US008586849B1
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Smith
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`(54) MEDIA SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
`PROGRESSIVE INSTRUCTION IN THE
`PLAYING OF A GUITAR BASED ON USER
`PROFICIENCY
`
`(76) Inventor: L. Gabriel Smith, Nashville, TN (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) App1.N0.: 13/553,310
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 19, 2012
`
`4/2001 Tohgi et a1.
`6,211,451 B1
`5/2001 Toyama et a1.
`6,225,547 B1
`5/2002 Yoshitomi et al.
`6,390,923 B1
`6/2002 Suzuki et a1.
`6,410,835 B2
`6,476,304 B2 11/2002 Uehara
`6,486,388 B2 11/2002 Akahori
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`1465150
`9858364
`0195052
`2006042358
`
`6/2004
`12/1998
`12/2001
`4/2006
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 13/351,345, ?led on
`Jan. 17, 2012, noW Pat. No. 8,481,838, Which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/902,577, ?led on
`Oct. 12, 2010, noW Pat. No. 8,119,896.
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/360,002, ?led on Jun.
`30, 2010.
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`A63H 5/00
`G04B 13/00
`G10H 7/00
`(52) US. Cl.
`USPC ........................ .. 84/609; 84/470 R; 84/477 R
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search
`USPC ................................... .. 84/470 R, 609, 477 R
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7/1996 Kennedy
`5,533,903 A
`5,585,583 A 12/1996 Owen
`5,690,496 A 11/1997 Kennedy
`5,990,405 A 11/1999 Auten et al.
`6,066,791 A
`5/2000 Renard et al.
`6,156,965 A 12/2000 Shinsky
`
`Webpage: http://marketplace.XboX.com/en-US/Product/Karaoke
`Rev0luti0n/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8024b4e0803, dated Aug.
`27, 2012 (3 pages).
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner * Jeffrey Donels
`(74) Attorney, A gent, or Firm * Waddey Patterson; Gary L.
`Montle
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method is provided for progressive guitar instruction using
`a media system With processor-executable software modules
`storing songs each having a plurality of segments. Initially,
`segments of a selected song are de?ned as host or user seg
`ments. Signals are generated Which effectively simulate
`sounds for at least a guitar associated With the selected song,
`and for each of the de?ned user segments signals are further
`generated to visually demonstrate a preferred user operation
`of a guitar for that song. Graphical representations are gen
`erated on a display of strings to be pressed and associated frets
`for proper playing of notes and chords for each user segment.
`A pro?ciency level of the user is then identi?ed, and a number
`of user and host segments determined for a successive itera
`tion of the performance based on at least the identi?ed pro?
`ciency level of the user.
`
`20 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`100?1
`
`Provide Media System
`
`Receive User lnlonnation
`RE: Preferences and Pro?ciency
`
`Generate Sounds and
`Display Signals in First Mode
`
`Generate Sound and Display
`in Second Mode
`
`106
`
`1011
`
`Demonstmte Proper Methods 1
`For Playing Instrument
`During Second Mode
`
`Repeat Previous
`Allocation of User and
`Host Segments?
`
`Increase User
`6:9»
`and
`Decrease Host
`Segments
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 1
`
`

`

`US 8,586,849 B1
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,495,747
`6,515,211
`6,541,692
`6,835,887
`6,850,252
`6,969,797
`7,019,205
`7,030,311
`7,164,076
`7,174,510
`7,288,712
`7,521,619
`7,758,427
`7,799,984
`7,806,759
`7,923,620
`7,935,880
`7,982,114
`8,026,435
`8,076,564
`8,079,901
`8,079,907
`2001/0039870
`2001/0045153
`2004/0055441
`
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B1
`B2
`B1
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`A1
`A1
`A1
`
`12/2002
`2/2003
`4/2003
`12/2004
`2/2005
`11/2005
`3/2006
`4/2006
`1/2007
`2/2007
`10/2007
`4/2009
`7/2010
`9/2010
`10/2010
`4/2011
`5/2011
`7/2011
`9/2011
`12/2011
`12/2011
`12/2011
`11/2001
`11/2001
`3/2004
`
`Shimaya et a1.
`UmeZaWa et a1.
`Miller
`Devecka
`Ho?berg
`Brinkman et a1.
`Fujisawa et a1.
`Brinkman et a1.
`McHale et a1.
`Salter
`Uehara
`Salter
`EgoZy
`Salter
`McHale et a1.
`Fo ster
`Stoddard et a1.
`Applewhite et a1.
`Stoddard et a1.
`Applewhite
`Brosius et a1.
`EgoZy
`Shimaya et a1.
`Alexander et a1.
`Katsuta
`
`2005/0252362 A1 11/2005 McHale et al.
`2006/0107819 A1
`5/2006 Salter
`2006/0107826 A1
`5/2006 Knapp et a1.
`2006/0196343 A1
`9/2006 Yung
`2007/ 0066403 A1
`3/2007 Conkwright
`2007/0163427 A1
`7/2007 Rigopulos et a1.
`2007/0245881 A1 10/2007 EgoZy et al.
`2007/0256540 A1 11/2007 Salter
`2007/0256541 A1 11/2007 McCauley
`2007/0256543 A1 11/2007 Evans et a1.
`2007/0256551 A1 11/2007 Knapp et a1.
`2008/0078281 A1
`4/2008 Katsuta
`2008/0113797 A1
`5/2008 EgoZy
`2008/0200224 A1
`8/2008 Parks
`2009/ 0038467 A1
`2/2009 Brennan
`2009/0064851 A1
`3/2009 Morris et a1.
`2011/0207513 A1
`8/2011 Cross et a1.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`http://Web.archive.org/Web/20070809101756/http://
`Webpage:
`wwwstarplayrnusic.corn/indexphp, dated Aug. 9, 2007 (3 pages).
`Webpage:
`http://Web.archive.org/Web/20070920223307/http://
`WWW.seventhstring.com/truner/tunerhtrnl, dated Sep. 20, 2007 (5
`pages).
`Webpage: http://Web.archive.org/Web/20070928013629/http:/WWW.
`ultrastarstuff.corr1/dated Sep. 27, 2007 (2 pages).
`Webpage:
`http://Web.archiveorg/20070929061546/http://WWW.
`noteworthysoftwarecom, dated Sep. 29, 2007 (2 pages).
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`10
`21
`
`Display
`
`J“
`_/20
`
`FIG. 1
`
`]4\_ Processor
`léj
`
`J“
`
`_/20
`
`Display
`
`12
`22
`N 7
`Program
`Modules
`
`FIG. 2 16\
`
`\
`14 \ Processor
`
`22\ frz
`\
`I
`\
`Program
`Modules
`
`MK
`
`Display
`
`_/-20
`
`FIG. 3
`
`]4\
`\ Processor
`
`22\ [12
`Program
`Modules
`
`\
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`Display
`
`l4\\ Processor
`
`FIG. 4
`
`1a
`
`Data Storage
`Modules
`
`Audio Control
`Modules
`
`User Data Receiving
`Modules
`
`Mode Control
`Modules
`
`Display Control
`Modules
`
`Proficiency Sensing
`Modules
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 3 0f 12
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`32\\
`
`»
`SET g
`
`3L
`
`30X
`
`36
`\ E::IIIIIIIIII]
`FIG. 6a
`
`32\
`SET “1”
`
`34K
`36\
`
`32\
`SET 2”
`
`31
`36k
`
`FIG. 6b
`
`FIG. 60
`
`32\
`
`34K F ------------------------- ":
`
`SET “N”
`
`36 """""""""""""""" "
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 4 0f 12
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`\ Visual Real-Time
`Images (Presentation)
`
`40
`
`.
