musical_tags
Method and apparatus for achieving timbre modulation in an electronic musical instrument2010-03-15AbstractIn a digital
musical instrument, timbre modulation is effected through the use of a digital magnitude comparator and associated digital logic. Selected note frequency signals and selected scale factors are compared in the digital magnitude comparator. Selected comparator outputs are applied to the associated digital logic in conjunction with a sample gating signal. This modulation results in a segmentation of the audio waveshape in accordance with the frequency signals selected for use in the comparator. Hence, choice of lower pitched frequency signals will result in a wider segmentation period, while choice of higher pitched frequency signals will narrow the segmentation period. Timbre modulation may be employed during note attack and/or decay.ClaimsI claim:
1. Apparatus for achieving timbre modulation in an electronic
musical instrument including an audio wave shape generator responsive to octavely related note frequency signals,comprising:
means for generating a variable magnitude digital signal,
means connected to the audio wave shape generator for generating octavely related note frequency signals,
digital magnitude comparator means for comparing said variable digital signal with said octavely related note frequency signals and for producing an output signal based on predetermined comparisons,
means for generating a sample gating signal indicative of the desired state of the audio wave shape generator, and
digital logic means connected to the audio wave shape generator for accepting said sample gating signal and said digital magnitude comparator output signal and for producing a timbre modulated sample gating signal for controlling the audio waveshape generator.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for generating said octavely related note frequency signals includes a multiplexed accumulator.
3. T...
Method and apparatus for teaching musical notation to young children2010-03-12AbstractA method for teaching
musical notation to children. Each note is associated with a distinctly identifiable color, which is in turn associated with an object which naturally occurs in this color. Each object, in turn, is associated with a cartoon character which prominently incorporates an image of the object. Each character is endowed with a distinctly identifiable personality characteristic which enables the child to utilize the cartoon character in an educational activity. These relationships allow the child to apply relatively sophisticated symbolization techniques which are a part of the child's natural developmental process in order to master the
musical notation system.Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for teaching a set of
musical notes to a child, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a set of physical objects, each said object in said set of objects being characterized by a different color;
matching each
musical note i n said set of notes with a selected one of said different colors of said objects in said set of objects;
forming a set of fanciful figures, each said figure in said set of figures prominently incorporating an image of a selected one of said physical objects in said set of objects; and
matching each note in said set of notes with that figure in said set of figures which incorporates an image of that object in said set of objects which is characterized by that color with which that note has been matched.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of matching each said note with a figure further comprises:
matching each object with said first display surface of that demonstration article which predominantly shows said color of that object thereon.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of:
displaying said second surface of each said demonstration article so as to predominantly show said black color thereon, so as to provide a visual correlation between said figure thereon and a corresponding
musical note on a black-and-white
musical score.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of forming said figure as a demonstration article having first and second display surfaces comprises:
forming said demonstration article as a two-sided article having an outline in the shape of said fanciful figure, so that said first and second surfaces can be displayed alternately by flipping said figure over, while said outline remains substantially the same in both positions.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of forming said figure as an article having first and second display surfaces comprises:
forming said article of an outer fabric layer predominantly showing said color of said object thereon and an inner fabric layer predominantly showing said black color thereon, said inner and outer fabric layers being joined to form a tubular fabric structure which is selectively eversible so as to alternately expose said inner and outer fabric layers while retaining said outline in the shape of said fanciful figure.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
forming a visual image of said figure which predominantly shows said color of said selected object thereon.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of matching said notes with said figures further comprises:
matching said selected object with said image of said figure which predominantly shows said color of said selected object thereon.
8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of:
changing the color of said visual image of said figure so as to predominantly show a black color thereon, so as to provide a visual correlation between said figure and a corresponding note on a black-and-white
musical score.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
generating at least one
musical tone which corresponds to said
musical note, in conjunction with displaying said figure to said child.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of generating at least one
musical tone comprises:
playing back a recorded script which incorporates said
musical tone therein.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:
providing a recorded script which is associated with said figure.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of providing said recorded script comprises:
providing a prerecorded script having blank portions at selected points therein; and
<...
