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US6388181B2
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Computer graphic animation, live video interactive method for playing keyboard music
Assignee: AI AUTOMATION LLC
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Filing: 2000-11-29
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Granted: 2002-05-14
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Expires: 2020-11-29
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides apparatus for, and novel methods of representing the content of a musical score in an animated format that graphically prompts the user of a keyboard instrument. The graphic format elucidates features of the score in a way that may also be useful as a supplement to conventional keyboard instruction. The animation is displayed on the screen of a computer monitor together with a live video image of the user's hands on a musical keyboard. Viewing only the images on the monitor, the user guides his fingers to the keys targeted by the animation. He is thus able to play the proper keys on the real keyboard without diverting his eyes from the monitor. In the preferred embodiment, the system provides a real time display of both the score information, keyboard and the user's hand placement relative to the keyboard. Preferably, the display of the musical score includes a note position depicted in a horizontal relationship to the keyboard, and includes a temporal indication for the notes.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael K. Moe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:08
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B15/00; G09B15/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for prompting play of a musical score by a user of a musical instrument having a keyboard actuated by the user's hands, comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of at least a portion of the musical score for viewing by the user, imaging in real time at least a portion of the keyboard and the said user's hands, displaying to the user at least a portion of the image of the keyboard and user's hands in correlation with the display of the graphical representation of the musical score.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for prompting play of a musical score by a user of a musical instrument having a keyboard actuated by the user's hands, comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of at least a portion of the musical score for viewing by the user, imaging in real time at least a portion of the keyboard and the said user's hands, displaying to the user at least a portion of the image of the keyboard and user's hands in correlation with the display of the graphical representation of the musical score.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method for prompting play of a musical score by a user of a musical instrument of claim 1 wherein the displaying is provided on a monitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method for prompting play of a musical score by a user of a musical instrument of claim 1 wherein the musical instrument is a keyboard instrument.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for prompting play of a musical score by a user of a musical instrument of claim 3 wherein the keyboard instrument is a piano.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for prompting play of a musical score by a user of a musical instrument of claim 3 wherein the keyboard instrument is an organ.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method for prompting play of a musical score by a user of a musical instrument of claim 1 wherein the notes are depicted by graphical animation which is registered in a horizontal manner to the key to be actuated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method for prompting play of a musical score by a user of a musical instrument of claim 1 wherein the notes are depicted by graphical animation which is registered in a horizontal manner to the key to be actuated and provided to the user prior to the time of actuation of the key as required by the musical score and progressing over time, culminating in an indication to the user that actuation of the key is then required by the musical score.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the graphical animation of the note is moved in a vertical direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the motion in the vertical direction is linear in time.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for prompting playing a musical score by the user of a musical instrument having a keyboard actuated by the user's hands, comprising the steps of: displaying the musical notes of the score to the user, wherein the notes are depicted by graphical animation, the depiction of the note being: registered in a horizontal manner to the key to be actuated, and provided to the user prior to the time of actuation of the key as required by the musical score and progressing over time, culminating in an indication to the user that actuation of the key is then required by the musical score, and displaying a real time image of the user's hands adjacent the keyboard.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for prompting playing a musical score by the user of a musical instrument having a keyboard actuated by the user's hands, comprising the steps of: displaying the musical notes of the score to the user, wherein the notes are depicted by graphical animation, the depiction of the note being: registered in a horizontal manner to the key to be actuated, and provided to the user prior to the time of actuation of the key as required by the musical score and progressing over time, culminating in an indication to the user that actuation of the key is then required by the musical score, and displaying a real time image of the user's hands adjacent the keyboard.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the graphical animation of the note is moved in a vertical direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the motion in the vertical direction is linear in time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the culmination of the graphical display for a note consists of a juxtaposition of the image with the key to be played.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the graphical animation of the note changes in size as a function of time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the graphical animation of the note changes in intensity as a function of time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the graphical animation of the note changes in orientation as a function of time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the graphical animation of the note changes in appearance as a function of time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the graphical animation of the note changes in color as a function of time.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the graphical image of the note is present to the user sufficiently prior to the time of actuation to permit the user to place their hands for timely actuation of the key.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 further including an additional graphical display adjacent to the key to be actuated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the additional graphical display indicates the desired finger number to actuate the key.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the finger number is a numeric indication.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the additional graphical display is presented at the same time as the depiction of the note.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the additional graphical display is fixed in position with its lowest point in contact with the targeted key.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 further including the step of imaging a musical score and generating the graphical animation therefrom.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for displaying a musical score to a user of a musical instrument having a plurality of keys comprising the steps of: graphically depicting an object corresponding to a note to be played, the graphical position including a position relative to the key to be actuated, the graphical depiction of the note including a depiction of the method of attack of the play of the note, and a temporal dimension indicating both the time for actuation of the note and the duration of the activation of the note.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for displaying a musical score to a user of a musical instrument having a plurality of keys comprising the steps of: graphically depicting an object corresponding to a note to be played, the graphical position including a position relative to the key to be actuated, the graphical depiction of the note including a depiction of the method of attack of the play of the note, and a temporal dimension indicating both the time for actuation of the note and the duration of the activation of the note.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the graphical depiction further includes the loudness of play of the note.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the method of attack is selected from the group consisting of: staccato and slur.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the graphical depiction further includes an indication of an addition action to be performed by the user.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the additional action includes pedal actuation.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer readable code for use in a system for aiding in play of a musical instrument for implementing the method of claims 1 , 10 or 26 .
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) | 2005-05-13 | 2005-11-12 | 2006-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-13 | 2009-11-12 | 2010-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-05-13 | 2013-11-12 | 2014-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |