Abstract:
The visual metronome provides an effective visual tempo signal that is easily discerned by a user without being dominating or harmful. Preferably a user will position the metronome to one side of the center of his expected line of site. The metronome visible within a user&#39;s peripheral vision uses an inversing dominant pattern producing two visual states. Each visual state is maintained for one beat of the beat per minute rate set by a user. Each visual state includes a light region and a dark region of similar size and a preferred dominant pattern includes a four region checkerboard pattern.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/609,231, filed Sep. 13, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to metronomes and in particular, relates to a metronome having a visual display of the tempo that is easily recognized. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Metronomes have been commonly used to assist musicians in developing skills with respect to timing and rhythm and are used to assist in coordinating a group of musicians to stay in time. In many musical groups it is the drummer who sets the beat and the remaining members of the group merely follow the set beat. 
   Metronomes can be generally divided into visual and audible metronomes and in most cases the metronome is capable of operating in either or both of these modes. The most common metronome for a drummer to use includes a loud “click tone” (also called a “click track”) such as a cowbell transmitted into an earpiece at a high, potentially dangerous decibel level. This on/off audible sound accurately transmits a set tempo but the sound level must be quite high to distinguish over the sound level of the band. 
   There are two common problems with the traditional “click track”: Firstly, many musicians find themselves needing to turn the volume up very loud in order to hear the click consistently, which opens up the possibility for hearing damage. Secondly, it can be disconcerting—particularly for drummers—that when playing in perfect synchronicity, the click tone can seem to disappear and be difficult to pinpoint. 
   There are a number of visual based metronomes which vary from a pulsing LED which is turned on and off in time with the tempo, to more sophisticated visual displays which attempt to impart significantly more information than merely the tempo. For example, a progressing graph is used to display an upbeat and a downbeat, and to also provide a visual representation of the time interval remaining before the next beat. These prior art visual display metronomes have not proven as effective in communicating the tempo information to the user without a relatively high level of concentration. 
   A predominantly visual metronome offers some key advantages. Firstly, the musician can concentrate on the music being produced without audible interference from the metronome. Secondly, there is no decrease in perception of the tempo when a musician is playing along in perfect synchronicity (unlike the audible click track which can “disappear” when the musician is playing in perfect time). Lastly, the musician has greater flexibility in that he or she can effectively receive tempo information only when desired. For example, the musician can look away from or willfully ignore the visual signal, effectively using it on as-needed basis. In contrast it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to willfully ignore an audio based metronome. 
   The present invention provides an improved visual metronome that transmits the tempo information in an accurate and effective manner. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A device for producing a visual tempo according to the present invention comprises means for selecting a specific tempo, a tempo display having at least two visual states with each visual state having at least three distinct regions, and the visual states changing as a function of the specific tempo. The regions cooperate whereby a change from one visual state to a different visual state causes a distinct visual change in at least 40% of the tempo display. 
   According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the location and size of the regions of each visual state are generally the same. 
   In yet a further aspect of the invention, at least two of the regions change visual color during each visual state change. 
   A device for producing a visual tempo in a different aspect of the invention comprises means for selecting a specific tempo, a tempo display, and means for producing two visual states where each visual state has a similar dominant pattern. The dominant pattern has four regions positioned about a center point such that each region is adjacent two other regions and each region is visually distinct from adjacent regions. The visual states are alternately displayed on the tempo display in accordance with the specific tempo, and each region of the dominant pattern visually changes with each change in visual state. 
   According to an aspect of the invention, the dominant pattern in the visual states are inversely related. 
   In yet a further aspect of the invention, the four regions are spaced about an origin having orthogonal axis defining four quadrants, and each region is positioned in one of the quadrants. 
   In yet a further aspect of the invention, each region generally corresponds to a quadrant of the tempo display. 
   In yet a further aspect of the invention, each visual state is displayed for one beat of the tempo. Preferably the tempo display is at least five square centimeters in size. 
   In a different aspect of the invention, the device for setting the tempo comprises means for inputting a desired tempo, a display arrangement for alternately displaying a dominant pattern having at least three regions, and at least two of the regions change visual state with each beat of the tempo. The regions of the dominant pattern are radially positioned about a center point. 
   In a preferred aspect of this device, the regions are located about the center point and cooperate such that each change in visual state produces a change in at least two quadrants defined by orthogonal axis through the center point. 
   In a preferred aspect of the invention, the visual state of the regions alternate and invert across two axis through the center point. Preferably the dominant pattern is a checker board pattern. 
   The visual states in the alternating check board pattern are found to be passively jarring to a user. The alternating displays are quite effective in transferring tempo information without significant concentration. It has been found that the device may be placed such that the visual display is positioned in what would normally be the user&#39;s peripheral vision and the alternating dominant pattern passively provides an excellent reference of the particular tempo. This transferred information is accommodated in a manner allowing the user to effectively turn if off by merely looking away from the display. The user can also look directly at the display when he is initially trying to set the tempo. The alternating visual display in a user&#39;s peripheral vision allows communication of the tempo without overloading of this sensory input. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of the device for producing a visual tempo; 
       FIG. 2  is a left end view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a rear view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the invention where the metronome is provided as part of a PDA device; 
       FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  with an alternate dominant pattern shown; 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate the two states of an alternate tempo display screen that can be used; 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  show the two states of the preferred dominant pattern and 
       FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15  show an alternate dominant pattern. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The metronome  2  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5  includes a relatively large tempo display  4  which is divided into regions  6 ,  7 ,  8  and  9  to form the dominant pattern indicated as  10 . In the dominant pattern, the regions on opposite sides of the vertical axis are inversely related and the regions on either side of the horizontal axis are inversely related. Preferably this white and black checkerboard pattern is alternated with each beat. This is basically shown in the two visual states shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  and  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
   The metronome  2  includes a secondary display  12  which includes an indication of the user-set beats per minute at item  14  as well as a song, name or other alphanumeric description provided at  16 . Also, the secondary display  12  preferably includes a battery level indicator  18 . 
   A user control  22  is provided and allows the user to access a menu to change various items of the tempo display  4  and/or the secondary display  12 . This control allows the user to vary the tempo indicated as beats per minute  14  which is currently shown as a 120 beats per minute. The user can program the device to have a number of preset beats per minute and these can be associated with a song list if desired. For example, it is often valuable for a person in a band to use the metronome and have an indication of the actual beats per minute of the particular song as well as the title of the song. All of these can be displayed on the secondary display  12  or part of a larger display such as on the PDA device shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
   The metronome  2  also includes a selector switch  28  which turns the device on and off and also allows the device to be used solely in a visual mode indicated as the mute switch position  28 . A combination audio and visual position is provided by the ON position of switch  28  and the device is turned OFF by moving the switch to the OFF position. It is also possible to have this switch merely provide a pure audio position or different visual positions. The circuitry provided in the device allows outputting of an audio signal such as a drum beat signal, cowbell signal or other appropriate signal, and a speaker is provided behind the ports  24  to transmit the audible signal. 
   The bottom view of  FIG. 4  shows a suitable stand connector  32  for securing the device to a music stand or support in close proximity to a musician. In addition, there is a DC charger connection  34  to allow recharging of the batteries of the device. Replaceable batteries can be provided behind the battery cover  38 . The device preferably includes a MIDI IN connector  40  to allow synchronized connection with other equipment. This is particularly helpful for musicians in a band where there may be a primary device which is effectively controlling other devices and it can control the visual display of the metronome through the MIDI IN connector  40 . This feature can be used by a band member or sound engineer to ensure synchronization with synthesizers and digital recording equipment. Two or more metronomes can be connected to the same master timekeeping device. 
   The tempo display  4  is preferably at least 50 mm by 50 mm and is typically less than 160 mm by 160 mm. The display is capable of displaying the two highly contrasting visual states as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . These are preferably black and white and the visual states are preferably held for the duration of each beat. On the next beat, the visual states alternate and it can be seen that the color of the dominant pattern alternates across both the vertical axis of the tempo display as well as the horizontal axis of the tempo display. This particular combination is easily recognized in a user&#39;s peripheral vision and has been found to effectively transfer the tempo information without interrupting the user. 
   Preferably the tempo display is a bright, high contrast matrix display such as that found on the Palm III™ PDA, Palm Tungsten™ C PDA, or other similar devices. The device includes at least two different visual states indicated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  having the dominant pattern defined by the checkerboard pattern. These visual states of the dominant pattern are also shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
   In  FIGS. 6 and 7  a secondary pattern including a representation of a drummer  11  and drum set up, is shown superimposed on the dominant pattern  10 . In this embodiment, the secondary pattern also alternates as a function of the tempo. Even with the secondary pattern superimposed on the dominant pattern, the collective effect is still achieved and the visual transfer of the tempo information is effectively communicated to the user. The black and white pattern is preferred but other color combinations can be used. 
   In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the metronome is shown as part of a generic PDA device  50 . It is preferred that a separate dedicated metronome be provided such as the device shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 , however, it is possible to use the relatively large display of a PDA type device and appropriately program the device to act as previously described. Preferably, a set list  19  is provided to assist the musician. In these alternate embodiments, it can be seen that the tempo display can also include additional information on the dominant pattern while still allowing the dominant pattern to transfer the tempo information. For example, in  FIG. 6 , the bass drum is divided into white and black regions which are reversed, relative to  FIG. 7 . In addition,  FIG. 6  includes the inset square  17  that is not present in  FIG. 7 . This arrangement further communicates the tempo information by effectively providing an ON/OFF signal. 
   With the embodiments in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a separate arrangement can be provided for mounting of the PDA device in a suitable manner for a musician. It is desired that the metronome be placed in an appropriate location for the particular musician such as a drummer, and typically, this will be offset from his normal center of vision while still being recognizable in his peripheral vision. It has been found that this device when used on a display screen of a size generally corresponding with a PDA device, that the device need not be that close to a user and can be at least several meters away. As can be appreciated the distinction between PDA devices, MP3 Players and cell phones continues to diminish and the relatively large display of any personal electronics device could be used in this manner. 
   The alternating dominant display produces an easily recognized visual movement on the screen that is discernable in the user&#39;s peripheral vision. The preferred images alternate in an inverse fashion and the patterns desirably cover most of the high contrast display area. 
   With the metronome set at 60 beats per minute, and with the metronome set by default to change visual and/or audible state with each beat, the display area would display the image in  FIG. 1  followed one second later by the inverse of this image. One second later the original image of  FIG. 1  would be displayed. 
   The user control  22  allows the user to enter a tempo into the metronome and be displayed on the secondary display  12 . In the dedicated device, the user control  22  includes effectively five ON/OFF control switches with each switch associated with one of the items identified as “menu”, the item identified by the “+” sign, the item identified by “enter”, the item identified by the “−” sign as well as the triangle central switch. Other arrangements are possible but this provides a simple interface for controlling of the dedicated metronome. 
   In the alternate embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , on-screen controls and various control actuators  31  can be used for adjusting the display and entering of the required information. The alternating dominant patterns  10  are shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate a variation of the dominant pattern. In this case, the dominant patterns  10   a  and  10   b  (the reverse of  10 A) are shown with a black background with diagonally opposed alternating squares  15  defined by a grid of white dots. This pattern may be more easily produced in some devices. 
   The alternate dominant pattern of  FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15  includes the pattern  100  in  FIGS. 12 and 13  which are reverse visual states. The pattern  100  includes three diamond regions  102 ,  104  and  106  that reverse color between  FIGS. 12 and 13 .  FIGS. 14 and 15  use pattern  108  having diamond regions  110 ,  112  and  114 . In contrast to pattern  100 , pattern  108  has the center region  112  behind superimposed regions  110  and  114 . Each pattern  100  and  102  change visual states and essentially 4 visual states are shown. Adjacent regions change color with each division of the tempo. This arrangement is useful in providing a 4 beat repeating sequence for example. 
   It is also desirable to be able to store a list of tempos related to musical pieces associated with a given performance, often referred to as a set list. It is then desirable to allow the user to progress through the set list in a simplified manner. With the arrangement as shown in  FIG. 1 , the set list can include various titles which will be displayed at item  16  as well as the various tempos displayed at  14 . The user can progress from one song to the next song by pressing the “+” indicator on the control switch  22 . Tempo can also be changed at any time whenever an external device is plugged into the MIDI IN connector  40 . 
   Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.