US-12620377-B2 - Wireless midi headset

Abstract

A wireless headset configured to process music interface protocol (e.g., the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) protocol) received wirelessly (e.g., via a Bluetooth™ connection or an Internet connection) by a source device is described herein. The wireless headset includes a first and second headset speaker and a wireless transceiver unit to receive a stream of data over a wireless connection. The wireless transceiver unit includes a sound processing logic unit that converts the stream of data to a stream of data associated with a music interface protocol outputs audio corresponding to the converted stream of data to the first and second headset speakers.

Inventors

• Thomas A. Dolan
• Robert SHIREY
• Jarrod Cook
• Aaron Yost

Assignees

• QRS MUSIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20201022

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A wireless headset device comprising: a first and a second headset speaker, the first headset speaker being designated as a master speaker and the second headset speaker being designated as a slave speaker; a monotonic clock; a wireless transceiver unit comprising a sound processing logic unit, wherein the wireless transceiver is to: receive, over a wireless connection with a source device, a stream of musical performance data comprising one or more network packets, each packet including a timestamp and event message, wherein the stream of musical performance data is associated with a wireless music interface protocol and wherein the event message comprises at least a musical note; for each network packet, compare the monotonic clock with the timestamp; convert, by the sound processing logic unit, the stream of real-time musical performance data from the wireless music interface protocol to a serial Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) protocol, wherein the conversion comprises building a playback buffer array based on the comparison of the monotonic clock with the timestamp for each network packet; and output, by the sound processing logic unit and according to the playback buffer array, audio corresponding to the converted stream of real-time musical performance data to the first headset speaker, wherein the first headset speaker transmits the audio to the second headset speaker.
2. 2 . The wireless headset device of claim 1 , wherein the stream of real-time musical performance data associated with the wireless music interface protocol comprises a stream of real-time musical performance data associated with the MIDI protocol.
3. 3 . The wireless headset device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless connection comprises a Bluetooth™ connection.
4. 4 . The wireless headset device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless connection comprises an Internet connection.
5. 5 . The wireless headset device of claim 4 , wherein the wireless headset communicates with the source device over the Internet connection using a publish-subscribe protocol.
6. 6 . The wireless headset device of claim 5 , wherein the wireless headset communicates with the source device over the Internet connection using a Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol.
7. 7 . The wireless headset device of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of buttons and respective circuitry mapping to one or more functionalities thereof.
8. 8 . A method comprising: receiving, by a wireless headset over a wireless connection with a source device, a stream of real-time musical performance data comprising one or more network packets, each packet including a timestamp and event message, wherein the wireless headset comprises first and second headset speakers, the first headset speaker being designated as a master speaker and the second headset speaker being designated as a slave speaker, wherein the stream of real-time musical performance data is associated with a wireless music interface protocol and wherein the event message comprises at least a musical note; for each network packet, comparing a monotonic clock of the wireless headset with the timestamp; converting, by the wireless headset, the stream of real-time musical performance data from the wireless music interface protocol to a serial Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) protocol, wherein the conversion comprises building a playback buffer array based on the comparison of the monotonic clock with the timestamp for each network packet; and outputting, by the wireless headset and according to the playback buffer array, audio corresponding to the converted stream of real-time musical performance data to the first headset speaker transmits the audio to the second headset speaker.
9. 9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the stream of real-time musical performance data associated with the music interface protocol comprises a stream of real-time musical performance data associated with the MIDI protocol.
10. 10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the wireless connection comprises a Bluetooth™ connection.
11. 11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the wireless connection comprises an Internet connection.
12. 12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the source device is connected with the wireless headset via a publish-subscribe protocol.
13. 13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the source device is connected with the wireless headset via a Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol.
14. 14 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of buttons and respective circuitry mapping to one or more functionalities thereof.
15. 15 . A wireless headset device comprising: a first headset speaker designated as a master speaker; a second headset speaker designated as a slave speaker means for receiving, over a wireless connection with a source device, a stream of real-time musical performance data comprising one or more network packets, each packet including a timestamp and event message, wherein the stream of real-time musical performance data is associated with a wireless music interface protocol and wherein the event message comprises at least a musical note; means for comparing, for each network packet, a monotonic clock of the wireless headset device with the timestamp; means for converting the stream of real-time musical performance data from the wireless music interface protocol to a serial Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) protocol, wherein the means for converting comprises means for building a playback buffer array based on the comparison of the monotonic clock with the timestamp for each network packet; and means for outputting, according to the playback buffer array, audio corresponding to the converted stream of real-time musical performance data to the first headset speaker, wherein the first headset speaker transmits the audio to the second headset speaker.
16. 16 . The wireless headset device of claim 15 , wherein the stream of real-time musical performance data associated with the music interface protocol comprises a stream of real-time musical performance data associated with the MIDI protocol.
17. 17 . The wireless headset device of claim 15 , wherein the wireless connection comprises a Bluetooth™ connection.
18. 18 . The wireless headset device of claim 15 , wherein the wireless connection comprises an Internet connection.
19. 19 . The wireless headset device of claim 18 , wherein the source device is connected with the wireless headset via a Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol.
20. 20 . The wireless headset device of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of buttons and respective circuitry mapping to one or more functionalities thereof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/924,872, filed Oct. 23, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD The present disclosure relates to a headset device that receives Music Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) data and/or audio via a wireless protocol for audio output. BACKGROUND Many electronic musical instruments, such as keyboards, synthesizers, and drum machines implement the MIDI standard. When an individual plays a MIDI instrument, the instrument (e.g., via MIDI controller thereon) converts actions by the individual to MIDI data. More particularly, the instrument generates MIDI data that specifies instructions for music (e.g., notation, pitch, vibrato, and other characteristics). A device such as a sound module or sequencer, configured within the MIDI instrument or externally, may then interpret the MIDI data to play back sound representing the individual's playing of the instrument. Generally, MIDI instruments may be configured to output audio to an analog headset device connected thereon (or to a speaker connected with the MIDI instrument) via a cable or a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver combination. An individual may desire to wear a wireless headset while practicing on a MIDI instrument for a variety of reasons (e.g., to practice the instrument in silence relative other individuals). However, wireless headsets generally have several drawbacks. One such drawback includes the cost and inconvenience of using a RF transmitter and receiver pair. In such a case, if a wireless protocol such as Bluetooth™ is used, the wireless headset may encounter latency between the playing of the instrument, such as a pushing of a key, to the transmission of the corresponding MIDI data to the headset for audio output to speakers of the headset. As a result, the individual may hear a given output relatively later to when the corresponding key was pushed, which can affect the overall experience for the individual playing the MIDI instrument. For example, a relatively high latency may affect when the individual hears a corresponding output from the MIDI instrument and consequently affect performance aspects, such as timing. SUMMARY An embodiment presented herein discloses a wireless headset configured with a MIDI sound processor to output MIDI data in relative real-time. The wireless headset device includes a first and a second headset speaker. The wireless headset device also includes a wireless transceiver unit having a sound processing logic unit. The wireless transceiver is to receive, over a wireless connection with a source device, a stream of data. The wireless transceiver is also to convert, by the sound processing logic unit, the stream of data to a stream of data associated with a music interface protocol. The wireless transceiver is also to output, by the sound processing logic unit, audio corresponding to the converted stream of data to the first and second headset speakers. Another embodiment presented herein discloses a method. The method generally includes receiving, by a wireless headset over a wireless connection with a source device, a stream of data. The wireless headset comprises first and second headset speakers. The method also includes converting, by the wireless headset, the stream of data to a stream of data associated with a music interface protocol. The method also includes outputting, by the wireless headset, audio corresponding to the converted stream of data to the first and second headset speakers. Yet another embodiment presented herein discloses a wireless headset having means for receiving, over a wireless connection with a source device, a stream of data. The wireless headset further includes means for converting the stream of data to a stream of data associated with a music interface protocol. The wireless headset also includes means for outputting audio corresponding to the converted stream of data to the first and second headset speakers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of at least one embodiment of an example wireless headset configured with a MIDI sound engine to output MIDI data relatively in real-time; FIG. 2 illustrates at least one embodiment of an example performance environment in which the wireless headset of FIG. 1 may operate; and FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of at least one embodiment of a method for operating the wireless headset of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments presented herein disclose a wireless headset having a sound processor configured to receive data formatted under a music interface protocol such as the Music Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) from a source, such as a MIDI instrument (e.g., a MIDI keyboard, synthesizer, drum kit, etc.). The data may be produced as a result of an individual playing the MIDI instrument. The source may transmit the MIDI data via a wireless commu