PRESSURE MEASUREMENT DEVICE FOR USE WITH A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

Abstract

A pressure measurement device for use with a musical instrument is provided. The pressure measurement devices has at least one inlet to receive air from a player of the musical instrument as the player plays the musical instrument. The pressure measurement device also has at least one sensor associated with the at least one inlet. The sensor is configured to sense information relating to pressure from the received air in real time as the musical instrument is played.

Claims

1. A pressure measurement device for use with a musical instrument, the device comprising: a. at least one inlet to receive air from a player of the musical instrument as the player plays the musical instrument; and b. At least one sensor associated with the at least one inlet; wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense information relating to pressure from the received air in real time as the musical instrument is played.

2. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one processor associated with the at least one sensor to process the information relating to pressure.

3. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor.

4. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure measurement device is configured to measure lung pressure of a player playing the musical instrument, in real time.

5. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one display to display real-time information relating to pressure and/or calculated using the information relating to pressure.

6. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pressure measurement device is provided as a multi-part device with any one or more of the components provided in any one or more parts.

7. (canceled)

8. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one display is an electronic display screen, the information displayed thereon in the form of one or more generated and displayed interfaces updated in real-time to give an indication of pressure of the received air, based on the information captured by the at least one sensor.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is configured as a bespoke musical instrument to mimic a real instrument in terms of playability and relative positioning of a mouthpiece and buttons/keys/valves used to sound at least one note.

12. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bespoke musical instrument is an electronic instrument comprising an electronics system to identify the at least one musical note intended based on actuation of the buttons/keys/valves, sounding each at least one musical note electronically based on the player blowing into the mouthpiece and actuation of the buttons/keys/valves.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 11 comprising a mouthpiece with an opening into which a player blows, a body relative to which the buttons/keys/valves are located and an outlet/bell.

16. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one inlet of the pressure measurement device is associated with the opening in the mouthpiece, positioned to receive a representative portion of a player’s breath.

17. (canceled)

18. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 15 wherein at least one controller/processor is associated with the at least one inlet and the buttons/keys/valves to control emission of sounds electronically based on actuation of the buttons/keys/valves.

19. (canceled)

20. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 18 further comprising at least one sound emitter to emit the notes generated and sounded electronically.

21. (canceled)

22. A pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 11 comprising at least one communication device providing at least one communication pathway provided on the bespoke musical instrument to allow communication with at least one remote associated electronic device.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. A musical instrument comprising a pressure measurement device as claimed in claim 1.

30. A pressure measurement system for use with a musical instrument, the system including: a. a pressure measurement device comprising: i. at least one inlet to receive air from a player of the musical instrument as the player plays the musical instrument; and ii. at least one sensor associated with the at least one inlet; and iii. at least one processor associated with the at least one sensor; wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense information relating to pressure from the received air in real time as the musical instrument is played; and b. an associated device operatively associated with the pressure measurement device, the associated device including at least one display to display real-time data relating to information relating to pressure.

31. A pressure measurement system as claimed in claim 30, further comprising at least one sound emitter may be provided on, in or relative to the associated device to sound at least one musical note based on the use of the musical instrument.

32. A pressure measurement system as claimed in claim 30, wherein a real-time communication link is provided between the pressure measurement device and the associated device.

33. A pressure measurement system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the pressure measurement device comprises at least one controller/processor is configured for communication with the associated device to cause the display information on the associated device.

34. A musical instrument comprising a pressure measurement system as claimed in claim 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0106] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0107] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a musical instrument incorporating a pressure measurement system associated therewith.

[0108] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the instrument illustrated in FIG. 1 along line A-A with the internal components removed.

[0109] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the display body of an embodiment.

[0110] FIG. 4 is an axonometric view from a first end of the mouthpiece illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0111] FIG. 5 is an axonometric view from a second end of the mouthpiece illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0112] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the mouthpiece illustrated in FIG. 5 along line B-B with the internal components removed.

[0113] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an end plate for the bell end of the musical instrument illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0114] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a charging station for use with the musical instrument illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0115] FIG. 9 is a top view of a display according to an embodiment.

