Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at methods, apparatus and systems for implementing an improvised guitar playing feature on a rhythm-action game. The improvised guitar playing feature allows players to manipulate a guitar controller to produce a pleasing, musical-sounding improvised play even if the players have little experience or skill at improvising music. This feature uses quantized 8th and 16th note musical phrases, or “licks”, strung together to form authentic, melodic, and rhythmically musical and impressive guitar lines, regardless of the player's ability. The improvised guitar playing feature can also display cues directing the player to improvise in a certain manner, while still providing players a degree of musical freedom in selecting how to play. In some embodiments, the present disclosure is also directed at scoring mechanisms for evaluating improvised guitar play.

Abstract: A method controls the operation of the door system using one or combination of parameters of a reduced order model of the door system. The operation includes moving at least one door of the door system. The method measures a signal representing the operation of the door system and filters the measured signal by removing at least one dynamic of the measured signal absent from a frequency response of the reduced order model of the door system. The method also updates parameters of the reduced order model of the door system to reduce an error between the filtered signal and an estimated signal of the operation estimated using the updated reduced order model of the door system. The parameters of the reduced order model include a mass parameter and a friction parameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to percussion instruments. In particular, it relates to a signal processor for detecting characteristics of vibration of a percussion pad due to a particular strike on the pad. It provides a musician more opportunity for creativity in the sound a listener a percussion instrument can hear. It provides a signal processor for a percussion instrument. The signal processor comprises a singular input signal acquiring means to acquire a singular input signal corresponding to a physical vibration of a percussion surface over time, a signal analyser to analyse the input signal for a characteristic of a strike on the surface which caused the vibration, and a command signal providing means to provide a command signal according to the characteristic.

Abstract: The disclosure features a wireless power transmission system for an elevator that includes at least two wireless power sources disposed at intervals along a wall of an elevator shaft and coupled to a power supply, and at least one wireless power receiving device configured to be mounted to an exterior of an elevator cab and to be coupled to a load onboard the elevator cab, where during operation, the at least two wireless power sources are configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field to transfer wireless energy to the at least one wireless power receiving device.

Abstract: Coils for receiving or transmitting electromagnetic signals comprising a plurality of concurrently wound and fully or partially interpenetrating windings for which the resonance frequency can be varied over a broad range. The presently described embodiments provide for electromagnetic pickups for stringed musical instruments; however, it is appreciated that other embodiments providing for a wide variety of devices comprising pickup coil sensors are apparent. It is also apparent that a wide variety of devices are possible in which coils with concurrently wound and interpenetrating windings will serve as transmitting coils.

Abstract: A method is provided of aligning pitch data with audio data in a computing device, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of compiling a plurality of pitch data related to an audio file, each pitch data including information about at least one distinct pitch which is capable of being used by an electronic device to emulate said pitch, said plurality of pitch data compiled in a chronological order relating to said audio file, and arranging the compiled pitch data with the corresponding audio file containing audio data having at least one chord change, wherein the pitch data is offset from the audio data by a predetermined time margin. Further, an audio file is provided, stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, having pitch data corresponding to and offset from chord changes in audio data by a predetermined time margin advance, and a non-transitory computer readable medium is provided, having stored thereon a set of computer executable instructions.

Abstract: A modular approach to large string array electronic musical instruments such as specialized harps, zithers, sympathetic string arrays, the Harry Partch Kithara, the Harry Partch Harmonic Cannon, and other large string array electronic musical instruments is presented. A mounting frame is used to interchangeably secure a plurality of a plurality of musical instrument modules, each comprising a plurality of strings configured to vibrate and create electronic signals. An electronic interface is configured to transmit electrical signals from the plurality of musical instrument modules to an external system. The electronic interface can be configured to provide a multichannel output. The arrangement can further comprise either or both of at least one audio mixer and at least one signal processor.

Abstract: Methods and digital circuits providing frequency correction to frequency synthesizers are disclosed. An FLL digital circuit is provided that is configured to handle a reference frequency that is dynamic and ranges over a multi-decade range of frequencies. The FLL circuit includes a digital frequency iteration engine that allows for detection of disappearance of a reference frequency. When the digital frequency iteration engine detects that the reference frequency signal is not available, the oscillator generated frequency is not corrected, and the last value of the oscillator generated frequency is held until the reference frequency signal becomes available again. This FLL circuit is also preceded by a low-pass filter which is dynamically tuned to the frequency to which the FLL locks, eliminating harmonic components in the original signal which might otherwise cause errors in frequency estimation.

Abstract: Conventionally, an electronic musical user input, such as an electronic keyboard has pre-programmed pitches associated with each key. These pre-programmed pitches correspond to the pitches from their acoustic counterparts. While some methods do exist of remapping the keys in such a way that a user cannot make a so called ‘bad’ sound by playing a wrong 5 not, there is little freedom in the selection of the ‘good’ notes. Therefore, there is herein provided a method of adjusting the complexity of a chord which therein determines the actual set of pitches which can be assigned to a user input device in order to increase the flexibility of remapping systems.

