MUSIC SIGHT READER

INTRODUCTION.

"Sight reading" is a term used in Western music. It denotes the ability to recognise on printed staves the pitch and duration of notes as well as other detailed instructions as to volume and expression. This instant recognition allows a player to provide an immediate and fluent performance of the music. Efficiency in this area is a prerequisite both for any fully trained musician and for students taking graded music examinations as offered by examination boards throughout the world.

The Music Sight Reader is an aid to the improvement of this skill in both instrumental and vocal music. It has been designed for use in the teaching situation or for self- improvement in private study. Slim and sufficiently lightweight to be placed on a piano music rest, it can also be used on a conventional independent music stand.

DESCRIPTION.

We refer to the exploded diagram Figure 1/8.

Preferably Panel A is cut from a single-sided piece of printed circuit board (PCB) and carries its copper surface and the associated electronic components on its outer face. On its inner face, sections (12 are shown) of electroluminescent material (ELP) are attached and preferably protected by a thin sheet of clear sticky plastic. Panel B is a slim spacer perhaps 1.5mm thick, and Panel C is a piece of transparent material, preferably Perspex or something similar.

The three panels shown in Figure 1/8 have identical overall sizes and are sandwiched to form a single device. Held together in this way Panel B is the "meat" of the sandwich and creates a narrow void, accessible from a slot in the top edge of the unit.

At any one time, the unit is used with a single sheet selected from specially prepared samples of sight-reading music. Each has been reverse-printed with opaque ink on translucent paper and then preferably laminated for protection and rigidity. ("Reverse-printing" herein means that the music is printed backwards as a right-to-left image. However, it should be understood that said music could be printed normally provided said music was only visible from the front with rear illumination). When the selected piece has been

slipped into the slot formed by Panel B between Panels A and C, the reverse-printed lines and bars of music come into registration with the ELP sections on Panel A. Consequently when all the ELP sections are illuminated, the bars of music can be seen through the transparent Panel C and the blank face of the music sheet.

We refer to Figure 2/8.

This diagram shows the controls which preferably are wired on the front face of Panel A and accessible via the cut-out sections of Panels B and C.

The unit is switched on by the ON/OFF switch Sl, when the yellow LED2 above the switch will illuminate. On first switching on from "cold" as it were, all the ELP sections will also light before switching off sequentially from ELPl to ELP12. As soon as all the ELP sections are extinguished the unit is ready for use.

Pressing and holding the Start Button S3 will again light all the ELPs. On releasing S3, the timing sequence begins and after a short period of T seconds, ELPl will extinguish, followed after a further T seconds, by ELP2, then T seconds later by ELP3, and so on until all the ELPs are out. Pressing the Start Button S3 at any time will re-light all the ELPs and hold them on until the button is released.

The action of the Start Switch S3 is paralleled by the Foot Switch S2. This accessory is plugged into the socket below S3 and allows the unit to be operated in a "hands free" mode as when a player is practising alone and holding, for example, a violin and bow.

The Speed Control VR2 allows the timing of the "on" period of the ELPs to be varied from a minimum of about 16 seconds total (= 12T, VR2 fully counter clockwise) to about 90 seconds total (VR2 fully clockwise). This control can be used to accommodate the skill-level of the player as well as changing the tempi indicated on the various sheets of sight-reading music.

Preferably the invention is powered by an integral leak-proof, lead-acid battery. This needs to be charged occasionally by plugging one end of the battery-charger accessory into a mains socket (95 to 250 volts AC, 50 to 60 Hertz) and the other end into the socket marked DC IN at the bottom left corner of the controls. Depending upon use, charging should be carried out every ten days or so by leaving the unit connected to the mains overnight.

If during normal use the battery is beginning to get too discharged, red LEDl will light which is the sign that charging must take place immediately. However, no user time need be lost as the unit will continue to work normally while connected to the mains. Concurrently it will use any down time to proceed with charging the battery

We refer to Figures 3/8, 4/8 and 5/8.

Figure 3/8 is the circuit that protects and charges the battery while Figure 4/8 is the logic circuit that creates the timing signals for switching and driving the ELPs. Figure 5/8 is the schematic that shows where the various components appear (in mirror fashion) on the PCB. All three Figures show generically named components which should be read in conjunction with "Key to Components: Figures 3/8, 4/8 and 5/8." which lists their actual values.

We refer to Figures 6/8, 7/8 and 8/8.

In another embodiment, the Music Sight Reader takes advantage of the availability of more efficient batteries and of the latest electronic components which provide a greater light output. While accommodating these, the opportunity was taken to incorporate a synchronised metronome.

In this embodiment, Figure 1/8 applies and Figure 6/8 shows the layout of the switches and inputs. Apart from the synchronised metronome controls, these all function in the way already described. The Speed Control VR2 is calibrated in beats per minute.

The controls for the metronome are shown below the Buzzer. By operating one or both of the ON/OFF switches S5 and S6, the synchronised metronome can be experienced as a series of audible clicks, or as flashing LEDs. Repeatedly pressing Button S4 cycles through the lighting of two or three or four of LEDs 2,3,4 and 5, allowing the selection of the appropriate number to match the time signature of the music to be played.

Figure 7/8 shows the electronics for two major sections: the amended circuit designed to charge NiHM batteries, and the logic for producing the master clock signal and its division down into accurate beats per minute.

Figure 8/8 represents the ELP drive circuits which rely on different DC/AC inverters and the minimal on-resistance of Si2301BDS mosfet switches.

All three Figures show generically named components and should be read in conjunction with "Key to Components: Figures 6/8, 7/8 and 8/8" which lists their actual values.

IN CONCLUSION.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and

which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All the features disclosed in this specification (including and accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, or other groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

KEY TO COMPONENTS; FIGURES 3/8, 4/8 and 5/8.

RESISTORS:

Rl 5R6

R2 220k

R3 150k

R4 36k

R5 2k2

R6 430k

R7, 8 10k

Potentiometers:

VRl 20k, trim, multiturn

VR2 2M2, LIN

CAPACITORS:

Cl 470uf, 16v axial

C2 2u2, 16v

C3 2n2

C4, 5, 6, 7 lOOn

C8, 9, 12 220uf, 16v axial

C1OA,1OB,11A,11B 1On

SEMICONDUCTORS:

Diodes:

Dl, 2, 3, 4, 5 1N4002

D6 ZXRE125ER

D7 1N4148

LEDl Red, Hi out

LED2 Yellow, Hi out

Transistors:

Tl ZVN4306A

T2 - 13 ZVP2106A

Integrated Circuits:

ICl LM393

IC2 LMC555

IC3, 4 CMOS4015

SWITCHES:

51 On/off toggle

52 Foot Sw., (2.5mm)

53 Press-to-make

CONNECTORS:

DC power in, 2.1 x 5.5 x 12, Fern. Barrel 2.5mm jack socket.

MISCELLANEOUS:

6V, 1.2A, lead-acid battery.

12 DC-AC inverters

9V, desktop switchmode supply.

12 electroluminescent panels (ELP)

HARDWARE:

Perspex sheet, 6mm.

Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 12 x 10 inches

Perspex sheet, 1.5mm

Nuts, bolts, etc.

Silver epoxy.

KEY TO COMPONENTS: FIGURES 6/8, 7/8 AND 8/8.

RESISTORS:

(1/8 W, unless marked)

Rl 12

R2 120, 1/2W

R3,7,10,12 10k

R4,5,8 100k

R6 IM

R9 10, 1/4W

RI l, 13, 2k2

R14 Ik

R15.16 47

Potentiometers^

VRl 100k, multi-turn VR2 IM, Log

CAPACITORS:

Cl,4,5,6,8,9,l 1,13,15,18,19 10On, disk

C2,3, 16,20,22,23,24,25,26,27 220uf, 16v.

C7 luf, ceramic

C1O,12,14,17,21 1On, disk

SEMICONDUCTORS:

Diodes:

Dl 1N4004

D2,3,4,5,6 1N4148 D7,8,9 BAT85

LEDs:

LEDl 5mm, Red LED2-5 Block of 4, Red

Transistors:

Tl BD131 T2 ZNP2106A T3 ZVN4306A T4,5,6,7,8,9,10,l 1,12,13,14,15 Si2301BDS

Integrated Circuits:

ICl 78S05

IC2 4047CMOS

IC3.6 4017CMOS

IC4 4538CMOS

IC5 4066CMOS

IC7.8 4015CMOS

SWITCHES:

Sl Miniature toggle, 2P on/off

S2 Foot switch

S3 Press-to-make Button

S4 Miniature Press-to-make Button

S5,6 Miniature slide, On/Off

Relay 1 12v, 2P C/O, 2A

CONNECTORS:

DC IN Switched Power Socket (2.1mm)

For Switch S2 Miniature 2.5mm jack socket

IC sockets Two at 14pin Five at 16pin.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Buzzer, 5v.

Four, 200OmA 1.2 volt NiHM AA batteries Sheet of 12 integrated EL lamps. Twelve, 5v DC/ AC inverters Knob for VR2

Clear Perspex sheet, approximately 30cm x 26cm. PCB material as a spacer Suitable case.

Foot switch and lead with 2.5 jack plug 12v, 2 amp desktop charger unit, 2.1mm power plug. Heatsinks: one TO220 type one TO 126 type