2397results about "Music" patented technology

A portable apparatus for monitoring the reaction of a user to a performance contains one or more sensors for detecting an indirect user response to the performance and a user interface enabling the user to provide a direct user response to the performance. A processor in the portable apparatus is programmed to provide a user reaction signal comprising a combination of the indirect user response and the direct user response to the performance. This user reaction signal may be transmitted to to remote apparatus. A monitoring system using such portable apparatus, and a music playing system using such a monitoring system, are also described.

An electronic image visualization system, such as a music stand system and display, management and communications methodologies relating thereto are presented. The electronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystem comprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic, and communications management logic. The communications management logic provides management of communication via the communications interface with external apparatus responsive to the performance logic and the librarian logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus can be integrated into a touch-screen input display. The user input apparatus can alternatively be at least one of a touch-tablet, a stylus-based writing tablet, a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a game controller, and a switch. In a preferred embodiment, the librarian logic, the performance logic and the communications management logic are defined by program data stored in the data storage apparatus, and the processor is responsive to the program data for managing data formatting, displaying music, and management of communications of data with the external apparatus. In one embodiment, two Performer subsystems are operable alternatively as one of a single appliance as a linked set a linked mode and as two independent appliances a stand-alone mode, wherein in the linked mode each of the two Performer subsystems operate cooperatively with each other as a linked set to provide a two page display on the video presentation, and wherein in the stand alone mode each of the two Performer subsystems operates independently and mutually exclusive of the other to provide two independent and mutually exclusive single page displays on the video presentation. The present invention also relates to a method for providing for video display of music responsive to the music data stored in a music database. The method is comprised of defining a page of music image data from the music database; defining ordered logical sections; storing the mapping in a memory for selective retrieval; and providing for the video display of the music responsive to the mapping and the storing.

A method of music notation with 7 spaces for the notes of the C major scale, with the remaining notes of the 12 tone scale overlapping these spaces. 5 staff lines per octave can be used to show the position of the accidental notes. Distinct colors are assigned to the 12 notes of the scale. Two distinct groups of colors are used, one for coloring the C major notes, the other for coloring the remaining 5 notes of the scale. The spaces representing Cs are marked with a colored shape at the left of the staff and shaded horizontally across the page. The notes are shapes whose width is proportional to their durations. Aids are placed above and below the staff to indicate hand and finger movements. Assembly kits with visual aids are provided. The colors can be used on conventional notation.

An electronic image visualization system, such as a music stand system and display, management and communications methodologies relating thereto are presented. The electronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystem comprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic, and communications management logic. The communications management logic provides management of communication via the communications interface with external apparatus responsive to the performance logic and the librarian logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus can be integrated into a touch-screen input display. The user input apparatus can alternatively be at least one of a touch-tablet, a stylus-based writing tablet, a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a game controller, and a switch. In a preferred embodiment, the librarian logic, the performance logic and the communications management logic are defined by program data stored in the data storage apparatus, and the processor is responsive to the program data for managing data formatting, displaying music, and management of communications of data with the external apparatus. In one embodiment, two Performer subsystems are operable alternatively as one of a single appliance as a linked set a linked mode and as two independent appliances a stand-alone mode, wherein in the linked mode each of the two Performer subsystems operate cooperatively with each other as a linked set to provide a two page display on the video presentation, and wherein in the stand alone mode each of the two Performer subsystems operates independently and mutually exclusive of the other to provide two independent and mutually exclusive single page displays on the video presentation. The present invention also relates to a method for providing for video display of music responsive to the music data stored in a music database. The method is comprised of defining a page of music image data from the music database; defining ordered logical sections; storing the mapping in a memory for selective retrieval; and providing for the video display of the music responsive to the mapping and the storing.

Our invention is an apparatus and method to identify and simultaneously visualize and hear musical notes contained in an analog or digital sound wave. Musical notes are expanded into a language for the eye as well as the ear. An analog-to-digital converter processes an analog sound wave to provide a digital sound wave. Component frequencies of the digital sound waves are identified, filtered and translated to their corresponding musical note and volume. As the original digital sound wave is sent through a digital-to-analog converter and output to an audio device, the identified musical notes are synchronously output to a display device. User-specified parameters, adjustable at any time before, during or after the music-playing process, control frequency filtering, the graphic display of the identified musical notes and the graphical background on which the musical notes are displayed. Users may also utilize existing, or create their own, computer programming code software modules, known as plug-ins, or hardware components, to interface with the invention to extend and control the invention's functionality. Because the synchronous musical note identification and visualization process occurs extremely quickly, the method applies and works in real-time for live music.

A system and method of instructing a user to read musical notation through interaction with a graphical user interface and an input instrument representative of a stringed instrument comprising a plurality of modes of instruction which progressively direct and alter characteristics of the user interface to more closely resemble standard musical notation. The graphical user interface includes a virtual fingerboard having linear arrays representing frequency ranges and note positions. The note positions and linear arrays may be coded indexed to a chromatic scale and may directly correspond to fingerboard positions on an input instrument. A game object is directed toward the virtual fingerboard in accordance with a music file is incorporated in the graphical user interface which contains data corresponding to notes in sequence that have a rhythmic pattern of arrangement coinciding with the virtual fingerboard. An evaluation of the user's performance is provided based on striking the input instrument.

A simulator (1) has a body form apparatus (2) with a skin-like panel (4) through which laproscopic instruments (5) are inserted. Cameras (10) capture video images of internal movement of the instruments (5) and a computer (6) processes them. 3D positional data is generated using stereo triangulation and is linked with the associated video images. A graphics engine (60) uses the 3D data to generate graphical representations of internal scenes. A blending function (70) blends real and recorded images, or real and simulated images to allow demonstration of effects such as internal bleeding or suturing.

Methods and apparatus are provided that help users learn to play one or more instruments by employing simplified note recognition techniques, improved feedback, and a simplified keyboard tablature. In one aspect, users are encouraged to play specified notes within a specified time frame. The pitch and duration can be represented in any suitable manner, but are advantageously displayed together as a single icon (232A–232F). Preferably, the icon has an elongated shape in which the horizontal length correlates with duration of the note, and its vertical position on a display correlates with a pitch of the note. Notes can thus be represented by elongated lines, bars, ellipses, or even missiles or arrows. In another aspect, an improved musical tablature effectively clusters juxtaposed black keys (412A, 412C, 412E) and white keys (412B, 412D) on a display for easier visualization.

The present invention is directed to interactive training, and in particular, to methods and systems for computerized interactive skill training. An example embodiment provides a method and system for providing skill training using a computerized system. The computerized system receives a selection of a first training subject. Several related training components can be invoked, such as reading, watching, performing, and / or reviewing components. In addition, a scored challenge session is provided, wherein a training challenge is provided to a user via a terminal, optionally in video form.

A computer-aided learning system to facilitate a human to control the pitch and rhythm of their voice. In a preferred embodiment for learning how to sing a song in tune, a display provides visual, real-time depiction of the singer's actual pitch compared to the “target” pitch they should be singing, thereby allowing the singer to interactively raise or lower the pitch of their voice.

A system for assisting an end user to develop a musical composition comprising a data storage medium, a plurality of musical assets stored in the data storage medium, a user interface, and an audio converter module. Each of the plurality of musical assets are associated with a functional attribute and a visual attribute, where the visual attribute provides a visual suggestion to an end user regarding the functional attribute of the musical asset. The user interface is coupled to an audio interface, a display driver and a user input handler; and is capable of rendering a graphical display that enables the end user to select between one or more visual attributes. The audio converter module captures audio recorded by the end-user through the audio interface, processes the audio; and produces a multi-track musical compilation comprised of a plurality of audio tracks mixed together in a manner where the multiple tracks are substantially musically harmonious with one another. When the end-user selects one or more visual attributes via the user interface, the audio converter is also configured to identify the musical assets associated with the one or more selected visual attributes, and alter at least one portion of an audio track based on the functional attributes associated with the identified musical assets; wherein the audio track is one the plurality of audio tracks.

A simulated musical instrument may be used to alter the audio of a video game, the video aspects of video game, or both. Use of a controller simulating a musical instrument allows a rhythm-action game can be enjoyed in a manner closer to a realistic state of playing an instrument.

A composition display system produces a display presentation in one of a plurality of formats from an original composition, the formats being created from the original composition responsive to input variables and a selected operating mode. The system is comprised of means to receive the original composition, a memory, a selection subsystem, a controller, a master display subsystem, and one or more slave display subsystems. The controller, responsive to the selection subsystem, provides means for selectively controlling the storing of the original composition in the memory. The master display subsystem can optionally provide means for selectively altering the stored original composition to produce a particular derivative composition. One or more slave display subsystems provide for displaying a presentation of the original (or optionally the particular derivative composition) in the selected format responsive to the master display subsystem. The master display subsystem can provide control of content and page turns for display on one or a plurality of the slave display subsystems.

A video game system comprising a standard drum set having at least one drum set component (30). An electrical pick-up is attached to each component. A game grid (12) is displayed on a display monitor and is electrically resonsive to the electrical pick-up. The game grid being similar to a musical staff with objects, which are moving along the musical staff, that will change appearance when the drum set component is struck at an appropriate moment.

