U.S. patent application number 12/799523 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-23 for smart acoustic drum and sing competition system.
Invention is credited to Wilbert Quinc Murdock, Philip Alister Williams.
Application Number | 20110151977 12/799523 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42669586 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110151977 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murdock; Wilbert Quinc ; et
al. |
June 23, 2011 |
Smart acoustic drum and sing competition system
Abstract
A system that wirelessly integrates actual drum equipment and
singing equipment with a computer and the internet to allow
musicians and or singers remotely located from one another to play
music a competitive simulated game of music and or singing. An
individual musician may opt to play music solo or practice to
improve basic drumming or singing techniques. The system includes
smart drum systems, an audio detection system and a drum motion
sensing device, all containing circuits and contact or motion
sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency
transmitter circuitry, thereby wirelessly communicate game
performance information to a remote receiver-computer. The computer
display musician and or singing information and visually simulates
and controls a musical and or singing game between two musicians,
via the internet, having similar equipment and remotely located
from each other. Standard drums may be retrofitted with the sensors
and associated circuitry to convert such drums into "smart drums"
for use with the system. Standard microphones may be retrofitted
with the sensors and associated circuitry to convert such
microphones into "smart microphones" for use with the system or any
music implement. The system employs specially developed computer
software to process musician performance data, control game play
music, communicate game information between musicians and or
singers musicians, generate and control visual simulations and
display music musician performance information.
Inventors: |
Murdock; Wilbert Quinc;
(Bronx, NY) ; Williams; Philip Alister; (Salt
Point, NY) |
Family ID: |
42669586 |
Appl. No.: |
12/799523 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09570233 |
May 12, 2000 |
7789742 |
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12799523 |
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60133722 |
May 12, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/62 20130101;
G16H 40/67 20180101; A61B 5/745 20130101; A61B 2503/10 20130101;
A61B 5/1127 20130101; A63B 2024/0034 20130101; A63B 2220/30
20130101; A61B 5/0205 20130101; A63B 2071/063 20130101; A63B 57/40
20151001; A63B 69/3688 20130101; A63B 2220/16 20130101; A63F 13/812
20140902; A63B 71/0669 20130101; A63B 2071/0647 20130101; G01S
19/26 20130101; A63B 2024/0037 20130101; A63F 13/212 20140902; A63F
13/218 20140902; A63B 69/36 20130101; A63B 69/3655 20130101; A63B
24/0075 20130101; A63B 71/0686 20130101; A63B 24/0062 20130101;
A63B 69/362 20200801; G06Q 10/0639 20130101; G09B 19/0038 20130101;
A63B 24/0021 20130101; A63B 69/3658 20130101; A63F 13/35 20140902;
A63F 13/795 20140902; A63B 71/0616 20130101; A63B 2024/0068
20130101; A61B 5/11 20130101; A63B 69/3632 20130101; A63B 67/02
20130101; A63B 69/3685 20130101; A63F 13/573 20140902; A63B 63/00
20130101; A63B 2024/0056 20130101; A61B 5/1121 20130101; A61B
5/6895 20130101; A63B 57/405 20151001; A63B 2225/20 20130101; A63B
2225/50 20130101; A63B 2220/13 20130101; A63B 24/0006 20130101;
A63B 69/3676 20130101; A63B 2220/833 20130101; A63F 13/21 20140901;
A63B 2220/89 20130101; A61B 5/1128 20130101; A63B 2220/53 20130101;
A63B 2220/801 20130101; A63B 2220/803 20130101; A63B 71/0622
20130101; A63F 13/79 20140902; A63B 2071/065 20130101; A63F 13/42
20140902; A63B 69/3614 20130101; A63B 2220/00 20130101; A63B
24/0084 20130101; A63F 13/211 20140902; A63F 13/245 20140902; A63F
13/87 20140902; A63F 9/24 20130101; A61B 5/744 20130101; A63B 53/04
20130101; A63B 57/357 20151001; G01S 19/19 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A computerized interactive drum, music, and singing system
comprising: At least two remote player sites comprising: Music
implements comprising a drum, drum sticks, guitars, and a smart
microphone comprising a microphone with sensors attachable and
detachable to said guitar, drum, and drum sticks; A first array of
sensors mounted on the face side of said drum-head of said drum
set; A second array of sensors comprising one or more contact
sensors mounted to a smart microphone; A first computer programmed
to process data derived from data acquired by said first and said
second sensor arrays. A first communications link for transmitting
data derived from said data acquired by said first sensor array to
said first computer; A second communications link for transmitting
data derived from said data acquired by said second remote sensors
to said first computer; and A display monitor connected to said
first computer; A second computer programmed to communicate with at
least two remote player sites; A third communications link for
transmitting data derived from said data acquired by said first
computers to said second computer; and A fourth communications link
or medium for transmitting data derived from said data acquired by
