Accompaniment Patents (Class 84/634)
  • Patent number: 11972746
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided a system and method for automatic AI-based song construction based on ideas of a user. It provides and benefits from a combination of expert knowledge resident in an expert engine which contains rules for a musically correct song generation and machine learning in an AI-based audio loop selection engine for the selection of fitting audio loops from a database of audio loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: BELLEVUE INVESTMENTS GMBH & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Dieter Rein, Jurgen Jaron
  • Patent number: 11651758
    Abstract: An electronic device segments a first and second MIDI files into pluralities of source segments and target segments. For each of a plurality of consecutive pairs of first and second target segments, the electronic device identifies a first source segment corresponding to the first target segment of the consecutive pair and identifies a second source segment corresponding to the second target segment of the consecutive pair, where the first and second source segments are identified by determining that the first and second source segments are harmonically conformant to the corresponding first and second target segments, and determining that a transition between the first and second source segments is graphically conformant to a transition between a consecutive pair of source segments. The electronic device generates a third MIDI file using the identified first and second source segments for each of the plurality of consecutive pairs of first and second target segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Spotify AB
    Inventors: François Pachet, Pierre Roy, Benoit Jean Carré
  • Patent number: 11580944
    Abstract: A method for adjusting accompaniment music is disclosed. The method transposes the musical key of at least one section of the accompaniment music such that a song will have different musical key transpositions for different sections of the accompaniment music, so that singers whose vocal ranges are narrow can sing songs after the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventors: Hsuan-Yu Chen, Chun-Lung Chen, I-Ting Lee, Kuan-Li Chao, Kuo-Wei Kao, Neo Bob Chih-Yung Young, Kuo-Ping Yang
  • Patent number: 11557270
    Abstract: A performance analysis method realized by a computer includes sequentially estimating performance positions within a musical piece by an analysis process applied to an audio signal representing a performance sound of the musical piece, and setting a performance position at a first time point on a time axis within the musical piece to a performance position corresponding to a time series of the performance positions estimated by the analysis process in a selection period prior to and spaced away from the first time point within the musical piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Maezawa
  • Patent number: 11439896
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, a device, a system, and/or a manufacture of a mental and physical challenge through recalling and inputting a sequence of touch inputs and/or sound inputs. In one embodiment, a device for engaging a user in a mental and/or physical challenge includes a platform capable of laying substantially flat on a surface, two or more touch sensors attached to the platform for receiving a touch input from the user, two or more visual indicators of the platform, a speaker for providing a sound indicator, and a microphone for receiving a sound input from the user. A computer memory includes a sequence data specifying a set of inputs, a sequence indication routine for generating an input indication of the sequence data, and a comparison routine for comparing the sequence data to the input data to provide a score and/or a rank. The challenge may be set to music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Dennis Fountaine
  • Patent number: 10880598
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for generating video data. In some examples, an apparatus for generating the video data includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry obtains tempo information from audio data that is inserted in a target video. The processing circuitry determines a plurality of target tempo points in the tempo information according to video effect time description information included in a video effect description file. The video effect description file includes video effect data that is used to adjust one or more video frames of an original video. The processing circuitry obtains the one or more video frames from the original video according to the plurality of target tempo points. The processing circuitry adjusts the one or more video frames with the video effect data. The processing circuitry generates the target video including the adjusted one or more video frames and the audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Qianyi Wang, Yanggang Dai, Yu Gao, Bin Fu
  • Patent number: 10560969
    Abstract: A communication apparatus that performs wireless communication using a first communication system and a second communication system includes a determining unit that determines an operation mode selected from a first operation mode and a second operation mode, the first operation mode being an operation which is used in the second communication system and in which the communication apparatus communicates with a different communication apparatus in a wireless network created by the communication apparatus, the second operation mode being an operation which is used in the second communication system and in which the communication apparatus communicates with the different communication apparatus in a wireless network created by an external apparatus, and a storing unit that stores information, based on the selected operation mode, used to establish a connection with one of the wireless networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihide Goto
  • Patent number: 10424280
