Note Sequence Patents (Class 84/649)
  • Patent number: 11966656
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a server, an electronic device, a server communication method, a device communication method, and a communication system. In loading of a communication system, in the case where an identifier of a timbre data and an instruction for loading the timbre data are transmitted from a mobile terminal to a server, the server acquires the timbre data corresponding to the identifier of the timbre data from a timbre DB, and transmits the timbre data together with the received instruction to a communication device (electronic musical instrument). In the electronic musical instrument, the received timbre data is stored to a work memory in response to the instruction received from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Miyama, Tokio Takahashi, Tsubasa Murohashi, Daichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 11741924
    Abstract: An electronic wind instrument and key operation detection method are provided. The electronic wind instrument includes an instrument body and a plurality of keys which have an operation surface operated by a player's finger and are provided on an external surface of the instrument body. Among the plurality of keys, at least two keys disposed to sandwich or surround a predetermined region comprise restriction parts formed on the operation surfaces. The restriction parts restrict escape of the player's finger from between the at least two keys having the restriction parts formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Terada, Hidemasa Togai
  • Patent number: 11715447
    Abstract: A spontaneous audio tone inducing system, machine, and method of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: Jonathan Edward Greenlee
  • Patent number: 11625441
    Abstract: Digital image data including discrete photographic images of a variety of different subjects, times, and so forth, are collected and analyzed to identify specific features in the photographs. In an embodiment of the invention, distinctive markers are distributed to aid in the identification of particular subject matter. Facial recognition may also be employed. The digital image data is maintained in a database and quarried in response to search requests. The search requests include criteria specifying any feature category or other identifying information, such as date, time, and location that each photograph was taken, associated with each photograph. Candidate images are provided for review by requesters, who may select desired images for purchase or downloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
    Inventor: Gary Stephen Shuster
  • Patent number: 11609737
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for synchronizing audio signals captured by multiple independent devices during an audio event are described. Multiple recording devices, e.g. several smartphones, record the audio event. A computer system receives audio signals from the devices. The system determines a first delay between two audio signals based on cross-correlation of waveforms of the two audio signals. Subsequently, the system detects attacks that are present in each audio signal by computing the derivative of a respective envelope for each audio signal. The system determines a second delay between the two audio signals based on cross-correlation of attacks of the two audio signals. The system synchronizes the audio signals using the second delay upon determining that using the second delay improves sound quality over using the first delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Dolby International AB
    Inventors: Giulio Cengarle, Antonio Mateos Solé
  • Patent number: 11462197
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing music audio data, comprising the steps of providing input audio data representing a first piece of music containing a mixture of predetermined musical timbres, decomposing the input audio data to generate at least a first audio track representing a first musical timbre selected from the predetermined musical timbres, and a second audio track representing a second musical timbre selected from the predetermined musical timbres, applying a predetermined first audio effect to the first audio track, applying no audio effect or a predetermined second audio effect, which is different from the first audio effect, to the second audio track, and obtaining recombined audio data by recombining the first audio track with the second audio track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ALGORIDDIM GMBH
    Inventor: Kariem Morsy
  • Patent number: 11383175
    Abstract: The present invention provides an affordable at-home toy arcade game experience. This invention brings authentic arcade game play into the home and dormitory. The invention utilizes authentic joysticks and buttons, with an LED screen. The game console is plug-n-play and provides 4 games in 1 game cabinet with one game featured in the cabinet art. The present invention is designed to be sold in a retail box through box retailer and assembled at home into the game console for use. The retail box can be configured either horizontal or vertical. The present invention is further detailed in the following pages and figures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TASTEMAKERS, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Bachrach
  • Patent number: 10446128
