i Visor attachment mechanism in helmet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In this invention, a visor is configured to be inserted into a slit of a movable plate. One of an engaging projecting portion and an engaging concave portion is provided on the visor, and the other is provided on the movable plate. When the visor pivots in a first direction about the engaging projecting portion, a concave corner portion of the visor comes into contact with a first position regulating portion of the movable plate, thereby impeding the pivotal movement of the visor. When the visor pivots in a second direction, the outer wall surface of the visor comes into contact with wall portions of the movable plate, thereby impeding the pivotal movement of the visor. Full Article
i Inflatable bonnet cap system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An inflatable bonnet cap system for wrapping around a user's hair featuring an inflatable headpiece with a series of inflatable horizontal and vertical tubes, each horizontal tube has connectors and a valve for inflation, and a spring ring having a spring ring tube constructed with accordion-style seams, the spring ring tube has connectors with valves for inflation. An insert edge is on the bottom edge of the bottommost horizontal tube, and a wedge is disposed on the top surface of the spring ring tube. The insert edge can be accepted into the wedge of the spring ring tube. The system of is inflatable and retractable. Full Article
i Item of clothing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an item of clothing, in particular to be worn during sports such as jogging, skating, cycling or similar. Said item of clothing is made of at least one yarn (3) that comprises a heat-reflecting covering (5). Full Article
i Compression stocking applicator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The disclosure provides a medical compression stocking applicator having an elongate member which has a pair of opposed sidewalls and an interconnecting wall and therefore may be substantially U-shaped in cross-section and is open at each end. The elongate member also includes a heel opening between the ends of the elongate member. The heel opening extends entirely through the elongate member, and is adapted to support a person's heel during application of a stocking. Full Article
i Adjustable mirrored glove By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a glove comprising an outer shell comprising a back portion; and a mirror secured to the back portion at one or more points, where the mirror can be adjusted to a plurality of positions on the back portion. Full Article
i Energy absorbing athletic glove By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An energy absorbing receiving glove constructed with a substrate having an exterior surface and a complementary interior surface. The substrate is used in constructing a palmar portion of the glove. The glove may incorporates a gripping layer of material affixed to the exterior surface of the substrate. Further, the glove may incorporate an energy absorbing layer of material affixed to the interior surface of the substrate. Additionally, the energy absorbing layer of material may have both a first thickness in a first location and a second thickness in a second location of the substrate. In an embodiment, the energy absorbing material is a silicone gel and the gripping material is a silicone material. Additionally, the varied thicknesses of the energy absorbing material may be effective for covering a palmar side of joints located on a hand wearing the glove. Full Article
i Visor cap having variable visors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a visor cap. It is an aim of the present invention to provide a visor cap which can widen a sun blocking area through variable visors and which enables a wearer to adjust the sun-blocking area while improving wearing comfort. To accomplish the aim, provided is a visor cap including a main body, a fixed visor, and a pair of variable visors hinged to both sides of an upper surface or a lower surface of the fixed visor, so as to vary the sun-blocking area, wherein each of the pair of variable visors includes: a first variable visor portion which is made of a textile material and one side of which is fixed at an edge of the fixed visor; and a second variable visor portion which is made of a synthetic resin material and which is coupled to the other side of the first variable visor portion. The visor cap of the present invention is advantageous in that it enables a wearer to adjust the sun-blocking area if needed, and is prevented from contacting the skin of the wearer, thus improving is wearing comfort while expanding the sun-blocking area. Full Article
i Physical treatment garment By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Physical treatment garment for aiding in treatment and healing of injured or strained muscles. Garment is made of flexible material that can be pulled up around the waist, such as compression shorts or full length tights or leggings, and the garment has one or more pockets in the thigh and/or hamstring area to hold cold packs or heat packs and have a fastener apparatus at the top. The garment has fastening apparatuses on or about the hip area and on or about just above the knee. Using a flexible or compression wrap with the compatible fastening apparatuses, the compression wrap is wrapped around the leg and/or groin area and secured using the fastening apparatuses. Pockets for ice or heat treatment are similarly located in the front or rear of the tights or leggings with fastening connections to hold ice or heat packs for treatment of the applicable injury. Full Article
i Protective helmet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various embodiments of protective helmets are disclosed, with a particular focus on rear opening full-face helmets. Embodiments include an emergency release mechanism tor such helmets, which allows the helmet to be separated into a front and rear shell thereby to facilitate removal from a wearer's head with minimal stress to the neck. Full Article
i Protective device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Protective equipment for protection of a user's lower abdominals includes a protective cup with upper and lower parts, a waist strap arranged to engage with and retain the protective cup on the user's body in a position where the protective cup hangs down with its lower part downwards and covers the user's genital body parts, a leg strap device, arranged to engage with and retain the protective cup in a position close to the user's body, the leg strap device including two leg strap parts, arranged to run around each leg of the user. The leg strap device engages with and runs from at least one lower engagement means in the protective cup's lower part, and backwards between the user's legs. The leg strap parts run up to and engage with the protective cup at at least one upper engagement means in the protective cup's upper part. Full Article
i Wraps for swaddling babies during medical procedures and methods of using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Wraps for swaddling babies are provided that include a body having a base side. The wrap can further include two arms that are attached to the base side of the body of the wrap. The arms can extend outward in an opposite direction to one another along the base side of the body of the wrap. Related methods of using the wrap are also provided. Full Article
i Lighting control system for utility helmet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A control system for automatically switching power between two separate light sources integrated with a welding shield pivotally mounted to an adjustable headband includes at least one magnetic positional switch attached to the headband having electrical communication with at least one battery and the light sources, and two magnetic positional sensors strategically mounted on the interior surface of the welding shield along a defined arcurate path of rotation of the shield about the headband. Full Article
i Auto darkening filter adapter frame assembly for a welding helmet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An adapter frame assembly is provided to receive and support an extra-large 110 mm×110 mm ADF, safety lens and diopter within the viewing window of an existing welding helmet. The adapter frame assembly provides for replacement of the safety lens without removing the ADF and installation or removal of a diopter without removing the safety lens or diopter. The ADF, safety lens and diopter are all easy to install and change. Full Article
i Welding helmet positive air pressuring system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for controlling ventilation in a welding helmet is provided. The invention may be adapted to a wide variety of system types, and may reduce or eliminate the need for a shroud or barrier around the head and neck of the welder, of the type used in PAPR systems. The airflow system includes forward and rearward air streams, directed onto the face of the welder, onto the top of the head of the welder, and toward the back of the head of the welder. The air streams help to cool the welder, provide a fresh source of air for breathing, and create a positive pressure system that reduces or excludes entrainment of contaminated external air into the forwardly directed air flow. Certain embodiments may include streams that are filtered, split or redirected via deflectors and conduits to achieve the aforementioned goals. Full Article
i Footwear remover and drying rack By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A footwear remover has a platform elevated above the ground, with one or more recesses in the platform for removing footwear. The platform provides sufficient surface area to allow a user to place an unshoed, clean foot away from where a soiled shoe was previously positioned. In one embodiment, the footwear remover may be mounted to a suspending surface and used as a drying and storage rack for footwear. The footwear remover may optionally include hanging features for drying and hanging accessory items. Full Article
i Non-slip footwear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a non-slip footwear which comprises a main body formed of a flexible material and formed to surround the sole of a foot of a user and to open the top side of the foot; toe insertion holes formed of the flexible material, protruding from the front part of the main body so that toes of the foot are respectively inserted into the toe insertion holes; an non-slip outsole formed at the heel part of the main body and formed of foamed rubber having abrasion resistance, and having a thickness of 1 mm˜5 mm; and non-slip dots formed at the sole part of the main body and the non-slip outsole. Full Article
i Means to secure a lens into lens frame of a snow goggle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention relates to a means of securing a lens member into a snow goggle frame member, wherein the goggle frame member includes first insertion apertures, with first locating blocks at front edge, the lens member has a lens secured thereon, the lens includes first troughs to receive a corresponding first block therein, a pair of first rails are formed at respective sides of the first trough, each first rail has a first notch which includes a pair of second notches thereat, retainers are secured to the goggle frame and lens frame respectively, one end of the first insertion aperture includes a first insertion post at one end and a first insertion section at the other end thereof to receive the first insertion post therein, the first insertion section is then inserted into the first notch. The goggle may be replaced with various lenses and secured firmly. Full Article
i Protective garment with vent features By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A protective garment including a heat, flame and abrasion resistant outer shell configured to be worn on at least part of a body of a wearer, the outer shell including an opening formed therein. The garment further includes a heat and flame resistant material, of a different type of material than the outer shell, positioned in the opening. Full Article
i Roller skating apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hand ice skating mechanism in conjunction with an athletic protective mechanism utilizing a glove portion including a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion includes a blade retaining portion and a blade assembly in communication with the blade retaining portion. Full Article
i Orthopedic component for use with an orthopedic brace By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An orthopedic component for use in orthopedic device includes a rigid frame and a flexible subshell connected to and extending flexibly outwardly from the rigid frame. The subshell may have a shell body and a perimeter edge portion defining a lip extending outwardly from a surface of a shell body and defining a clearance between the shell body and the lip. The subshell may include a plurality of slots and ventilated padding is used in combination with the slots. A tightenable fastener may be adjustably secured to the rigid frame and extend through an opening on the subshell, wherein the first side portion of the subshell is adjustable in location relative to the rigid frame. Full Article
i Waistband system, method and apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Mar 2016 08:00:00 EST Embodiments provide a waistband system including a flap of material coupled to a pair of pants at or near a waistband of the pants. The flap may be rotated (e.g., folded) between an extended position in which at least a portion of the flap rises above a waistline (i.e., top edge) of the pants, and a folded down position in which the flap is substantially or completely disposed in an interior portion of the pants below the waistline. When the flap is in the extended (folded up) position, the flap may provide a user of the pants protection from snow, rain, liquids, and/or debris, above the waistline of the pants. On the other hand, the folded down position may provide more comfort and/or aesthetic appeal. Full Article
i DRUM PEDAL WITH FEATURES FOR ADJUSTMENT OF CHAIN OR SIMILAR DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Drum pedal assemblies are disclosed which can include one or more adjustment features. Adjustment features which can be included in embodiments of the invention can include spring tension adjustment features, pedal incline adjustment features, lever length adjustment features, beater stem angle adjustment features, chain path adjustment features, operable chain length adjustment features, and chain connection point position adjustment features. Full Article
i Expressive Damper for a Percussive Instrument By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention is a sound modification device used for a percussion instrument. It is comprised of a rigid clip that is spring-based to a closed position and an integrated dampening material, leather or plastic etc., that comes in contact with the vibrating surface. Once the clip is pulled apart it can be released to firmly attach over the hoop of any drum. The musician can choose the size or material of the dampening component to eliminate unwanted ring and or change the resonant note of the drum. The thickness of the dampening component can also be chosen by the drummer to increase or decrease the dampening characteristics. Full Article
i MUSIC SHAPER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A music composition, editing, and playback system and method provides a user interface design based on geometric interpretation of music theory replacing traditional modern music notation with geometric shapes including chords represented by polygons that are colored with colors or hues. Full Article
i ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM AND EFFECTS MODULE FOR SUCH A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an electronic musical instrument system (1) for influencing the sound of an electric musical instrument having a housing (2) that has signal ports (14, 18) and a power supply port (15). In order to simplify the individual combination of different audio effects, the housing (2) contains control electronics (6) that have associated slots (4a-4f) for effects modules (19), wherein the slots (4a-4f) are arranged in the housing (2) and each slot (4a-4f) has a multipin connection (5a-5f) for connection to a plug-in effects module (19). The invention additionally relates to a corresponding effects module (19). Full Article
i CONNECTION SETTING OF TONE PROCESSING MODULE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A first input section is used for inputting first tone data, and a first output section is connected to the first input section via a first path. A second input section is used for inputting second tone data, and a second output section is connected to the second input section via a second path. A tone processing module performs tone processing on the tone data, and a processor is configured to insert the tone processing module into the first and second paths in response to selection of first and second modes, respectively. The tone processing module performs the tone processing on the first tone data in the first mode, and performs the tone processing on the second tone data in the second mode. The above allows connection of the module to be set easily in response to the selected mode. Full Article
i Selective pitch emulator for electrical stringed instruments By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Presented is a method for controlling an electronic stringed instrument. Embodiments of electrical stringed instruments according to the present invention can be actual stringed instruments or virtual representations of stringed instruments. The methods provide a way in which to teach and play electronic stringed instruments which allow a novice musician to focus on a small portion of playing of a stringed instrument while maintaining overall musicality and ability to play the instrument. Full Article
i INSTALLATION STRUCTURE FOR ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT An installation structure for an acoustic transducer configured to vibrate a vibrated body in a first direction so as to permit the vibrated body to generate sounds, wherein the acoustic transducer includes: a magnetic-path forming portion that forms a magnetic path; a vibrating unit configured to vibrate in the first direction; and a connecting unit connecting the vibrating unit and the vibrated body to transmit vibration of the vibrating unit to the vibrated body, wherein the magnetic-path forming portion has a through-hole penetrating therethrough in the first direction from a first opening to a second opening, the connecting unit passing through the through-hole, wherein the vibrating unit is disposed on a first-opening side of the magnetic-path forming portion and is fixed to the connecting unit on the first-opening side, and wherein the vibrated body is connected to the connecting unit on a second-opening side of the magnetic-path forming portion. Full Article
i ACOUSTIC-ELECTRONIC MUSIC MACHINE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A music machine, comprising: a platform; a plurality of arcos disposed around a perimeter of the platform, the plurality of arcos disposed in a substantially vertical orientation; a central mast disposed substantially at a center of the platform; and a hand wheel disposed on the central mast, wherein each of the plurality of arcos is strung with a musical instrument string, and wherein each musical instrument string is tuned to produce a musical tone when caused to vibrate. Full Article
i TECHNIQUES FOR MAGNETICALLY MOUNTING A TRANSDUCER TO A CYMBAL AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT According to some aspects, a cymbal system is provided, comprising a cymbal, and a vibrational transducer magnetically coupled to the cymbal, the magnetic coupling provided by at least one magnetic component on an upper side of the cymbal and at least one magnetic component on a lower side of the cymbal. According to some aspects, a method for transducing vibrations of a cymbal is provided, comprising magnetically coupling a vibrational transducer to a cymbal, the magnetic coupling provided by at least one magnetic component on an upper side of the cymbal and at least one magnetic component on a lower side of the cymbal. Full Article
i DISPLAY DEVICE FOR PRACTICE OF KEYBOARD INSTRUMENT DIAGRAMED WITH BLACK KEYS AS MARKERS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 11 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT In the present invention, images of a keyboard can be efficiently input into a learner's brain by using a display device in which two kinds of parallel black keys on a keyboard instrument are diagrammed as marker figures which are a substantially n-shaped figure and a substantially m-shaped figure, and the positions of pressed keys are plotted onto the marker figures. The display device can be configured using, for example, printed matter (e.g., a sheet or a card), a font set, an electronic display, and a three-dimensional object, and is provided as a sheet for writing music, performance or practice sheet music, learning cards, or a three-dimensional mimic keyboard. Altogether, provided is a novel music education method based on the images of a keyboard. Full Article
i APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPARTING ACOUSTIC EFFECT TO PIANO By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 11 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT An acoustic effect impartment apparatus for use in a piano including a plurality of keys, a plurality of strings provided in corresponding relation to the keys and a plurality of hammers each responsive to an operation of any one of the keys to strike the string corresponding to the key. The acoustic effect impartment apparatus comprising at least one elongate member disposed near at least one of the plurality of strings. The elongate member movable by means of a first actuator between a retracted configuration in which the elongate member is disengaged away from the at least one of the plurality of strings and an imparted configuration wherein the elongate member is imparted against the at least one of the plurality of strings, and the first actuator can be actuated by a piano player such that the elongate member is imparted against the at least one of the plurality of strings as said piano player strikes a key associated therewith. Full Article
i SNARE ASSEMBLY FOR MUSICAL DRUM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 11 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A musical drum having a hollow shell with at least one opening defined by a circumferential bearing edge, a drumhead, which includes an upper surface consisting of the batter head and a bottom surface, a snare assembly with a plurality of individual wires having opposite end portions, a mounting member affixed to at least one end portion, and means for releasably attaching the snare assembly to the circumferential bearing edge comprising a flexible U-shaped clip in engagement with the circumferential bearing edge in pressure-contact relation. The individual snare wires are disposed in abutment against the bottom surface of the drumhead to cause the wires to vibrate upon the striking of the batter head. Full Article
i Mounting System For Pivotal Coupling Of A Tuner To An Instrument By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 11 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are embodiments of a mounting system for pivotal coupling to an instrument, the mounting system including a tuner, a ball element outwardly extending from the tuner, and a socket element having a wall defining a socket in communication with a wall opening; whereby the socket is configured to pivotally receive at least a portion of the ball element via the wall opening to pivotally couple the ball element to the socket element. Full Article
i STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A stringed musical instrument including a body in which a cutaway is formed, wherein the body includes a back board on which at least one brace is provided so as to extend in a width direction of the back board, and wherein a first brace, which is the closest to the cutaway among the at least one brace, has a dimension in the width direction of the back board smaller than a width of the back board at a position of the back board at which the first brace is fixed, the first brace being fixed to the back board so as to be disposed nearer to one side of the back board than another side thereof on which the cutaway is formed. Full Article
i Bow for string instruments By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A bow includes: a stick, a bow head at a front end of the stick, a frog at a tail end of the stick; and a bow hair tightly connected between the bow head and the frog. The bow further includes: a first hair binding terminal and a second hair binding terminal, respectively for mounting two ends of the bow hair; a locking screw, for fixing the first hair binding terminal at the bow head by rotating tight, and releasing the fixed first hair binding terminal by rotating loose; and a cover, slidably provided on the frog, wherein the cover slides back and forth to detachably fix the second hair binding terminal in the frog. Full Article
i BOWED STRING INSTRUMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a bowed string instrument that allows a player to hold it in a stable manner and to handle a bow and strings without much effect. A bowed string instrument 1 has a body 102, a shoulder pad 103 connected to the body 102, a body receiver 106 disposed below the body 102 so as to receive a load of the body, and an operative joint portion 107 coupling the body 102 and the body receiver 106 to each other while allowing the body 102 to be slidable on a spherical surface. The body 102 includes a fingerboard 105, a plurality of strings 104 extending above the fingerboard 105, and a pair of bridges for supporting and tensioning the plurality of strings 104 above the fingerboard 105. Full Article
i Procedurally Generating Background Music for Sponsored Audio By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A content server generates sponsored audio including procedurally generated background music. The content server obtains reference music features describing musicological characteristics of reference songs as well as sponsored audio information received from a third-party. The content server determines music generation parameters based on the sponsored audio information and based on a music model mapping the reference music features to music generation parameters. The music model may incorporate machine learning techniques to improve the mapping. The content server generates background music by using the determined music generation parameters as input to a procedural music algorithm, and generates sponsored audio by combining the generated background music concurrently with an audio voiceover obtained from the sponsored audio information. The sponsored audio is provided to a client device, which presents the sponsored audio to a user. Full Article
i GUITAR PEDAL BOARD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure generally relates to a guitar pedal board configured to maintain an open position and a closed position. In one embodiment, a surface of a guitar pedal board is configured to receive and hold guitar pedals on a surface that may be inclined relative to a surface on which the guitar pedal board rests. In another embodiment, the guitar pedal board includes one or more retainer stands that hold the guitar pedal board in a closed position. In another embodiment, the guitar pedal board includes a support member that holds the guitar pedal board in an open position. In another embodiment, a first guitar pedal board includes an attachment foot configured to attach one or more guitar pedal boards to the first guitar pedal board. Full Article
i MUSIC PERFORMANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for processing a music performance, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first media signal from a media source; analysing the first media signal to extract any media signal characteristics; creating a reference media signal by suppressing at-least a predominant sound source of the first media signal; reproducing the reference media signal while receiving a users media signal from an input device to generate a second media signal; analysing the second media signal to extract any media signal characteristics; processing the characteristics of the second media signal in isolation or in combination with the characteristics of the first media signal; and generating feedback for the music performance based upon the processed media signals. Full Article
i Methods for Stringed Instrument Construction By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT The Invention is designed so that it is comfortable to hold, and easy to play for long periods of time without becoming fatigued. There are two different designs that the invention can utilize. Both designs provide for an instrument that is compact, making it comfortable for the musician to reach various parts of the fingerboard while still providing a normal scale fretboard. The first design features one neck, shaped to look like the letter Z. The neck is actually composed of three sections: The first section contains the lower notes of the fretboard, while the second section contains the higher notes. Between these two sections sits a connecting strut that connects the strings via an additional string saddle. This design thus produces uses two separate fretboard areas that are easy to reach, providing comfortable access to a full scale of notes. The second design includes two wholly separate necks, similar to a double neck guitar. (1) One neck is normal length and is meant to be used to play the higher notes of the scale. The musician has the option to play the lower notes on this neck, as well. To make the lower notes easier to reach, another neck is included just below the first neck. The second neck is either placed further up the body horizontally, or is undersized, making the lower frets closer to the body of the musician. The second neck's bridge is located on the back of the instrument, thus providing a regular string length, and thus a full scale of notes. This design is similar to that of portable guitars, but goes a step further. Instead of replacing the head stock of the instrument with a back mounted bridge, (2) or using a removable neck, (3) the placement of the neck is moved further up the body horizontally. Like some portable instruments, the bridge is mounted on the back side, but for different reasons. In the invention, the bridge is moved much further up the back of the instrument, allowing either the neck to be placed further up the body on the front side, or an undersized neck to be used, thus keeping a full scale of notes on the fretboard. The lower notes of this neck are easier to reach than a normal positioned neck. The higher notes of this neck will be hard to reach, but can be utilized by musicians for some applications, most notably slide playing, and harmonic effects. For others, the first neck will be used for playing on higher frets.Additionally, both instrument designs utilize a curved underside, conforming to the shape of the leg, thus providing for comfortable sitting playing. Full Article
i INTUITIVE MUSIC VISUALIZATION USING EFFICIENT STRUCTURAL SEGMENTATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the present invention relate to automatically identifying structures of a music stream. A segment structure may be generated that visually indicates repeating segments of a music stream. To generate a segment structure, a feature that corresponds to a music attribute from a waveform corresponding to the music stream is extracted from a waveform, such as an input signal. Utilizing a signal segmentation algorithm, such as a Variable Markov Oracle (VMO) algorithm, a symbolized signal, such as a VMO structure, is generated. From the symbolized signal, a matrix is generated. The matrix may be, for instance, a VMO-SSM. A segment structure is then generated from the matrix. The segment structure illustrates a segmentation of the music stream and the segments that are repetitive. Full Article
i Adaptive Music Playback System By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT An adaptive music playback system is disclosed. The system includes a composition system that receives information corresponding to user activity levels. The composition system modifies the composition of a song in response to changes in user activity. The modifications are made according to a set of composition rules to facilitate smooth musical transitions Full Article
i Sound Generating System with Calibration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system for remotely generating sound from a musical instrument includes a calibration system to improve the quality of the sound produced by the musical instrument. In one embodiment, the system includes an input configured to receive a signal representative of the sound of a first musical instrument, an exciter for converting the signal to mechanical vibrations, a coupling interface for coupling the mechanical vibrations into a second musical instrument, and a calibration system for altering the signal sent to the exciter. Full Article
i IRREGULARITY DETECTION IN MUSIC By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the present invention relate to detecting irregularities in audio, such as music. An input signal corresponding to an audio stream is received. The input signal is transformed from a time domain into a frequency domain to generate a plurality of frames that each comprises frequency information for a portion of the input signal. An irregular event in a portion of the input signal corresponding to a set of frames in the plurality of frames is identified based on a comparison of frequency information of the set of frames to the frequency information of other sets of frames of the plurality of frames. This allows an indication of the irregular event to be provided, or for the input signal to be automatically synchronized to a multimedia event. Full Article
i AUTOMATIC TUNING FLOATING BRIDGE FOR ELECTRIC STRINGED INSTRUMENTS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method, computer program product, and system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument. An initial height of a first string of an instrument having a plurality of strings and a floating bridge is determined. The height of the plurality of strings is determined using a bridge sensor. The floating bridge is locked. A frequency of the first string is analyzed. In response to determining the frequency of the first string does not match a predetermined frequency, a tuning peg servo motor to adjust a tuning peg, thereby adjusting a string tension of the first string. The one or more bridge servo motors adjusts a spring tension until the spring tension of the one or more springs equals the string tension of the first string. In response to determining the first string is tuned, the floating bridge is unlocked. Full Article
i PERCUSSION DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A percussion device includes (1) a platform portion composed of a first material having an exposed striking portion composed of a second material different from the first material; (2) a base portion separated from, and substantially parallel to, the platform portion by a predetermined distance; (3) at least one unitary sidewall portion positioned between the platform portion and the base portion at respective opposing edges of the platform portion and the base portion; and (4) a non-flexible surface below, and in contact with, at least a portion of the exposed striking portion. Full Article
i AUTOMATIC TUNING FLOATING BRIDGE FOR ELECTRIC STRINGED INSTRUMENTS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method, computer program product, and system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument. An initial height of a first string of an instrument having a plurality of strings and a floating bridge is determined. The height of the plurality of strings is determined using a bridge sensor. The floating bridge is locked. A frequency of the first string is analyzed. In response to determining the frequency of the first string does not match a predetermined frequency, a tuning peg servo motor to adjust a tuning peg, thereby adjusting a string tension of the first string. The one or more bridge servo motors adjusts a spring tension until the spring tension of the one or more springs equals the string tension of the first string. In response to determining the first string is tuned, the floating bridge is unlocked. Full Article
i SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONVERTING TEXTUAL MESSAGES TO MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for converting textual messages to musical messages comprising receiving a text input and receiving a musical input selection. The method includes analyzing the text input to determine text characteristics and analyzing a musical input corresponding to the musical input selection to determine musical characteristics. Based on the text characteristic and the musical characteristic, the method includes correlating the text input with the musical input to generate a synthesizer input, and sending the synthesizer input to a voice synthesizer. The method includes receiving a vocal rendering of the text input from the voice synthesizer and generating a musical message from the vocal rendering and the musical input. The method includes generating a video element based on a video input, incorporating the video element into the musical message, and outputting the musical message including the video element. Full Article
i MIDI MALLET FOR TOUCH SCREEN DEVICES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT For music production, the velocity values with the purpose of creating dynamic percussion in cooperation with a value measuring surface (a touch screen tablet or touch screen phone) has the ability to simulate the tension of a percussion instrument thus tone values are correlated with X, Y values from a measuring surface and dynamics values are measured with velocity, all inclusive, wireless and cooperative with MIDI software. Full Article