`
`\ Graph|ca| Representatlon
`(Instruction)
`
`.
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 5 0f 12
`Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 7
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 6 0f 12
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`42b
`
`42a
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 7 0f 12
`Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`44
`
`_ /1
`\
`\
`!\8»/41‘ -\-\-\-l-\-l
`='=—'=="—'=—T:E1=1=I1=='E=———
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 9
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 8 0f 12
`Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`
`
`-\-1-1-_—_—11=1=1=I\
`1-1-1—1—1— _1_1—1
`\
`“lulu-willIlmllm=1=1|filq1=1|rfl=}:=I}=}I=I1.g=1=l-:
`.
`'IHEIVIIEflIMJ-Mll-|-\Lll\-\-\LII\-\L-I-\L-I\-\l-I\I.I\_I
`:IIm-\-\-\-\- -I-\-\-\-\-\-\- -\-\—\—__-\—I
`
`'
`
`44
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 10
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 10
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 9 0f 12
`Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`I
`
`l1-I-1I-1-1-1-1-1v v-1-1_—1—1—1
`I1lll1ll1-1-1-1-1l911-1r-1-- —‘=‘=‘=‘=
`""""":1:11:1f::1=1=1.r::1=;=1.r::=1E1E1Eii=ia==i=i=i
`q
`u
`9 -
`‘ 1LII-1LII1-1L-I1-1L-I1-1_I
`:HHHEWfiHEE=1=1=1=1=1=1=3=!
`-_iT-1-1- ;;::::r V1_1-1_1—1—1——
`II‘m-1.I1-1-l-1-IZ1Q1-1-1-1-
`‘—‘=‘==‘="-
`4:111:11::1’::1:If:!‘E:=11::1=1=1E:1=1EE1:=:1=1:=:=i=ifi
`.wmwlm-1LII1-1LII1-1L-I1-1l-I—1—I~
`
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`
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`
`FIG. 12
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 11
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 11
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 10 0f 12
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`A.
`
`,1
`___; ___
`5
`I1I1lIl1l1l1-1-1-1-1uw-1-1-1-—
`1I1Fl|1I|FlI1I1FlI1I1rll1-1-1FII1V'A1-1rll1-r-l1=1=:=1==1=1=1_«
`1I1|I|1I||II1I1III1l1III1-1H:Ill1u1-1III1- I-I1-1I-I -——1I-l11I-_--I
`1I1L'J1'|L'J‘I‘Llj1-1lll1fl1fi1fd11-1-1LII1-I!I1-1L-I-1L-I1-1_II—-_-
`!1I1I1IIl1l1l1-1-1H1-15g15315151: =:-:——:—:—:—1
`v ‘
`.1-1-1-1-1-1-l-I-1-I-17 V
`——
`"
`:1I1l1l1-1I1-I-I-1-Iz:Q:=:=:=I-1—:= =1=1=1=1=I£I
`1I1Fl|1I1flI1I1rll|I|rII1VAI-1rll1-1-1rlll-1TII1-I-I1-1I-I1_1—I
`<I1I1IIHI:III:l1IIIIlIIlI1-I-1III1-1-1IIII-m-m— I-I1_1l-l1—1—I‘
`'
`1l-I1-1_|
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`
`FIG. 13
`FIG. 13
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 12
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 12
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 11 0f 12
`Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`,4;
`
`1.1-1-I-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-__\—\—1_\—\—1—— 5
`1I1I1lll1l1l1-1-1-1-1-
`- - —— — ———‘.=
`1:11::1::1:1:1.11=1.r:1=1=1r:1iE11::1=1.r=:1=1:=:1=1:=:=1=:_-_
`----
`HIM.ILIJ1I1lll1-1IEI1-1-1LII1--1L.I1-1L.I_1I_-I1'—‘1E=1=lI---
`.1-1-1-1-1-1-1-I-1-I-1-
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`
`FIG. 14
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 13
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`1001
`
`Provide Midia System
`Receive User Information
`RE: Preferences and Proficiency
`
`r
`
`>
`r
`
`102
`104
`
`1.
`
`It
`
`Generate Sounds and
`Display Signals in First Mode
`1
`Generate Sound and Display
`in Second Mode
`i
`
`)0
`
`10
`
`Demonstrate Proper Methods J10
`For Playing instrument
`During Second Mode
`
`112
`
`Song
`Complete?
`
`It
`
`“4
`
`Repeat Previous
`Allocation of User and
`
`ll6\
`
`increase User
`Segments
`and
`Q19»
`Decrease Host
`Segments
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 14
`
`

`

`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`1
`MEDIA SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
`PROGRESSIVE INSTRUCTION IN THE
`PLAYING OF A GUITAR BASED ON USER
`PROFICIENCY
`
`A portion of the disclosure of this patent document con
`tains material that is subject to copyright protection. The
`copyright oWner has no objection to the reproduction of the
`patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
`US. Patent and Trademark Of?ce patent ?le or records, but
`otherWise reserves all copyright rights Whatsoever.
`
`CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of US. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 13/351,345, ?led Jan. 17, 2012, Which is a
`continuation of US. patent application Ser. No. 12/ 902,577,
`?led Oct. 12, 2010, now US. Pat. No. 8,119,896, and further
`claims bene?t of US. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
`61/360,002, ?led Jun. 30, 2010, Which is hereby incorporated
`by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to systems and
`methods of musical instruction. More particularly, the present
`invention relates to media systems and methods for generat
`ing progressive and iterative musical instruction on the play
`ing of a guitar in a predetermined musical performance.
`Many present methods of musical instruction have a num
`ber of inherent disadvantages, particularly for users Who have
`little experience reading music or those of a young age Who
`are more familiar With the interface and generally the pacing
`of modern technology and gaming systems. Musical instruc
`tion can be dif?cult and presents a high learning curve. Where
`the format is not su?iciently enjoyable or requires an inordi
`nate amount of effort before positive feedback is acquired, the
`user may become discouraged from continuing to practice
`and acquire proper techniques.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`40
`
`A progressive musical instruction method is provided in
`accordance various embodiments of the present invention,
`Whereby a user learns to play a guitar by playing a gradually
`increasing number of segments (e. g., notes or chords) Within
`a musical performance, as provided by the system in accor
`dance With a determined user pro?ciency.
`In an aspect of the system and method, a user may be
`presented With increasingly di?icult levels rather than being
`forced to learn all of the notes or chords of a song before
`playing it all the Way through.
`In certain embodiments the method may include animated
`musical notation, Wherein graphical representations of the
`playing area for the musical instrument being learned appear
`rhythmically and corresponding to the music to be played.
`Using the example of a guitar, a series of diagrams may be
`used to present the note or chord to be played as a fret board
`With graphical indications of Which strings are to be pressed,
`and on Which frets, in order to properly play the desired note
`or chord. The system and method may further indicate to the
`user Which notes or chords are about to be played.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram shoWing an embodiment of a
`media system as disclosed herein.
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram shoWing another embodiment of
`a media system as disclosed herein.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram shoWing another embodiment of
`a media system as disclosed herein.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram shoWing another embodiment of
`a media system as disclosed herein.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram shoWing an embodiment of
`various program modules residing in a processor-readable
`memory medium as disclosed herein.
`FIGS. 6a-6d are graphical representations shoWing various
`sets and operating modes associated With a predetermined
`musical performance in accordance With various embodi
`ments of a media system as disclosed herein.
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram shoWing display portions of a
`display device in accordance With various embodiments of a
`media system as disclosed herein.
`FIGS. 8-14 are modi?ed screen shots shoWing images gen
`erated on a display monitor in accordance With an embodi
`ment of a media system and method as disclosed herein.