said second computer to at least one of said first computers;
Wherein said first computer is further programmed to analyze the
performance of a person drumming said drum set and or singing said
song so that said drum sticks strike a drum head and said sound
acoustics from voice modulation with said performance analysis
being based on said derived data transmitted by said first and
second communications links; and to further control said display
monitor to display the results of said performance analysis;
Wherein said second computer is programmed to cause the transfer of
local player events from a remote player site to another remote
player site for presentation to another musician, person, and or
singer, notify musician and or singer when it is their respective
turn to play music and or sing, measure player time delays,
disconnect musician and or singers remote sites with excessive time
delays, and conduct an Internet search for another musician and or
singing opponent if the remaining player wishes to continue
play.
2. The computerized interactive music and singing system as recited
in claim 1, wherein said first computer is further programmed to
send the results of said performance analysis to said second
computer upon completion of said performance analysis via said
third communications link.
3. The computerized interactive music and singing system as recited
in claim 1, wherein said third sensor comprises motion sensing
devices or a motion detector mounted internally or externally to
said drum set or a music implement, or internally or externally to
said smart microphone or sound implement.
4. The computerized interactive music and singing system as recited
in claim 1, wherein said first sensor array comprises piezoactive
transducers, drum triggers, pressure, and or force sensors.
5. The computerized interactive music and singing system as recited
in claim 1, further comprising electronic circuitry for outputting
to said first communications link a signal representing the energy
and momentum of a drum stick contact event derived from data
acquired by said first sensor array.
6. The computerized interactive music and smart singing system as
recited in claim 5, wherein said electronic circuitry comprises a
computing device mounted to said drum set, music implement, or
music device, said smart microphone, audio implement, or audio
device programmed to convert data acquired by said first, second,
and third sensor arrays into a time-multiplexed serial digital data
stream containing a respective binary coded word for each
channel.
7. The computerized interactive music and singing system as recited
in claim 1, wherein said second computer comprises a music
implement and music and singing competition server connected to
said first computer via a network, which comprises the fourth
communications link, wherein said first computer is further
programmed to process data from said music implement and music and
singing competition server representing the user performance of a
competition at a remote site during the turn of said competitor;
wherein said music implement and music and singing competition
server selects remote players from a queue of awaiting players in
response to a first musician and or singer indicating a readiness
to play or compete.
8. The interactive competition server system as recited in claim 7,
wherein said music implement and music and singing competition
server is programmed to establish connections amongst subscribing
players at a plurality of remote locations via said network.
9. The interactive competition server system as recited in claim 7,
wherein said second computer is further programmed to create and
manage a plurality of music and singing games and music and or
singing competitors or players wherein said games comprise one or
more said first computers of opponents connected to said first
computer; Wherein each first computer comprises a network port for
connecting to said network, a serial data port for receiving a
serial data stream from a respective set of sensors designed to
detect the motion of respective music or singing equipment items or
controllers being manipulated by a respective musicians and singers
and a port for connecting to its respective display monitor where
each first computer is programmed to perform the following:
Processing the digital data stream from said respective set of
sensors into music and singing game data having a format
representing music and singing game results for said first computer
player; controlling the respective display monitor to provide
visual feedback concerning the progress of the game; Transmitting
said game data from said first computer player to said second
computer that comprises said competition server; and Polling said
competition server for receipt of game data and or messages from
opponents or players at remote sites.
10. The interactive competition music and singing system as recited
in claim 9, includes electronic music and singing equipment further
comprising an electronic drum set or standard drum set retrofitted
with electronic devices and an electronic smart microphone or
standard microphone retrofitted with electronic devices operably
connected to said first computer and said music and singing
competition server via a network.
