Patent US5606143A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5606143A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Portable apparatus for transmitting wirelessly both musical accompaniment information stored in an integrated circuit card and a user voice input
Assignee: Artif Tech Corp
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Filing: 1995-08-23
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Granted: 1997-02-25
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Expires: 2015-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A portable apparatus is used to transmit wirelessly both musical accompaniment information, which includes music data of a plurality of music pieces and which is stored in an integrated circuit card, and a voice input from a user for reception and reproduction by an external speaker unit. The portable apparatus includes an elongated casing having a first end portion that is adapted to be gripped by one hand of the user and that confines a receiving space for receiving removably the integrated circuit card therein, and a microphone unit mounted on a second end portion of the casing for transforming the voice input from the user to a first electrical signal. A processor unit is disposed in the casing and is connectable electrically to the integrated circuit card. The processor unit is controlled by a keyboard, which is mounted on an intermediate portion of the casing, so as to transform the music data of a selected one of the music pieces into MIDI information. A MIDI sound source module, which is disposed in the casing, receives the MIDI information from the processor unit and transforms the MIDI information into a second electrical signal. A mixer mixes the first and second electrical signals and generates a third electrical signal which is transmitted wirelessly by a transmitter for reception and reproduction by the external speaker unit.
Inventors
- 👤 James Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:02
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0033; G10H1/0041; G10H1/0058; G10H1/0066; H; H04; H04R; H04R1/00; H04R1/08; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; H04R2420/00; H04R2420/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
324 words
A portable apparatus capable of transmitting wirelessly both musical accompaniment information stored in an integrated circuit card and a voice input from a user for reception and reproduction by an external speaker unit, the musical accompaniment information including music data of a plurality of music pieces, said portable apparatus comprising: an elongated casing having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion between said first and second end portions, said first and second end portions and said intermediate portion being substantially similar in cross section, said first end portion being adapted to be gripped by one hand of the user and confining a receiving space for receiving removably the integrated circuit card therein; a microphone unit mounted on said second end portion of said casing for transforming the voice input from the user to a first electrical signal; a processor unit disposed in said casing and connectable electrically to the integrated circuit card, said processor unit transforming the music data of a selected one of the music pieces into MIDI information; a keyboard mounted on said intermediate portion of said casing and connected electrically to said processor unit, said keyboard being operable so as to control said processor unit to retrieve the music data of the selected one of the music pieces from the integrated circuit card; a MIDI sound source module disposed in said casing and connected electrically to said processor unit, said MIDI sound source module receiving said MIDI information from said processor unit and transforming said MIDI information into a second electrical signal; a mixer disposed in said casing and connected electrically to said microphone unit and said MIDI sound source module, said mixer mixing said first and second electrical signals and generating a third electrical signal; and a transmitter disposed in said casing and connected electrically to said mixer, said transmitter transmitting wirelessly said third electrical signal for reception and reproduction by the external speaker unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
324 words
A portable apparatus capable of transmitting wirelessly both musical accompaniment information stored in an integrated circuit card and a voice input from a user for reception and reproduction by an external speaker unit, the musical accompaniment information including music data of a plurality of music pieces, said portable apparatus comprising: an elongated casing having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion between said first and second end portions, said first and second end portions and said intermediate portion being substantially similar in cross section, said first end portion being adapted to be gripped by one hand of the user and confining a receiving space for receiving removably the integrated circuit card therein; a microphone unit mounted on said second end portion of said casing for transforming the voice input from the user to a first electrical signal; a processor unit disposed in said casing and connectable electrically to the integrated circuit card, said processor unit transforming the music data of a selected one of the music pieces into MIDI information; a keyboard mounted on said intermediate portion of said casing and connected electrically to said processor unit, said keyboard being operable so as to control said processor unit to retrieve the music data of the selected one of the music pieces from the integrated circuit card; a MIDI sound source module disposed in said casing and connected electrically to said processor unit, said MIDI sound source module receiving said MIDI information from said processor unit and transforming said MIDI information into a second electrical signal; a mixer disposed in said casing and connected electrically to said microphone unit and said MIDI sound source module, said mixer mixing said first and second electrical signals and generating a third electrical signal; and a transmitter disposed in said casing and connected electrically to said mixer, said transmitter transmitting wirelessly said third electrical signal for reception and reproduction by the external speaker unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second end portions and said intermediate portion of said casing are generally oval in cross section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second end portions and said intermediate portion of said casing are generally rectangular in cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second end portion of said casing has