Blocks Patents (Class 84/476)
  • Patent number: 11862132
    Abstract: A musical device includes a frame including a plurality of receptacles for receiving three-dimensional parts each having a face capable of swapping between at least two orientations in the receptacle; each part including an indexing element of the orientation of the part among at least two orientations, a plurality of detectors, each detector being associated with a receptacle to determine orientation of the part by detecting an indexing element in its receptacle, at least one audio system, inserting at least two parts into their respective receptacles triggering the sound diffusion by the audio system of at least two given music tracks simultaneously based on each of the orientations of said parts determined; the device further including a calculation system to ensure synchronization of the music tracks, soundly diffused simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: CONCERTI
    Inventors: Karine Helbert, Christophe Brunet, Melanie Paiola
  • Patent number: 11367363
    Abstract: Embodiments herein illustrate an educational musical game. The educational musical game includes a first set of polygon tokens representing a first combination of a first set of musical notes and a first musical interval between musical notes in the first set of musical notes. Further educational musical game includes a second set of polygon tokens representing a second combination of a second set of musical notes and a second musical interval between the musical notes in the second set of musical notes. The second set of polygon tokens is configured to be coupled with the first set of polygon tokens based on one or more rules associated with the first set of musical notes and the second set of musical notes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Bennett Samuel Lin
  • Patent number: 10758828
    Abstract: An intuitive music composition game platform with various modes of operation in a single reader system and a music mash up collectable card game and method using cards with tags and unique identifications. A single reading platform includes a cover for card storage and for supporting a smart device platform for reading many Near Field communication (NFC) embedded cards, with stacking features and colored light indicated input lanes selection for user identification and selection. Various game modes include individual, studio mix, party modes game play features in music mash up collectable card games, which may be used together with or independent of accessory devices as controllers, or smart device user interfaces with Bluetoothâ„¢ or Wi-Fi for communicating user selection and operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Howell, John Barros, Carlos E Dominguez, Craig Desrosiers
  • Patent number: 9108114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a TUI having a plurality of faces. A sensing system is provided to detect the presence of one or more adjacent TUIs within a predetermined sensing distance of one of the faces. Thus, the sensing system is arranged to detect whether any of the faces of the TUI opposes one or more adjacent TUIs. It may further be able to detect the relative orientation of opposing faces of the TUI and the one or more adjacent TUIs. The sensing system is further configured to enable the determination of the orientation of the TUI with respect to the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Wooi Boon Goh, Fitriani, Choon Ching Tan, Su Lim Tan
  • Publication number: 20140069260
    Abstract: With this invention to learn how to read music, neither the teacher nor student needs to have any knowledge of music at all. It is a box, divided into one section for the student and one for the teacher. Each side has a keyboard marked with music notes. There are 16 cards, eight for each clef marked with a music note and its staff position. Through a slot the teacher inserts one card a this time. The student can only see his/her side of the card, not the teacher's side which has the name of the note. The student identifies the note on his/her side of the card and pushes the note guessed key, then the teacher's keyboard lights up that note. If the student is correct or wrong the teacher pushes on a green or red light and then presses the correct key, playing the music note.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: ARELIS JOSEFINA GALAVIS
  • Patent number: 8420923
    Abstract: A music playing device for symphonic compositions allows a user to selective locate one or more musical instrument playing pieces within an orchestral pit and to listen to the series of notes of those instruments placed into the pit. The additive and subtractive benefits of musical instruments are thus appreciated. The device comprises a main base and individual, preferably, three dimensional musical instruments as playing pieces. Multiple symphonic musical compositions are available to be played with only the notes of those instruments being heard if and when placed into the pit area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Maison Joseph Battat Limited
    Inventors: Man Wa Choi, Joseph Battat
  • Patent number: 8188356
    Abstract: Musical note tiles, a system for teaching music notation and composition, and associated methods are disclosed. The system includes manipulative musical note tiles. The note tiles are transparent and adapted for use on measure plaques, or like surfaces. The note tiles can adhere to a surface with static cling in one embodiment. Alternatively, the note tiles can adhere to a surface with magnetism. The note tiles are mathematically proportionate to each other as they are to the relative lengths of sound durations represented by note icons. The measure plaques are in complete mathematical congruence to the lengths of the note tiles. The note tiles can include transparent texture strips. The system also includes mounting platforms, staff extension plaques, grand staff brace labels, bridges, spacer tiles, pre-reading tiles, and symbol labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Anita S. Rose
  • Patent number: 7956271
    Abstract: A set of music instructional blocks includes a number of blocks having mating magnets on two opposing sides thereof and musical indicia on the four remaining sides. The musical indicia represent standard rhythmic notes, musical rests and time signatures. The blocks having musical indicia representing standard rhythmic notes are sized proportionally to the note represented, with the quarter note being the primary sized block. For instructional practice, the blocks can be connected together by the magnets to form musical sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Alicia Jonas
  • Patent number: 7875785
    Abstract: An instructional device and associated method for illustrating the positions of keys and their associated notes on a keyboard are provided. The instructional device includes key markers that are adjustably mounted on a support structure in a configuration corresponding to the keys of a keyboard. The key markers correspond in size to the keys of the keyboard and are adjustable between the ends of the group of markers. Indicators are provided on the markers to indicate a chordal relationship between a respective one of the markers and the other markers. Thus, the device can be used, e.g., to indicate the position of the keys on a piano keyboard and, further, to indicate the relationship of the keys and associated notes to one another, such as by identifying various chordal relationships. In addition, the device can be adjusted to thereby illustrate such key positions and note relationships in connection with an inversion of one or more of the key markers relative to the others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Patrick Hammond
  • Patent number: 7709721
    Abstract: A music and math teaching system teaches fraction computations utilizing musical note names and note values in the form of blocks with varying lengths while simultaneously teaching rhythmic topics of time signatures, beats, and tempo. A rhythm board is used to mount note blocks and beat blocks in the process and a blind is used to block the vision of a student working with the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Alan K. Suganuma
  • Patent number: 7687702
    Abstract: A system for teaching music and an associated method of teaching music. The system and method for teaching music use multiple bodies that are each associated with a unique letter that corresponds to the letters A through G from the Latin alphabet and each body has a natural music notes on at least the top or bottom face and an accidental music note of the same letter on at least the front or back face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Lucy Chu
  • Patent number: 7619154
    Abstract: An instructional device and associated method for illustrating the positions of keys and their associated notes on a keyboard are provided. The instructional device includes key markers that are adjustably mounted on a support structure in a configuration corresponding to the keys of a keyboard. The key markers correspond in size to the keys of the keyboard and are adjustable between the ends of the group of markers. Indicators are provided on the markers to indicate a chordal relationship between a respective one of the markers and the other markers. Thus, the device can be used, e.g., to indicate the position of the keys on a piano keyboard and, further, to indicate the relationship of the keys and associated notes to one another, such as by identifying various chordal relationships. In addition, the device can be adjusted to thereby illustrate such key positions and note relationships in connection with an inversion of one or more of the key markers relative to the others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: Patrick Hammond
  • Publication number: 20090095143
    Abstract: A musical teaching system including a plurality of blocks adjacent one another. Each block includes a graphical representation of upbeat and downbeat, and also includes a graphical representation of a musical beat and a musical note or rest. In one embodiment the blocks are mounted on a shaft and are urged into frictional engagement by shaft mounted springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Patrick Lay
  • Publication number: 20090031880
    Abstract: A system for teaching music and an associated method of teaching music. The system and method for teaching music use multiple bodies that are each associated with a unique letter that corresponds to the letters A through G from the Latin alphabet and each body has a natural music notes on at least the top or bottom face and an accidental music note of the same letter on at least the front or back face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Lucy Chu
  • Patent number: 7396988
    Abstract: A music composition method and apparatus is provided and consists of a plurality of small playing cubes each having a color-coded musical chord with a number to indicate the position of the chord within the matching color-coded musical key of a separate, larger cube indicated on each side thereof. A color-coded device is provided to guide the placement of playing cubes into sequences of chord progressions thereon after the playing cubes are cast upon a flat surface. A player can form multiple chord progressions from the chords on the top sides of the cast playing cubes and play the cast sequence of chords on their instrument thereby learning the relationship between the chords belonging to a musical key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: John Pasco Rowe
  • Patent number: 6967274
    Abstract: A system and method for teaching music both visually and tactilely. In one embodiment, the invention comprises blocks shaped to resemble musical symbols used to compose music, including time signatures, notes, rests, and dots. Each of the blocks are relative in thickness such that for a given time signature, the correct rhythm for a given measure can be determined by laying one or more of the notes, rests and dots one over the other to see if their combined thickness is equal to that of a preselected time signature. The thickness of the block shaped to resemble the time signature is such that it only allows the correct number of blocks shaped as notes, rests or dots to be of equal thickness to thereby determine the correct rhythm. In addition, the correct rhythm can be determined by simply reading the shaped blocks as one would read music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Darlene Hanington
  • Publication number: 20040182225
    Abstract: A portable storage media is configured to deliver audio content to a consumer of audio content by custom configuring the audio content on the portable storage media as well as including an interface adapted to facilitate efficient search and retrieval of the content in accordance with the custom storage attributes. The search interface is provided as part of the portable storage media to serve as a front end interface for identification and retrieval of desired content, stored on the portable media. The provision of customized content in association with a corresponding search interface enhances the operational efficiency of a production platform during the content editing and creation stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Steven Ellis, Steven Askew
