Description

NOVEL DRUM EDUTAINMENT APPARATUS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an educational entertainment apparatus including a singing guidance unit, which comprises drum instrument set comprising snare, base, tomtom and hihat; a storage unit for musical scores for playing said drum instrument set; a monitor for displaying musical scores; a sensor for the detection of the beating motion of said drum instrument set; an input unit for inputting a singing voice for the operation of the function of said singing guidance unit; a storage unit for storing the information of lyrics and accompaniments for the operation of said singing guidance unit; a mixer for mixing sound sources; a speaker for the operation of said singing guidance unit; an accounting unit which accounts coin or paper money inserted thereto; a control box; a monitor for singing; a keyboard for inputing signals for the operation of said singing guidance unit; a soundproof housing for shielding sounds; a recording unit; and network interface card, more particularly, is directed to an music educational entertainment apparatus for allowing players to play drum instrument set according to the accompaniments displayed on the monitor for playing, to become proficient in playing based on the evaluation of the accuracy and proficiency of playing improved by means of the function of the sensor for the detection of motion, and to sing a song according to the accompaniments and lyrics through the input unit for inputting a singing voice. Background Art

[2] At present, an electronic drum game apparatus used in video game arcade is commercialized which emulates the playing of percussions such as drums and cymbals. This electronic drum game apparatus is composed of a high-resolution monitor, foot pedals emulating bass drum play and hitting spots which imitates drum and cymbals, instead of using actual acoustic drums and cymbals. Players of this conventional game apparatus can emulate the motion of beating drums by stepping on the pedals or hitting the hitting-spots thereby, and enjoy the electric sounds generated from the above electronic game apparatus.

[3] In the conventional electronic drum game apparatus, players hit the designated hitting-spots with the stick in accordance with the visual signal represented in the monitor, and in other words, just emulate the motion of drum play. Consequently, the conventional drum game apparatus produces only electric sounds according to signal generated by hitting of the hitting-spots. The sounds generated by the conventional game apparatus, are much different from the sounds generated by beating actual

acoustic drum instrument, in the aspect of the source and quality of sound. Particularly, the first audio signals generated from the electric sound generator in the electronic drum game apparatus which is made by Konami in Japan and used widely, are amplified through an amplifier, then tuned by electronic components through the controller of volume, treble and bass, and finally delivered through a speaker on the players. That is, the sounds of the conventional electronic drum game apparatus, is remarkably different from those of an actual acoustic drum instrument set, in all aspects including tones, sounds and quality, and thus cannot be recognized as an acoustic sound from musical instrument. Therefore, it has been fatal drawbacks that such electric sounds cannot give an emotional sensation or an artistic feeling of satisfaction to the players or to the appreciators, and thus never be an instrumental sounds. Rather, such electical sounds may cause various harmful results to emotional stability in juveniles since some of the sounds work as electric noise.

[4] Due to these problems of the conventional game apparatus, the apparatus commercialized only serves as an electronic game apparatus without any function of musical entertainment. That is, it had rather negative effect on the musical education since the sound generated from the conventional electronic drum game apparatus is electronically synthesized sound, not a sound of musical instrument and thus these game apparatus could not be served as an entertainment apparatus for musical education.

[5] The musical instrument, so called drum instrument set, comprises, in general, a snare, base, tomtom, hihat, and cymbal. The tomtom may be further classified into a large tomtom and a small tomtom. Large tomtom is often referred to as a floor tomtom. Small tomtom is composed of two ones. Drum instrument set may further comprises various metallic percussion instruments called symbal, if needed. Also, Korean traditional drums, so called "buk", Japanese or Chinese folk drums may also be added to the composition of the drum instrument set of the present invention. All kinds of drum mentioned in above and metallic percussion instrument, irrespective of both the East and the West genre of drums, can be employed in the drum instrument set of the present invention.

[6] Since the conventional electronic game apparatus used in arcade game room at present, generates computer- synthesized sound, not an actual musical instrumental sound, it cause rather a negative effect on the emotional stability and the improvement of rythmical sense which is a basic object and an essential element of musical education. Therefore, the computer-synthesized sounds generated from the conventional game apparatus has no educational effect on the players. In addition, the operation technique of the electronic drum game apparatus differ greatly from that of actual musical instrument drum set and thereby, even though a person who get mastery

of the operation of electronic drum game apparatus would not become an expert in play of actual acoustic drum. Therefore, no effect on musical education can be expected from the conventional game apparatus. Consequently, the conventional game apparatus cannot function as an educational entertainment apparatus, which is new trend of the latest entertainment market throughout the world.

[7] In addition, the play process of the conventional apparatus varide depending on electric power supply. Since the primary object of the conventional apparatus is not for musical performance, but only for recreational purposes, in the conventional apparatus, the beat which are not used in actual musical performance, are usually employed in order to adjust the degree of the difficulty of game. Therefore, it can not contribute to musical education.

[8] By the way, the conventional drum game apparatus employs a sound sensor to recognize sound generated from beating drum. The beat signal inputted and then used to check the accuracy of drum play by comparison with musical scores. However, it has been a big drawback that the sound sensor often recognizes falsely the sound generated from the beating of the adjacent drum as the sound generated from the very drum to which the sound sensor is attached. There are big difficulties in distinguishing each drum beat in case of high speed beating and in distinguishing drum sound from other sounds in case of being mixed with each other.

[9] The conventional singing guidance machine, so called "KARAOCHE", in general, consists of a voice input unit, a keyboard, an accompaniment memory unit, a monitor for singing, a mixer, a speaker and a control box. The voice input unit has usually one or more microphones and the keyboard may be used attached to the control box or as separated as a form of a remote controller. The accompaniment memory unit stores accompaniments, lyrics and background images, and the mixer is an apparatus to mix accompaniments with lyrics. The mixed audio signals are converted into sounds which are delivered through speakers.

[10] The conventional drum game apparatus having only the function of beating drum among various functions of the educational entertainment apparatus, and thus provide only an educational entertainment effect by playing drum set. Therefore, it could not be possible that the advantage of showing an overall performance composed of playing and songs, and of getting contents which record the overall performance on a portable storage units such as tape, CD, DVD, etc.. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[11] In order to overcome the above problems of the conventional electronic drum game apparatus and problems of the conventional drum edutainment apparatus, the present

inventors have developed a novel drum educational entertainment apparatus which further comprises singing guidance unit and a sensor for the detection of hitting motion to overcome the inaccuracy of the conventional sound sensor had been employed in the conventional apparatus.

[12] Therefore, the basic object of the present invention is to provide a drum educational entertainment apparatus for allowing the player evaluating skills of drum play with accuracy and for preparing an overall performance, and is different from that of the conventional electronic drum game apparatus. Technical Solution

[13] Hereinafter, the appratus for both musical education and entertainment of the present invention is abbreviated to the present drum apparatus, and the present drum apparatus will be described in more detail as described in below Best Mode. The drum apparatus has technical features of comprising a so-called singing guidance unit, and employs various actual instruments so called "buk", and also employs optionally various metallic percussion instruments called cymbal.

[14] The drum apparatus of the present invention which comprises a function of a singing guidance unit and employed a sensor for the detection of beating motion of drum performance, is greatly different from those of the drum edutainment apparatus disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-0334578-0000 and in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2001-0031008, and is characterized in that the apparatus can solve the problems which could not be overcome by the conventional singing guidance machine which employs a conventional sound sensor, and consequently gives advantageous effects which could not be expected by the conventional apparatus.

Advantageous Effects

[15] The present drum apparatus has various effects of allowing the player to acquire the accurate rhythmical sense required in actual music by improving the accuracy of playing drum set, to enjoy an overall performance by being proficient in playing drum and singing, and to enhance a musical education effect. Brief Description of the Drawings

[16] FIG. 1 is the perspective view of the drum educational entertainment apparatus of the present invention.