11. A computerized interactive drum and Of music system, wherein
said first computer programming comprises: A serial port listener
software program that receives acquired data from said first,
second, and third sensor arrays; a socket event listener that
receives data from said competition server; and a main thread for
alternately processing data received by either said socket event
listener or said serial port listener in accordance with sports
competition format wherein acquired data from said first, said
second, and said third sensor arrays are processed by said first
computer and the results are sent to said music and singing
competition server only if data has been previously received from
said music and singing competition server indicating that it is
that musician and or singer's turn to play a music implement, sing,
and or sound implement, otherwise, acquired data from said drum
set, said drum set motion sensing devices, said audio system, said
audio system motion sensing device and said computer if data has
been previously received from said music and singing competition
server indicating that it is a remote player's turn to play a
musical implement and or sing; Wherein controlling the reception of
data received from said first, said second, and said third sensor
arrays is allowed only on that musician's and or singers turn thus
allowing sequential play, the use of one or more said drum sets,
guitars, music implements, and the use of one or more said smart
microphones.
12. The computerized interactive smart music and singing system as
recited in claim 5, wherein said computer programming further
comprises single-musician training software providing training as a
function of the data received from said drum, said drum motion
sensing device, music implements, and said audio system.
13. The computerized interactive music and singing system as
recited in claim 1, wherein said first computer further comprises
audible drumming music image simulation and display software for
displaying images that simulate the results of said performance and
analysis and comprises audible songs from singer's image simulation
and display software for displaying images that simulate the
results of said performance.
14. A computerized interactive drum system comprising: A drum or
music system comprising a drum, drum sticks, and a smart microphone
comprising a microphone with sensors attachable and detachable to
said drum and drum sticks; A row of sensors mounted on said face of
said drum set of said drums for acquiring data from respective
channels, and said acquired data representing the force, time of
contact, energy, frequency, and position of the impact of a drum
stick relative to each impacted sensor on drum head; An
accelerometer attached to said drum set, music and or singing tool,
music implement and or audio implement to detect spatial
translational motion and or rotational orientation of a drum stick
and or smart microphone, music implement or audio implement adapted
to sense acceleration along three orthogonal axes; A first computer
having a data input port for receiving data and an output port for
communicating with said display monitor of said first computer; A
first communications link for communicating data derived from said
impact data acquired by said row of sensors in said respective
channels to said data input port.
15. The computerized interactive music and singing system as
recited in claim 1, wherein said first communications link
comprises a telemetry system and comprises a wireless transmitter
housed inside or attached to said drum set and or smart microphone
and a wireless receiver coupled to an input port of said first
computer as said first communications link to said first
computer.
16. The computerized interactive smart music and singing system as
recited in claim 6, wherein said first computer further comprises
audible image simulation and display music software for the display
of real and simulated musical implement images, participants,
quality, and the results of said analysis.
17. The computerized interactive smart music and smart singing
system as recited in claim 5, wherein said computer programming
further comprises single-musician training software providing
training as a function of the data received from said drum, said
drum motion sensing device, and said audio system.
18. The computerized interactive music and smart singing system as
recited in claim 5, wherein said second communications link further
comprises a wireless transmitter mounted inside said audio system
in a wireless receiver coupled to an input port of said first
computer is said second communications link to said first
computer.
19. The system of claim 14, wherein the first computer processor is
adapted for at least one of identifying a stroke, recognizing an
event, inferring the commencement of an event, inferring the
conclusion of an event, identifying a stroke cycle, and calculating
at least one of a distance-per-stroke, a measure of force, a
measure of efficiency, quality, and a measure of intensity, based
on at least some of the information sensed by the first sensor.