  • Patent number: 6545208
    Abstract: Supply section supplies performance data of a music piece, and a processor, coupled with a display device and the supply section, controls the display device to display a music score of the music piece using a predetermined basic display block. On the basis of the supplied performance data, the processor detects music score marks included in each of predetermined music piece sections of the music piece. Then, for each of the music piece sections, the processor sets the detected music score marks to be placed in a single basic display block or dividedly in a plurality of the basic display blocks. If any one of the music piece sections includes too many music score marks, the processor dividedly allocates the music score marks to two or more basic display blocks. Thus, for each of the music piece sections, the music score marks can be displayed using a variable number of the basic display block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Hiratsuka
  • Patent number: 6469238
    Abstract: Rhythm, beat, choreography, and body movement are taught, and a coordination system for rehabilitation provided, using an apparatus having a base, vertical time-indicators, and beat marks. Students or patients clap, or perform similar functions when the teacher notes that a beat marker has been passed. This method and apparatus are general for all time signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Steven George Risley
  • Patent number: 6366758
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating an understanding and recognition of polyphonic and orchestral music in infants and small children includes a housing, a speaker within the housing, a plurality of input devices such as buttons positioned on the housing; and a music generator within for storing and playing at least one prearranged multi-channel musical composition that is constructed and arranged to be able to, in response to actuation of at least one of the input devices by a user, change the identity of channels of the multi-channel composition that are being played over the speaker without interrupting the musical composition as it plays. The apparatus is used in a process that permits an infant or small child to experience complex, polyphonic music from a quality source in a way that maximizes the child's opportunity to learn from and develop in response to the music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bryan Dunn, Norman Weinberger
  • Patent number: 6353168
    Abstract: The educational music instrument is a musical toy that allows one or more musical sequences to be played. The toy includes a base with a signal processing unit and five receiving portions. The toy also includes five blocks which are configured to be inserted to the receiving portions. When the blocks are engaged with the receiving portions, a musical sequence or phase is played by the toy. The musical sequence played by the toy is dependent upon which face of the block is engaged with the receiving portion and different blocks preferably cause different musical sequences to be played. Accordingly, the musical toy can play numerous different musical sequences depending upon location and orientation of the blocks in the receiving portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Neurosmith, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Sosoka, Jr., Brooke Abercrombie, Brad Emerson, Adam Gerstein
  • Patent number: 6271453
    Abstract: A music education apparatus for teaching musical concepts, comprising note meaning and pitch recognition, music reading, instrument playing, tempo, staccato, degrees of loudness, note duration, rhythm, harmony, chords, trills, the sonic characteristics of different instruments, and music writing. The music education apparatus comprises a block with visual representations on each side designating musical notes, letters representing musical notes, and physical portions on musical instruments, wherein the musical note(s) designated on the other sides are highlighted on the keyboard or other designated physical portion of an instrument. The music education apparatus may also serve as an alarm clock that can be set to sound at a selected time by conventional means, or by light, sound, temperature, or other stimuli. Voice programming may be featured, whereby a word, name, sentence, etc., is spoken or sung when the alarm sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: L. Leonard Hacker
  • Patent number: 6175069
    Abstract: A music instruction apparatus. The apparatus includes a support frame (13), a plurality of blocks (22) in rotating connection with the support frame. The blocks are organized in an array pattern of thirteen rows (101-113) and eight columns (121-128). Each of the blocks has a first side (30) that includes indicia representative of a music note (32). When the blocks are oriented such that the first sides of each block are viewable, each row displays music notes that correspond to a major music scale. A subset of the blocks in each row have a second side (34) that include indicia (36) representative of music notes that are a half step in tone away from the first note on the corresponding block. By rotating a selection of blocks to their second sides, the music notes of a minor scale which corresponds to the major scale can be displayed. Each block also has blank side (51). By rotating a selection of the blocks to the blank side, the music notes that correspond to a chord can be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Marie Longacre
  • Patent number: 6018117
    Abstract: A device for familiarizing a child with a keyboard of a musical instrument and for familiarizing a child with musical concepts. The device comprises at least two blocks, each block having a top face which comprises indicia resembling at least one of the keys of the keyboard. All of the blocks have indicia resembling the white keys of a piano keyboard, and some of the blocks have indicia resembling at least one of the black keys of a piano keyboard.In an embodiment of the present invention, the device is further comprised of a base having at least one raised projection and/or one indentation for fitting within a corresponding indentation or projection in at least one of the blocks.In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the blocks has an indentation and another of the blocks has a raised projection for fitting around the indentation. In this embodiment, the blocks can be assembled without a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Joymas Inc.
    Inventors: Joyce I. Harrison, Michael W. Harrison
  • Patent number: 5949010
    Abstract: A music education apparatus for teaching musical concepts. The music education apparatus comprises a block with visual representations on each side designating musical notes, letters representing musical notes, and physical portions on musical instruments, wherein the musical note(s) designated on the other sides are highlighted on the keyboard or other designated physical portion of an instrument. The music education apparatus may also serve as an alarm clock that can be set to sound at a selected time by conventional means, or by lights, sound, temperature, or other stimuli. Voice programming may be featured, whereby a word, name, sentence, etc., is spoken or sung when the alarm sounds. Sides of the music education apparatus may designate one note or a combination of notes, and a keyboard or other physical representation of the playing portion of a musical instrument, wherein a key(s) or string(s) is highlighted to correspond to the note(s) designated on the other sides of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: 21st Century Ideas, Ltd.
    Inventor: L. Leonard Hacker
  • Patent number: 4924743
    Abstract: A block set includes a plurality of sounding blocks which can be optionally arranged and each block is provided an electronic or a mechanical sounding device in the block so that upon a treading on an individual block by a player's foot, the sounding block can be actuated to produce musical sound with respect to a specific scale note and upon a continuous treading on the plural blocks, a complete musical composition or song can be finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventor: Chao-Hsiung Tsai
  • Patent number: 4819539
    Abstract: An educational method and apparatus for teaching reading of music to a musical instrument user. One display case is utilized with a treble clef indicia. Another display case is utilized with a base clef indicia. Each case contains unlabeled compartments arranged to represent lines and spaces of the base and treble clefs. Utilizing the prinicpal of memory association in conjunction with flash cards, each note of the scale is represented on a flash card in the form of a noun which begins with the letter for the note it represents. A note location chart is used initially by the user to place each of the flash cards in the compartments of each display case. A fixed number of cards are used. The time to remove each of the cards from a display case is clocked as an audio tape verbally indicates the memory aid, the name of the note and the sound of the note. A card is removed each time a note is generated, the exercise being clocked until all of the cards are removed from a case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Inventor: John W. Searing
  • Patent number: 4736665
    Abstract: A musical language game including a plurality of board modules with musical staff lines in the form of painted grooves on one face of the board. A series of grooves are defined on another face of the board. Melody pieces permit forming of the notes on the musical staff and include a projection for extending into one of the staff grooves. Additional pieces include projections for being received in the other face grooves and include respective lateral projections which permit assembly of individual pieces to define a rhythmic scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Inventor: Manuel Sorribes Arambul
  • Patent number: 4651613
    Abstract: A music box toy including a cube having a recess formed in each of the six faces, each of the recesses being disposed to receive a separate music box which plays a separate tune. The toy includes a cover disposed around the cube and the cover includes an aperture for each of the actuator shafts that extend outwardly from each of the six music boxes. The cover may be constructed to facilitate easy removal for cleaning or replacement by a separate cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Inventor: Barbara G. Harrison
  • Patent number: 4417497
    Abstract: A teaching device for stringed musical instruments used by a player thereof to identify, practice and make changes between notes of scales of different keys. It is constructed of a simulated fingerboard comprising a rigid support surface (56) with magnetic guide members (51-54) therein and a set of structurally like note index units (as 101-128) each of such units comprising an upper label bearing panel (81) and a lower support and attaching magnetic element (83) and each of such units being removably yet stably locatable on the fingerboard. The apparatus components are organized to correspond with written music notation and operate to provide (a) a visual and tactile guide for proper finger positioning on the fingerboard, (b) finger positioning practice and (c) visual signal when finger positions are improper, and (d) facilitate removing, displacing and positioning of such units to indicate proper finger positioning for operating in different keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Inventor: Helen C. Nicklaus
  • Patent number: 4271744
    Abstract: A musical toy includes a bellows for creating a flow of air and an air tube connecting the bellows to a musical instrument such as a harmonica or a plurality of whistles. The musical instrument is selectively moved relative to the outlet of the air tube to create a pattern of different tones or sounds. A rack mounted on the musical instrument is in engagement with and moved by a circular gear rotatably mounted on the toy. The toy further includes means for compressing the bellows and a handle for rotating the circular gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventor: Ralph J. Kulesza
  • Patent number: 4128037
    Abstract: A device for teaching and/or practicing the art of drumming comprises an array of tiles disposed within a frame. The tiles bear in each case indicia to indicate a type of percussive stroke, the component or components of a set of trap drums with which said strokes are to be made, and if desired, an indication of how many of such strokes are to be made in sequence. The tiles may be arranged in any desired order by the student or instructor so as to provide a record readily readable by the drummer, for practice in achieving a variety of musical or percussive effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1978
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Montemurro
  • Patent number: 3982463
    Abstract: A piano-like musical instrument to be played by a group of people including individual tone blocks each played by one person using a music score coded to that one person's note. The tone blocks may be arranged as an oversized piano keyboard or may be separated and distributed to each player. Each tone block may include the sharp and/or flat of the note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1976
    Inventor: James B. Waters, Jr.