[17] Descriptions of important parts of the drawing:

[18] 11 : a drum instrument set,

[19] 12 : a sensor for the detection of beating motion,

[20] 13 : a storage unit for musical scores,

[21] 14 : a monitor for a player,

[22] 21 : an input unit for inputting a singing voice,

[23] 23 : a storage unit for storing the information of lyrics and accompaniments,

[24] 24 : a mixer,

[25] 25 : a speaker,

[26] 30 : a control box,

[27] 41 : an accounting unit for accounting coin or paper money inserted thereto.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[28] The drum educational entertainment apparatus of the present invention comprises: a drum instrument set (11) including buk such as snare, base, tomtom and hihat; a storage unit (13) for musical scores for playing said drum instrument set (11); a monitor (14) displaying said musical scores for playing instrument; optionally a sensor for the detection of beating motion of said drum instrument set (11); an input unit (21) for inputting a singing voice for the operation of the function of said singing guidance unit; a storage unit (23) for storing the information of lyrics and accompaniments for the operation of said singing guidance unit; a mixer (24) for mixing audio signals; a speaker (25) for the function of a singing guidance unit; an accounting unit (41) for controlling the apparatus of the present invention; and a control box 30 which controls a sequential operation of each part of the apparatus. Preferably, the drum educational entertainment apparatus of present invention may optionally further comprises a monitor (26) for singer; a keyboard (22) which controls the function of the singing guidance unit; a soundproof housing (42) for shielding sounds; a recording unit (43); and a network interface card (44).

[29] Hereinafter, an apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. However, the drum educational entertainment apparatus explained in below is given only for the explanation of the embodiment of the present invention and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Also, it is noted that a person those skilled in the art could make changes to the present invention without deviationg the scope of the present invention.

[30] FIG. 1 is the perspective view of the drum educational entertainment apparatus of the present invention.

[31] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the apparatus of the present invention comprises: a drum instrument set (11) including buk, cymbal and pedals; a sensor for the detection of motion consisting of light emitting part (12a) and light receiving part (12b) which recognize hitting the drum set (11); a storage unit (13) for musical scores for playing said drum instrument set (11); a monitor (14) for displaying musical scores for playing said drum instrument set (11), lyrics for singing and relevant background images; an input unit (21) consisting of one or more microphones; a keyboard (22) which receives input signals for controlling said control box; a storage unit (23) for storing the data of

lyrics and accompaniments; a mixer (24) for mixing audio signals inputted through said unit (21) with the accompaniments stored in said storage unit (23); a speaker (25) for outputting acoustic signals mixed in said mixer (24); a monitor (26) for displaying lyrics and background images; a control box (30) which controls the data of accompaniments for the performance of said drum instrument set (1) and controls the lyric data for singing; an accounting unit (41) for accounting coin or paper money inserted thereto, which intermits electrical power; a soundproof housing (42) for shielding sounds and accomodation; a recording unit (43) which records musical performances and singing on a portable recorder; and a network interface card (44) which renews the data of said storage unit for musical scores for playing and of said storage unit for storing accompaniments from outside, and transmits signals of playing and singing into outside.

[32] Therefore, the drum educational entertainment apparatus of the present invention essentially comprises a drum set, a storage unit for storing playing instrument, a monitor for playing instrument, a sensor for the detection of motion, an input unit for a singing voice, a storage unit for storing accompaniments, a mixer, a speaker, an accounting unit, and a control box.

[33] The drum instrument set may generally comprises a buk, a changku, a gong, cymbal, tambourine, timpani, western drums and et al. , various types of wooden and metallic percussion instruments. Therefore, the drum instrument set employed in the present invention, comprises various types of percussion instruments such as big drums, small drums, various modified types of drums, metallic tub, wooden tub, and wooden drums of which can generate sound by beating or scratching.

[34] Various kinds of sensors for the detection of motion which have been already commercialized, may be employed in the present invention as a sensor for the detection of beating motion. There is no need for the sensor to have special requirements specifically adapted to the apparatus of the present invention. A person those skilled in the art may adapt a suitable sensor known to the public for the detection of motion as the sensor of the present apparatus.

[35] The keyboard of the present invention functions as a unit for input of information related to an optional facts such as a title of music, a degree of difficulty and a method of playing instrument. In the absence of the keyboard, the control box may be controlled by signals of beating the designated drum included in drum set.

[36] The storage unit of the present invention processes and stores the musical scores for drum together with relevant information. The storage unit for accompaniments also precesses and stores lyrics, background images and accompaniment. Backgorund images may include images related to music, performance images of a singer and etc..

[37] The data of musical scores can be stored in the internal storage device as the storage

unit of the present invention, or can be also provided by portable storage device, or can by network transmittion from outside. The data of accompaniments for singing can also be provided by the same methods.

[38] The accounting unit of the present invention may be mounted inside or outside the drum educational entertainment apparatus as like the conventional drum game apparatus, in consideration of the space required for installation. The accounting unit is connected to the interior lighting inside the drum room, and the power switch of the control box and the monitor, therefore controlling the start or end of operation the apparatus.

[39] The accounting unit of the present invention is composed of a slot for inserting money and paper money, and change slot. It functions as a calculator and storage of received money. Also, the accounting unit may be composed of a slot for inserting card instead of cash. The money insert unit of the present invention functions alike and same or similar with those of the conventional comptometer which, therefore, may be used as the accounting unit of the present invention.

[40] The monitor for singing of the present invention displays musical scores needed for singing and background images. Besides the images recorded in the storage unit for the accompaniments, some images of actual performance may be used as a background images, and are not limited depending on the contents of image. Also, if there is no sufficient space to accomodate other units, the monitor for playing can be used as a monitor for singing.

[41] The drum educational entertainment apparatus of present invention may optionally comprises a soundproof housing for shielding sounds, if the apparatus is set up where it is necessary to shield sound or to utilize the space for other purposes. An entrance door may be installed at the wall of the soundproof housing and may be controlled by the account unit.

[42] The control box of the present invention performs mainly the function of evaluating the accuracy of drum play by comparing the data stored in the storage unit with the data of playing inputted through the sensor for the detection of beat motion, and can perform the function of evaluating the quality of singing comparing the voice delivered from the input unit for a singing voice with the data for accompaniments stored in the storage unit for the accompaniments separately or simultaneously.

[43] The control box of the present invention comprises the central processing unit wherein the computer program controls the function of the storage unit such as the storage unit for playing and the storage unit for accompaniments; the input unit such as the sensor for the detection of motion, the keyboard and the input unit for a singing voice; and the output unit such as the monitor for playing, the monitor for singing, the mixer and the speaker.

[44] The control box of the present invention is an adaptation of the conventional singing machine, so called "KARAOCHE" instrument. A person skilled in the art can, if necessary, operate the control box to adjust, the melody sound's octave, tone, and beat. Therefore, the said control box of the KARAOCHE can also be used as the control box of the present invention.

[45] The storage unit of the apparatus of the present invention functions as a recorder for recording sounds and images of playing and singing on a tape, CD and DVD.

[46] The drum educational entertainment apparatus may further comprises a network interface card which can renews the data of said storage unit for musical scores for playing and of said storage unit for storing accompaniments, and transmits signals of playing and singing into outside. It enables the player to view the performance in real time from outside, and also enables the apparatus to receive the newly manufactured or renewed data for playing and singing. Industrial Applicability

[47] The present invention relates to an educational entertainment apparatus including a singing guidance unit, and comprises drum instrument set comprising snare, base, tomtom and hihat; a storage unit for musical scores for playing said drum instrument set; a monitor for displaying musical scores; a sensor for the detection of the beating motion of said drum instrument set; an input unit for inputting a singing voice for the operation of the function of said singing guidance unit; a storage unit for storing the information of lyrics and accompaniments for the operation of said singing guidance unit; a mixer for mixing sound sources; a speaker for the operation of said singing guidance unit; an accounting unit which accounts coin or paper money inserted thereto; a control box; a monitor for singing; a keyboard for inputing signals for the operation of said singing guidance unit; a soundproof housing for shielding sounds; a recording unit; and network interface card. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an music educational entertainment apparatus for allowing players to play drum instrument set according to the accompaniments displayed on the monitor for playing, to become proficient in playing based on the evaluation of the accuracy and proficiency of playing improved by means of the function of the sensor for the detection of motion, and to sing a song according to the accompaniments and lyrics through the input unit for inputting a singing voice.