20. The interactive music and smart singing system as recited in
claim 15, wherein said second computer is further programmed to
create and manage a plurality of games for musicians wherein said
games comprise one or more said computers of musical opponents
connected to said first computer; wherein, each first computer
comprises a network port for connecting to said network, a serial
data port for receiving a serial data stream from a respective set
of sensors designed to detect the motion of respective musical
equipment items or controllers being manipulated by a respective
musician and a port for connecting to its respective display
monitor where each first computer is programmed to perform the
following: Processing the digital data stream from said respective
set of sensors into game data having a format representing game
results of said musician; controlling their respective display
monitor to provide visual feedback concerning the progress of the
game; Transmitting said game data from said first computer musician
to said second computer that comprises said music and singing
competition server; and Polling said competition server for receipt
of game data and all messages of musicians at remote sites.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Ser. No.
60/13,722, filed May 12, 1999 for all subject matter common hereto.
That provisional application is incorporated by reference herein.
This is a divisional application and the parent application for
this divisional application is, 09/570,233.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0002] A microfiche appendix including 1 microfiche with 27 frames
accompanies and forms a part of this application.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to a smart musical instrument and
smart singing system coupling music equipment, singing, and a
computer. More particularly, this invention relates to a system
wherein musical instruments and singers communicate wirelessly to a
computer and thereby, if desired, to a remote participant or group
via the internet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A number of patented drum and singing devices embody sensing
components and software. Typically, these devices display music
information that relates to drummer's stroke, and singing style.
The information is displayed or signaled by the drum and smart
singing systems or simulations of drum and smart singing systems
via interactive software and electronics. None of these cooperates
with drum strokes and singing styles that sense each actual drum
stroke or strokes and singing styles for local and or remote
interactive drum and singing musical interaction.
[0005] It is desirable to remotely communicate the actual
performance location and music of the singing musician, whereby
more sophisticated analysis and prediction possibilities are
realizable via computer technology and state-of-the-art display
music techniques. Further, it is also desirable to use such
performance information in an expanded capacity to provide
interactive music and singing competition amongst numerous music
and singing musicians in locations remote from each other.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] This invention relates to a system that interconnects real
music musical instruments or other music instruments and or singers
to a computer. In a preferred embodiment the computer is coupled
wirelessly to one or more musical instruments and singers. Further,
the invention, summarized below, allows one or more musicians and
singers to enter into a competition against each other. Each
musician and or singer logs-in to ask the computer who is available
to practice or play music in a musical and or singing contest. Once
a musician and or singer pairs up against another musician and or
singer anywhere in the world and musical play and or singers sing
and play ensues, the computer and display show each musical and
singing participant's score via animation or graphics that
preferably relate to a musician's and singer's individual
performance statistics. A single singer and or musician may
practice singing, or play music without a musician or singing
opponent and improve basic musical rhythm and singing skills using
the computer and music to track their performance. The system
application is unlimited and much of this system can be used not
only for music and singing competition on the Internet, but for
other musical instruments and singers as well. Musical implements
and singers with sensors attached according to this invention are
used for training purposes, for interactive musical and singing
internet competition. The technology can be used for training,
competition, and the improvement of music response related reflexes
and coordination. With little or no modification, the technology
also has applications in medicine, particularly musical physical
therapy.
1. Smart Drum Instrument
[0007] A wireless drum instrument is constructed to contain or
alternatively, a standard drum instrument is modified to contain, a
multiple drum triggers, sensors or transducer array located on the
drum head or face or hitting surface. Upon impact of the head of
the drum with a drum stick the impacted sensors produce detectable
variances representing the magnitude and duration of the drum-drum
stick impact force and the proximate location of such contact
relative to the preferred location, on the face of the drum head.
The variances are electronically processed into digitally coded
information and remotely transmitted by an electrical communication
circuit either contained within or attached to the drum head or
face.
[0008] In each of the drum instrument device according to this
invention, in a preferred embodiment the transducer are or include
piezoactive elements and or drum triggers. As used herein
"piezoactive" includes piezoelectric and piezoresistive components.
Piezoactive components are defined as components the electrical
properties of which, when the component is subjected to physical
force, vary. A drum trigger converts energy produced by stick
attack into electrical impulses. The impulses are then supplied to
the drum module (brain of the system).
[0009] The smart drum instrument system uses biofeedback to create
an intelligent drum training and entertainment system. The smart
drum instrument system is a diagnostic and analysis tool used to
improve a drummers skills by instantaneous by visual and acoustic
feedback and cue's with little or no human intervention. The smart
drum instrument system takes the generated data and reconstructs it
into a useful visual format which can be presented in a variety of
ways including 3-dimensional animation. The smart drum instrument
system integrated circuit or circuits can be designed anywhere
within the drum including the head and or drum stick.
