WO2009111815A1

WO2009111815A1 - A digital instrument

Info

Publication number: WO2009111815A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/000226
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Zarimis
Original assignee: Michael Zarimis
Priority date: 2008-03-11
Filing date: 2009-03-02
Publication date: 2009-09-17
Also published as: EP2269187A1; US20110088535A1; JP2011514986A; EP2269187A4; WO2009111815A9; CN102047319A

Abstract

A stringless digital guitar (1 ) is provided that comprises along its neck (3), and array of touch sensitive sensors or buttons (2) that comprise virtual strings, a touch and display screen (15) which is adapted to receive the users input via their fingers or a stylus or pick, and which is also adapted to display virtual buttons (16) for receiving device setting inputs from a user. Alternatively the virtual buttons may be replaced with actual buttons. The stringless digital guitar also features a USB port (8) and MI DI output port (9) and optionally an Ethernet port. The stringless digital guitar may be powered over Ethernet or USB or alternatively, via dedicated power input. The Ethernet and USB ports can also be used to communicate with either USB memory devices or personal computers to receive firmware upgrades and load personal settings.

Description

A DIGITAL INSTRUMENT

TECHNICAL FI ELD

The present invention relates to digital instruments, and more particularly to a digital guitar having a touch sensor array arranged along the neck of the digital guitar and further a touch and display screen that when actuated can output MIDI (or other) instructions that can be applied to sounds generated through touching the touch sensors in the neck of the digital guitar, or applied to parameters on other sound modules/synthesizers/receivers. The digital instrument may be a MIDI controller or otherwise operate as a MI DI controller would in controlling a sound module which outputs sound . BACKGROUND ART

Guitar like MIDI controllers are known. These existing guitar-like MIDI controllers (hereafter "MIDI guitars") were used to receive the input of a user and to thereafter control the output of sound via a sound module that either incorporated a synthesiser or alternatively a collection of audio samples. Existing prior art MI DI guitars utilise strings in their design. The electronic components in these MI DI guitars resolves pitch information from the vibrations detected in the strings and thereafter provide electronic output instructions which are interpreted by the sound module and used to output the corresponding note that the instrument originally played.

There are problems associated with the prior art MI DI guitars. In particular, the pick ups and circuitry used to register the vibrations in the strings and output an electrical control signal cause delays between the playing and outputting of notes. There is also the issue of false notes being registered (an effect known as 'ghosting'), which also affects the output.

For many prior-art MIDI guitars the use of strings means that the guitars would have to be tuned like normal guitars and were susceptible to going out of tune for a variety of reasons (changes i n humidity, accidental bumpi ng). Furthermore these MI DI guitars were susceptible to string breakages. Also , as the MI DI guitars were in fact controllers, capable of applying a multitude of effects, prior art MI DI guitars often were unable to apply all of the effects that were otherwise possi ble through pairing with a sound module due to constraints in user interface layout. Accordingly, prior art MI DI guitars often requi re "add-ons" or other associated devices which provide those alternative input means, for instance, through the use of an attached foot controller.

Alternatively, extra knobs, sliders and/or bars may be introd uced to the MI DI guitar's body providing extra i nputs, but these are relatively few in number and are not capable of providing the user with the full range of effects that can be effected usi ng the MIDI interface. Furthermore the use of these add-ons is in general not aesthetically pleasing to the g uitar player as the add-ons clash with the guitar's original design , and may even hinder playing comfort due to positioni ng or orientation of the controls.

DISCLOSURE OF I NVENTION Accord ing to the present invention , there is provided a stringless digital instrument comprising:

-input means adapted to receive

(i) the users fingers (or other input type such as a stylus) and generating electrical signals indicating the position of the fingers (or styl us), and where the electrical signals are capable of being processed; (ii) settings desi red by the user;

-a display for indicating the settings of the digital instrument; and -a microcontroller adapted to receive the electrical signals representing the position of one or more fingers of the user and inputted settings, and generate as a result, electrical output signals;

5 -output means for outputting the electrical output signals to a sound module or computer.

Preferably the output means is a Digital Instrument's MIDI Out module and associated port- Preferably, the input means for receiving the settings desired by the userO are buttons.

Preferably the input means for obtaining positional information consists of separate input means for obtaining the position of each hand of the user. More preferably, the input means for obtaining positional information for one hand comprises an array of touch actuated switches located on a neck of the5 Digital Instrument and for the other hand a single touch sensor pad.

It is preferable that the single touch sensor pad is adapted to provide positional information in at least the x and y axis'.

More preferably the single touch sensor pad is adapted to provide positional information in the x, y and z axis, where the z axis is a reference toO depth, pressure or surface area in that the single touch sensor pad would measure the depth, pressure or surface area of the touch which gives an indication of the pressure used.

It is preferred that the array of touch actuated switches is an array of buttons that can be pressed by the fingers of the user. 5 It is preferred that the array of buttons are capable of determining the pressure by which the buttons are actuated, and are capable of after-touch and continual pressure monitoring.

It is further preferred that the array of buttons are adapted such that each button may be lit up.

Even more preferably, the large touch sensor pad is a touch and display screen which doubles as the digital instrument's display and input means for receiving the settings desired by the user.

It is preferred that the touch and display screen is adapted to be activated by the finger or any other stylus such as a traditional guitar pick.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the digital instrument also has an electronic input interface for connecting it to an external information processing unit such as a personal computer.

It is preferred that the means of connecting the digital instrument to an external information processing unit be via a USB connection, but may also be a MIDI connection, serial connection, a firewire connection, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection or via any other means of transmitting digital information with or without the use of wires.

Preferably, the digital instrument is adapted to receive via USB port, updates to the microcontroller's software and pre-configured settings.

Preferably, the microcontroller may be adapted to receive data that is interpreted to instruct the user on which of the array of buttons to touch by lighting the desired button up so as to obtain a certain sound or melody. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a digital guitar according to one aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a digital guitar according to a further aspect of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic of the various components of a Digital Instrument according to one aspect of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a schematic of the circuitry used to connect a Digital Instrument to MI DI power box and MI DI Sound Module according to one aspect of the present invention. MODES FOR CARRYI NG OUT THE INVENTION

Shown in Fig. 1 is a digital guitar 1 , built in accordance to the embodiment of the present invention which features separate touch sensor and display screen.

Fig. 1 depicts a plurality of touch actuated switches, in this embodiment, buttons 2, arranged in an array on the neck 3 of the digital guitar 1 . Alternatively the neck 3 of the digital guitar may have on its face a single touch sensor pad which is adapted to register the position of the users hand at a plurality of positions, or an array of individual touch sensors adapted to achieve the same end.

In the depicted embodiment of the invention in Fig. 1 the buttons 2 are comprised of electrodes formed on a PCB through which passes an electric current when both sides of the electrodes are bridged with another conductive material such as an overlayed silicon keypad. Under each button of the silicon keypad there is conductive ink or a conductive pill which when pressed onto the electrodes causes the circuit to close which is registered by the microcontroller of the digital guitar 1 . Above each button of the silicon keypad there is a key cap which provides a hard surface for each button.

The buttons 2, may be adapted to continuously sense pressure after touch in addition to whether the switch was turned on via the original touch. Lights (not shown) may be integrated into or with the buttons 2 so that the individual buttons light up when pressed by a user. The touch sensors may also light up to indicate which touch sensors the user should touch next in sequence, in accordance with data received from an external information processing unit.

Each row of buttons 2 (representing a virtual string ) may be config ured with its own tuning , meaning any guitar tuning may be instantly replicated on the instrument. The g uitar can be set up to output all the virtual strings to the same MI DI channel, or each virtual string to a separate MI DI channel, allowing multiple i nstruments to be controlled with different rows of buttons 2 (virtual strings). Furthermore the user can choose to invert the x or y axis (so that the highest poi nt is the lowest point and the lowest point becomes the highest). Fig. 1 further depicts touch pad 5 in close association with setting buttons 6 , and display screen 7. The user of the digital guitar 1 , first uses setting buttons 6 to determine the appropriate settings for the digital g uitar which are thereafter displayed throug h in built LED indicators in the buttons themselves (not shown), or through display screen 7.

Instructions regarding the state and setti ngs of the digital guitar 1 include, but are not limited to: -assig ni ng different musical notes to different neck buttons, or different musical tunings to different button rows;

-specifying whether the x-axϊs of the touch and display sensor is to control the pitch of the notes or some other control. This could be by using the buttons to specify the MI DI control change number to associate the x-axis with , where the MI DI control change number corresponds to a certain effect or similar on the receiver/sound mod u I e/synth esizier ;

-whether touch sensor actuation is required to output note data. Setting buttons 6 includes Button A which toggles 'TAP' mode on and off. TAP mode determines whether the touch sensor must be pressed to output note data, or whether the notes are activated as soon as the buttons are pressed, similar to that of a keyboard. Setting buttons 6 also include Button B which toggles 'STRUM' mode. STRUM mode determines whether the user must si mply touch the screen to output any pressed notes, or whether the user must actually slide his/her finger to output the notes pressed. Setting buttons 6 also includes Button C which cycles through various effects (including MIDI control change numbers) to determine which effect is to be controlled by the x- axis of the touch sensor. Setting button 6 also includes Button D which functions the same as Button C but for the y-axis of the touch sensor.

Unlike prior art midi guitars that provide a single axis of sense, the use of the x-y touch sensor allows two parameters to be controlled simultaneously for greater control with a single input. The large size of the touch pad 5 is surprisingly more ergonomic, intuitive and aesthetically pleasing than alternative 2 axis' input methods such as small joysticks.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, as depicted in Fig. 2, the touch sensor pad and display screen are incorporated into an integrated touch and display screen 15. In this embodiment of the invention, the user enters and views entered settings via the touch and display screen 1 5 which provides a displayed user interface and means for inputting instructions into the digital guitar.

The touch and display screen 1 5 graphical user interface features virtual controls, such as virtual buttons 16, which control some aspects of the digital guitar 1 or provide input to access system settings. Alternatively, physical

controls including knobs and sliders may be incorporated into the body of the guitar for controlling certain often used effects and setti ngs of the digital guitar.

The touch and display screen is in one embodiment of the invention, a square or rectangular pad that senses either two axis (x and y) or three axis (x, 5 y, and z) of position. Such a device may be, but is not limited to , a resistive, capacitive, infrared or surface acoustic wave touch screen. Alternatively it may incorporate optical sensor technology such as Kinotex by Tactex or touch sensors that utilise the frustrated total i nternal reflection property of materials such as acrylic. Preferably the touch and display device measures absoluteO position , although relative position could also be achieved but is less desirable for this application .

The touch and display screen, and specifically the sensor aspect of it is also responsible for actuating the output. However, its function , in this case, is the same as was described previously with respect to the touch pad 5. 5 The digital g uitar 1 of Fig . 1 and Fig. 2 also feature USB port 8 and MIDI output port 9. In embodiments where OSC d ata is bei ng output, an additional Ethernet port (not shown ) may also be included. The user would turn the digital guitar off and on via power switch 1 O and may be powered via USB or through the MI DI cable by utilising the two pins unused by the MI DI standard as powerO and g round connections. These pins are fed power through the use of a power box 5O that connects between the digital instrument 45 and the sound module 55 as depicted i n Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 3 the microcontroller 30 is comprised of the central processor 32 , volatile 34 and non-volatile 36 memory storage and components5 required to interpret the sensor outputs and convert the signals into an appropriate output signal in a data stream. The microcontroller 3O receives i nput from neck electronics 33, touch sensor electronics 37, setti ng button electrodes 43 and if connected , an external information processing unit 44 such as a PC. The microcontroller 30 outputs information state data 46, and information displayed on LCD d isplay 47 and optionally on the LED array 31 .

Neck electronics 33 comprise electrodes 39 and shift register 38 for receivi ng electrical signals from the buttons 2, LED array 31 and shift register 35 for lighting up buttons 2 in the neck 3. The touch pad electroni cs 37 comprise touch sensor 42 and through it to touch sensor controller 41 for receivi ng i nformation regarding the position of any touches made by the user on the touch sensor 42. Microcontroller 3O connects to the external information processing unit

44 via serial or USB i nterface (not shown) which can be used to upload firmware upd ates and files used to configure the settings of the digital guitar 1 . In alternate embodiments, the microcontrolier 30 is adapted to connect via the USB port (or other similar electronic interface) to local storage modules such USB memory sticks or i Pod devices for receiving firmware upgrades, or personalised setti ngs that might be conveniently carried on the user's person.

Microcontroller 30 is also adapted to provide a digital output for connection to a MI DI SOCKET (or Ethernet port depending on the protocol of output desired) whereupon the MI DI socket is used to connect the digital guitar 1 to a sound mod ule.

The microcontroller 30 is adapted to output signals conforming to the MI DI and OSC protocols via a MIDI and/or Ethernet i nterfaces. The main processes performed by the microcontroller incl ude reading all the data received from the neck buttons 2 into RAM, reading the touch sensor 5 or touch and display screen 15 information into RAM and determi ning , based on the current configuration of the device, how the inputs are to be i nterpreted and then process the inputs, and provide the output. 1 O

As a MIDI controller, the digital guitar 1 is able to be connected to a variety of standard MIDI devices incl uding personal computers for a variety of purposes.

In one embod i ment of the invention the digital guitar can be connected to a computer and information uploaded into the device which causes a sequence of buttons 2 lighting up which the user must follow and press in order to play a musical piece.

The person skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications may be made i n the details of design and construction without departing from the scope and ambit of the i nvention . In particular, whilst the circuitry provided in Figure 3 is representative of one way in which to put together an apparatus according to the i nvention, there may be many other ways of connecting the electrical components that a person skilled in the art would appreciate as being within the scope of this invention. The software loaded i nto the memory of the d igital guitar in one embodiment is linux based or adapted to run on a li πux operati ng system embedded i n the memory of the digital guitar. The person skilled in the art would appreciate that there are other software solutions that would effectively d rive the device, and that come within the scope of the present i nvention.

Claims

CLAI MS:

1 . A stringless digital guitar comprising :- input means adapted to receive:

(i) the users fingers (or other input type such as a stylus) and generating electrical signals indicating the position of the fingers (or styl us) relative to at least an x and y axes, and where the electrical signals are capable of being processed ;

(ii) settings desi red by the user; a display for indicating the settings of the digital i nstrument; and a microcontroller adapted to receive the electrical signals representing the position of one or more fingers of the user and inputted settings, and generate as a result, electrical output signals;

2. The stringless digital guitar of claim 1 wherein the output means are adapted to output the electrical output signals to a sound module or computer.

3. The stringless digital guitar of Clai m 2 wherein the output means is comprised of a Digital Instrument's MI DI Out module and associated port.

4. The stringless digital g uitar of Claim 3 wherei n the input means are comprised , at least, of a touch sensor pad capable of registered input on at least its X and Y axes.

5. The stringl ess digital guitar of Claim 4 wherein the input means further comprises an array of buttons.

6. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 5 wherein the array of buttons comprise virtual strings of a guitar.

7. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 2 wherein the input means for obtaining positional information consists of separate input means for obtaining the position of each hand of the user.

8. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 7 wherein the input means for obtaining positional information for one hand comprises an array of touch actuated switches located on a neck of the stringless digital guitar and for the other hand a single touch sensor pad.

9. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 8 wherein the single touch sensor pad is adapted to provide positional information in at least the x and y axes.

10. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 9 wherein the single touch sensor is adapted to provide positional information in the x, y and z: axis, where the z axis is a reference to depth in that the single touch sensor pad would measure the depth of the touch which gives an indication of the pressure used.

1 1 . The stringless digital guitar of Claim 8 wherein the array of touch actuated switches is an array of buttons that can be pressed by the fingers of the user.

12. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 1 1 wherein the array of buttons are capable of determining the pressure by which the buttons are actuated , and are capable of after-touch and continual pressure monitoring.

1 3. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 1 1 wherein the array of buttons are adapted such that each button may be lit up.

14. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 8 wherein the single touch sensor pad is a touch and display screen which doubles as the digital instrument's display and input means for receiving the settings desired by the user.

15. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 14 wherein the touch and display screen is adapted to be activated by the finger or any other stylus such as a traditional guitar pick.

16. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 8 wherein the stringless digital guitar has an electronic interface for connecting it to an external information processing unit such as a personal computer.

1 7. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 16 wherein the electronic interface is taken from the list of the following digital interfaces:

-USB

-Fi rewire

-MI DI connection

-Bluetooth

-WIFl

-Ethernet

-UWB

-and any similar interfaces that might be developed in the future for connecting to and communicating with digital electronic devices.

18. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 1 7 wherein the electronic interface is a USB port.

19. The stringless digital guitar of Claim 1 8 where the USB port is adapted to receive updates to the microcontroller's software and/or pre-configured and/or personalised settings.

20. The stringless digital guitar of claim 19 wherein the LJSB port and stringless digital guitar is adapted to cooperate with local file storage devices that have stored on them, the preconfigured and/or personalised settings of the user of the stringless digital guitar and/or updates to the microcontroller's software.

21 . The stringless digital g uitar of claim 13 wherein it is adapted to receive data that is interpreted to i nstruct the user on which of the array of buttons to touch by lighting the desired button up so as to obtain a certain sound or melody.

22. The stringless digital guitar of clai m 21 wherein the data is received over an electronic i nterface.

23. The stringless digital guitar of claim 22 wherein the electronic interface is from the list of the followi ng digital interfaces:

-USB

-Fi rewi re

-MI DI connection

-Bluetooth -WIFl

-Ethernet

-UWB