a distal open side, said microphone unit including a perforated cap mounted to said second end portion of said casing at said distal open side and an electroacoustic transducer disposed in said casing adjacent to said perforated cap, said transducer being connected electrically to said processor unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first end portion of said casing is formed with an opening at one side thereof to permit entry of the integrated circuit card into said receiving space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said receiving space of said casing has a connector provided therein for engaging removably the integrated circuit card and for connecting electrically the integrated circuit card to said processor unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a function display unit disposed on said second end portion of said casing and connected electrically to said processor unit, said function display unit being activated by said processor unit so as to display identification data of the selected one of the music pieces thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the music data of the music pieces stored in the integrated circuit card is pre-compressed, said portable apparatus further comprising a memory device disposed in said casing and connected electrically to said processor unit, said processor unit decompressing the music data of the selected one of the music pieces to produce said MIDI information, said processor unit storing said MIDI information in said memory device and providing said MIDI information in said memory device to said MIDI sound source module.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said memory device is a SRAM.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitter comprises an FM modulator and an RF source for modulating and transmitting wirelessly said third electrical signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
148 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said MIDI information includes a plurality of note events of the selected one of the music pieces, each of said note events including time and speed information, pitch information and volume information, said processor unit being provided with a timer therein and being programmed to execute a play routine, said play routine being provided with a plurality of control parameters for controlling process of the selected one of the music pieces, said keyboard being operable so as to control said processor unit to modify said control parameters and information included in said note events to change accordingly tempo, key and other musical related controls of the selected one of the music pieces, said processor unit providing sequentially said note events to said MIDI sound source module in accordance with the time and speed information thereof counted by said timer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the musical accompaniment information stored in the integrated circuit card further includes lyric data of the music pieces, said portable apparatus further comprising a caption expansion slot connected electrically to said processor unit and mounted to said casing, said processor unit retrieving the lyric data of the selected one of the music pieces from the integrated circuit card and providing the retrieved lyric data to said caption expansion slot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a caption display unit having a connector for engaging removably said caption expansion slot to connect electrically said caption display unit and said processor unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said caption display unit is a handheld display unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
109 words
The portable computer as claimed in claim 14, wherein said caption display unit comprises: a second processor unit connected electrically to said connector for receiving the lyric data from said caption expansion slot; a first memory device, connected to said second processor unit, for storing character fonts therein; a second memory device, connected to said second processor unit, for storing the lyric data received by said second processor unit therein; a liquid crystal display; and a liquid crystal display controlling circuit which interconnects said second processor unit and said liquid crystal display to enable said liquid crystal display to show the lyric data from said caption expansion slot thereon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said caption expansion slot is mounted pivotally to said casing to permit turning up or turning down of said caption display unit relative to said casing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a television caption system to be connected to said caption expansion slot for interfacing said processor unit and an external television set to enable the television set to display the lyric data from said caption expansion slot thereon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
156 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said television caption system comprises: a second processor unit to be connected to said caption expansion slot for receiving the lyric data of the selected one of the music pieces therefrom; a first memory device, connected to said second processor unit, for storing character fonts therein; a second memory device, connected to said second processor unit, for storing the lyric data from said caption expansion slot therein; a matrix-to-television signal display converting module, connected to said second processor unit, for converting the lyric data received by said second processor unit into a television signal; a video signal mixer, connected to said matrix-to-television signal display converting module, for mixing output of said matrix-to-television signal display converting module with an external video input signal; and a video frequency to VHF or UHF converting module, connected to said video signal mixer, for transmitting wirelessly output of said video signal mixer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said television caption system further comprises a third memory device, connected to said second processor unit, for storing a stationary graphic image that is provided to said matrix-to-television signal display converting module when the external video input signal is not available.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The portable apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an echo circuit which interconnects said microphone unit and said mixer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-25 | 2000-08-26 | 2001-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-25 | 2004-08-26 | 2005-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-25 | 2008-08-26 | 2009-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |