Audio-acoustic proficiency testing device

Abstract

An audio-acoustic proficiency test method transduces, captures, measures, compares, analyzes, records, and reports on the actual performance of at least one performer's produced orderly sound sequence (pitch and rhythm). It also issues proficiency performance certificates, certified copies of the audio-acoustic performance, performance growth and statistics, or player rewards in game modes, lessons or practice scheduling and training through a transport means selected from the group of the Internet, television, and a computer network. The apparatus comprises a performer or sound generation source, transducer, central processing unit, random access memory, archival storage unit, output printer, user display and user input devices.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority of provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60 / 185,509, filed Feb. 28, 2000, entitled "Music Proficiency Testing Device", by inventors Chantzis and Rosen, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.COPYRIGHT NOTICE[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material to which patentees claim copyright. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any person of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but reserves all other rights.[0003] 1. Field of Invention[0004] This invention relates to audio-acoustic testing devices, specifically to such devices which are used for transducing, capturing, measuring, comparing, analyzing, recording and reporting on the performance proficiency of a human, apparatus, or combination that are capable of producing an orderly sound sequence.[0005] 2. Description of Prior Art[0006] ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0026] Accordingly one object and advantage of the current invention is to provide the first objective method for measurement and evaluation of audio-acoustic performance. It transduces, captures, measures, compares, analyzes, records, and reports on the actual performance of the performer's sound sequence (pitch and rhythm). Also it issues proficiency performance certificates, certified copies of the audio-acoustic performance, performance growth and statistics, or player rewards in game modes, lessons or practice scheduling and training. It tests the ability of a performer to play the right keys whenever and wherever they are required by any designated musical purpose by performing correct pitches in musical sequence. It integrates the elements of rhythm and pitch so a performer plays the correct pitches and plays them at the correct time. It responds to an input consisting of programmed sequences of pitches from scales, arpeggios, and other configurations of pitch that make the basic material of musical performance and it measures musical time. It provides a feedback mechanism to inform a performer about the incidence or degree to which its audio-acoustic proficiency performance deviated from a stored reference standard and comparable results from other test subjects grouped by such profile parameters as age, years of experience

Problems solved by technology

Until now, there has never been a practical means for testing audio-acoustic performance--more specifically, music performance--against fully objective measures of proficiency.

However, all existing technology fails to provide any general purpose audio-acoustic proficiency test device.

In every instance, the presence of a sophisticated and sensitive musical ear is required, which is found inconveniently only on a small number of living human beings.

In addition, even the advent of these material technologies did not have sufficient strength in themselves to bring about a universal audio-acoustic proficiency test apparatus.

However it was not able to compare and report on the actual performance of a performer's sound sequence (pitch and rhythm).

Also it could not issue proficiency performance certificates, certified copies of the audio-acoustic performance, performance growth and statistics, or player rewards in game modes, lessons or practice scheduling and training.

It is neither designed as an audio-acoustic proficiency test, per se, nor is it capable of serving as such due to its extremely limited capacity.

Teaching musical skills are complicated by the fact that sound, unlike paintings, cannot directly be seen and only exist when played.

Audio tape recorders allow a student to review their performance, but do not provide any analysis.

However, Karaoke systems do not evaluate the singer's performance and hence the student must rely on their own musical perceptions for guidance.

Neither of these systems provides a time history of pitch nor do they provide any quantitative indication of timbre or amplitude.

Prior general-purpose audio-acoustic proficiency test devices were neither user-friendly nor practical in the context of a continuous performance of a wide-ranging collection of musical materials.

These devices fail to test the ability of a performer to play the right keys whenever and wherever they are required by any designated musical purpose.

But testing devices have also failed to address another factor that enters into a proper evaluation of musical proficiency.

Prior audio-acoustic proficiency test methods failed to integrate both of these two primary factors that are relevant to an evaluation of musical proficiency.

in schools where grades based on subjective measures have heretofore resulted in much confusion, argument, and discontent,

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