A method and apparatus for interactive language instruction is provided that displays text files for processing, provide key features and functions for interactive learning, displays facial animation, and provides a workspace for language building functions. The system includes a stored set of language rules as part of the text-to-speech sub-system, as well as another stored set of rules as applied to the process of learning a language. The method implemented by the system includes digitally converting text to audible speech, providing the audible speech to a user or student (with the aid of an animated image in selected circumstances), prompting the student to replicate the audible speech, comparing the student's replication with the audible speech provided by the system, and providing feedback and reinforcement to the student by, for example, selectively recording or playing back the audible speech and the student's replication.

An electronic image visualization system, such as a music stand system and display, management and communications methodologies relating thereto are presented. The electronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystem comprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic, and communications management logic. The communications management logic provides management of communication via the communications interface with external apparatus responsive to the performance logic and the librarian logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus can be integrated into a touch-screen input display. The user input apparatus can alternatively be at least one of a touch-tablet, a stylus-based writing tablet, a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a game controller, and a switch. In a preferred embodiment, the librarian logic, the performance logic and the communications management logic are defined by program data stored in the data storage apparatus, and the processor is responsive to the program data for managing data formatting, displaying music, and management of communications of data with the external apparatus. In one embodiment, two Performer subsystems are operable alternatively as one of a single appliance as a linked set a linked mode and as two independent appliances a stand-alone mode, wherein in the linked mode each of the two Performer subsystems operate cooperatively with each other as a linked set to provide a two page display on the video presentation, and wherein in the stand alone mode each of the two Performer subsystems operates independently and mutually exclusive of the other to provide two independent and mutually exclusive single page displays on the video presentation. The present invention also relates to a method for providing for video display of music responsive to the music data stored in a music database. The method is comprised of defining a page of music image data from the music database; defining ordered logical sections; storing the mapping in a memory for selective retrieval; and providing for the video display of the music responsive to the mapping and the storing.

A system for relating electromagnetic waves to harmonic sound waves that includes a memory with logic, and a processor configured with the logic to assign one fundamental color of a color spectrum of twelve analogous colors to one of twelve fundamental tones of a musical 5th relationship, wherein the tones are represented by notes, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to consecutively associate the remaining analogous colors to the tones.

A method for facilitating real-time interaction between a first and second player of a music-based video game via a network having unpredictable delivery latency includes displaying to a first player target musical data associated with a musical composition downloaded from an online venue, receiving music performance input from the first player via a controller resembling a first musical instrument, displaying to a second player, the second player located remotely from the first player, target musical data associated with the musical composition, and receiving music performance input from the second player.

A music teaching aid having a number of reference rings that are positioned so as to have independent rotatable movement on a base member. Depending on the shape of the base member, the reference rings are either substantially coaxial cylindrical sleeves or concentric rings. Each reference ring has an outside surface which is divided into segments each of which displays indicia representing a note of the chromatic scale and which is identifiable by a predetermined color coding system such that when segments of the reference rings are aligned in accordance with the predetermined color coding system, corresponding segments of each successive ring will represent the notes of a non-chromatic scale.

A virtual reality composer platform and system (VRCPS) includes a plurality of user input / output devices and signal input / output controllers interfaced to a central processing unit complete with plurality of memory means, a butterfly morpheus musical instrument with plurality of manual input means each with a first unique visible indicia interfaced to said central processing unit, a plurality of finger adapters each with a second unique visible indicia donned on respective fingers and at least one custom butterfly morpheus music notation computer interface. The system is particularly suited for composing music for self-learning and teaching for all types of musical instruments for optimal virtual reality multimedia experience. The VRCPS platform and concepts disclosed are vari-dimensional acoustic environments, which are equally suited to all types of electronic learning and composing systems, game systems and computers. It is suitable for all levels of Do-It-Yourself learning from learning Beginners to Virtuoso Levels.

A computer-implemented method (and system) for composing music, includes launching a menu based on an input from an input device, selectively inputting musical notation with the input device based on the menu items and unconstrained handwriting by a composer, and displaying the musical notation.

A system comprising means for receiving a first input from an electronic device, said first input pertaining to performance of music by a user, means for receiving a second input, said second input pertaining at least to music intended to be performed by the user; and a comparison module software executing on a computer and adapted to receive said first input and to receive said second input, wherein the comparison module compares the first input from a user to the second input to produce at least one indicia of the user's success in performing the intended music correctly, the comparison module sends to a display module associated with the user information including at least the music intended to be performed by the user and the indicia of the user's success in performing the intended music correctly, and the comparison module further sends to the display module associated with the user a timing signal suitable for indicating the speed at which the music should be shown on the display and played by the user, said timing signal computed according to one or more tempo modes selectable by the user, is disclosed.

