Motion/position-sensing responsive light-up musical instrument
View Patent ↗A system is described for an enhanced bow piece of a stringed musical instrument. The enhancement includes a visual display element attached to the bow. The appearance of the display changes in response to bow motion, bow position, and one or more user-supplied inputs (e.g. buttons). The system can be entirely self-contained and used as a normal instrument bow, providing a light-up/responsive effect while the user plays their instrument in an otherwise normal way. There is some capability for multiple self-contained units to be locally synchronized, providing group-based visualizations. Alternatively, these devices can be monitored and controlled by an external control system.
1. A visual effects system for a bow of a stringed musical instrument, said system comprised of: a plurality of individually-addressable LEDs attached to or embedded in said bow; a means for a user of said bow to provide instructions to said system; a motion- or orientation-sensing device attached to said bow; and a microprocessor, where said microprocessor is configured to control illumination of said LEDs so as to present a marquee effect of lights in motion, said motion's direction and appearance being dependent on detected angle of said bow and on said instructions.
2. A visual effects system for a bow of a stringed musical instrument, said system comprised of: a plurality of individually-addressable LEDs attached to or embedded in said bow; a means for a user of said bow to provide instructions to said system; a motion- or orientation-sensing device attached to said bow; and a microprocessor, where said microprocessor is configured to detect acceleration along the bow's length in excess of a threshold and, in response to said detection and according to said instructions, control illumination of said LEDs so as to illuminate a randomly-located set of adjacent LEDs and, after a period of time, turn off said LEDs.
3. A visual effects system for a bow of a stringed musical instrument, said system comprised of: a plurality of individually-addressable LEDs attached to or embedded in said bow; a means for a user of said bow to provide instructions to said system; a motion- or orientation-sensing device attached to said bow; and a microprocessor, where said microprocessor is configured to detect a change in direction of said bow and, in response to said change and according to said instructions, control illumination of said LEDs so as to illuminate two sets of adjacent LEDs near the middle of said bow, and subsequently begin a pattern of waiting a period of time, turning off said sets of adjacent LEDs, and then illuminating two new sets of adjacent LEDs further from said middle, thereby giving a visual effect of two sets of adjacent LEDs moving from said middle to each end of said bow.