Complete transposable notation and keyboard music system for typists2010-03-10home row fingers location to the left or right of the original home row on the expanded keyboards.ClaimsI claim:
1. A keyboard for a
musical instrument of a type which includes means for producing
musical tones when the keys are touched, wherein each key of the keyboard when pressed plays aparticular note, said keyboard comprising a standard typewriter keyboard wherein each key has a letter, symbol, or number, and wherein the keys of the standard keyboard are arranged in four horizontal rows of ten keys in each row, and wherein the bottomrow is closest to a person playing the instrument, and wherein the row next to the bottom row has its keys offset approximately one-half key-width to the left with respect to the bottom row, and wherein the third row of keys is offset approximatelyone-quarter key-width from the next to the bottom row of keys to the left, and wherein the fourth and top row of keys is offset to the left with respect to the third row of keys approximately one-half key-width, and wherein the sixth key from the left inthe bottom row when pressed plays the note middle C, and wherein the notes played when keys in any row are pressed sequentially from left to right are successively one half-step higher than the note played when the preceding key is pressed, and whereinthe first key in all rows, but the bottom row, when pressed play a note one half-step higher than the note played when the key at the right hand end of the next lower row is pressed, and wherein five additional keys are added to the right hand end ofeach row, and seven additional keys are added to the left hand end of each row, and wherein the additional keys at the right hand end of each row when pressed sequentially from left to right play a note which is one half-step higher than the note playedby pressing the key immediately adjacent to the left, and wherein the additional keys at the left end of each row when pressed sequentially from right to left play a note one half-step lower than the note played when the key immediately adjacent to theright is pressed, and wherein, therefore the additional keys on the left end of the bottom row play lower notes than any keys on the standard keyboard, and wherein, therefore, the additional keys to the right of the top row play notes which are higherthan any notes played by pressing any keys of the standard keyboard, and wherein the additional keys, when pressed, on the left end of the second, third and top rows play redundant notes and these additional keys are designated with the same letter orsymbol as the key in the standard keyboard which plays the same note, and wherein the additional keys on the right hand end of the bottom, second and third rows also play redundant notes when pressed, and these additional keys are designated with theletter, symbol, or number of the key in the standard keyboard which when pressed play the same note, and wherein the additional keys to the right of the top row are from left to right designated 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, and the additional keys to the leftof the bottom row are designated respectively from right to left as I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VIII, and wherein the music written for the said instrument comprises a standard
musical score with a key designation in a ball in a clef, and said keydesignation being indicated by a letter in the b...
Musical instrument bridge2010-03-09AbstractA
musical instrument bridge (50) is supporting a set of strings (22) above a front face (14) of a
musical instrument (12). The bridge has a plate (60), a mounting block (80), and a plurality of fingers (100). The plate is attachable to a rear face of the instrument. The plurality of fingers are cantilevered from the plate and extend outwardly therefrom. Each finger has a resonant frequency or rigidity that is related to a predetermined pitch of the string supported by the finger. Each finger is designed to vibrate in a plane that is parallel to the front face of the instrument but to reduce vibration in a plane perpendicular to the front face of the instrument.Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A
musical instrument bridge for supporting a set of strings above a front face of a
musical instrument, wherein each string of the set of strings is tuned to a predetermined pitch when the
musical instrument is played, the
musical instrument bridge comprising:
a plate that is attachable to the
musical instrument;
several fingers cantilevered from the plate, each of said fingers having a resonant frequency and being configured to support a string of the set of strings above the front face of the
musical instrument, said fingers being arranged in a row such that a first finger of said several fingers is disposed at one end of the row, a second finger of said set fingers is disposed at an opposite end of the row and all other of said several fingers are disposed intermediate said first and second fingers with no additional fingers located outward of said first and second fingers, the resonant frequency of said first finger being different than the resonant frequency of said second finger.
