October 8, 2004
Tritone Patents Newest Innovation in Music Education and Evaluation Technology
Tritone,, a leading developer of integrated e-learning solutions for music, announces it has been issued a patent by the U.S. Patent Office for its proprietary systems and methods for online music teaching and training. (tritonemusic.com)
Specializing in innovative education systems design, Tritone is a division of Great West Music (1987) LTD located in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Great West’s US Patent No. 6,751,439 B2 details the method for determining how Tritone technology functions for teaching music over a network and describes the system and methods that enable a computer user, logged into a network, to learn music.
Tritone believes that receiving a patent for their interactive e-learning technology "further demonstrates our strength and technological leadership in the music education arena,” said Garnett MacMullin, President and CEO, of Tritone. “The functionality contained in this patent demonstrates our ability to innovate and create new approaches to teaching online, and is fundamentally essential to a successful learning process of playing and understanding music.”
“The system we have developed illustrates a successful combination of innovative technology with the high standards of the education field,” said Tim Nachtigall, Education Systems Designer of Tritone. “When it comes to scholastic achievement, there can be no compromise, and I am pleased with the strides we have made to ensure the technology elevates the learning experience without hindering it.”
The heart of the patent application consists of a java music engine called “Javatrax”, which evaluates a player’s performance, and an Administrative Web Server called “CourseWatch” that that manages content delivery and storage of student information.
The claim encompasses an online music training system for teaching
music to students. This system is comprised of a Student Station,
a Teacher Station and an Administrative Web Server, all connected
over a communications network. The Student Station includes a computer
integrated with a midi device (eg. midi keyboard), which is used
to interact with the music course. The Administrative Web Server
maintains a database related to the Student’s performance.
As the student traverses the music course, lessons and activities
as well as applicable MIDI files are downloaded from the Administrative
Web Server to the Student Station computer. When the student responds,
a comparison evaluation is made to the proprietary Midi file created
by the Student and resident on the Student’s Computer. The
Student’s performance in response to a variety of drills is
evaluated on a number of criterion, including timing, pitch, and
expression. The results can be reviewed immediately by the Student
while the corresponding Student Midi file is uploaded to the Administrative
Web Server for storage. By accessing the Administrative Web Server,
teachers can review lesson evaluations and midi files created by
students along with other various student-based performance information.
Unique advantages of this system are that it operates in a manner
transparent to the user, and that it allows teachers, administrators
and even the students themselves to retrieve and view past performances
and maintain records of their activities. As well, the system is
cross-platforming – allowing for fully integrated simultaneous
usage by both PC and MAC users.
The entire system is incorporated into the Tritone Music Series
courseware package. This courseware is an excellent resource for
school classrooms, distance learning applications as well as private
at-home learning situations. Its adaptable content accommodates
the wide range from active music learning specialists to novice
student monitors and even parents.
For more information visit the Tritone website at: http://www.tritonemusic.com
Contact:
Garnett MacMullin
President / CEO
604-451-5547
garnett@tritone.net
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