Patents by Inventor Yu Nishibori

Yu Nishibori has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8008565
    Abstract: Plural key switches are arranged in two dimensions along X- and Y-coordinate axes, and an X-coordinate position of each of the key switches is associated with tone generation timing while a Y-coordinate position of each of the key switches is associated with a tone pitch. Storage section stores a music piece data set that includes tone generating data having data of tone pitches and tone generation timing associated with the key switches. In a repeat-section setting mode, a repeat-section setting section causes the plural key switches to function as setting operators and sets a repeat section of the music piece data set on the basis of the X-coordinate position of any operated one of the key switches. In reproduction of the stored music piece data set, a reproduction section repetitively reproduces the tone generating data of the music piece data set which are included in the set repeat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Nishibori, Toshio Iwai
  • Patent number: 7709724
    Abstract: Plural key switches are arranged in two dimensions along X- and Y-coordinate axes, and an X-coordinate position of each of the key switches is associated with tone generation timing while a Y-coordinate position of each of the key switches is associated with a tone pitch. Storage section stores a music piece data set that includes tone generating data having data of tone pitches and tone generation timing associated with the key switches. In a repeat-section setting mode, a repeat-section setting section causes the plural key switches to function as setting operators and sets a repeat section of the music piece data set on the basis of the X-coordinate position of any operated one of the key switches. In reproduction of the stored music piece data set, a reproduction section repetitively reproduces the tone generating data of the music piece data set which are included in the set repeat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Nishibori, Toshio Iwai
  • Publication number: 20100037754
    Abstract: Plural key switches are arranged in two dimensions along X- and Y-coordinate axes, and an X-coordinate position of each of the key switches is associated with tone generation timing while a Y-coordinate position of each of the key switches is associated with a tone pitch. Storage section stores a music piece data set that includes tone generating data having data of tone pitches and tone generation timing associated with the key switches. In a repeat-section setting mode, a repeat-section setting section causes the plural key switches to function as setting operators and sets a repeat section of the music piece data set on the basis of the X-coordinate position of any operated one of the key switches. In reproduction of the stored music piece data set, a reproduction section repetitively reproduces the tone generating data of the music piece data set which are included in the set repeat section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu NISHIBORI, Toshio IWAI
  • Patent number: 7536257
    Abstract: A performance apparatus which can realize interesting performance with game elements. Coordinates are designated in a matrix display input section, and sounding data corresponding to the designated coordinates are generated. Sounding of musical tones based on the generated sounding data is instructed. Based on the designation of coordinates, a moving route is set, and a moving ball indicating corresponding present position coordinates on the set moving route among coordinates in the matrix display input section is generated. At least when the moving ball has reached predetermined coordinates on the moving route, sounding data corresponding to the predetermined coordinates is generated, and sounding of a musical tone based on the sounding data generated in association with the predetermined coordinates is instructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Nishibori, Yasuhiko Asahi, Toshio Iwai
  • Patent number: 7394010
    Abstract: A Plurality of key switches for tone-generating are arranged two-dimensionally. Mode setting section sets a tone adjusting mode in which the key switches are caused to function as tone-adjusting operators. In the tone adjusting mode, adjustment of a predetermined tone factor (e.g., tone pitch, tone length, tone volume or tone color) is permitted in response to operation of the key switch. For example, once a user moves a finger to change a Y-coordinate position of the key switch in the tone adjusting mode, an amount of the movement, i.e. a difference between Y-coordinates of two or more successively-operated key switches, is detected, and the thus-detected movement amount is set as a value for adjusting a tone volume or the like. All of light-emitting elements located at Y-coordinate positions of the key switches may be illuminated in a line, to allow the user to visually confirm the adjustment and operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Nishibori, Toshio Iwai
  • Patent number: 7371957
    Abstract: A plurality of key switches are disposed in a predetermined arrangement, such as a matrix arrangement, and a tone generator includes a memory for storing tone (waveform) data corresponding to the key switches. Sampling section acquires an audio signal from an external source, cuts out tone data from the acquired audio signal and writes the cut-out tone data into the memory in association with the key switches. Any one of the key switches is designated on the basis of switch operation by a user or on the basis of automatic performance information, so that, of the tone data stored in the memory, the tone data corresponding to the designated key switch is sounded, i.e. audibly reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yu Nishibori
  • Patent number: 7342164
    Abstract: Key switches are arranged to form plural rows, and light emitting elements are provided in corresponding relation to the key switches. For each of the rows, any operated key switch is detected, and, on the basis of such detection, the light emitting elements are sequentially illuminated so that an illuminated position reciprocates between the operated key switch and the key switch located at a predetermined position of the row the operated key switch belongs to. In synchronism with illumination of the key switch located at a predetermined position of the row, at least one of tones allocated to the row is generated. When duration of operation of the operated key switch is greater than a predetermined time, the light emitting elements located in a predetermined range may be illuminated in accordance with a predetermined pattern, and an effect may be imparted to a tone corresponding to the operated key switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Nishibori, Toshio Iwai
  • Publication number: 20070214947
    Abstract: Plural key switches are arranged in two dimensions along X- and Y-coordinate axes, and an X-coordinate position of each of the key switches is associated with tone generation timing while a Y-coordinate position of each of the key switches is associated with a tone pitch. Storage section stores a music piece data set that includes tone generating data having data of tone pitches and tone generation timing associated with the key switches. In a repeat-section setting mode, a repeat-section setting section causes the plural key switches to function as setting operators and sets a repeat section of the music piece data set on the basis of the X-coordinate position of any operated one of the key switches. In reproduction of the stored music piece data set, a reproduction section repetitively reproduces the tone generating data of the music piece data set which are included in the set repeat section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu NISHIBORI, Toshio IWAI
  • Publication number: 20070022868
    Abstract: A Plurality of key switches for tone-generating are arranged two-dimensionally. Mode setting section sets a tone adjusting mode in which the key switches are caused to function as tone-adjusting operators. In the tone adjusting mode, adjustment of a predetermined tone factor (e.g., tone pitch, tone length, tone volume or tone color) is permitted in response to operation of the key switch. For example, once a user moves a finger to change a Y-coordinate position of the key switch in the tone adjusting mode, an amount of the movement, i.e. a difference between Y-coordinates of two or more successively-operated key switches, is detected, and the thus-detected movement amount is set as a value for adjusting a tone volume or the like. All of light-emitting elements located at Y-coordinate positions of the key switches may be illuminated in a line, to allow the user to visually confirm the adjustment and operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Nishibori, Toshio Iwai
  • Publication number: 20070022865
    Abstract: Key switches are arranged to form plural rows, and light emitting elements are provided in corresponding relation to the key switches. For each of the rows, any operated key switch is detected, and, on the basis of such detection, the light emitting elements are sequentially illuminated so that an illuminated position reciprocates between the operated key switch and the key switch located at a predetermined position of the row the operated key switch belongs to. In synchronism with illumination of the key switch located at a predetermined position of the row, at least one of tones allocated to the row is generated. When duration of operation of the operated key switch is greater than a predetermined time, the light emitting elements located in a predetermined range may be illuminated in accordance with a predetermined pattern, and an effect may be imparted to a tone corresponding to the operated key switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Nishibori, Toshio Iwai
  • Publication number: 20060236846
    Abstract: A plurality of key switches are disposed in a predetermined arrangement, such as a matrix arrangement, and a tone generator includes a memory for storing tone (waveform) data corresponding to the key switches. Sampling section acquires an audio signal from an external source, cuts out tone data from the acquired audio signal and writes the cut-out tone data into the memory in association with the key switches. Any one of the key switches is designated on the basis of switch operation by a user or on the basis of automatic performance information, so that, of the tone data stored in the memory, the tone data corresponding to the designated key switch is sounded, i.e. audibly reproduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yu Nishibori
  • Publication number: 20060005693
    Abstract: A performance apparatus which can realize interesting performance with game elements. Coordinates are designated in a matrix display input section, and sounding data corresponding to the designated coordinates are generated. Sounding of musical tones based on the generated sounding data is instructed. Based on the designation of coordinates, a moving route is set, and a moving ball indicating corresponding present position coordinates on the set moving route among coordinates in the matrix display input section is generated. At least when the moving ball has reached predetermined coordinates on the moving route, sounding data corresponding to the predetermined coordinates is generated, and sounding of a musical tone based on the sounding data generated in association with the predetermined coordinates is instructed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Nishibori, Yasuhiko Asahi, Toshio Iwai
  • Patent number: 6953887
    Abstract: There is provided a session apparatus that enables the user to freely start and enjoy a music session with another session apparatus without being restricted by a time the session should be started. A session apparatus is connected to at least one other session apparatus via a communication network in order to perform a music session with the other session apparatus. Reproduction data to be reproduced simultaneously with reproduction data received from the other session apparatuses is generated and transmitted to the other session apparatus. The reproduction data received from the other session apparatus is delayed by a period of time required for the received reproduction data to be reproduced in synchronism with the generated reproduction data, for simultaneous reproduction of the delayed reproduction data and the generated reproduction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Nagashima, Yu Nishibori
  • Publication number: 20040025670
    Abstract: There is provided a session apparatus that enables the user to freely start and enjoy a music session with another session apparatus without being restricted by a time the session should be started. A session apparatus is connected to at least one other session apparatus via a communication network in order to perform a music session with the other session apparatus. Reproduction data to be reproduced simultaneously with reproduction data received from the other session apparatuses is generated and transmitted to the other session apparatus. The reproduction data received from the other session apparatus is delayed by a period of time required for the received reproduction data to be reproduced in synchronism with the generated reproduction data, for simultaneous reproduction of the delayed reproduction data and the generated reproduction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichi Nagashima, Yu Nishibori
  • Patent number: D563458
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignees: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Iwai, Yu Nishibori
  • Patent number: D563459
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignees: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Iwai, Yu Nishibori