2. The
musical instrument bridge of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fingers has a base portion that is secured to the plate, a head portion that is configured to anchor an end of the string supported by the finger and a waist portion that extends between the base portion and the head portion, the waist portion of each of said first and second fingers having a width dimension, the width dimension of the waist portion of the first finger being different than a width dimension of the waist portion of the second finger.
3. The
musical instrument bridge of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fingers has a base portion that is secured to the plate, a head portion that is configured to anchor an end of the string supported by the finger and a waist portion that extends between the base portion and the head portion, the head portion of each of the first and second fingers having a hold therein, the hole of the head portion of the first finger being a different size than the size of a hole of the head portion of the second finger.
4. The
musical instrument bridge of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fingers has a base portion that is secured to the plate, a head portion that is configured to anchor an end of the string supported by the finger and a waist portion that extends between the base portion and the head portion, the waist portion of each of the first and second fingers having a pair of opposing slots that extend lengthwise along a length of the waist portion, the opposing slots of the first finger having a dimension that is different than a dimension of the opposing slots of the second finger.
5. The
musical instrument bridge of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fingers has a base portion that is secured to the plate, a head portion that is configured to anchor an end of the string supported by the finger and a waist portion that extends between the base portion and the head portion, each of the first and second fingers having a mass, the mass of the first finger being different than the mass of the second finger.
6. The
musical instrument bridge of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second fingers has a base portion that is secured to the plate, a head portion that is configured to anchor an end of the string supported by the finger and a waist portion that extends between the base portion and the head portion, each of the first and second fingers having a groove that extends between the base portion of such finger and the waist portion of such finger, the groove of the first finger having a length that is different than a length of the groove of the second finger.
7. The
musical instrument bridge of claim 1, further comprising a mounting block disposed between the plate and the fingers.
8. The
musical instrument bridge of claim 7, wherein the mounting block and the base portion of each of said fingers have respective interfitting portions including a groove and an outwardly extending lip received in the groove.
9. The
musical instrument bridge of claim 7, wherein the mounting block includes a plurality of slots into which each of said fingers is secured.
10. The
musical instrument bridge of claim 9, wherein each of the fingers is secured to the mounting block independently of any other of the fingers.
11. A
musical instrument bridge for supporting a set of strings above a front face of a
musical instrument, wherein each string of the set of strings is tuned to a predetermined pitch when the
musical instrument is played, the
musical instrument bridge comprising:
a plate that is at...
Method for operating a musical instrument2010-03-08a
musical instrument, especially a keyboard instrument such as a piano. In one embodiment, a keyboard instrument is provided which is operable for producing a
musical sound. The keyboard instrument is used in combination with a
musical staff on which a
musical composition has been recorded. The staff has a structure that corresponds with the arrangement of keys on a keyboard such that notes recorded in spaces on the staff correspond to white keys of the keyboard instrument and notes recorded on lines correspond to black keys of the keyboard instrument. The keyboard instrument is operated by depressing the appropriate corresponding white key for a note recorded on a space of the staff and depressing the appropriate black key for a note recorded on a line of a staff.Claims
I claim:
1. A method for producing pitches of sound corresponding to a
musical composition represented by noteheads visually depicted on a
musical staff, the method of comprising the steps of:
producing sound responsive to said noteheads, said sound comprising pitches of said
musical composition as represented by said noteheads visually depicted on said
musical staff;
said
musical staff comprising five substantially parallel and visually observable lines grouped in two groups, a first group consisting of three lines and a second group consisting of two lines, wherein said first group is separated from said second group by a distance that is larger than the spacing between lines within either of said first and second groups;
wherein, each line of said first group has a visually distinctive appearance relative to each line of said second group and wherein a first line of said first group of lines has a visually observable width that is smaller than the widths of the other two lines of said first group, so that said pitches will be easily identifiable when some of said noteheads are visually depicted in said first group and some of said noteheads are visually depicted in said second group.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein:
each of said lines of said first group has a visually observable width that is larger than each of said lines of said second group.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein:
said width of said first line is about one half as large as said widths of said other two lines of said first group.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein:
said three lines within said first group and said two lines within said second group have relative line widths substantially as shown in FIG. 14.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
during said step of producing said sound, said sound is produced by a
musical instrument.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein:
said
musical instrument comprises a keyboard; and
said step of producing said
musical sound includes depressing a black key to produce a pitch of said sound when one of said noteheads corresponding to said pitch is visually depicted as being on one of said lines of said staff and depressing a white key to produce a pitch of said sound when one of said noteheads corresponding to said pitch is visually depicted as occupying a space between two of said lines.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein:
said five substantially parallel lines being substantially horizontally extending during said step of producing said sound.