`FIG. 15 is a ?owchart shoWing an embodiment of a method
`of operation associated With various media systems as dis
`closed herein.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`Throughout the speci?cation and claims, the folloWing
`terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein,
`unless the context dictates otherWise. The meanings identi
`?ed beloW do not necessarily limit the terms, but merely
`provide illustrative examples for the terms. The meaning of
`“a,” “an,” and “the” may include plural references, and the
`meaning of “in” may include “in” and “on.” The phrase “in
`one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarily refer to
`the same embodiment, although it may.
`supplying,”
`Terms such as “providing,” “processing,
`“determining,” “calculating” or the like may refer at least to
`an action of a computer system, computer program, signal
`processor, logic or alternative analog or digital electronic
`device that may be transforrnative of signals represented as
`physical quantities, Whether automatically or manually initi
`ated.
`The terms “data storage media” and “processor-readable
`memory media” as used interchangeably herein, and having
`processor-executable softWare, instructions or program mod
`ules for implementing subject matter as further de?ned
`herein, may refer in an equivalent manner to volatile and
`non-volatile, removable and non-removable media including
`at least application speci?c integrated circuits (ASIC), chip
`memory devices, disk memory devices, ?ash memory
`devices, or any other medium Which may be used to stored
`data in a processor-accessible manner, and may unless other
`Wise stated either reside on a single computing platform or be
`distributed across a plurality of such platforms.
`The term “processor” as used herein may refer to at least
`general-purpose or speci?c-purpose processing devices and/
`or logic as may be understood by one of skill in the art,
`including but not limited to central processors, parent proces
`sors, graphical processors, media processors, and the like.
`Referring generally to FIGS. 1-15, various embodiments
`of a media system and method for progressive musical
`instruction may be further described herein. Brie?y stated, a
`media system in accordance With the present disclosure
`instructs a user With regards to one or more portions of a
`predetermined musical performance, and plays the remaining
`portions of the performance. The portions of the performance
`Which are required of the user may be increased in length for
`example With successive iterations of the performance, or in
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 15
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`

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`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`3
`accordance With successive pro?ciency levels. The user may
`be instructed With regards to a single predetermined musical
`instrument, or one of various instruments associated With a
`predetermined musical performance and selected by the user,
`including but not limited to a guitar, bass guitar, keyboard,
`piano, etc.
`Where the various ?gures may describe embodiments shar
`ing various common elements and features With other
`embodiments, similar elements and features are given the
`same reference numerals and redundant description thereof
`may be omitted beloW.
`Referring ?rst to FIGS. 1-4, various embodiments of media
`systems 10 as disclosed herein include a processor-readable
`memory medium 12 or various memory media 12 having a
`computer program module 22 With processor readable
`instructions embodied therein. The memory medium 12 may
`generally be effective to store data accessible to a processor
`14 to Which the memory medium 12 may be operatively
`linked. The program module 22 may in various embodiments
`include or otherWise be de?ned as any number of combina
`tions of processor-readable instruction modules (de?ned in
`FIG. 5 Without limitation as a data storage module 2211, an
`audio control module 22b, a user data receiving module 220,
`a mode control module 22d, a display control module 22e,
`and a user pro?ciency sensing module 22]) Which perform the
`functions, and a person having ordinary skill in the art of
`softWare programming Would conceive of numerous struc
`tural means for producing the same executable results. When
`the memory medium 12 is operatively coupled to a processor
`14 the instructions may be executed by the processor 14 to
`perform various functions as further recited herein.
`In an embodiment as shoWn in FIG. 1, a media system 10
`includes the memory medium 12 in a modular form Which
`may for example be portable or otherWise removable for
`operative coupling to various computing or gaming devices
`16 having a processor 14 effective to execute the instructions
`22. A display device 18 having a display monitor 20 may
`further be coupled to the media system 10 in the embodiment
`shoWn, or alternatively a single gaming device 16 may
`include both of the processor 14 and display monitor 20
`Within a common housing.
`In an embodiment as shoWn in FIG. 2, a media system 10
`includes a common housing 16 for each of the processor 14
`and the memory medium 12. The system 10 may be portable
`or otherWise removable for coupling to various display
`devices 18 having a display monitor 20 compatible With the
`media system 10 output signals.
`In an embodiment as shoWn in FIG. 3, a media system 10
`includes each of the memory medium 12, the processor 14
`and the display monitor 20 in a common housing 16 such as
`for example a portable internet device having su?icient com
`puting poWer and display resolution to be compatible With the
`functions of the system 10.
`In an embodiment as shoWn in FIG. 4, a media system 10
`further includes an input connector 26 Which in combination
`With softWare (e.g., a user data input module 220) may be
`arranged to receive signals from a musical instrument 24 to be
`played by a user. The received signals may be processed using
`softWare (e. g., a user pro?ciency sensing module 22]’) by the
`system 10 in comparison With expected signals for corre
`sponding segments of previous iterations of the musical per
`formance for determining user pro?ciency. Circuitry and
`softWare for such signal reception and processing is presently
`knoWn to those of skill in the art, and as particular structure
`for performing the same is not required for the media system
`10 of the present invention further description herein may be
`omitted.
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`Referring to FIGS. 6a-6d, the memory medium 12 of the
`system 10 may include a processor-accessible database (such
`as for example but Without limitation using a data storage
`program module 2211 as shoWn in FIG. 5) upon Which one or
`more musical performances 28 or songs 28 may be stored. In
`various embodiments each musical performance 28 may be
`broken up into a plurality of segments 30, each segment 30
`including a portion of the musical performance such as a
`series of notes, chords and the like. Certain of the segments 30
`may be de?ned as host segments 34 and the remainder of the
`segments de?ned as user segments 36, Wherein a particular
`set 32 of host and user segments 34, 36 may be de?ned With
`respect to all segments 30 in a given performance 28. In set
`“0” as shoWn in FIG. 6a, all of the segments 30 are initially
`de?ned as host segments 34, such that the entire song Would
`be played by the media system 10 (or “host” system 10) using
`this set 32. In sets “1,” “2,” “n” as shoWn in FIGS. 6b, 6c, 6d,
`respectively, segments 30 are added incrementally to the roW
`of user segments 36 until in set “n” all of the segments 30 are
`noW user segments 36 and the entire song Would be played by
`the user When this set is utiliZed.
`In an embodiment, a plurality of sets 32 may be stored in
`the system 10 With respect to the musical performance 28.
`The plurality of sets 32 may include a single set 32 With
`regards to each of a plurality of musical instruments associ
`ated With the performance 28, a plurality of sets 32 With
`regards to a single musical instrument associated With the
`performance 28, or a plurality of sets 32 With regards to each
`of a plurality of instruments associated With the performance
`28.
`It may generally be understood that the segments may not
`be equivalent from instrument to instrument, and may not be
`of equivalent lengths Within a set for the same instrument.
`An initial set 32 for use in a particular session may be made
`selectable by a user, may be predetermined as stored Within
`the system 10, or alternatively may be determined by the
`system 10 in accordance With various criteria. Examples of
`the criteria to be used may include any or all of the folloWing
`Without limitation: the dif?culty of the segments, the pro?
`ciency level of the user (as selected by the user or as deter
`mined by the system), the type of musical instrument and the
`distinctiveness of the segments. For example, the user seg
`ments in an initial set or iteration to be played Would generally
`be determined With respect to a relatively loW dif?culty level
`and gradually increased in successive sets or iterations. This
`determination may likely vary according to the instrument, as
`for example a portion of a song having a di?icult guitar riff
`may not necessarily equate to a portion of the song Which
`Would be particularly dif?cult for other instruments. Further,
`even Where a particular segment of the song is of someWhat
`increased di?iculty, it may be desirable to play such a seg
`ment ?rst Where the segment in question includes the most
`distinctive notes or chords from the song, and Would be of
`greater interest to the user. For example, the user may more
`inherently recogniZe certain segments in relation to other
`segments even Where the underlying skill level required may
`be greater.
`Referring noW to FIG. 7, in various embodiments the sys
`tem 10 may generate display signals to a display monitor 20
`or screen 20 such as for example an LCD for producing one or
`more real-time images 38 of the predetermined musical
`instrument being played and/or visual representations 40 of
`the instrument graphically populated With accompanying
`tools for musical instruction in accordance With the musical
`performance.
`An example of such an embodiment With respect to a guitar
`as the instrument, and a method of instruction associated With
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 16
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`

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`US 8,586,849 B1
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`5
`the embodiment, may be described further With reference to
`FIGS. 8-14. A ?rst image 38a is displayed ofthe right hand of
`a guitar player demonstrating a proper method of musical
`performance (e.g., picking of the guitar strings. A second
`image 38b is displayed of the left hand of a guitar player
`demonstrating a proper method of musical performance (e.g.,
`selection of chords and notes). A graphical representation 40
`of the proper notes and chords to be played is further provided
`With respect to images provided on a guitar fret board.
`In the embodiment shoWn, the graphical representation 40
`embodies a method of animated musical notation using fret
`boards 42 that appear sequentially and correspond rhythmi
`cally With the music to be played. The animation may in
`various embodiments appear in any moving visual format as
`Would be knoWn by those of skill in the art, including video
`and softWare applications.
`The series of fret board diagrams or images 42 each present
`the notes or chords to be played as a fret board 42 With
`graphical indications of Which strings are to be pressed, and
`on Which frets, in order to properly play the desired note or
`chord. The series of fret board diagrams 42 may move for
`example doWn the screen 20 and from rear to front in rhythm
`With the musical performance 28. The user is thereby
`instructed to play each note or chord indicated on the fret
`board diagrams or images 42 as they pass into a highlighted
`region 44 on the screen 20. The highlighted region 44 may be
`for example a front-most portion 44 of the screen 20 Where
`the diagram 42 Within the portion 44 lights up, expands in
`siZe, changes color, or otherWise is provided With a visual
`indicator such as text or an equivalent icon. The system 10
`accordingly facilitates the user being able to identify notes
`and chords that are about to be played by providing the series
`of fret board diagrams or images 42 that are not yet in the
`highlighted region 44 but are moving rhythmically in that
`direction.
`Referring ?rst to FIG. 8, the screen 20 displays ?rst and
`second real-time images 38a, 38b, and a stationary neck 41 in
`initial and predetermined positions prior to the beginning of a
`musical performance, With no corresponding musical instruc
`tion.
`Referring to FIG. 9, a fret board diagram 42a is provided
`Which demonstrates a ?rst chord (E) of the musical perfor
`mance. The diagrams 42 in various embodiments may not be
`merely static but instead approaching from above the station
`ary neck 41 beloW. A second diagram 42b in the example
`shoWn demonstrates a second chord (H) and approaches
`behind the second diagram 42b. Further provided in embodi
`ments such as shoWn are visual indicators such as a color
`coded hand/?nger legend 46 corresponding to the colors in
`the fret board diagrams 42, a level setting 48 (e. g., expert) and
`a tempo setting 50 (e.g., 120 BPM).
`Referring to FIG. 10, the fret board diagram 42 reaches a
`highlighted region 44 at the exact moment Where the user is
`supposed to play the “E chord.” In the example shoWn, the
`highlighted region 44 is the fret board diagram 4211 from FIG.
`9 superimposed over or otherWise positioned With respect to
`the stationary neck 41 Wherein strings associated With the “E
`chord” are highlighted in colors corresponding to the associ
`ated ?ngers in the hand/?nger legend 46, and various addi
`tional features are highlighted to ensure that the user is aWare
`the chord presented is supposed to be played at that time. The
`user can also see from the approaching diagram 42b that the
`next chord to play is an “A chord”. It Will arrive just in time
`and the stationary neck 41 Will shoW it as the neW chord.
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`Referring noW to FIG. 11, the diagram 42b representing the
`“A chord” has arrived in the highlighted region 44 in this
`embodiment associated With the stationary neck 41, and
`should be played by the user.
`Referring to FIG. 12, the “solo” portion of the musical
`performance has arrived. All the notes in one measure of the
`solo are on an upper neck 52. A ?rst colored note 54 (e.g.,
`yelloW) With the string lit is the note being played right noW.
`The next note is indicated by (a) a holloW dot 56 having a
`second color (e.g., red) at the bottom neck 41, and (b) a solid
`dot 57 of the second color on the upper neck 52 sends out a
`duplicate that falls to arrive at the position of the holloW dot 56
`on the neck beloW 41 just in time for it to be played. Notice
`that a holloW dot 58 of a third color (e.g., blue) has also
`materialiZed because it Will be the third note to be played.
`Referring to FIG. 13, the “red” note 56 beloW is noW being
`played (e.g., is no longer holloW) and the “blue” holloW dot 58
`is the next to be played. Notice a dot 60 of the third color (e. g.,
`blue) that has begun to travel doWn from the neck above 52
`(the “blue” dot 62 touching the dot 64 is actually representa
`tive of the dot 60 in motion toWard the position of the holloW
`“blue” dot 58 on the loWer neck 41).
`Referring noW to FIG. 14, text 66 may be provided to
`further demonstrate proper technique. In the example shoWn,
`notice that the colored note 65 has the notation “Full Bend” 66
`to indicate that the user is to bend the string one full step
`higher in pitch.
`While various embodiments as described With respect to
`FIGS. 8-14 above use dots of various colors to indicate the
`proper notes or chords to be played, it may be understood that
`alternative embodiments may be provided using other
`devices, images, shapes, colors, etc., to instruct the user.
`Further, equivalent dynamic images may be provided With
`respect to various alternative musical instruments other than
`a guitar, as may be reasonably understood by one of skill in
`the art.
`An embodiment of a progressive method of operation 100
`for media systems in accordance With the present disclosure
`may be further described herein With respect to FIG. 11.
`Rather than requiring the user to learn all of the segments
`(e.g., notes and chords) of a musical performance before
`being able to play it all the Way through, the performance may
`instead be presented in increasingly lengthy and/or dif?cult
`iterations. At an initial iteration, or otherWise stated at a
`loWest level of pro?ciency, the user may play only a minimal
`number of notes or chords out of all the notes or chords
`normally required to complete the performance. The remain
`ing notes may be played by the media or gaming system 10
`such that, by combining What the student plays and What the
`system 10 plays, the entire musical performance is heard and
`experienced by the user. On a successive iteration, the system
`may adjust the number of segments, such that the system
`plays feWer and the user plays more of the musical perfor
`mance, and Wherein in accordance With a ?nal set or maxi
`mum pro?ciency level the user is playing all of the segments.
`A media system 10 may be provided (step 102) in accor
`dance With various embodiments such as for example
`described above and/or With reference to one or more of
`FIGS. 1-10.
`To begin a session, the system 10 may ?rst receive and
`process (step 104) information provided by a user. In various
`embodiments, the information received may include one or
`more of various available parameters including Without limi
`tation a selected musical performance, a selected musical
`instrument from among one or more instruments associated
`With the performance, a selected pro?ciency level and/or a
`selected musical segment.
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1001 Page 17
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`

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`US 8,586,849 B1
`
`7
`Alternatively, the system 10 may omit this step Where for
`example the pro?ciency level is to be determined by the
`system rather than provided by the user, the musical segments
`are predetermined in accordance With the determined pro?
`ciency level, only on