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for generating an output file including steps of generating audio or MIDI content blocks from one or more musical performances; receiving an input file having audio or MIDI music content; determining a chord structure and tempo for the input file; generating a harmonic chord map from the chord structure and tempo for the input file; using the harmonic chord map to automatically select content blocks, and generating the output file by combining the selected content blocks and the input file. The invention enables the creation of unique and new musical accompaniments by re-purposing audio or MIDI content from back catalogs and/or out-takes of musical works. The new arrangement may be provided in multiple music styles, genres, or moods and may contain performances from multiple musical instruments, which may be pre-recorded from live instrument performances and/or of MIDI generated musical content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Score Music Productions Limited
    Inventor: Michael John Kiely
  • Patent number: 10002597
    Abstract: A musical instrument for electronically producing music from audio segments. The musical instrument comprises: an apparatus having a first surface; a plurality of selectable elements disposed in a substantially circular geometry on the first surface; and at least one memory storing the plurality of audio segments, each of the plurality of audio segments being associated with a respective selectable element in the plurality of selectable elements, wherein, in response to detecting selection of a subset of the plurality of selectable elements, the system is configured to generate music using audio segments in the plurality of audio segments that are associated with the selected subset of the plurality of selectable elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Brown University
    Inventors: Peter Bussigel, Joseph Rovan
  • Patent number: 9514729
    Abstract: A musical instrument includes memory that stores layout information defining regions arranged on a predetermined virtual plane, and a position sensor that detects the position coordinates on the virtual plane of a music playing member that can be held by a player. First, it is determined whether the position coordinates of the music playing member belong to a region arranged on the virtual plane based on the layout information, at a timing at which a specific music playing operations is made. Herein, in a case of having determined as belonging to a region, the generation of sound of a musical note corresponding to this region is instructed, in a case of having determined as not belonging to a region, the layout information stored in the memory is modified in order to modify this region so as to include the position coordinates of the music playing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Yoshihama
  • Patent number: 9117432
    Abstract: A chord detection apparatus retrieves musical performance data indicative of musical performance played by a user, retrieves musical piece information indicative of a musical piece played by the user, retrieves chord tendency information indicative of degrees of likelihood or unlikelihood of chords appearing in the musical piece, and detects a chord on the basis of the retrieved musical performance data and the retrieved chord tendency information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinari Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9087500
    Abstract: A note sequence analysis apparatus calculates a similarity index based on similarity between a designated sequence of notes designated by a user and a reference sequence of notes for each of a plurality of reference pieces of music, then selects a reference piece of music from among the plurality of reference pieces of music based on the similarity index calculated for each of the plurality of reference pieces of music, and specifies an evaluation index of the designated sequence of notes based on the similarity index calculated for the selected reference piece of music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Kouhei Sumi
  • Patent number: 9040802
    Abstract: An accompaniment data generating apparatus has a storing portion 15 for storing sets of phrase waveform data each related to a chord identified on the basis of a combination of chord type and chord root, and a CPU 9. The CPU 9 carries out a chord information obtaining process for obtaining chord information by which a chord type and a chord root are identified, and a chord note waveform data generating process for generating phrase waveform data indicative of chord notes of the chord root and the chord type identified by the obtained chord information in accordance with the obtained chord information by use of the sets of phrase waveform data stored in the storing portion 15, and outputting the generated data as accompaniment data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Kakishita
  • Patent number: 9035783
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide information regarding device identity and connectivity among a system of music instruments or other electronic devices. Icons are displayed on a display screen. Each icon corresponds to a connector and can show a signal condition, status, state or other property of the associated connector, or of a device coupled to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Miselu, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshinari Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9012756
    Abstract: The present invention may be used for producing vocal accompaniment with sound producing musical instruments. A hand operated unit may have a programmable processor, a display, a plurality of control switches and a control device. The hand operated unit may have a selection of human voiced letters in selected pitch and pronunciation characteristics stored in the programmable processor. An identification parameter correlated to a signal from a musical instrument that represents a sound produced by the use of the musical instrument may be stored with each selected human voice letter. When a selected human voice letter is activated, the hand operated unit may output a signal to a sound producing device. The hand operated unit may be connected to a foot operated unit that has multiple two-position foot switches and a pedal for use in control of pitch and sound level characteristics as well as selection of a human voice letter to be sound output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventors: Gerald Goldman, Justin Burrill
  • Patent number: 8993866
    Abstract: An improved portable media device and methods for operating a media device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the portable media device can also function as a solid-state drive for data storage. The form factor of the portable media device can be hand-held or smaller, such that it is highly portable. The portable media device can use one or more status indicators. The portable media device can also include a peripheral bus connector, a rechargeable battery, and one or more input devices. According to another aspect, the portable media device has the capability to store media device status information in persistent memory before powering down. Thereafter, when the portable media device is again powered up, the stored media player status information can be retrieved and utilized. According to still another aspect, the portable media device can form and/or traverse a media asset playlist in an efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Jobs, Anthony M. Fadell, Jonathan P. Ive
  • Publication number: 20150075356
    Abstract: A handheld singing apparatus, capable of being cooperated with a handheld electronic device having a screen for operation, includes a holding member, a supporting seat and a connecting portion. The holding member is approximately formed as rod shaped and has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The supporting seat is capable of receiving and fastening with the handheld electronic device, so that the screen is faced to a direction far from the holding member. The connecting portion is connected between the first end of the holding member and the supporting seat, so that the supporting seat is rotatable relative to the holding member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Keng-Yuan LIU, Tzu Jen MAO
  • Patent number: 8969700
    Abstract: In a computer system having at least one output device, a set of media programs is accessed. A playlist first portion including a first plurality of the media programs of the set is created. The programs of the first portion are arranged with respect to one another according to a respective first characteristic value of each of the programs of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Michael K. DuKane
  • Patent number: 8912420
    Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to enhancing music. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a sound input, extracting a primary melody from the sound input, and converting the primary melody into a graphical representation. The method also includes generating a plurality of derivative melodies, where each derivative melody is derived from the primary melody. The method also includes enabling a user to select one or more of the derivative melodies to be played with the primary melody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Miselu, Inc.
    Inventors: Amanda Seyfer, Joshua Pollack
  • Publication number: 20140360343
    Abstract: Systems and methods of synchronizing media are provided. A client device may be used to capture a sample of a media stream being rendered by a media rendering source. The client device sends the sample to a position identification module to determine a time offset indicating a position in the media stream corresponding to the sampling time of the sample, and optionally a timescale ratio indicating a speed at which the media stream is being rendered by the media rendering source based on a reference speed of the media stream. The client device calculates a real-time offset using a present time, a timestamp of the media sample, the time offset, and optionally the timescale ratio. The client device then renders a second media stream at a position corresponding to the real-time offset to be in synchrony to the media stream being rendered by the media rendering source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Avery Li-Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 8905941
    Abstract: A first evaluation mode and a second evaluation mode for evaluating with a criterion different from the first evaluation mode are set and the second evaluation mode is applied to acquired information before application of the first evaluation mode to output the evaluation result. A user recognizes that the evaluation result is acquired from the current finger placement. If a change is made in the evaluation result by making transition from the second evaluation mode to the first evaluation mode, the user sensuously recognizes again that the finger placement is not proper from the evaluation result and is prompted to perform a correct operation of the finger position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Koichiro Kasama
  • Patent number: 8907191
    Abstract: Game systems according to various embodiments are adapted to allow users to assemble an instrument performance for a particular song by: (1) displaying a music loop pallet that includes a plurality of different music loops that each contain music played by a particular musical instrument (e.g., guitar, bass, drums, piano, etc.); and (2) allowing a user to assemble the instrument performance by indicating (a) which of the plurality of music loops will be included in the instrument performance, and (b) in which order the music loops will be played during the instrument performance. In certain embodiments, the system is configured to allow a user to create songs that comprise a plurality of instruments and genres of music into one complete song.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventors: Marshall Seese, Jr., Michael VanBeneden, Adam Kunz
  • Patent number: 8897693
    Abstract: A karaoke device is housed within an enclosure. A voice pickup element is integrated into the enclosure. The voice pickup element converts sound waves into an electrical signal. The karaoke device has an audio input and an audio output. An amplifier housed within the enclosure variably amplifies the electrical signal from the voice pickup element. A mixer, also within the enclosure, has a first input connected to an output of the amplifier and a second input connected to the audio input. A switch is include and has at least two positions. A first position of the switch connects the audio input to the audio output and a second position of the switch connects an output of the mixer to the audio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Dok Solution LLC
    Inventor: Jack Strauser
  • Patent number: 8878046
    Abstract: Provided are a tone control device and a method for adjusting a volume level at which to generate a new tone and at least one current tone according to a target volume level and a current volume level. A note-on event associated with a received volume level is received from an input device. A current volume level is processed to determine a new volume level in response to receiving the note-on event while generating at least one current tone at the current volume level. The at least one current tone and a new tone associated with the received note-on event are generated at the new volume level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Mizuki Nakagawa, Shun Takai
  • Patent number: 8872012
    Abstract: A music data processing method applied to an electronic apparatus includes obtaining a time data; retrieving a partial music data from an input music data according to the time data; and performing a pre-end-play processing on the partial music data to output an output music data. With the pre-end-play processing performed, the output music data is substantially different from the partial music data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung-Chi Huang
  • Patent number: 8859875
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for musical score presentation conversion are described. For example, in some implementations the method can include receiving a musical notation file, and formatting the musical notation file according to predetermined parameters. The method can also include exporting formatted notation images, and importing the formatted notation images into a converter. The method can further include converting the formatted notation images into a presentation, and providing the presentation for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: SingSlide Presentations, LLC
    Inventor: William Nathan Daniels
  • Patent number: 8791350
    Abstract: An accompaniment data generating apparatus has a phrase waveform data storing portion for storing sets of phrase waveform data each indicative of a phrase of accompaniment tones preformed at a reference tempo and each corresponding to a different reference note. The accompaniment data generating apparatus obtains a reproduction tempo, obtains the first reference note, selects a set of phrase waveform data corresponding to the second reference note whose tone pitch is different from a tone pitch of the first reference note, and reads out the selected phrase waveform data set at a speed by which the tone pitch of the second reference note of the selected phrase waveform data set agrees with the tone pitch of the first reference note of a case where a set of phrase waveform data corresponding to the first reference note is reproduced at the reference note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masatsugu Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8772618
    Abstract: Provided are a method, electronic musical instrument, and computer storage device for mixing automatic accompaniment input and musical device input during a loop recording. During a first loop recording, automatic accompaniment information is generated from a storage device having patterns of automatic accompaniment information. First musical device input is received from at least one coupled musical device. The first musical device input and the automatic accompaniment input based on the generated automatic accompaniment information are mixed to produce a first mixed output. The first mixed output in a recording memory. During a second loop recording following the first loop recording, the first mixed output is outputted from the recording memory. Second musical device input from the at least one coupled musical device is received while outputting the first mixed output. The received second musical device input and the first mixed output are mixed to produce second mixed output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventor: Keisuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8759657
    Abstract: A method for providing variable root note support in an audio player is described. A file with Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) data and a set of user defined instruments is received. A metric is determined using a user defined root note in the user defined instruments, a key number for a MIDI note in the MIDI data, and a player specific root note. The key number is adjusted based on the metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Prajakt Kulkarni, Suresh Devalapalli
  • Patent number: 8759660
    Abstract: Provided are an electronic musical instrument, computer storage device, and method generating tones for held notes. Indication is made of held notes having pitches as held in response to receiving note-on information for the held notes from an input device of an electronic musical instrument while receiving hold information from a hold device of the electronic musical instrument. Note-on information is received for a received note having a pitch while generating the pitches for the held notes. Selection is made of one of the held notes to release according to a first selection criteria in response to determining that the pitch difference of the received note and at least one of the held notes does not exceed the predetermined number of tones or selection is made according to a second selection criteria if the pitch difference exceeds the predetermined number of tones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Mizuki Nakagawa, Shun Takai
  • Patent number: 8729374
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a record of a person's voice that stores a recording of an artist singing a song, stores a selected sequences of sounds of a person correlated with the words being sung in the song, processes the selected stored sounds so that the person's voice sounds as if the person were singing the song with the same pitch and timing as the artist singing the stored song, combines the processed selected stored sounds with the instrumental track of the song; and stores the combined processed selected stored sounds with the instrumental track of the song.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Howling Technology
    Inventors: Marcus Haupt, Suman Venkatesh Ravuri, Adam B. Kling
  • Patent number: 8716584
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system to enable a user to find and act-upon an audio-containing composition in a group of compositions. A sound-segment (recognition-segment) intended to prompt a user's memory, may be associated with each composition in a group of compositions. A recognition-segment may contain one or more highly recognizable portion(s) of a composition. When the user is trying to locate or select a particular composition, the recognition-segments are navigated and played-back to the user, based upon a user-device context/mode. When a user recognizes the desired composition from its recognition-segment, the user may initiate a control action to playback; arrange; and/or act-upon, the composition that is associated with the currently playing recognition-segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: James W. Wieder
  • Patent number: 8710343
    Abstract: A music composition automation system includes logic to assign metadata to an audio recording to divide a melody in the recording into sections, and to identify song form section types for the sections. In addition, logic to associate audio accompaniment with the sections based on the identified section types can be based on a style library, that is arranged to provide data executable by a data processing system to generate musical phrases associated with respective styles. Musical phrases in the style library include metadata specifying characteristics of the phrase according to song form section type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ujam Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kellett, Peter Gorges, Axel Hensen, Norman Schmielau
  • Patent number: 8704072
    Abstract: A media application for providing outputs (e.g., audio outputs) in response to inputs received from an input device is provided. The media application may connect input mechanisms of an input device with parameters of channel strips (e.g., which may define output sounds) using an intermediate screen object. The media application may first assign an input mechanism to a screen object, and separately map a screen object to a channel strip parameter. The media application may map a screen object to several channel strips simultaneously such that, based on the value of the screen object, the volume of each of the several channel strips changes. The media application may provide a graphical representation of available channel strips using layers. As the media application accesses a channel strip, the appearance of the portion of the layer associated with the channel strip may change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Gerhard Lengeling
  • Patent number: 8697978
    Abstract: A method for providing multi-region instrument support in an audio player is described. A set of user defined instruments and a set of MIDI data is received. At least one multi-region instrument in the set of user defined instruments is identified. Each region in the multi-region instruments is mapped to a single region instrument with the same parameters as the region. A new instrument number is assigned to each single region instrument. The MIDI data is modified based on the mapping and assigning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Prajakt Kulkarni, Suresh Devalapalli
  • Patent number: 8692099
    Abstract: A musical workstation system produces a display presentation in one of a musical composition responsive to musical composition data and responsive to one or both of input variables and a selected operating mode. The system is comprised of (1) means to provide the musical composition data (such as local storage (ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, hard disk etc.), or via a communications interface to an external device (such as another music workstation, a master controller, a computer), a memory, a selection subsystem, a controller, and a display subsystem. The memory selectively stores the received original musical compositions. The selection subsystem determines a selected operating mode and display format. The controller, responsive to the selection subsystem, provides means for selectively controlling the storing of the musical composition data in memory and selectively processing (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: David H. Sitrick
  • Patent number: 8669457
    Abstract: A system can receive and/or otherwise access information about items of content (e.g., audio tracks, video tracks, images and/or other items), information about a playlist to be generated, information about the past behavior of the target entity for the playlist and/or information about the past behavior of other entities. Examples of information about the items of content include genre, artist, album, time period, etc. Examples of information about a playlist include tempo curve, event type, playlist duration, etc. Based on all or a subset of the above-described information, the system automatically generates a playlist that identifies items of content. The playlist is presented to the target entity so that the target entity can acquire the playlist and/or the items of content identified in the playlist. In some embodiments, the target entity is also provided with an opportunity to edit the playlist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Erich Lawrence Ringewald, Sam Heyworth
  • Patent number: 8637757
    Abstract: A music application guides a user with some musical experience through the steps of creating and editing a musical enhancement file that enhances and plays in synchronicity with an audio signal of an original artist's recorded performance. This enables others, perhaps with lesser musical ability than the original artist, to play-along with the original artist by following melodic, chordal, rhythmic, and verbal prompts. The music application accounts for differences in the timing of the performance from a standard tempo by guiding the user through the process of creating a tempo map for the performance and by associating the tempo map with MIDI information of the enhancement file. Enhancements may contain MIDI information, audio signal information, and/or video signal information which may be played back in synchronicity with the recorded performance to provide an aural and visual aid to others playing-along who may have less musical experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Family Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Reynolds, William B. Hudak
  • Patent number: 8633368
    Abstract: A music application guides a user with some musical experience through the steps of creating and editing a musical enhancement file that enhances and plays in synchronicity with an audio signal of an original artist's recorded performance. This enables others, perhaps with lesser musical ability than the original artist, to play-along with the original artist by following melodic, chordal, rhythmic, and verbal prompts. The music application accounts for differences in the timing of the performance from a standard tempo by guiding the user through the process of creating a tempo map for the performance and by associating the tempo map with MIDI information of the enhancement file. Enhancements may contain MIDI information, audio signal information, and/or video signal information which may be played back in synchronicity with the recorded performance to provide an aural and visual aid to others playing-along who may have less musical experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Family Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Reynolds, William B. Hudak
  • Patent number: 8629342
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a user selection of a musical piece; providing performance cues to a user to perform musical events on a musical instrument, wherein the performance cues are synchronized to expert performance data of the musical piece; receiving audio data corresponding to musical events performed by the user on the musical instrument; detecting fundamental frequencies associated with the user-performed musical events; determining an extent to which the user-performed musical events have been correctly or incorrectly performed; providing real-time or near real-time audio feedback and/or visual feedback indicating the extent to which the user-performed musical events have been correctly or incorrectly performed; and using the expert performance data as real-time or near real-time audio and/or video feedback by controlling an output level of the expert performance data output to the user during a session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Way of H, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Lee, Roger B. Dannenberg
  • Patent number: 8618402
    Abstract: Melody and accompaniment audio signals are received and processed to identify one or more harmony notes and a harmony signal is produced based on the one or more harmony notes. Typically the melody note is identified and a spectrum of the accompaniment audio signal and is obtained, and one or more harmony notes are identified based on the melody note and the accompaniment spectrum. The melody, and accompaniment signals can be processed in real-time for combination with the harmony signal in an audio performance. In some examples, audio signals are processed and harmonies generated for subsequent performance based on, for example, MIDI files generated from the audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Harman International Industries Canada Limited
    Inventors: Glen A. Rutledge, William Norman Campbell, Peter R. Lupini
  • Patent number: 8569606
    Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing light signals to a music input signal includes an analog to digital converter to generate a digital signal equivalent of the analog music input signal, an digital signal decoder to generate an output pulse width modulated signal that is representative of the tempo and the volume of the music input signal, a light driver unit that receives the output pulse width modulated signal to correspondingly light up a lighting unit, and a lighting unit that emits light. Thus, light brightness synchronizes with the music volume amplitude, and the light blinks on and off with the music tempo and beating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Semiconductor Asia Pte.Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Kiong Leslie Khoo, Shuang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8558100
    Abstract: A music production apparatus includes a melody data storage operative to store music data for a plurality of melody elements forming music, a condition storage operative to store a condition for combining melody elements and a condition related to an attribute applicable when playing the melody element, an element selector operative to determine, at a predetermined point of time, whether a melody element should be allocated to a track where no melody elements are allocated, and to select, when it is determined that a melody element should be allocated to the track, a melody element that should be allocated to the track by referring to the condition for combining melody elements stored in the condition storage, an attribute determination unit operative to determine an attribute applicable when playing the selected melody element, and a sound production unit operative to read music data for the selected melody element from the melody data storage, to apply the attribute determined by the attribute determination
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Shinpei Yamaguchi, Isamu Terasaka, Junko Sano
  • Publication number: 20130233157
    Abstract: A media application for providing outputs (e.g., audio outputs) in response to inputs received from an input device is provided. The media application may connect input mechanisms of an input device with parameters of channel strips (e.g., which may define output sounds) using an intermediate screen object. The media application may first assign an input mechanism to a screen object, and separately map a screen object to a channel strip parameter. The media application may map a screen object to several channel strips simultaneously such that, based on the value of the screen object, the volume of each of the several channel strips changes. The media application may provide a graphical representation of available channel strips using layers. As the media application accesses a channel strip, the appearance of the portion of the layer associated with the channel strip may change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Gerhard Lengeling
  • Patent number: 8525013
    Abstract: A system is disclosed and includes a network interface to receive a first Internet Protocol (IP) message within a first Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call over a network, where the first IP message carries a first Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) signal. The system also includes a processor to receive the first IP message from the network interface and to extract the first MIDI signal from the first IP message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Dennis Dale Bicker
  • Patent number: 8519249
    Abstract: An artificial intelligence song/music recommendation system and method is provided that allows music shoppers to discover new music. The system and method accomplish these tasks by analyzing a database of music in order to identify key similarities between different pieces of music, and then recommends pieces of music to a user depending upon their music preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Polyphonic Human Media Interface, S.L.
    Inventors: Vicenç Gaitan Alcalde, Julien Ricard, Antonio Trias Bonet, Antonio Trias Llopis, Jesús Sanz Marcos
  • Patent number: 8492635
    Abstract: A music sound generation apparatus generates music-sound data based on sound source data, and outputs the music-sound data in synchronization with audio data obtained separately from the music-sound data. A channel assigner assigns a predetermined number of channels to the audio data and the music-sound data. A read control unit reads the audio data and the music-sound data in accordance with their assigned channels. A signal processing unit generates predetermined music by controlling the sound level of the read audio data and the read music-sound data on each assigned channel and mixing the audio data and the music-sound data. When detecting no unoccupied channel, the channel assigner determines, as an unoccupied channel, a channel selected from channels excluding the channel to which the audio data has been assigned. The signal processing unit performs sound elimination on the unoccupied channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 8492634
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating a musical composition comprising an audio interface, and audio converter module, and a multi-track compositor module is disclosed. The audio interface operably receives audio from an audio input device and outputting audio to an audio output device. The audio converter module is operably connected to the audio interface to convert audio received via the audio interface into an audio track having one or more partitions. The multi-track compositor module is configured to receive a first audio track and a second audio track and automatically score each partition of the first and second audio tracks based on one or more criteria. The multi-track compositor module is then configured to construct a third audio track from the partitions of the first and second audio tracks based on the scores for each partition. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Music Mastermind, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Robert Savo, Francesco Gerald Capodieci, Reza Rassool, Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 8481840
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a portable media player has the form of a wearable button and includes a body that has a front face and a rear face. The media player also has a means for detachably attaching the body to an article of clothing, such as a shirt or jacket. The player has a memory that contains at least one audio file and also includes means for converting the audio file into an analogue sound signal, wherein the content of the memory is factory programmed and cannot be changed by the user. Playback controls are provided to permit playing of the audio file stored in memory. In accordance with the present invention, artist indicia are fixedly disposed on the front face of the body. The indicia correspond to the content of the audio file. For example, the indicia can include the name of the artist and/or the name of the song and/or contain graphics that are associated with the artist of the audio file content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Parte LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas E. Dangerfield
  • Patent number: 8481839
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for audio and/or visual playback. A system can include a first data encoded according to a first file format, a second data encoded according to a second file format, and a file using the first and second data to enable synchronized audio and/or visual playback of the data on one or more receiving elements. In certain instances, at least a portion of the second data includes information relating to finger positions on a musical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Optek Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Shaffer, Ken Pletzer