In order to vary thepitch, fs /N, the frequency fs must be varied. Such systems, however, cannot be extended readily and economically to multi-voice embodiments because, for example, each voice requires a different frequency, fs.
Both the harmonic summation and the filtering methods rely upon a linear combination of sinusoids and, hence, they are characterized as linear methods for generating musical sound. The linear property is apparent from the fact that multiplyingthe amplitude of the input function (sinusoids for harmonic summation or a pulse train for filtering) by a factor of two results in an output waveform with the same tone quality and with an amplitude multiplied by a factor of two.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,121 entitled METHOD OF SYNTHESIZING A MUSICAL SOUND to Chowning describes a non-linear method for generating musical sound. That nonlinear method employs a closed-form expression (based upon frequency modulation) torepresent the sum of an infinite number of sinusoids. That non-linear frequency modulation method produces a number of sinusoids which have frequencies which are the sum of the carrier frequency and integral multiples of the modulation frequency. Theamplitudes of the multiples of the modulation frequency are sums of
Bessel functions. The non-linear frequency modulation method of Chowning is an improvement over previously used linear harmonic summation and filtering methods, and has found commercialapplication in music synthesizers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,617 entitled MUSICAL INSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR GENERATING MUSICAL SOUND to Moorer describes improved non-linear methods of musical sound generation in which the amplitudes of frequency components are not constrained to theBessel functions and in which finite spectra can be utilized, that is, spectra composed of the sum of a finite number of sinusoids.
In general, prior art methods of musical sound generation have employed deterministic techniques. Typically, the methods rely upon an input sample which has fixed parameters which specify the musical sound to be generated. Such input sampleswhen processed by a predetermined method result in a deterministic output signal which does not have the rich, natural sound of more traditional instruments.
While many linear and non-linear methods, like those described above, have been used with success for digital musical synthesis, they all have required fast and complex computational capability typically involving several multiplication steps persample in order to achieve rich, natural sounds. Such fast and complex computational capability results in musical instruments of high cost and complexity. This high cost and complexity has impeded the widespread availability of digital synthesis.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved musical instruments employing digital synthesis which can be used with digital circuits requiring slower and less complex computational capability than that required by prior techniques, but which stillproduce rich and natural sounds. There is also a need for improved digital music synthesizers which can be constructed using conven...
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