Patent US5214231A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5214231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for electronic teaching accompaniment and practice of music, which is independent of a played musical instrument
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1991-12-18
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Granted: 1993-05-25
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Expires: 2011-12-18
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an electronic teaching, accompaniment and practice music apparatus which is independent of a played musical instrument. The apparatus includes devices for digital sound production, tempo setting, accompaniment, operation and input of digital note data, which are connected by means of a control unit, which is connected with an electro-acoustical device for acoustical reproduction of the note sequences corresponding to the input piece of music via a digital-analog converter. There is an optical display device which is connected with a piano keyboard or a guitar fingerboard or represents these, for optical display of the note sequences played.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Ernst
- 👤 Norbert Lang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:06
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10G; G10G1/00; G10G1/02; G09; G09B; G09B15/00; G09B15/001; G09B15/002; G09B15/003; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0008; G10H1/0016; G10H2220/00; G10H2220/021; G10H2220/026; G10H2220/046; G10H2220/051; G10H2220/061; G10H2230/00; G10H2230/045; G10H2230/155; G10H2230/161; G10H2230/165; G10H2230/195; G10H2230/201; G10H2230/251; G10H2230/255
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for electronic teaching, accompaniment and practice of music, said apparatus being independent of a played musical instrument comprising a device for digital sound production; a device for tempo setting; a device for accompaniment; a device for operation; a device for input of digital note data; a control unit for connecting together each said device; an electro-acoustical device connected to said control unit for acoustical reproduction of note sequences corresponding to an input piece of music; a digital-analog converter for inputting said piece of music; a piano keyboard or a guitar fingerboard; an optical display device which is connected with said piano keyboard or said guitar fingerboard, for optical display of the note sequences played; and wherein the optical display device is structured as a reproduction of the operation or activation elements of the corresponding musical instrument, and is attached or plugged into the apparatus directly with plugs, or is set up at a remote location with cables.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for electronic teaching, accompaniment and practice of music, said apparatus being independent of a played musical instrument comprising a device for digital sound production; a device for tempo setting; a device for accompaniment; a device for operation; a device for input of digital note data; a control unit for connecting together each said device; an electro-acoustical device connected to said control unit for acoustical reproduction of note sequences corresponding to an input piece of music; a digital-analog converter for inputting said piece of music; a piano keyboard or a guitar fingerboard; an optical display device which is connected with said piano keyboard or said guitar fingerboard, for optical display of the note sequences played; and wherein the optical display device is structured as a reproduction of the operation or activation elements of the corresponding musical instrument, and is attached or plugged into the apparatus directly with plugs, or is set up at a remote location with cables.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a housing for holding the apparatus, said housing having a front panel, said front panel having a front bottom edge; and the device for operation comprising several keys which are arranged on said front panel of said housing holding the apparatus, in such a way that the keys for the pitch of the chords and the solo voices are located next to one another, together with the optical display device, in an arrangement corresponding to the keyboard, in the area of said front bottom edge of said front panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a piano keyboard template which can be cut to size for different key widths and is attached below the keys for controlling the pitch of the chords and the solo voices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said apparatus has a bottom; wherein said housing has a back; a slip-resistant covering is located at the bottom of the apparatus; and a support with a slip-resistant foot is located at the back of the housing, which foot is adjustable in length and inclination.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a midi interface connection connected to the control device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display device to display the tempo, the display device for the best progression, and a loudspeaker, are each arranged on the front panel of the housing holding the apparatus, behind a cover.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
225 words
An apparatus for electronic teaching, accompaniment and practice of music, said apparatus being independent of a played musical instrument comprising a device for digital sound production; a device for tempo setting; a device for accompaniment; a device for operation; a device for input of digital note data; a control unit for connecting together each said device; an electro-acoustical device connected to said control unit for acoustical reproduction of note sequences corresponding to an input piece of music; a digital-analog converter for inputting said piece of music; an optical display device which is connected therewith for optical display of the note sequences played; wherein said optical display device is an optical display device for a guitar or lute instrument having a lute neck comprising a strip reproducing a fingerboard, having frets and strings reproduced thereon; LED display elements arranged on said strip between the frets at the level of the reproduced strings; a cable for connecting said display elements with the control unit and with a matrix circuit; a clamp device and spacers for attaching the strip to the guitar or lute neck; and wherein the optical display device is structured as a reproduction of the operating or activation elements of the corresponding musical instrument, and is attached or plugged into the apparatus directly with plugs, or is set up at a remote location with cables.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
