Methods and apparatus for stringed controllers and/or instruments

Abstract

Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument. Bracing structures and methods are also described for bracing stringed apparatus, such as stringed game controllers and instruments.

1 . A method for use with a system comprising at least one processor, a user interface comprising a visual display and a stringed controller that comprises a plurality of strings, the method comprising:
 displaying, on the visual display, a first indication comprising directions instructing a user on desired fingering and striking of the plurality of strings;   receiving at least one input signal from the stringed controller that identifies actual fingering and striking of the plurality of strings by the user;   determining, by the at least one processor processing the at least one input signal, whether the actual fingering and striking of the plurality of strings matches the desired fingering and striking; and   outputting a second indication, via the user interface, of whether the actual fingering and striking of the plurality of strings matches the desired fingering and striking.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outputting a second indication comprises outputting a visual indication via the visual display. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises at least one speaker, and wherein the outputting a second indication comprises outputting an audible indication via the at least one speaker. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stringed controller resembles a musical instrument, and wherein the desired fingering and striking of the plurality of strings corresponds to playing at least one musical note on the musical instrument. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stringed controller resembles a musical instrument, and wherein the desired fingering and striking of the plurality of strings corresponds to playing at least one musical chord on the musical instrument. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein outputting the second indication comprises displaying on the user interface whether the actual fingering exactly matches the musical chord. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein outputting the second indication comprises displaying on the user interface information indicating portions of the actual fingering that do not match the musical chord. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the directions comprise an indication of a root note of a chord. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stringed controller comprises a plurality of frets. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying, on the visual display, multiple additional indications beyond the first indication and the second indication, the multiple additional indications comprising directions instructing the user on multiple additional desired fingerings and striking of the plurality of strings, wherein the first desired fingering and striking and the multiple additional desired fingerings and striking of the plurality of strings together instruct the user on playing a song. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the directions comprise timing information, wherein the method further comprises:
 determining a time when the at least one input signal is received; and   wherein the second indication indicates whether the time when the at least one input signal is received corresponds to the timing information.   
     
     
         12 . A computer-readable storage medium encoded with a plurality of instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to control a system comprising the at least one processor and a user interface comprising a visual display to perform a method comprising:
 displaying, on the visual display, a first indication comprising directions instruction a user on desired fingering and striking of a plurality of string of a stringed controller;   receiving at least one input signal from the stringed controller that identifies actual fingering and striking of the plurality of strings by the user;   determining, by the at least one processor processing the at least one input signal, whether the actual fingering and striking of the plurality of strings matches the desired fingering and striking; and   outputting a second indication, via the user interface, or whether the actual fingering and striking of the plurality of strings matches the desired fingering and striking.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein the stringed controller resembles a musical instrument, and wherein the desired fingering and striking of the plurality of strings corresponds to playing at least one musical note on the musical instrument. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein the stringed controller resembles a musical instrument, and wherein the desired fingering and striking of the plurality of strings corresponds to playing at least one musical chord on the musical instrument. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein the directions comprise timing information, wherein the method further comprises:
 determining a time when the at least one input signal is received; and   wherein the second indication indicates whether the time when the at least one input signal is received corresponds to the timing information.   
     
     
         16 . A computer system comprising:
 at least one storage device configured to store a plurality of instructions; and   at least one processor coupled to the at least one storage device and configured to receive and execute the plurality of instructions to cause a system comprising the at least one processor and a user interface comprising a visual display to perform a method comprising:
 displaying, on the visual display, a first indication comprising directions instructing a user on desired fingering and striking of a plurality of strings of a stringed controller; 
 receiving at least one input signal from the stringed controller that identifies actual fingering and striking of the plurality of strings by the user; 
 determining, by the at least one processor processing the at least one input signal, whether the actual fingering and striking of the plurality of strings matches the desired fingering and striking; and 
 outputting a second indication, via the user interface, of whether the actual fingering and striking of the plurality of strings matches the desired fingering and striking. 
   
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 16 , further comprising the stringed controller. 
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one speaker, and wherein outputting the second indication comprises outputting an audible indication via the at least one speaker. 
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 16 , wherein the stringed controller resembles a musical instrument, and wherein the desired fingering and striking of the plurality of strings corresponds to playing at least one musical note on the musical instrument. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 16 , wherein the directions comprise timing information,
 wherein the method further comprises:   determining a time when the at least one input signal is received; and   wherein the second indication indicates whether the time when the at least one input signal is received corresponds to the timing information.