Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Musical instrument laser tracking device
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to synchronous lights for music
but more particularly to a musical instrument laser tracking device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] There currently exist laser shows and music shows which combine lights
and lasers synchronized to music to enhance the experience of the
audience. Besides an auditory experience, they add a visual aspect that
thrills the audience. In a music show or the opening and closing
ceremonies of the Olympics for example. In a live music show we have
lights and lasers linked to the overall music and/or the beat or drums but
none that links the audience to any particular instrument player as they
play each individual note or beat. Similarly when a musician is practicing
alone and would like an enhanced visual effect to every note that is
played, there currently exists no such solution. There currently exists a
need for a device that enhances the experience of both a single live
instrument player alone and together with an audience
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[003] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices
now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and
advantages which are:
[004] To provide for a device which enhances the experience of a live
instrument player with the use of lasers.
[005] In order to do so, the invention comprises a musical instrument digital
interface adapted to be connected to a musical instrument digital
interface port of a musical instrument. A computer system electronically
connected to the musical instrument digital interface and incorporating
software adapted to produce electronic signals to control a laser
projector. A digital-to-analog converter electronically connected to the
computer system and adapted to convert the electronic signals from a
digital format to an analog format, and a laser projector electronically
connected to the digital-to-analog converter and adapted to receive the
electronic analog signals from the digital-to-analog converter, generate
laser beams accordingly, and shine the laser beams on predetermined
objects in predetermined patterns.
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[006] The laser projector is adapted to generate a plurality of laser beams of
differing colors, differing intensities, differing movements, and differing
projected patterns.
[007] The laser projector includes at least one galvanometer and at least one
mirror adapted to shape and deviate the laser beams generated by the
laser projector. The at least one mirror is formed having a shape chosen
from a list of shapes comprising flat, concave, and convex.
[008] The computer system software is adapted to compute geometric
coordinates for a note being played by the musical instrument to thereby
direct a laser beam from the laser projector at a chosen location a
distance from the laser projector.
10091 The computer system software is further adapted to compute a plurality
of geometric coordinates for respective plurality of notes being played
by the musical instrument to thereby direct laser beams from the laser
projector at a chosen location a distance from the laser projector for
each the plurality of notes.
[0010] The computer software is also adapted to individually modulate the
colors and intensities of each of the plurality of laser beams.
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[0011] In combination with a musical instrument, the laser display system
comprises a musical instrument having a musical instrument digital
interface port. A musical instrument digital interface connected to the
musical instrument digital interface port of the musical instrument. A
computer system electronically connected to the musical instrument
digital interface and incorporating software adapted to produce
electronic signals to control a laser projector. A digital-to-analog
converter electronically connected to the computer system and adapted
to convert the electronic signals from a digital format to an analog
format, and a laser projector electronically connected to the digital-to-
analog converter and adapted to receive the electronic analog signals
from the digital-to-analog converter, generate laser beams accordingly,
and shine the laser beams on predetermined objects in predetermined
patterns.
15[0012] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof
that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0013] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
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in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
5 understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0014] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0015] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference
should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter
which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
5[0016] Fig. 1 Schematic views of the invention.
[0017] Fig.2 Schematic views of the invention with an alternate instrument.
[0018] Figs.3a-d Side views showing various ways the laser light can interact
with the musical instrument.
[0019] Figs. 4a-b Top view showing use of convex and concave mirrors.
10[0020] Fig. 5 Schematic view showing a projector shining light on a screen.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] A musical instrument laser tracking device (10) comprising a MIDI
interface (13), a computer system (15) with customized software (not
shown), a DAC interface (17) and a laser projector (18).
15 [00221 A musical instrument (12) with a MIDI port (11) is connected to the
musical instrument laser tracking device (10) by way of a MIDI cable
(23) such that when a key (21) on a keyboard (20) is depressed or a
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drum (19) or cymbal (19') is hit, a laser beam (16) from the laser
projector (18) is sent to that same key (21) or same drum (19).
[0023] The musical instrument laser tracking device (10) converts a digital
signal output (not shown) from the MIDI out (11) of the musical
instrument (12) into an analogue voltage signal (not shown) using the
DAC interface (17) and the computer system (15) to direct the laser
projector (18) to send a beam (16) to the key (not shown) or drum (19)
of the musical instrument (12) that is being played.
[0024] From the MIDI out (11), the digital signal output goes through a MIDI
cable (23), into the MIDI interface (13) then through a digital cable (25)
through the computer system (15), then through another digital cable
(25'), through the DAC interface (17), and then, by way of an analog
cable (27) into the projector (18).
[0025] The position of the laser projector (18) relative to the instrument
(12) can
be varied as seen in Figures 3 a, b and c to obtain different effects.
Similarly the use of a mirror (24), flat, concave or convex can be
introduced to further vary the effects of the incident laser beams (18)
and the reflected beams (22). Also, the laser projector (18) can aim at a
white screen (not shown) where a realistic or abstract vector
representation of a piano keyboard is displayed showing the notes
being played in real time. A typical location of such a screen would be
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behind and above the player, where the audience can see the matching
movements.
[0026] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above
description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of
usage and operation will be provided.
[0027] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious
to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the
foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will
readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the
invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described,
and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be
resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