225 words
An apparatus for electronic teaching, accompaniment and practice of music, said apparatus being independent of a played musical instrument comprising a device for digital sound production; a device for tempo setting; a device for accompaniment; a device for operation; a device for input of digital note data; a control unit for connecting together each said device; an electro-acoustical device connected to said control unit for acoustical reproduction of note sequences corresponding to an input piece of music; a digital-analog converter for inputting said piece of music; an optical display device which is connected therewith for optical display of the note sequences played; wherein said optical display device is an optical display device for a guitar or lute instrument having a lute neck comprising a strip reproducing a fingerboard, having frets and strings reproduced thereon; LED display elements arranged on said strip between the frets at the level of the reproduced strings; a cable for connecting said display elements with the control unit and with a matrix circuit; a clamp device and spacers for attaching the strip to the guitar or lute neck; and wherein the optical display device is structured as a reproduction of the operating or activation elements of the corresponding musical instrument, and is attached or plugged into the apparatus directly with plugs, or is set up at a remote location with cables.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for electronic teaching, accompaniment and practice of music, said apparatus being independent of a played musical instrument comprising a device for digital sound production; a device for tempo setting; a device for accompaniment; a device for operation; a device for input of digital note data; a control unit for connecting together each said device; an electro-acoustical device connected to said control unit for acoustical reproduction of note sequences corresponding to an input piece of music; a digital-analog converter for inputting said piece of music; an optical display device which is connected therewith for optical display of the note sequences played; wherein the optical display device is structured as a reproduction of the operating or activation elements of the corresponding musical instrument, and is attached or plugged into the apparatus directly with plugs, or is set up at a remote location with cables.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for electronic teaching, accompaniment and practice of music, said apparatus being independent of a played musical instrument comprising a device for digital sound production; a device for tempo setting; a device for accompaniment; a device for operation; a device for input of digital note data; a control unit for connecting together each said device; an electro-acoustical device connected to said control unit for acoustical reproduction of note sequences corresponding to an input piece of music; a digital-analog converter for inputting said piece of music; an optical display device which is connected therewith for optical display of the note sequences played; wherein the optical display device is structured as a reproduction of the operating or activation elements of the corresponding musical instrument, and is attached or plugged into the apparatus directly with plugs, or is set up at a remote location with cables.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an accordion having a bass part with a button arrangement and having a tenor part with a keyboard; wherein the display device comprises a first part and a second part, and each part is equipped with LEDs; and said LEDs of the second part represent the button arrangement of the bass part of an accordion and the LEDs of the first part represent the keyboard of the tenor part of an accordion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a flute having holes or keys; and wherein the display device comprises an elongated strip or a housing having LEDs which represent the holes or keys of said flute.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a recorder, an alto recorder or a piccolo, each having holes or keys; and wherein the LEDs represent the holes or keys of said recorder, said alto recorder or said piccolo.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a saxophone, a clarinet or an oboe, each having keys or valves; and wherein the LEDs represent the keys or valves of said saxophone, said clarinet, or said oboe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a harmonica with holes; and wherein the display device comprises an elongated strip or housing in which the LEDs represent the holes of said harmonica.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display device comprises a video computer interface; a cable for connecting said interface with the apparatus; and a PC for connecting said interface with a monitor to represent the corresponding symbols.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an organ having individual manuals and a pedal; and wherein the display device comprises one or more strips which are arranged above said individual manuals and the pedal of said organ.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a xylophone, a metallophone, or a glockenspiel with each having a sounding board; and wherein the display device comprises a strip or an elongated housing in which the LEDs are arranged in the arrangement of the sounding board of said xylophone, said metallophone, or said glockenspiel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein several display devices for several instruments are interconnected with a serial circuit for group instruction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display device comprises a percussion instrument having pads, and wherein the LEDs are attached to the percussion instrument with a VELCRO hook and loop-type fastener.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein several display devices for participating instruments are connected to the apparatus, in order to carry out group playing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the display device is structured as a modular panel having corresponding display modules; and cables for connecting said display modules with the apparatus.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 20, comprising two large screens for display of the notes and display of the instrument activation being connected with the apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-24 | 1996-11-23 | 1997-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-24 | 2000-11-23 | 2001-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-24 | 2004-11-23 | 2005-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |