Method and apparatus for providing a simulated band experience including online interaction

Abstract

A method for facilitating real-time interaction between a first and second player of a music-based video game via a network having unpredictable delivery latency, the first player located remotely from the second player, includes displaying to a first player target musical data associated with a musical composition, receiving music performance input from the first player via a controller resembling a first musical instrument, displaying to a second player, the second player located remotely from the first player, target musical data associated with the musical composition, and receiving music performance input from the second player.

1 . A method for facilitating real-time interaction between a first and second player of a music-based video game via a network, the first player located remotely from the second player, the method comprising:
 a. displaying to a first player target musical data associated with a musical composition;   b. receiving music performance input from the first player, the received music performance input associated with a first instrument present in the musical composition;   c. displaying to a second player target musical data associated with the musical composition, the second player located remotely from the first player; and   d. receiving music performance input from the second player, the received music performance input associated with a second instrument present in the musical composition.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) comprises displaying to a first player target musical data associated with a musical composition, the target musical data disposed along a musical time axis that does not lie in the image plane of a display associated with the first player. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) comprises displaying to a first player target musical data associated with the guitar track of a musical composition. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) comprises displaying to a first player target musical data associated with the percussion track of a musical composition. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) comprises displaying to a first player target musical data associated with the bass track of a musical composition. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) comprises displaying to a first player target musical data associated with the keyboard track of a musical composition. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) comprises displaying to a first player target musical data associated with the turntable track of a musical composition. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) comprises displaying to a first player target musical data associated with the vocal track of a musical composition. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (b) comprises receiving music performance input from the first player via a controller resembling a first musical instrument. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (b) comprises receiving music performance input from the first player via a controller resembling a guitar. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (b) comprises receiving music performance input from the first player via a controller resembling an analog drum kit. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (b) comprises receiving music performance input from the first player via a controller resembling a keyboard. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (b) comprises receiving music performance input from the first player via a controller resembling a turntable. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (b) comprises receiving music performance input from the first player via a microphone. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (d) comprises receiving music performance input from the second player via a game controller. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (d) comprises receiving music performance input from the second player via a dance pad. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (d) comprises receiving music performance input from the second player, the received music performance input associated with a second instrument present in the musical composition, wherein the first player and second player cooperate to provide music performance input. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of assigning a single score to the first player and the second player responsive to the music performance input received from the first and second player. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (d) comprises receiving music performance input from the second player, the received music performance input associated with a second instrument present in the musical composition, wherein the first player and second player compete to achieve a higher score. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of assigning a first score to the first player responsive to music performance input received from the first player and assigning a second score to the second player responsive to music performance input received from the second player. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising applying a scalar factor to the first score. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of
 a. displaying to a third player target musical data associated with a musical composition, the third player physically proximate to the first player; and   b. receiving music performance input from the third player, the received music performance input associated with a third instrument present in the musical composition.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of receiving emulation data representing music performance input from the second player. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising the step of generating a local approximation of the second player's music performance input using the emulation data, the local approximation synchronous with a local musical performance. 
   
   
       25 . A system for facilitating real-time interaction between a first and second player of a music-based video game via a network, the first player located remotely from the second player, the system comprising:
 a. means for displaying to a first player target musical data associated with a musical composition;   b. means for receiving music performance input from the first, the received music performance input associated with a first instrument present in the musical composition;   c. means for displaying to a second player, the second player located remotely from the first player, target musical data associated with the musical composition; and   d. means for receiving music performance input from the second player.   
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25  further comprising means for displaying to a first player target musical data associated with a musical composition, the target musical data disposed along a musical time axis that does not lie in the image plane of a display associated with the first player. 
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the means for receiving music performance input comprises a controller resembling a first musical instrument. 
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the means for receiving music performance input comprises a controller resembling a guitar. 
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the means for receiving music performance input comprises a controller resembling an analog drum kit. 
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the means for receiving music performance input comprises a controller resembling a keyboard. 
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the means for receiving music performance input comprises a controller resembling a turntable. 
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the means for receiving music performance input comprises a controller resembling a microphone. 
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the means for receiving music performance input comprises a game controller. 
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 25  further comprising means for assigning a single score to the first player and the second player responsive to the music performance input received from the first and second player in cooperation. 
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 25  further comprising means for assigning a first score to the first player responsive to the music performance input received from the first player and means for assigning a second score to the second player responsive to the music performance input received from the competing second player. 
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 35  further comprising means for applying a scalar factor to the first score. 
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 25  further comprising:
 a. means for displaying to a third player target musical data associated with a musical composition, the third player physically proximate to the first player; and   b. means for receiving music performance input from the third player, the received music performance input associated with a third instrument present in the musical composition.   
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 25  further comprising means for receiving emulation data representing music performance input from the second player. 
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 38  further comprising means for generating a local approximation of the second player's music performance input using the emulation data, the local approximation synchronous with a local musical performance.