8. A method for producing pitches of sound corresponding to a
musical composition represented by noteheads visually depicted on a
musical staff, the method comprising the steps of:
producing sound responsive to said noteheads, said sound comprising pitches of said
musical composition as represented by said noteheads visually depicted on said
musical staff;
said
musical staff including at least 15 substantially parallel lines, which are substantially horizontal during said step of producing said sound and which are divided into at least two staff portions, with a first staff portion including seven lines arranged in three groups and a second staff portion including eight lines arranged in three groups, with the first staff portion and the second staff portion being separated by a distance that is larger than the spacing between groups of lines within said first staff portion and said second staff portion;
said three groups including said seven lines of said first staff portion including a first group consisting of three of said seven lines and second and third groups each consisting of two of said seven lines, wherein said first group is located between said second and third groups with each of said first, second and third groups being separated from any other adjacent of said first, second and third groups by a distance that is larger than spacing between lines within any of said first, second and third groups;
said three groups including said eight lines of said second staff portion including a fourth group consisting of two of said eight lines and fifth and sixth groups each consisting of three of said eight lines, ...
Method and apparatus for automatic variable articulation and timbre assignment for an electronic musical instrument2010-03-06 musical performance data including note-on signals and outputs a stream of
musical performance data including note-on and note-off signals. The incoming performance data is dispatched to a multiplicity of output channels depending on the time interval between successive incoming note-on data. Notes played in very rapid succession are identified as chords and are performed with identical
musical parameters such as duration and instrumental timbre. Notes played in slow succession are identified as polyphonic and are performed with the same instrumental timbre. Notes played at an intermediate speed are identified as melodic and are performed with the same instrumental timbre and a variable staccato or legato effect. A variable legato effect is achieved by controlling the overlap of successive pairs of notes, adjusting the release of the first note with respect to the onset of the second note as a function of the time interval between their onsets, and limiting the number of notes that can sound simultaneously. A variable staccato effect is achieved by controlling the duration of each note as a function of the time interval between the note and its predecessor, and limiting the number of notes that can sound simultaneously.Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic
musical instrument, comprising:
means for supplying performance data for a first note and for a second note;
a processor for setting durations of said first and second notes in accordance with said performance data, wherein said processor sets an initial duration of said first note without regard to the performance data of said second note, determines a time interval N between a start time of said first note and a start time of said second note, and adjusts the initial duration of the first note as a function of said time interval N when the initial duration of said first note is greater than said time interval N; and
a tone generator for generating tones in accordance with the durations of said first and second notes set by said processor.
2. The electronic
musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said processor adjusts the initial duration of said first note to a duration substantially equal to the time interval N if the time interval N is less than the initial duration of said first note.
3. The electronic
musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein, if the time interval N is less than the initial duration of said first note, said processor adjusts the initial duration of said first note such that a time of overlap between said first note and said second note is a function of the time interval N.
4. The electronic
musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said performance data includes velocity data indicating a force with which each note is played and a pitch of each note, wherein said processor sets the initial duration of said first note as a function of at least one of: the velocity data corresponding to said first note; the pitch of said first note; a time interval N-1 between the start time of said first note and the start time of a previous note; and a predetermined duration.