Abstract: A weather-resistant drum is presented. The weather-resistant drum comprises a drum head configured to produce a sound when struck. The weather-resistant drum also comprises a drum shell, configured to resonate the sound produced by the drum head. The drum shell also comprises a drain. The weather-resistant drum also comprises shield, coupled to the weather-resistant drum using a fastener. The fastener is configured to couple the shield to the weather-resistant drum, such that the drum head maintains a tuned configuration over an operational lifetime of the weather-resistant drum.

Abstract: A digital multi-media device provides features for a user unskilled in musical arts or sound handling techniques that provides automatic musical score composition in accordance with contained composition instructions. Stored sound samples and interfaces for obtaining external signals provide signals for merger with visual and sound presentations to obtain altered presentations either time shifted or in real time. In this fashion the user can create simulated radio stations for playback of prearranged and composed audio material. Further, the automatically composed musical score may be mixed with synthesized, digitized signals from the stored sound samples and external signals obtained through the device interfaces.

Abstract: An electronic stringed musical instrument is provided which is capable of performing string-pressing detection while maintain a neck strength without lowering reliability. Here, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags where wiring is not necessary are arranged between frets for each of the first to sixth strings, whereby its neck strength is maintained. When a string comes close to an RFID tag in response to a string-pressing operation, the RFID tag wirelessly transmits first identification information including at least its own “fret number (string-pressed point)” using electrical power acquired by receiving a radio wave transmitted from the string that functions as an antenna. Then, this information is received and demodulated via the string that functions as an antenna. That is, the string-pressed point is detected by non-contact detection, so that string-pressing detection can be performed without lowering reliability.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems to for automatic key transposition. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to determine compatibility between a known melody capable of being generated by a pitch generation system and a first performance profile associated with a first performer that performs in conjunction with the pitch generation system. Embodiments of the present invention can be further used to determine an appropriate key to update one or more pitches associated with the known melody, to be generated by the pitch generation system during the performance by the first performer, based on the compatibility between the first performance profile and the known melody.

Abstract: A pickup for a guitar that has four (4) or more separate magnetic coils and selection means to select among the coil outputs. In some embodiments, the pickup is passive, not requiring an active pre-amplifier and voltage supply to shape the sound. In some embodiments, the selection means may be incremental or continuous, providing a wider degree to selectivity between and among the outputs of the separate coils.

Abstract: A system comprises a position analyzer, an output component, and a fastener. The position analyzer is configured to monitor a position of the musical instrument and generate an alert when the position of the musical instrument is outside of an allowed deviation from a reference position. The output component may be configured to present the alert. The alert may be at least one of a set comprising a visual alert, an audio alert, a tactile alert, and an electrical signal. The fastener is configured to couple the position analyzer to the musical instrument.

Abstract: A method in accord with certain implementations involves, at a data interface of a musical instrument effects processor, receiving an extracted characteristic of an audible sound that is captured at a microphone; transferring the extracted characteristic to a digital signal processor residing in the musical instrument effects processor; receiving input signals at an input to the musical instrument effects processor; at the digital signal processor of the musical instrument effects processor, modifying the received input signals using the extracted characteristics to create the electronic audio effect; and outputting the modified input signals as an output signal from the musical instrument effects processor. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: An ergonomic, portable, electronic, string-like instrument that utilizes a string-like interface. The string-like interface is tactile for sightless playability and capable of advanced input such as force and pressure sensitivity. The string-like interface functions to select a note, trigger a selected note, select and play a note on the instrument or an external peripheral. The instrument is played using the techniques of multiple stringed instruments and the ergonomics allow the user to hold and handle the device consistent with playing techniques familiar to musicians of multiple instruments. It is internally or externally powered and connects directly to industry-standard musical hardware such as MIDI devices, amplifiers and multi-track recorders.

Abstract: A foot pedal actuator is secured to legs of a portable musical instrument using a first elongate member having an aperture for a leg to pass through on one end, and an aperture for securing to a foot pedal actuator fastener aperture on the opposite end. A second elongate member has an aperture which is secured to the foot pedal actuator aperture on one end, and a rotatable attachment to the first elongate member along the span of the first elongate member. A third member similar to the first member and fourth member similar to the second member secure the four corners of the foot pedal actuator to two feet of the portable musical instrument, which pass through the leg apertures of the elongate members.

Abstract: A marching tenor drum assembly includes a quad mounting frame and two individual mounting frames for receiving a plurality of tenor drums. A mounting lip of each drum shell rests on the top plate of one of the mounting frames, a compression rim of a bearing ring covers the mounting lip and is fastened to the mounting frame with a plurality of clamp screws. The drum skin of a top head is placed over the top edge of an upwardly extending support wall of the bearing ring. A top hoop is placed over a peripheral portion of the top head and is fastened to the clamp screws.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at systems, methods, and apparatus for implementing a rhythm-action game having an improvisational fill feature. The rhythm-action game can provide a musical track having at least one section that can be varied. The rhythm-action game can also provide a database having a plurality of fills, wherein each fill includes a soundtrack and a set of cues. During run-time, the rhythm-action game can select, for each section in the musical track that can be varied, a fill from the plurality of fills. In some embodiments, this selection can be based on various characterizing parameters to ensure that the fill is a good fit for the musical track. The rhythm-action game can also display a set of visual cues associated with the selected fill, and to evaluate whether received user input substantially corresponds to the displayed cues.