Using a Musical Instrument as a Video Game Controller

Abstract

The use of musical instruments as methods for controlling video games is disclosed. By translating the notes, beats, chords, note changes and other musical elements into input that can be recognized by a video game or video game system, the person playing the instrument will have the ability to play a game through the use of an instrument. This includes the ability to configure the music translation system to provide different input to the video game or video game system depending on the key in which the person is playing the instrument.

1 . The use of a musical instrument as an input device for a video game or video game system. 
   
   
       2 . The use of a component or components of a musical instrument as an input device for a video game or video game system. 
   
   
       3 . The translation of music or musical information into a form of input that can be recognized by a video game or video game system. 
   
   
       4 . The use of  claim 3  wherein a musical instrument communicates with a music-to-input translator through a cable connection, through a plug connection, through a wireless connection, through a device attached to the instrument, through a device inside the instrument, through a microphone picking up the sound of the instrument, or through a computer program. 
   
   
       5 . The use of  claim 3  wherein a music-to-input translator communicates with a video game or video game system through a cable connection, through a plug connection, through a wireless connection, through a device attached to the video game system, through a device inside the video game system, or through a computer program. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the frequency, period, or amplitude of a particular tone, note, or beat is translated into an input or a set of inputs sent to a video game or video game system. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the event of the creation of a tone, note, or beat is translated into an input or a set of inputs sent to a video game or video game system. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein a set of notes, tones, or beats played concurrently is translated into an input or a set of inputs sent to a video game or video game system. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 3  wherein a set of notes, tones, or beats played sequentially is translated into an input or a set of inputs sent to a video game or video game system. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 3  wherein a change in the frequency, period, or amplitude of a note, tone, or beat is translated into an input or set of inputs sent to a video game or video game system. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the originating source of the note, tone, or beat, or a set of notes, tones, or beats is translated into an input or a set of inputs sent to a video game or video game system. 
   
   
       12 . The use of  claim 3  wherein a note, tone, beat or a set of notes, tones, or beats can be translated into a different input or set of inputs sent to the video game or video game system, depending upon the setting or configuration of the translator. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein differing notes, tones, or beats can be translated into one input or one set of inputs sent to the video game or video game system. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein one note, tone or beat or one set of notes, tones, or beats is translated into different input depending upon the relationship in time to other notes, tones, or beats. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein one note or tone or one set of notes or tones is translated into different input depending upon the relationship in pitch to other notes or tones. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein one note, tone, or beat or one set of notes, tones, or beats is translated into different inputs depending upon the originating instrument. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the change to one note, tone, or beat or one set of notes, tones, or beats is translated into different input depending upon the way in which the note, tone, or beat is changed.