5. The electronic
musical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a selector for selecting one of a first melodic mode and a second melodic mode, wherein:
when the first melodic mode is selected, if the time interval N is less than the initial duration of said first note, said processor adjusts the initial duration of said first note such that a time of overlap between said first note and said second note is a function of the time interval N; and
when the second melodic mode is selected, said processor adjusts the initial duration of said first note to a duration substantially equal to the time interval N if the time interval N is less than the initial duration of said first note.
6. The electronic
musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said means for supplying performance data is at least one of: a music controller; a playable controller interface; and a data transmission line.
7. The electronic
musical instrument according to claim 6, wherein said music controller is at least one of: a keyboard, a xylophone-type keyboard, an array of drum pads and a keyed wind instrument.
8. The electronic
musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said tone generator is a polyphonic tone generator.
9. The electronic
musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said tone generator is a multi-channel, multi-timbral tone generator.
10. An apparatus for controlling an articulation between successive
musical notes, comprising:
a note classifier for classifying at least a first note in accordance with performance data relating thereto, wherein said note classifier determines a time interval N-1 between a start time of said first note and a start time of an immediately previous note and determines a time interval N between the start time of said first note and a start time of an immediately subsequent note, classifies said first note and said immediately previous note as chord notes when the time interval N-1 is less than a first threshold time, classifies said first note as a polyphonic note when the time interval N-1 is greater than a second threshold time, and classifies said first note as a melodic note when the time interval N-1 is between said first and second threshold times; and
a processor for setting a duration of at least said first note in accordance with a classification of said first note by said note classifier, such that: when said first note and said immediately previous note are classified as chord notes, durations of said first note and said immediately previous note are substantially overlapped; when said first note is classified as a polyphonic note, said processor sets a duration of said first note; and, when said first note is classified as a melodic note, said processor sets an initial duration of said first note and adjusts the initial duration of the first note as a function of said time interval N if the initial duration of said first note is greater than said time interval N.
11. The apparatus according...
Method and Apparatus for Playing in Synchronism with a CD an Automated Musical Instrument2010-03-04An apparatus for playing an automated
musical instrument in synchronism with an audio track of a CD, the apparatus including: a source for a music sequence including time stamped articulation events; a CD drive in communication with a controller, the CD drive capable of playing an audio track on a CD; the controller in communication with the source for a music sequence and in communication with the automated
musical instrument, the controller providing the articulation events to the automated
musical instrument, the controller further including a digital to analog converter to convert the audio track to an analog signal for play, the digital to analog converter providing the controller with a progress status of the time since the beginning of the play of the analog signal, the controller using the progress status of time as a time base for providing the time stamped articulation events to the automated
musical instrument.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, where the music sequence is a MIDI file.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, where the source of a music sequence is digital media.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, where the digital media is selected from the group of compact flash cards, or SD cards.
5. A controller for playing an automated
musical instrument in synchronism with an audio track from a CD, including, a CD drive; a CD subsystem; a microprocessor; memory storing a music sequence; the CD drive in communication with the microprocessor and the CD subsystem, the CD drive providing the CD subsystem with digital audio data from the audio track of a CD, and providing the microprocessor with information regarding identity of the audio track; the CD subsystem including a digital to analog converter to convert the digital audio data into an analog signal for transmission to a transducer; the CD subsystem in communication with the microprocessor and providing the microprocessor with information regarding the time progress of processing the digital audio data; the microprocessor in communication with the memory storing a music sequence, the microprocessor sending the music sequence to the automated
musical instrument based on the time progress of processing the digital audio data.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the music sequence is a MIDI file including time stamped articulation events.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the microprocessor sends the events in music sequence to the automated
musical instrument at a discreet time prior to the time called for by the time stamp for the event.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the discreet time is between 100 msec and 500 msec.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, w...