[0116] FIG. 10 is a top view of a display according to another embodiment.

[0117] FIG. 11 is a partial side view of a trumpet with a pressure measurement system of an embodiment associated therewith.

[0118] FIG. 12 is a top view of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0119] FIG. 13 is an end view of a mouthpiece for the trumpet illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0120] FIG. 14 is a side view of the mouthpiece illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0121] FIG. 15 is a front end view of the mouthpiece illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0122] FIG. 16 is a side view of the mouthpiece illustrated in FIG. 13, part way through insertion into the lead pipe.

[0123] FIG. 17 is a schematic electrical pin diagram showing an electrical system of an embodiment including a sensor for measuring lung pressure.

[0124] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the interrelationship of the components an embodiment.

[0125] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the interrelationship of the components another embodiment.

[0126] FIG. 20 is a top view of a bespoke musical instrument with a pressure measurement system according to a further embodiment.

[0127] FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the bespoke musical instrument illustrated in FIG. 20.

[0128] FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the bespoke musical instrument illustrated in FIG. 20.

[0129] FIG. 23 is an isometric view of the bespoke musical instrument illustrated in FIG. 22 with the pressure chamber separated.

[0130] FIG. 24 is a side view of the bespoke musical instrument illustrated in FIG. 20.

[0131] FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the bespoke musical instrument illustrated in FIG. 20.

[0132] FIG. 26 is a detailed exploded view of the pressure chamber of the bespoke musical instrument illustrated in FIG. 20.

[0133] FIG. 27 is a schematic representation of the components of the bespoke musical instrument illustrated in FIG. 20.

[0134] With reference to the accompanying figures, a pressure measurement device for use with a musical instrument is provided in two main embodiments, namely a bespoke musical instrument comprising the pressure measurement device (an integrated device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6) and a pressure measurement device which is removably attachable to a conventional musical instrument, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 16.

[0135] In both of the main embodiments illustrated, the device 10 comprises an inlet 11 to receive air from a player of the musical instrument as the player plays the musical instrument and a sensor 12 associated with the inlet 11, the sensor 12 configured to sense information relating to pressure from the received air in real time as the musical instrument is played.

[0136] In some embodiment, the pressure measurement device may further comprise: [0137] a. a controller/processor 13 associated with the sensor 12; and [0138] b. a display 14 to display real-time data relating to information relating to pressure.

[0139] The pressure measurement device 10 may be provided as a single device such as that illustrated in FIG. 18, or as a multi-part device, such as that illustrated schematically in FIG. 19. Any number of parts may be provided in the multi-part device. Any one or more of the components may be provided in any one or more parts. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19, the controller/processor 13 is provided in the base device 15 with the inlet 11 and the sensor 12 (but this does not need to be the case) and a separate display device 16 provided with a display 14 is in wireless communication with the base device 15.

[0140] The pressure measurement device or system and/or musical instrument comprising a pressure measurement device or system, may upload the measurement information to a software application allowing patients, relatives and clinician review. The software application will preferably contain a mixture of warm up musical therapy games (akin to the repetitive air clearance routines prescribed by CF therapists), a Guitar Hero™ style musical game, free play musical zone, an/or electronic ‘how to play’ methods and lessons.

[0141] The pressure measurement device may be a ‘dumb’ device which senses information and then transmits the sensed information to an associated device for processing, which as mentioned above, will remove the processor from the device and located it in the associated device, leaving only a basic controller on the device. The associated device may analyse or process the sensed information and then transmit a lung pressure measurement to a display. The display may be on the device 10 or on a separate device such as a smartphone or tablet or wearable for example.

[0142] The pressure measurement device may be a ‘smart’ device which senses, processes and displays information in real-time on a display associated with the device and which is mounted relative to the musical instrument, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 16.

[0143] The different configurations mentioned above are tailored to age groups of users. For example, the pressure measurement device may be included in a bespoke musical instrument 17 such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, in an inline configuration. This embodiment may be particularly adapted for users between approximately 4-7 years. The bespoke instrument 17 may have the pressure measurement device removably incorporated thereinto.

[0144] An out of line configuration, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 16, may be provided for more advanced or older users or those with their own instrument. The pressure measurement device of this configuration is typically adapted to be mounted relative to a conventional instrument, such as the trumpet 18 illustrated, with an airline 19 associated with the mouthpiece 20. The mouthpiece 20 may be adapted or a bespoke mouthpiece may be needed in order to incorporate the airline 19 to connect the mouthpiece 20 with the pressure measurement device 10.

[0145] In the out of line configuration, the pressure measurement device 10 may be mounted to the trumpet 18 in a location and/or orientation such that the display 14 of the pressure measurement device 10 can be seen by the user while they are playing the trumpet 18. When used with the trumpet for example, the display 14 of the device 10 is preferably mounted relative to the lead pipe of the trumpet 18 so that the user can see it clearly. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, a resiliently deformable clamping opening is provided in a lower side of the device 10 so that the device can simply be clamped in position about the lead pipe of the trumpet 18.

[0146] The inlet 11 will normally be associated with a mouthpiece 20 of an instrument, or bespoke musical instrument which is powered or played using a player’s breath.

[0147] The inlet 11 may be integrated into the mouthpiece 20 or attached to the mouthpiece 20. The inlet 11 will preferably at least be associated with the mouthpiece such that a portion of the player’s breath enters the at least one inlet contemporaneously with the mouthpiece.

[0148] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 16, the inlet 11 may be associated with an elongate conduit or airline 19 associated with the sensor 12 (if the sensor 12 is spaced from the inlet 11). Any type of conduit may be provided. The conduit may be flexible or rigid.

[0149] The sensor 12 is preferably mounted on or relative to a body that mounts one or more electronic components such as a controller/processor 13.

[0150] The controller/processor 13 is preferably provided in association with the sensor 12 in order to control the sensor 12. The controller/processor 13 will typically receive the information relating to pressure from the air blown into the inlet 11, in real time as the musical instrument is played and convert this information into information relating to the lung pressure used by the player and/or use the information to calculate the lung pressure used by the player. However, the information relating to pressure need not be converted into a lung pressure measurement in order to be useful to a player. For example, air flow rate information may give the player feedback for use in motivating and/or measuring positive expiratory pressure.

[0151] The sensor 12 may be a pressure sensor but any other type of sensor that captures information that can be used to convert or calculate into lung pressure could be used.

[0152] The electronic components of the device are preferably powered using an onboard power supply. The onboard power supply is preferably one or more batteries 21. Typically, the one or more batteries are rechargeable batteries. If rechargeable, the one or more batteries may be removable and rechargeable or be rechargeable in situ.

[0153] The preferred lung pressure measurement that is arrived at in real-time based on the information sensed, is preferably displayed on the display 14. The display 14 of the information in real-time is preferably such that the player can see in real-time, the lung pressure being exerted as they play.

[0154] Preferably, the display 14 is an electronic display screen. In this form, the information will normally be displayed thereon in the form of one or more generated and displayed interfaces which are updated in real-time based on the information captured by the sensor 12.

[0155] The information may be displayed in any way and two examples are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG. 9 for example, a real time measure is displayed as a moving level or bar that indicates the lung pressure level exerted at any moment. A ‘traffic light’ system may be used with a red level for a level which is too low, an amber level for an intermediate level and a green level for an adequate or therapeutic level. The value of the thresholds between the levels may be adjustable dependent on the particular player/patient and/or pressure desired.

[0156] In FIG. 10, a display trace over time of lung pressure level exerted at any moment is provided, allowing the player to visualise the lung pressure level exerted during play over time.

[0157] The information captured by the at least one sensor may be logged/saved. The information may be logged/saved onboard the device, in onboard memory. The information may be logged/saved remotely from the device, on a secondary, associated device and at least one communication device may be provided onboard the device to communicate the information to the secondary device. Any information relating to lung pressure measurement based on the information captured by the at least one sensor may be logged/saved.

[0158] In one embodiment (referred to herein as the inline embodiment), a bespoke musical instrument 17, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, is provided which mimics a real instrument in terms of playability and relative positioning of the mouthpiece 23 and the buttons/keys/valves 22 used to sound different notes. The bespoke musical instrument 17 is typically an electronic instrument, sounding each note electronically based on the player blowing into the mouthpiece 23 and actuation of the buttons/keys/valves 22. The buttons/keys/valves 22 are associated with an electronics system which identifies the note intended based on the actuation of the buttons/keys/valves 22 and then sounds the note, preferably through a speaker associated with the bespoke musical instrument 17.

[0159] Different bespoke musical instruments may have different configurations, being based on a different base instrument. For example, the bespoke musical instrument may mimic the appearance and operability of any brass instrument, any woodwind instrument or any other instrument which normally operates dependent on the breath of the player.

[0160] The bespoke musical instrument 17 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 is based on a trumpet and includes a mouthpiece 23 with an opening 24 into which a player blows, a body portion 25 which is normally the component relative to which the buttons/keys/valves 22 are located and an outlet/bell portion 26, which typically houses the electronic components such as the controller/processor 13, the battery 21 and the sensor 12. An opening or outlet is typically provided through which the spent breath leaves the instrument 17 and this may be provided in any location after the inlet 11. The outlet need not mimic the position of the outlet of the actual instrument.

[0161] The inlet 11 of the pressure measurement device is typically associated with the opening 24 in the mouthpiece 23. The inlet 11 is preferably positioned to receive a representative portion of a player’s breath. The inlet in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 leads to a central bore within the mouthpiece 23, relative to the opening 24 in the mouthpiece 23.

[0162] The mouthpiece 23 of the bespoke musical instrument 17 shown is removably attachable relative to the body portion 25 of the bespoke musical instrument 17. This allows at least partial disassembly of the bespoke musical instrument for transport, cleaning or storage for example. A screw thread 27 is used in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, particularly FIGS. 5 and 6 but any mechanism may be used. A corresponding screw thread is shown on the body portion 25 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0163] The body portion 25 of the bespoke musical instrument 17 is the main portion normally held by the player. The body 25 as shown mounts the buttons/keys/valves 22 to allow the player to designate the note that is intended to be sounded during play.

[0164] The body portion 25 may typically mount electronic components allowing operation of the sensor 12 but the electronic components may be provided in the bell portion 26 or divided between the body portion 25 and the bell portion 26.

[0165] The e controller/processor 13 is typically provided in association with the body portion 25 to control the operation of the sensor 12 and the buttons/keys/valves 22. Where the bespoke musical instrument 17 is configured to emit sounds electronically based on actuation of the buttons/keys/valves 22, the controller/processor 13 will normally control this functionality. The controller/processor 12 may cause a sound to be generated and sounded based on the actuation of the buttons/keys/valves 22 as the player blows into the mouthpiece 23. The notes are preferably generated and sounded electronically. A base or threshold minimum air pressure will normally be required to cause a note to be sounded.

[0166] A speaker (not shown for clarity) may be associated with the bespoke musical instrument 17 in order to emit the notes preferably generated and sounded electronically. Where the bespoke musical instrument 17 includes a bell or outlet such as is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the speaker will preferably be located relative to the bell or outlet portion 26.

[0167] Alternatively, the speaker may be provided on, in or relative to an external device to sound the note based on the use of the bespoke musical instrument 17. This configuration requires real-time communication between the bespoke musical instrument 17 and the external device.

[0168] The controller/processor will typically be powered by a battery 21 onboard the bespoke musical instrument 17. Usually, a single battery 21 is provided. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the battery 21 is provided in an accessible location relative to the bespoke musical instrument 17, such as at or toward a terminal end of the bespoke musical instrument 17, in the bell portion 26.

[0169] The battery 21 is typically rechargeable. Any charging mechanism can be used. The bespoke musical instrument 17 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 includes a capacitive charging system. A capacitive charging coil is provided onboard the bespoke musical instrument 17, in the bell portion 26 and connected to the battery 21. An external capacitive charging station 28 such as that illustrated in FIG. 8 can then be provided to effect wireless charging of the battery 21. The capacitive charging coil is provided in the bell portion 26 such that the bell portion 26 can be oriented relative to the capacitive charging station 28 to charge the battery 21. The capacitive charging coil is provided substantially parallel with the end cap 29. The bell portion 26 is provided with an end cap 29, as illustrated in FIG. 7 and/or a shaped configuration to engage the capacitive charging station 28. An end rim of the bell portion 26 may be received in the annular gutter 30 in the charging station to locate the instrument 17 and position the capacitive charging coil. A connection port 31 is provided on the charging station 28 to connect to a mains power supply.

[0170] The bell portion 26 is preferably hollow and provided with an internal volume 32 (best illustrated in FIG. 2) to contain the electronic components of the bespoke musical instrument 17. The end cap 29 is inserted into the open end of the bell portion 26 and abuts the circumferential abutment shoulder 33 illustrated in FIG. 2. The end cap 29 is fived there using any releasable attachment mechanism.

[0171] The controller/processor 13 will normally operate an onboard software application to receive information from the sensor 12 and/or other inputs on the bespoke musical instrument 17 such as the buttons/keys/valves 22. The controller/processor 13, via the software application will preferably convert the information from the sensor 12 into a lung pressure measurement, preferably for display. The software application will also preferably operate to sound the notes according to the actuation by the player of the buttons/keys/valves 22.

[0172] Typically, once the lung pressure measurement has been arrived at, a measure of the lung pressure measurement will be displayed on display 14, however provided.

[0173] As mentioned above, the display 14 is normally provided on the bespoke musical instrument 17, normally positioned relative to the body portion 25 of the bespoke musical instrument 17, as shown in FIG. 1 in particular. The display 14 is positioned such that the player can see the display 14 as they play the instrument. For example, for the bespoke trumpet illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the display 14 is located adjacent to the valves/valve buttons 22, closer to the bell portion 26. The display 14 may be offset laterally from the valves/valve buttons 22 as this may mean that the display 14 is more easily viewable around the player’s fingers.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 1 in particular, the display 14 is preferably integrated into the body portion 25 of the bespoke musical instrument 17. The display 14 may be separable from the body portion 25. The display 14 shown is mounted in an opening 34 in the body portion 25. The display 14 includes an angled outer surface to orient the display 14 relative to the player to allow the player to see the display 14 more easily when playing. The display may show a lung pressure measurement, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0175] The buttons/keys/valves 22 are typically provided relative to the body portion 24 of the bespoke musical instrument 17. The buttons/keys/valves 22 will generally be provided in a location/number/configuration to mimic or simulate the position of the buttons/keys/valves on a real instrument.

[0176] The buttons/keys/valves 22 of the bespoke musical instrument illustrated are electronically actuable. In the illustrated embodiment, three touch actuable buttons/keys/valves 22 are provided. The touch actuable buttons/keys/valves 22 are capacitive. Actuation of the buttons/keys/valves 22 may trigger tactile and/or audible, preferably haptic feedback.

[0177] As shown, the buttons/keys/valves 22 are preferably integrated into the body portion 25 of the bespoke musical instrument 17.

[0178] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 16, the pressure measurement device is provided in an ‘out of line’ embodiment, associated with a real instrument, which is played as normal.

[0179] In this embodiment, the device 10 is provided in a housing with an elongate airline 19 attached thereto and which extends to the mouthpiece 20 where the inlet 11 is located. The housing will preferably include components such as the sensor 12, the controller/processor 13, onboard battery 21 and display 14 in a single unit which is attachable to a conventional instrument, such as the trumpet 18 shown.

[0180] In this configuration, the inlet 11 is provided as an opening to the airline conduit 19 connected to the housing and associated with the sensor. As shown, the outer end of the airline conduit 19 is mounted within to the mouthpiece 20 of the trumpet 18 such that a representative portion of breath of the player enters the inlet 11 as the player plays the trumpet 18. The mouthpiece 20 is adapted to include the opening within the mouthpiece 20 as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16.

[0181] The preferred single unit of this embodiment is typically removably attachable to a conventional instrument, such as a trumpet 18. The unit is preferably attached in a location and orientation in which the display 14 can be seen by the player during play.

[0182] The unit will also normally include the controller/processor 13 powered by a battery 21 onboard the unit. The battery 21 is typically rechargeable. In this embodiment, an externally accessible charging port may be provided in association with a charging device to allow connection of an electrical cable to charge the at least one battery from an external power source such as mains power.

[0183] In this embodiment, the controller/processor 13 typically operates an onboard software application to receive information from the sensor 12. The controller/processor 13, via the software application, will preferably convert the information from the sensor 12 into a lung pressure measurement for display.

[0184] In some embodiments such as that illustrated schematically in FIG. 19, the display 14 may be provided as a part of a separate display device 16 which is in communication with the base pressure measurement device 15. The at least one controller/processor 13 provided in the base pressure measurement device 15 may be configured for communication with the display device 16 to as to cause the display of information on the display device 16. This configuration requires real-time communication between the base pressure measurement device 15 and the display device 16. One or more appropriate communication device, providing at least one communications pathway between the base pressure measurement device 15 and the display device 16 will normally be provided in the base pressure measurement device 15.

[0185] In this configuration, the instrument with the base pressure measurement device 15 attached thereto is preferably played as normal (the instrument will produce sounds according to normal usage) and a lung pressure measurement is displayed on the display on the display device 16.

[0186] The information may be displayed on more than one display, displaying the same information, similar information or disparate information. For example, at least one display on a remote device may mirror the information displayed on at least one display provided on the device. At least one display on a remote device may display suggested note information for the player to follow while the lung pressure information is displayed on at least one display provided on the device. The software application may monitor the player’s accuracy and score the player’s accuracy, to turn the treatment using the device into a game.

[0187] An analysis software application or software application part may be provided to analyse the player’s breathing as measured by the at least one sensor.

[0188] Any one or more parts of the information captured by the at least one sensor and/or calculated by the at least one controller/processor may be logged on the device, and/or on an external device.

[0189] In FIG. 17, an example of a pin configuration which can be used is shown. The capacitor illustrated in FIG. 17 is an 0805 footprint whereas a through hole connector will more likely be used.

[0190] A more developed version of a bespoke musical instrument 80, in this case, simulating a trumpet, is shown in FIGS. 20 to 26. In this configuration, the main components of the pressure measurement system are provided in a pressure chamber component 81 which is releasably attachable relative to a main body 82 of the bespoke musical instrument 80, which contains other components such as the battery 83, USB charging port 84 and main electronics 85 and a Hall effect sensor 86 as well as the actuable buttons 87 (simulating the valves of a trumpet) and display 88.

[0191] The bespoke musical instrument 80 shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 has two parts as shown in FIG. 23, namely the main body 82 and a pressure chamber component 81. The pressure chamber component 81 has an associated mouthpiece 89 already mounted in FIGS. 20 to 24 but shown separately in FIG. 25.

[0192] As shown in FIG. 25, the pressure chamber component 81 includes an outer housing to protect and contain the working components. The illustrated housing is a multipart housing, with two housing parts 90 attached to one another to form the housing. The housing parts 90 may be attached to one another in any way, but one simple method is using screws as illustrated.

[0193] The pressure chamber component 81 is shaped to correspond with the main body 82 of the bespoke musical instrument 80. The shape of the pressure chamber component 81 allows the mouthpiece 89 to be removable fitted relative to the pressure chamber component 81.

[0194] The shape of the pressure chamber component 81 is such that the pressure chamber component 81 is engageable with the main body 82 in the correct orientation. A central protrusion 91 is provided on an outer portion of a lower end of the housing of the pressure chamber component 81 to be received in a corresponding opening 91a on the main body 82.

[0195] The pressure chamber component 81 is securable to the main body 82. A magnetic mechanism is used in the illustrated embodiment because corresponding magnetic components 92 can be located within the housing of the pressure chamber component 81 and the housing of the main body 82 to secure the components together. In the illustrated embodiment, a number of magnets are provided spaced about a lower end of the pressure chamber component 81 and an upper end of the main body 82 as shown in FIG. 25.

[0196] A plurality of exhaust openings 93 are provided through the housing to allow spent air to escape from the pressure chamber component 81 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0197] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 20 to 26, a rotating spindle 94 is provided within the pressure chamber component 81 to rotate when air is blown into the pressure chamber component. 81 through the mouthpiece 89. The rotating spindle 94 reciprocates in rotation, rotating back and forth. The rotating spindle 94 is biased into a first position and is rotated to one or more second positions by the air blown into the pressure chamber component 81 against the bias of a biasing spring. The biasing spring in the illustrated embodiment is a coil spring 95. The coil spring 95 has a first end associated with the rotating spindle (in FIG. 25, the slot in the end of the elongate body 96) and a second end anchored relative to a fixed position within the pressure chamber component 81. Multiple fixed positions are provided to allow adjustment of the biasing force applied. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 25, a number of openings are provided between fingers 97, to allow the second end of the coil spring 95 to be received in any one of the openings.

[0198] The rotating spindle 94 illustrated, has an elongate body 96 extending substantially coaxially with the pressure chamber component 81. A number of arms 98 radiate from the elongate body 96. Each arm 98 is provided with a shaped portion 99 (in the illustrated embodiment, at the end of the arms 98) against which the air blown into the pressure chamber component 81 acts, to rotate the spindle 94.

[0199] Each arm 98 is located in a shaped recess 100 to define limits to the rotation. The shaped recesses 100 are provided on or into a shaped body 101. An opening (not visible) is provided in association with each shaped recess 100 to allow spent air to escape from the shaped recess 100 and then to escape the housing through the exhaust openings 93.

[0200] A spacer 102 is provided with a central opening 104 herein to receive a portion of the mouthpiece 89. Typically, a mouthpiece opening 103 is provided in an upper end of the housing 90 for insertion of an elongate portion of a mouthpiece 89. The central opening 104 is aligned with the mouthpiece opening 103 but spaced from the mouthpiece opening 103 towards the lower end of the pressure chamber component 81.

[0201] An air guide 105 is provided to guide air blown into the pressure chamber component 81 through the central opening 104 in the spacer 102, to the rotating spindle 94. The air guide 105 defines a volume with the spacer 102. One or more openings 106 are provided in the air guide 105 to guide the air blown into the pressure chamber component 81 to the rotating spindle 94.

[0202] The working components within the pressure chamber component 81 may be provided as a cassette mechanism and mounted in a receiving slot within the pressure chamber component housing. A central opening may be provided in all components to receive the elongate body 96 of the spindle 94 therethrough.

[0203] A lower end of the elongate spindle 94 may be provided with or is associated with an element that allows a sensor 86 to measure rotation, to thereby determine the rotation with a pressure or air being blown into the pressure chamber component 81. A simple yet robust mechanism may include a magnetic element 107. The sensor 86, such as a Hall effect sensor, can then be provided to measure one or more characteristics of the magnetic element 107, such as speed or rotation/reciprocation, to determine to a pressure or air being blown into the pressure chamber component 81.

[0204] As illustrated, the sensor 86 is located in the main body 82 such that when the pressure chamber component 81 is properly mounted relative to the main body 82, the sensor 86 is located adjacent to the magnetic element 107 to be sensed.

[0205] As mentioned above, the main body 82 will normally include other components such as the battery 83, a charging port 84 (if a cable is used) and main electronics, for example in the form of a PCB 85.

[0206] A secondary sensor may be provided on the bespoke musical instrument to allow a check to be provided of the pressure or air being blown into the pressure chamber component. The secondary sensor may provide a check on the main sensor and/or may provide a backup, should the main sensor fail. The secondary sensor may the same type as the primary sensor but normally will be of a different, typically a simpler type such as a flow sensor.

[0207] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 20 to 26, a display 88 is mounted on the main body 82. The display 88 may include one or more lights or elements that may be lit based on the determination of pressure based on information from the sensor, to give an indication of the pressure. The ‘traffic light’ system may be used with a red level for a level which is too low, an amber level for an intermediate level and a green level for an adequate or therapeutic level. If the traffic light system is used, the red level may be closest to the user and the green level furthest from the user. This provides a real-time indication of the pressure of the air blown into the instrument by the user that the user can see as they play the instrument.

[0208] The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.