An interactive game designed for learning to play a guitar. A guitar may be connected to a computer or other platform, capable of loading music and displaying notes and chords and other feedback and visual learning aids on a display screen, allowing a user to read music and play along. The goal of the software or interactive game engine is for players to learn how to play a guitar. Users may operate the game in a number of modes with different goals, playing mini-games throughout the levels of the game. The game provides feedback and statistics to help users learn how to play the guitar.

A system and method of instructing a user to read musical notation through interaction with a graphical user interface and an input instrument representative of a stringed instrument comprising a plurality of modes of instruction which progressively direct and alter characteristics of the user interface to more closely resemble standard musical notation. The graphical user interface includes a virtual fingerboard having linear arrays representing frequency ranges and note positions. The note positions and linear arrays may be coded indexed to a chromatic scale and may directly correspond to fingerboard positions on an input instrument. A game object is directed toward the virtual fingerboard in accordance with a music file is incorporated in the graphical user interface which contains data corresponding to notes in sequence that have a rhythmic pattern of arrangement coinciding with the virtual fingerboard. An evaluation of the user's performance is provided based on striking the input instrument.

A system and method of teaching musical notes are adapted to teach identification of music staff notes, the names and sounds of notes, as well as piano keys corresponding to notes. An implementation of the method entails displaying a musical keyboard having a plurality of keys, a musical staff and a note on the staff. One of the plurality of keys corresponds to the note. The corresponding key produces a sound corresponding to the note when played. The name of the note is pronounced by a narrator or some other character. The note is visually identified on the staff by the narrator or some other character. The note is also associated with the corresponding key. Association may entail generating a note character and associating the note character with the note and key. A sound corresponding to the corresponding key is played.

A fully computerized musical performance teaching system comprises a computer apparatus having a keyboard and a display and is connectable to an electronic musical instrument. An application program provides the computer with various functions such as of judging student's skills, selecting music pieces for practice, training the student in performance and evaluating the student's progress through the teaching course. The judging function is to judge the student's performance skill from the student's responses to the subjects which the computer presents. The selecting function is to select a piece of music for practice according to the judgment results and the student's wishes and also to select a tutoring manner from among several prepared manners. The training function is to plan a practice schedule to meet the student's performance skill and wishes and to let the student practice with proper music pieces. The evaluation function is to evaluate and mark the student's performance, and reflect the evaluation results and marked points in the progressing rate and the presented subjects and also in adjusting the judgment results.

An apparatus for enhancing audio comprising a first interface and a harmonizing module is disclosed. The first interface receive a first audio segment from a first source. The harmonizing module is coupled to the first interface. The harmonizing module is configured to identify at least one musical property of the first audio segment; calculate a subset of notes that are harmonious with the first audio segment based on the at least one musical property; and select from the subset of notes to generate an audio track to be played substantially synchronously with the first audio segment. A second interface may also be provided to receive a second audio segment from a second source. In this case, the harmonizing module may be configured to generate the audio track by transforming one or more notes of the second audio segment. A method is also provided.

A workstation system produces a display presentation of a selected performance composition (e.g., a musical composition) responsive to composition data and responsive to one or both of input variables and a selected operating mode. The workstation can communicate with one or more external devices, such as other workstations, etc. The display system provides for selection of original compositions, creation of derivative compositions, distribution of compositions, monitoring of each performer's performance, group virtual performances, and for local and distributed retrieval and editing, which for music includes things such as changing keys, pitch, tempo, and other parameters. The musical composition's transformation can be performed locally or at the central or distributed music database. The musical composition data can be transposed via a controller, and can be transmitted to a plurality of the individual workstations that then display the musical composition. In one embodiment, a display system for use by a plurality of users provides a plurality of display presentations of a selected musical composition. The system is comprised of a plurality of individual workstations, each workstation comprising a communication interface providing for communications with the respective workstation of music data representative of the selected musical composition, memory for locally storing the data responsive to the communications interface, and a display apparatus provides a local visual display presentation representative of the selected musical composition responsive to the stored data. The system further provides for synchronizing the presentation on the plurality of local visual display presentations of the selected musical composition.

A method of providing identification of an entity includes maintaining a database of identification data specific to the appearance and condition of entities, providing a unique description for each entity enabling access to the entity's identification data in the database, providing identification means adapted for portage with the entity and containing the unique description and maintaining secondary databases containing the entity's identification data as acquired from prior encounters so that multiple comparisons can be made to assure that the individual bearing the identification means is the same individual to whom the identification means were issued.