Music – Instruments – Electrical musical tone generation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-08
2001-03-06
Witkowski, Stanley J. (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Electrical musical tone generation
C084S698000, C084S703000, C084S407000, C084SDIG001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06198034
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an electronic tone generation system and method.
BACKGROUND ART
An existing electronic tone generation system includes a keyboard connected to a scanning device. The scanning device detects when the different keys or combinations of keys are depressed at the keyboard. The scanning device sends information representing currently depressed keys on the keyboard to a microprocessor. The microprocessor accesses data stored within a memory and processes the information from the scanning device along with the data from memory, and sends output signals to a tone generator. The tone generator, in turn, generates tones in accordance with control signals received from the microprocessor.
One existing electronic tone generating system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,511. In that system, the microprocessor uses information stored in the memory to produce tone generator outputs that model the strike of a bell.
Although existing tone generating systems have been used in many applications that have been commercially successful, the systems are generally designed for use by a single player at a keyboard type input device. An electronic tone generating system is often a less costly alternative to traditional instruments, such as a pipe organ or the various instruments found in an orchestra. When there are many players, such electronic tone generating systems are of limited use.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an electronic tone generating system that may be used in situations where there are many players.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an electronic tone generation system and method in which multiple wireless transmitters communicate with a receiver connected to control logic that operates a tone generator.
In carrying out the above object, an electronic tone generation system is provided. The system comprises a plurality of portable handheld wireless transmitters. Each transmitter represents at least one music note and is operative to transmit a signal indicative of that at least one note. The system further comprises a receiver, control logic, and a tone generator. The receiver is configured to receive the signals from the transmitters. The control logic is connected to the receiver, and operates to determine the at least one note corresponding to a received signal. Further, the control logic operates to determine at least one tone assigned to that at least one note. In turn, the tone generator operates to produce tones in accordance with the determinations of the control logic.
Advantageously, a single tone generator and associated control logic may be used to generate music in accordance with signals received from a plurality of portable handheld wireless transmitters. Players may each be provided with an individual handheld transmitter that operates to turn on a tone generator.
In one embodiment, the at least one assigned tone determined by the control logic includes a fundamental tone and any associated overtones to simulate a handbell. The wireless transmitter may be battery powered, and may be configured with a switch that is selectively operative to cause the wireless transmitter to transmit. The switch may take a number of different forms such as, for example, a push button switch or an inertia switch. The inertia switch could be configured to cause the transmitter to transmit upon rapid movement of the transmitter by the player, for example, to simulate a handbell. Alternatively, a wireless transmitter may be configured for line of sight communication with the receiver such that the receiver operates to receive a signal from the transmitter when the transmitter falls within the line of site of the receiver.
The wireless transmitter may be configured to transmit a signal that represents the at least one note in a variety of different ways. For example, the represented note or notes may be indicated by a modulated pulse code or by the frequency of the transmitted signal. Further, the wireless transmitter may be configured to transmit at different frequency ranges in different embodiments of the present invention. For example, the wireless transmitters may be configured to transmit at radio frequencies or in the alternative, may be configured to transmit at infrared frequencies, depending on the intended environment for the system.
In a preferred construction, the system further comprises a set of stop keys accessible to a director. Each stop key is associated with a group of related notes. The control logic is configured to direct the tone generator to produce tones associated with unasserted stop keys. Assertion of a stop key limits tone production, and in some implementations, determines what instruments are to be played. The control board may be handwired to the system control logic, or may have a wireless link.
Further, in carrying out the present invention, another embodiment for an electronic tone generation system is provided. The system comprises a portable handheld wireless transmitter, a receiver, control logic, and a tone generator. The control logic operates to determine a note along with an additional parameter indicated by a received signal. The tone generator operates to produce a tone in accordance with the note and the parameter.
In this embodiment, the parameter may represent any of a number of different characteristics for the sound to be produced in response to the transmitter signal. In one implementation, the parameter represents a sound level for the note such that the tone generator produces the tone in accordance with the note and at the sound level. Alternatively, the parameter represents a decay rate adjustment for the note such that the tone generator produces the tone in accordance with the note and the decay rate adjustment. That is, the parameter may modify the normal decay rate associated with the note. Of course, multiple parameters may be sent in the transmitter signal. For example, the transmitter signal may contain sufficient information to indicate the note to be played, a sound level for the note (for example, an amplitude gain factor), a decay rate adjustment factor, in addition to any other pieces of information. The sound level parameter may be determined by, for example, an acceleration of the transmitter to simulate the striking of a bell. The decay rate adjustment factor may be indicated with, for example, position of a slide switch on the transmitter. It is appreciated that the amount of information that may be included in the transmitter signal in addition to the music note may be quite extensive.
Further, in one implementation, the transmitter is configured to allow selection of an instrument (possibly with a selector switch on the transmitter). The parameter represents the selected instrument for the note such that the tone generator produces the tone in accordance with the note and the selected instrument. Still further, the transmitter may operate to produce additional signals as directed by the player. For example, the transmitter may be selectively operative to produce a quench signal indicative of the note. Upon the receiver receiving the quench signal, the control logic directs the tone generator to quench a tone produced in accordance with the note to simulate, for example, the rapid damping of a handbell that occurs when the ringing bell is grasped by the player.
Further, in carrying out the present invention, an electronic tone generation method is provided. The method comprises transmitting a signal with a wireless transmitter, the signal being indicative of at least one music note, and receiving the signal at a receiver. The method further comprises determining the at least one note corresponding to the received signal, determining at least one tone assigned to that at least one note, and generating the at least one assigned tone.
The advantages associated with embodiments of the present invention are numerous. For example, embodiments of the present invention reduce the cost associated with providing in
Beach Ronald O.
Nemazi John E.
Beach Ronald O.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Witkowski Stanley J.
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