Music Processing System Including Device for Converting Guitar Sounds to Midi Commands2010-03-03that transmits the commands to the MIDI interface of a
musical instrument with additional modification, if needed.Claims
1. A device for converting guitar sounds to MIDI commands comprising:a low capacity microcontroller associated with each guitar string, the low capacity microcontroller being configured to convert filtered and amplified signals oscillations from a guitar string to a corresponding MIDI command; anda main microcontroller operatively connected to the low capacity microcontroller, the main microcontroller being configured to receive and collect MIDI commands generated by the low capacity microcontrollers, modify the MIDI commands, and transmit the modified MIDI command to the MIDI interface of a
musical instrument.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein:each low capacity microcontroller comprises: (i) an input adapted to receive the amplified and filtered signals from the guitar string, (ii) an output adapted to transmit a MIDI command corresponding to the amplified and filtered signal from the low capacity microcontroller to the main microcontroller, an (iii) output adapted signal the main microcontroller that the low capacity microcontroller has a MIDI command to be transmitted to the main microcontroller, and (iv) an input adapted to receive a signal from the main microcontroller to transmit a MIDI command.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein:the main microcontroller comprises: (i) an input adapted to receive a signal from the low capacity microcontroller that the low capacity microcontroller has a MIDI command to be transmitted to the main microcontroller; (ii) an output adapted to transmit a signal from the main microcontroller to each low capacity microcontroller to transmit a MIDI command from the low capacity microcontroller to the main microcontroller; and (iii) one input for receiving MIDI commands sent by each low capacity microcontroller.Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001]This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/873,970, filed Oct. 16, 2007, currently pending, and claims priority to Serbian Patent application ser. no. 2007-0015, filed Feb. 5, 2007, and the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/019,039 filed Jan. 4, 2008, the disclosures all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002]This disclosure generally pertains to a music processing system that converts sound from
musical instruments into an electronic data format. More specifically, this invention pertains to a system and method that converts sound generated by
musical instruments to a form to be used in electronic media based on a first harmonic of an input signal. In one embodiment, the data format is the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) format.
[0003]For years digital keyboard players enjoyed unparalleled flexibility and functionality in interfacing and composing with their computers, such as the ability to instantly create notation and change sounds generated by their instruments with the push of a button. The music processing system described herein offer this flexibility and functionality to guitarists as well as the ability to use a guitar with computer games. The methods and apparatus described may comprise a pick-up and converter that attaches directly to any electric, acoustic electric or acoustic guitar, thereby making a user's guitar fully plug and play compatible with Windows XP or higher as well as Mac OSX. Preferably, no driver installation is necessary.
[0004]The music processing system described herein may be adapted for use with Guitar Wizard, a game that allows users to jam along to popular songs while learning to play a real guitar. Guitar Wizard teaches aspiring musicians everything from single note picking to complex chords and strumming techniques. Modem Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software, such as Sony Acid鈩?Music Studio and Apple GarageBand harness the power of PCs, allowing musicians to play samples and software instruments. With the music processing system described herein, guitarists can control these programs to play sampled sounds and synthesized instruments such as a keyboard or piano, a different style guitar, drums or a woodwind instrument. Using the music processing system described herein, guitarists can compose a complete masterpiece controlling and recording each instrument from trumpets to tympanis using their guitar.
[0005]Using the music processing system described herein, users will enjoy the ability to connect a real guitar to console systems bridging the gap between gaming and reality. For instance, using the music processing system described herein, one may be able to: use a guitar to connect with a computer, operating with for instance Windows XP and/or Mac OSX; learn to play guitar; record, compose and edit music easily; arrange with flexibility and control; and convert recorded songs into sheet music. As described below, the pick-up and control components of the music processing system mount on any guitar and preferably recognizes and transmits specific instructions for each individual note played on the guitar, thereby allowing for great flexibility in playing and recording. Thi...
