WO1984004613A1

WO1984004613A1 - Portable apparatus for transfer of data information from an exchangeable memory unit to a viewing screen

Info

Publication number: WO1984004613A1
Application number: PCT/SE1984/000173
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenneth Bratthall
Original assignee: Kenneth Bratthall
Priority date: 1983-05-10
Filing date: 1984-05-08
Publication date: 1984-11-22
Also published as: EP0143824A1; SE436155B; SE8302673D0

Abstract

A portable apparatus provided with a connectible drive unit (10) intended to achieve transfer of information stored in an exchangeable memory unit such as pictorial pages e.g., with text and/or signs to the viewing screen (92) of a display device (38) utilizing a selecting and reading unit (14) electrically connected to the display device and possible to activate externally for selection of the desired pictorial page. The apparatus should be especially suitable for replacing the old static note system with a flexible note system enabling display of notes and/or chords and/or song texts, and it is also possible to change key at one's option. For this purpose a pre-programmable transformation unit (28) for translation of at least part of information received from the memory unit to information intended for reproduction on the viewing screen (92) is connected between the selecting and reading unit (14) and the display device (38). Thanks to the apparatus it will be possible to "turn over the sheets" to a desired note page, to change key at one's option and to obtain display of different parts on the viewing screen (92).

Description

Portable apparatus for transfer of data information from an exchangeable memory unit to a viewing screen

This invention relates to a portable apparatus provided with a connectible drive unit for transferring data information stored in an exchangeable memory unit such as pictorial pages e.g. with text and/or signs to the viewing screen of a display device utilizing a selecting and reading unit electrically connected to the display device and possible to activate externally for selection of a desired pictorial page.

The idea of the new apparatus has appeared in connection with difficulties observed in general handling of music notes and song texts, and therefore the following description will more refer to this application field of the apparatus. However, it should be pointed out that the apparatus might very well be utilized in other fields and for other purposes, where simple handling and display of texts and/or signs are desired.

Notes are in known manner taken down on paper, preferably in A4-format, and storing as well as handling thereof suffers from certain shortcomings. It is therefore the object of the invention primarily to enable storage and handling in a substantially simpler way utilizing small, light memory units and portable viewing screens. In this way it will be possible to replace the present static system used for a long time in note handling by quite a new flexible system having many essential advantages.

The invention also makes use of other desiderata and demands of producers and consumers of music utilizing conventional notes and note systems. A summary of some of the important points in this connection follows below: - Musicians (popular music) often have to change key, e.g. when a vocalist wants this. Sometimes it is also desirable to produce notes quickly of an accompanying part of the very melody. - Choir singes often have to change key promptly which is particularly difficult when instruments accompany. Moreover, paper rustle will easily occur when sheets of music are turned, which are often lost, too.

- Amateur musicians are not seldom of the opinion that a certain key is too difficult. At present the distribution of a new melody on (usually) c-, b- and ess-instruments requires a laborious transcription and transposition.

Today composers and arrangers will not have reasonable earnings from their work due to the fact that conventionally printed notes are copied to a large extent without permission. - Distributors, music shopkeepers and music institutions need a system that reduces the large storage spaces of notes. Furthermore, the notes are easily damaged and their transport is expensive. The distributors and the music shopkeepers are also damaged by the above-mentioned illegal copying.

- Musicians (serious music) often have to bring along a great number of notes. This requires space and is troublesome. It is also a disadvantage for the musicians that they must move their hands off the instruments to turn the music sheets.

The disadvantages mentioned above are completely or at least partly eliminated by means of an apparatus of the kind mentioned above in such a way that a pre-programmable transformation unit for translation of at least part of information received from the memory unit to the information intended for reproduction on the viewing screen is connected between said selecting and reading unit and said display device. Additional characteristic features of the new apparatus appear from the dependent claims.

By means of an apparatus constructed according to the invention notes can be brought along, according to the new system, corresponding to a larger number of notes than that which can be brought along according to the conventional system. Moreover, the manual turning over of sheets is eliminated, as a light pressure by the foot enables a soundless "turning over" of a new note page. It will also be possible with the new apparatus, at transfer of information from a memory unit to a display of a note page on a viewing screen, to change key immediately at one's option and to obtain display of different parts.

The invention will now be described below more in detail with reference to the enclosed drawings.

Fig. 1 shows the general principles of the electrical connection in the new apparatus in the form of a block scheme.

Fig. 2 shows more in detail in a generalized form the essential parts of an apparatus enabling transfer of notes and song texts from memory units to a viewing screen, and there are also possibilities of adjusting pitch and tone value, transposing tones and chords to a desired key and of transferring text and all signs of pauses, executions, repeats, etc. to the viewing screen. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of an apparatus which is built according to the connection principles indicated in Fig. 2.

The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a drive unit 10 for the supply of current to the apparatus in operation. The drive unit 10 is connected via the line 12 to a selecting and reading unit 14 which is adapted to select and read desired information in an easily exchangeable memory unit 16. Selection is effected by means of a special control unit 18 connected to the selecting and reading unit 16. The selecting and reading unit 14 is connected via an intermediary channel 20 to a transformation unit 28 divided into subunits 22, 24, 26, 27. The transformation unit consists of a microprocessor, in which fed information is transformed as desired, after which the information is transmitted via another intermediary channel 30 to two coordination units 32, 34 connected in series. In the latter fed data information is coordinated in a predetermined way so that it can be transferred via en intermediary channel 36 to the viewing screen of the display unit 38 for desired reproduction. A selector unit by means of which the pre-programmable transformation steps of the subunits 22, 24, 26, 27 can be adjusted at one's option, is also connected to the transformation unit 28. The construction shown in Fig. 2 comprises an internal drive source but it can also be connected to an external drive source not shown. The internal drive source consists of conventional rechargeable batteries 42 and the external drive source can consist of the general mains (220 V). A flex 46 provided with a plug 44, which flex can be drawn out to a suitable lenght via a spring- -loaded flex winder 48, is used for connection to the external drive source. When the plug 44 is inserted into a wall socket and, provided a switch is in off-position, the batteries 42 are charged via a charging aggregate 52. The arrangement is such that the apparatus, when the switch 50 is in on-position, is also supplied with current from the internal drive source, i.e. the batteries 42, when the plug contact 44 is not inserted into the wall socket.

An adapter 54 connected to the switch 50 is connected to the selecting and reading unit 56 of the apparatus and to its transformation unit 58. The selecting and reading unit 56 is intended to read information from memory units (not shown) in the form of so-called chips, i.e. semiconductor substrates with IC-circuits. It is of course also possible to use disc or tape stores instead of chips. Said chips are placed for reading in a special compartment 60 in direct connection with the selecting and reading unit 56. For storage of additional chips there are special compartments 62 (see Fig. 3). Therein a number of chips can be stored.

For activation of the selecting and reading unit 56 there is a special control unit 64. The information is stored in said chips so that the control unit enables "turning over the sheets" which means that a desired note page can be obtained and shown in natural format, e.g. A4, on the viewing screen of the display device (not shown in Fig. 2). In-order that the hands need not be used when turning over the sheets there is a special button 66 on an extractable flex 68. This flex 68 is also mounted on a spring-loaded flex winder 70 by means of which the button 66 can be placed on the floor, after suitable extraction of the flex 68, in order to be actuated by one's foot. There should be a possibility of turning over the sheets both forwards and backwards.

In the present case the transformation unit 58 is divided into four subunits 72, 74, 76, 78, which each have a direct connection with the selecting and reading unit 56 via the corresponding intermediary channels 72', 74', 76', 78'. Each subunit 72, 74, 76, 78 is pre-programmed so that it can carry out the intended functions. Thus, the following applies: - The first subunit 72 regulates the pitch, i.e. it adjusts in which of the eight octaves the tone is to be placed, and, moreover, it adjusts the note value, i.e. the relative length of the tone. The arrangement of this is apparent from appendix 1 (page 7). - After the second subunit 74 has received information about the tones from the selecting and reading unit 56 it should be capable of transposing these to the desired key (also indicates key signature). The arrangement of this appears from appendix 2 (page 8). - The third subunit.76 transposes the chords to the desired key after receiving information about these from the selecting and reading unit 56. Examples of such transposition appear from appendix 3 (page 9). - The fourth subunit 78 supplies text and all signs concerning pauses, execution signs, repeats etc, to the viewing screen of the display device 38. Examples of signs appear from appendix 4 (page 10).

The first, second and third subunit 72, 74, 76 are connected to a first coordination unit 80 via the corresponding intermediary channels 72", 74", 76". The first subunit 72 is directly connected, while the second and third subunit 74 and 76, respectively, are connected via a pre-setting means 82. It is possible to select the desired key by means of the pre-setting means and, if desired, the accompanying part.

In the coordination unit 80 a tone (possibly transposed) is combined with pitch and tone value as well as chord (possibly transposed).

Another coordination unit 84 is connected to said first coordination unit 80. Moreover, there is a direct connection 86 between the fourth subunit 58 and said additional coordination unit 84 which is in direct connection with the display device for transfer of data information to the viewing screen of the display device such as pictorial pages with desired notes and/or chords and/or song texts.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 3 comprises a square, thin box 90 of durable plastic provided with cover 88. The viewing screen 92, which is preferably of A4-format, is protectingly placed directly under the cover 88 which is also a protection for the chips placed in the storage compartment 62. Notes and text are shown on the viewing screen 92 by means of e.g. liquid crystals under a somewhat countersunk transparent plastic disc which is provided with note-rules. Instead of liquid crystals it is also possible to use light activated note and text compound. The apparatus has special shift buttons 94 for accompanying upper and lower part which is shown either in parallel with the melody or independently. Furthermore, an electronic metronome 96 is built in.

Appendices 1-4

1. The transformation unit 58 is to place the tones in the correct position in the following eight octaves as far as pitch is concerned:

1,2,3,4 etc.

8

A possible programming variant is to number all the tones from 1 to 89.

2. The transformation unit 58 must be able to indicate the following as far as note values are concerned

etc.

Programming can take place by the aid of numbers, e.g, 1 to 7, also as far as note values are concerned

Claims

Patent Claims

1. A portable apparatus provided with a connectible drive unit (10; 42) for transferring data information stored in an exchangeable memory unit to the viewing screen (92) of a display device, such as pictorial pages e.g. with text and/or signs utilizing a selecting and reading unit (14; 56) electrically connected to the display device and possible to actuate externally for selection of desired pictorial page, c h a r a c t e ri z e d in that a pre-programmable transformation unit (28; 58) for translation of at least part of the information received from the memory unit to the information inteded for reproduction on the viewing screen (92) is connected between said selecting and reading unit (14;56) and the display device (38).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that information predetermined for transfer of intended information to the viewing screen (92) is selectable by means of a pre-setting means (82) connected to the transformation unit (28; 58) and intended for manual actuation.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e ri z e d in that the transformation unit (28; 58) consists of two or more subunits (22, 24, 26, 27; 72, 74, 76, 78) each arranged to translate said signs according to a predetermined programme pattern.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a first coordination unit (32; 80) is connected between the transformation unit (28; 58) and the display device (38), which coordination unit is arranged to coordinate in a predetermined way information received from one or more of the subunits (22, 24, 26, 27; 72, 74, 76, 78) of the transformation unit.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a second coordination unit (34; 84) is also connected between the transformation unit (25; 58) and the display device (38) in order to coordinate in a predetermined way information received from one or more of the subunits of the transformation unit.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said data information concerns notes and/or chords and/or song texts and that the transformation unit comprises a transformer, a so-called transposer, for transfer of pieces of music from one key to another, the coordination units enabling display of alternatives of a melody on the viewing screen (92).