[0010] The smart drum instruments has the means via its built in
microcontroller to process, analyze, store, stick hitting pattern
data and transmit it to the computer and or the Internet for
further analysis. In playback mode the smart drum instrument system
memorizes how many times each sensor was hit. This allows the
drummer to know his or her hitting pattern. Using a computer
algorithm, we can analyze and calculate a drum stroke pattern and
having a musical personalized drum hitting detection system for
each musician.
2. Smart Singing System
[0011] A smart singing system has a microphone attached or is
detachable to a singer. The smart microphone can be held in the
hand of a singer or worn on the singer's chess area. The smart
microphone that is hand held or worn on the singer has a transducer
built-in, when touched by the singer or impacted by the singer's
hand, the sensor produces a detectable variance representing impact
with the hand. The variance is electronically processed into
display coded information and remotely transmitted by an electrical
communication circuit. In one preferred embodiment the
communication circuit is contained within the smart microphone.
Preferably, the communication circuit for the smart microphone is
located inside the stem.
[0012] The singing system uses biofeedback to create an intelligent
sing training entertainment system. The smart singing system is a
diagnostic and analysis tool used to improve a singer's skills by
visual and acoustic feedback cues with little or no human
intervention. The singing system takes the generated data and
reconstructs it into a useful visual format which can be presented
in a variety of ways including 3-dimensional animation.
[0013] In each of the drum set device and smart microphone device
according to this invention, in a preferred embodiment the
transducers are or include piezoactive elements. As used herein,
"piezoactive" includes piezoelectric and piezoresistive components.
Piezoactive components are defined as components the electrical
properties of which, when the component is subjected to physical
force, vary.
3. Wireless Signal Receiver and Computer
[0014] At each remote player site, wireless radio frequency
equipment receives the digitally coded transmitted signals from the
drum set, the microphone, and the drum swing motion sensing device
and audio feedback. The signals are demodulated and processed into
serial binary data suitable for communications to the computer via
either serial or parallel ports. As the game progresses, the
computer under the control of the musical software, monitors and
directs the flow of communications between the musicians and
singers via the internet and displays the music and singing game
simulations and performance information.
4. Computer Drumming Software System
[0015] At each remote player site, a computer under the control of
the drumming and singing software, monitors and controls the
sequential play of the musical and singing game and interacts with
the musical game and or singing player game at the site and also
competing musical and singing players at the other remote sites via
the internet. The software system generates the musical and singing
game simulations for display and tracks each musical player's and
singing player's performance as the musical and or singing game
progresses. The above further features and advantages of the
invention will be better understood with reference to the
accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of
preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of components of a
computer implemented drum system according to this invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a drum with sensors and
circuitry and used in the computer implemented system of FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 3 Smart Microphone with Sensor and Hand Grasping Smart
Microphone with Sensor.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic front plan view of a putter with a
drum head and circuitry forming a further, alternative embodiment
of a drum for use with the computer implemented system of FIG.
1.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a drum head
electronics installation for use with the drum heads of FIGS. 1, 2,
and 4.
[0021] FIG. 6 Tripad Sensor with three different activation areas
or Top plan view of a drum stick sensing element with three
activation areas for use in the drumming surface strokes of FIGS.
1, 2, and 4
[0022] FIG. 6 was previously FIG. 7.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a singing and drum
electronics installation for communicating with the computer in a
computer implemented system according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.
[0024] FIG. 7 was previously FIG. 8.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a computer installation for use
as the computer and information receiving interconnect of the
system of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 8 replaces FIG. 10.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the software
operation of the computer of FIG. 8.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrative of a portion of the
operation of the computer of FIG. 8 operating as indicated in the
block diagram of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention
includes a wireless smart drum system 20, a wireless audio
detection system 22, a wireless drum motion sensing plate 24, a
wireless receiver 26 connected to a computer 28, and a display or
monitor 30 with speakers 31 operated under the control of drum
system software 32, and connected via the internet to an internet
drum game server 34 (called herein the GGC server)
1. Smart Drum System
[0030] The smart drum system 20 has a head 40 and a stick 42. As
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the head 40 has a drum stick opening 42, a
plurality of embedded contact sensors 46 (three are illustrated in
the preferred embodiment), and the internal electronics circuitry
48 including a wireless radio frequency transmitter (58 in FIG. 5).
