Digital read-out electronic metronome

Abstract

An electronic metronome displays the correct beat per measure. The unit preferably includes a keyboard associated with the entry of a musical signature including the number of beats per measure, timing means to generate an electronic version of the musical signature, a memory for storing information relating to the musical signature, and an electronic controller to store information representative of the musical signature entered by way of the keyboard, convert the signal generated by the timing means into a visual representation of the musical signature suitable for viewing on the display, and update the display in accordance with beats per measure aspect of the musical signature so that a user may be visually informed as to the correct beat of the measure. In one disclosed embodiment the user is visually informed as to the correct beat per measure in the form of a digital readout of beat number. In an alternative embodiment, a graphical representation of a measure with visual indicia highlighting the current beat is used for this purpose. The keyboard may also include a tempo key and a set of numerical keys facilitating the entry of a desired tempo, and one or more tempo preset keys. In a preferred embodiment, the unit is pocket-sized and battery-operated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.