Electronic device to detect and generate music from biological microvariations in a living organism2010-03-02The method of claim 14, wherein said digital environmental control codes comprise MIDI synthesizer control codes.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of controlling a MIDI music synthesizer with said MIDI synthesizer control codes.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein said digital environmental control codes comprise compact disc player control codes, and further comprising the step of controlling the sequence of
musical tracks played on a compact disc player using said compact disc player control codes.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein said digital environmental control codes comprise music volume control codes, and further comprising controlling the volume of a music source through said music volume control codes.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of generating a sequence of environmental changes further comprises generating a sequence of air movement conditions in an environment of said organism.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of generating a sequence of air movement conditions in the environment of said organism comprises controlling a fan speed.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of generating a sequence of air movement conditions in the environment of said organism comprises controlling the orientation of a fan.
22. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of generating a sequence of environmental changes further comprises generating a sequence of different moisture levels in an environment of said organism.
23. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of generating a sequence of environmental changes further comprises generating a sequence of different aroma conditions in an environment of said organism.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of generating a sequence of different aroma conditions further comprises evaporating a sequence of different aroma chemicals into the air in an environment of said organism.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of generating a sequence of different aroma conditions in the environment of said organism comprises varying over time the evaporation rate of an aroma chemical in the environment of said organism.
26. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of generating a sequence of environmental changes further comprises generating a sequence of different lighting conditions in an environment of said organism.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of generating a sequence of different lighting conditions in the environment of said organism comprises generating a sequence of different lighting intensities in the environment of said organism.
28. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of generating a sequence of different lighting conditions further comprises generating a sequence of different lighting color spectrums in the environment of said organism.
29. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
providing a digital feedback signal from said microprocessor;
applying said digital feedback signal to a DAC to produce an analog feedback signal;
using said analog feedback signal to level-shift the range of the analog signal applied to said analog to digital converter; and
periodically updating said digital feedback signal to keep said analog signal in-range for said analog to digital converter.
30. An apparatus that uses microvariations of a biological living organism to generate a sequence of environmental changes perceptible through one of the human senses, such apparatus comprising:
means for transforming microvariations within a living organism into an analog electrical signal; and
means for generating a sequence of changes perceptible through the human senses based on said analog signal.
31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the means for generating the sequence of environmental changes further comprises means for generating music in an environment of said organism.
32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the means for gene...
Magnetic pickup for stringed musical instrument2010-03-01plurality of pole legs, one common to each string of the
musical instrument. The distance between the pickup and strings is adjustable to select a desired response. When pole legs are used, they are selectable in height by shearing off the distal end of each leg to obtain a selected pickup sensitivity for each string.ClaimsI claim as my invention:
1. A magnetic pickup for a
musical instrument having a plurality of strings, comprising:
(a) a coil common to said strings;
(b) an inner ferromagnetic polepiece common to said strings and partially disposed in said coil;
(c) magnet means common to said strings and magnetically coupled to said inner polepiece and inducing a single polarity in said inner polepiece; and
(d) at least one flat outer ferromagnetic polepiece magnetically coupled to the magnet means outside of said coil and having a polarity opposite to that of the nearest portion of said inner polepiece.
2. A magnetic pick-up according to claim 1 in which said inner polepiece has a plurality of pole legs integrally formed with each other, there being one pole leg for each string.
3. A magnetic pickup according to claim 1 in which said outer polepiece is common to said strings and has a uniform length and uniform height.
4. A magnetic pickup according to claim 1 in which said outer polepiece has a segmented surface below the instrument strings in the form of pole legs with a continuous transition from the upper end of one pole leg to the upper end of the nextpole leg.
5. A magnetic pickup according to claim 1 in which the upper edge of said outer polepiece is a curved surface below the instrument strings extending transversely to their length.
6. A magnetic pickup according to claim 1 in which said magnet means comprises at least two magnets positioned on different sides of said inner polepiece and each magnet having oppositely directed poles facing in a direction parallel to thelength of the strings.