As shown, at least one of the sensors 46 is located at or proximate
to the optimal location on a drum face 47 for contact with the drum
stick. The contact sensors may be, but are not limited to sensors
employing piezoactive type transducers or drum triggers,
specifically, either piezo-electric or piezo-resistive transducers
(similar, but is not limited to the Cooper Instruments LPM
562).
[0031] In an alternative embodiment, FIG. 2, three sensors 46 are
applied to the face of an adapted drum by a mylar tape or other
means 49. Again, the electronic circuitry is internal to the drum
head 40 and connects to the sensors 46 by leads 27.
[0032] In a second alternative embodiment, to retrofit a standard
drum, contact sensors 46 are part of an adapter 40 attached to an
ordinary drum head as seen in FIG. 4 and wire connected to an
electronic circuitry 48 attached to the drum stick 42 or elsewhere
on the drum. A drum stick contacting any sensor 46 produces a
detectable variance indication the magnitude and duration of
sensor-ball impact. The variance may be a change in resistance of a
piezo-resistive transducer or a voltage change in the case of a
piezo-electric transducer. As shown in FIG. 5, the variance is
detected and amplified by an associated amplifier 52 and is the
input to an associated integration circuit 54, the output of which
represents the energy of the ball-drum contact event. Connected to
the integration circuit 54, a microprocessor 56 is a multi-input
signal processing circuit (similar, but not limited to a Motorola
#68HCO5) having analog to digital signal converting circuits
(ADCs), one for each input channel, and a sequential digital signal
encoding circuit connected so as to convert the ADC outputs into a
time multiplexed serial digital data stream containing a
binary-coded word for each channel indicating the energy of the
associated sensor-ball impact event.
[0033] A radio frequency transmitting circuit 58 receives the
serial digital data from the microprocessor 56 and wirelessly
transmits the information via an internal antenna 60 to a receiver
26 (FIG. 1) for subsequent processing by the computer 28. Using
programming as contained in the accompanying microfiche appendix,
one skilled in the art can readily accomplish the game programming
described. Alternative programming too will be apparent from the
foregoing functional description and the illustrations contained in
the appended drawings.
2. Smart Microphone
[0034] The smart microphone uses 22 in FIG. 1, to allow voice
inputs, as shown in FIG. 3. The smart microphone has a contact
sensor pad 64, shown in FIG. 6, containing at least one contact
sensor (three different activation areas 65, 66, and 67 are
illustrated in the preferred embodiment). The internal circuitry
includes a wireless radio frequency transmitter (as shown in FIG.
5). Additional sensor activation area 65 and 67 are adjacent, one
on either side of the center area 66. In the preferred embodiment
of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, and like the sensor used at the face of the
drum and smart microphone, the sensors may be, but are not limited
to, sensors employing piezo-active type transducers, specifically,
either piezo-electric or piezo-transducers.
[0035] A hand touching the smart microphone 60 and containing the
sensor pad 65, 66, or 67 produces a detectable variance indicating
the hand-sensor smart microphone event. The variance may be a
change in resistance in the case of a piezo-resistive transducer
(similar, but not limited to Cooper Instruments LPM 562) or a
voltage change in the case of a piezo-electric transducer. As
illustrated in FIG. 7, the variance is detected and amplified by an
associated amplifier 71. The amplified signal then is input to a
microprocessor 72 having an analog to digital signal converting
circuit (ADC) and a digital signal encoding circuit connected so as
to convert the ADC output representing the sensors signals into a
serial digital data stream containing a binary coded word
indicating the sensor-hand contact event. The microprocessor 72 may
be the same or similar to the microprocessor 56 of the drum system
electronics.
[0036] A radio frequency transmitter circuit 74 receives the serial
digital data from the microprocessor 72 and wirelessly transmits
the information via an internal antenna 76 to the receiver 26 (FIG.
1) for subsequent processing by the computer 28. The smart
microphone configuration is susceptible to much variation. The
smart microphone illustrated and described above is well suited to
indoor use, on carpet for example.
3. Wireless Signal Receiver and Computer
[0037] At each player site, a wireless radio frequency signal
receiver 26 is connected to the computer 28 by either the serial
(USB) or parallel computer ports, as shown in the functional block
diagram, FIG. 8. The wireless signal receiver 26 detects digitally
coded radio frequency transmissions from the communication circuit
associated with any of a smart drum system 20, a smart microphone
22, as shown in FIG. 1. The received transmission are demodulated
by the RF receiver circuitry 122 (FIG. 10) connected to a
microprocessor 124, which converts the demodulated data signal to
serial binary coded data suitable for communications to a computer
28. The computer 28, under the control of the internally installed
golf system software program, monitors and directs the flow of
communications between remotely located players via the internet
and displays the game simulations and performance information. In
appropriate installations the wireless electromagnetic signals that
communicate with the receiver may be infrared communications.
5. Computer Drumming Software
[0038] At each remote player site, the computer 28 (FIG. 1) under
the control of the drumming software program (shown in the drumming
software system functional block diagram, FIG. 9) monitors and
control initialization and the sequential play of the drumming and
singing game, or alternatively, the individual musician and or
singer player practice session. Upon start up by a musician and or
singer player at a particular site, the system input parameters are
set and the system internet and music and or singer player port
interfaces are initialized 130 as indicated by the arrows 130a and
130b. For internet communications, the serial port listener of the
computer 28 is enabled in the preferred embodiment. A remote player
event listener is initialized. It will communicate events from one
or more of the smart drum system, the smart microphone and the
motion sensor plate. The main operational software (program) thread
is run 130, and the system awaits data input from the appropriate
computer communications ports at 132 (port), 133 (Remote player
Socket Event Listener).
[0039] If the competitive play mode has been selected, the program
generates a player participation request and sends 134 the request
to the GGC game internet server (GGC server) 34 (FIG. 1). Upon
identification of a player opponent at 150 (FIG. 12) by the GGC
server, the program initiates the player identification sequence
152 and sequential play begins 154 (This software sequence and
control routine occurs at each remote site where play has been
initiated. During the game play sequences 154, the program
generates the appropriate animation, display, and audio data and
commands 136 and 138 (FIG. 9), and communicates with the associated
display and speaker devices 30 and 31 (FIG. 1). Upon the occurrence
of a local player event, detected at 133, the main operating
program at 130, displays the event at 136, and communicates the
event at 132 by causing a device transmission at 137 to be send at
134 via the internet GGC server 135 which displays the event for
the opposing player and alerts the opposing player it is his/her
turn to play. The local player event may be, but is not limited to
the smart drum system impacting a ball, the swing of a club across
the sensing plate or the balls entry into the receptacle. The
program contains time delay limits for the player action, and
delays of play beyond these limits generate play quit and
disconnect signals. The event at 133 also has the effect of
indicating at 139 that it is no longer the local players turn and
enables (as indicated by line 139) the serial port listener at 132
to detect an event from the remote player, again via the
internet.
[0040] If the single music and or singer player practice mode is
selected, the internet communications sequences are disabled, other
software sequential operating routines continue as above described
and the players drum system stroke, hand-smart microphone contact,
and audio feedback information are communicated only to the
computer located at the players site and the performance
information analyzed and displayer only at the local players
site.
[0041] When a game is won, lost, or terminated, the drum software
system generates the appropriate output signals 156 (FIG. 10,
displays the player performance information, and resets to initial
pre-game conditions. If one player opponent quits the game or is
"timed out" (due to excessive delay in play) and the remaining
player wishes to continue play, the software resumes an internet
search for another opponent 152 and 153.
[0042] Using programming as contained in the accompanying
microfiche appendix, one skilled in the art can readily accomplish
the game programming described. Alternative programming too will be
apparent from the foregoing functional description and the
illustrations contained in the appended drawings.
[0043] While a preferred embodiment has been described, it will be
appreciated that many variations and modifications in the system,
its operation, and its various components may be made without
departure from the spirit and scope of invention as set forth in
the appended claims.
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