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a musical instrument having buttons, where the buttons determine the magnitude of the interval by which the melody will jump from the last note played. With a small number of interval buttons and an up/down strum bar, embodiments can play almost any melody and more notes than a piano. One embodiment is directed to an interval-based guitar including fret buttons whose input signals are used to calculate the interval by which to change the pitch of the prior note. Providing input via a strum bar or a sensor, a new note is generated by adding or subtracting the interval to/from the prior note to generate a new note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Matthew David Parker
  • Patent number: 9286876
    Abstract: An altered but recognizable variant of a MIDI file, music recording, or other discrete or continuous input is created by parsing the input into a plurality of original elements, using a hole-selecting algorithm to select some original elements for modification or replacement, and applying a variation method and/or substitution algorithm. Hole-selection can include an improved application of a chaotic mathematical function. Replacement elements can be taken from the input, or from another seed source, and can be identified by chaotic mapping or by scanning for a suitable match. Continuous inputs can be manually or automatically parsed into segments, or converted to MIDI files. Modifying algorithms such as scanning, inversion (dynamic), interval shift and/or insert, reversal, repetition, stenciling, repetitive beat and/or phrase structure, can be applied to pitches and rhythms to produce notes and rhythms not found in the input. Banning can prevent repeated use of a replacement element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Diana Dabby
  • Patent number: 9286877
    Abstract: An altered but recognizable variant of an input musical composition is created by parsing the input into elements, selecting elements for replacement using a hole-selecting algorithm, and replacing the selected elements using a substitution algorithm. A plurality of tracks from the same composition, or from different compositions, can be separately varied and combined, or concatenated and varied together, or used as a seed source of a substitution algorithm, to create a remix or mash-up. Music variants can be combined with photographs, images, or videos, for distribution to recipients, or for a project presentation or story board. Greeting cards, MP3 players, mobile electronic devices, wearable electronic devices, toys, video games, websites, and ringtones can be configured to create and play a new variant of an input composition each time it is accessed. Websites can be used to host and track successive, “chain” variations of an input musical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Diana Dabby
  • Patent number: 9251776
    Abstract: A system and method of creating harmonizing tracks for an audio input. Audio input is received and a plurality of harmonizing tracks are created based on the received audio input. Each of the plurality of harmonizing tracks are transposed based on a transposition value for each respective track. Individual notes of the harmonizing tracks are manipulated based on a chord strictness threshold and an audio output is provided based on the audio input and the manipulated plurality of harmonizing tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ZYA, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Michael Serletic, II, Ryan Alexander Groves, James Frederick Dennis Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9129584
    Abstract: A user interface implemented on a touch-sensitive display for a virtual musical instrument comprising a plurality of chord touch regions configured in a predetermined sequence, each chord touch region corresponding to a chord in a musical key and being divided into a plurality of separate touch zones, the plurality of chord touch regions defining a predetermined set of chords, where each of the plurality of separate touch zones in each region is associated with one or more preselected MIDI files stored in a computer-readable medium. In some embodiments, the touch zones are configured to provide different harmonic configurations of a base chord associated with the chord touch region. Some harmonic configurations provide progressively wider harmonic ranges across each adjacent touch zone. Other harmonic configurations can provide chords with a progressively higher relative pitch across each adjacent touch zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alec H. Little, Eli T. Manjarrez
  • Patent number: 9070352
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for mixing song data based on measure groupings. A player or program may recognize measure groupings in a song through identifying cuepoints. The player or program may use the cuepoints and/or other identifiers of measure groupings to generate a transition between the song and other songs. Parts of one or both songs may be time-stretched, or frames may be added or deleted, such that the beats in both songs are substantially aligned during the transition. The system and method may also involve altering the sequence of frames in one or both of the songs, so that the transition may have various sonic qualities as desired by a user. A choice of transition modes may be provided via a user interface that allow the user some control over when and how transitions between songs are executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Mixwolf LLC
    Inventor: Michael Yang
  • Patent number: 9040801
    Abstract: A music reproduction apparatus includes: a reproduction section for reproducing user-selected music piece data; a generation section for generating control information including music piece information identifying a music piece reproduced by the reproduction section and reproduced position information indicative of a currently-reproduced position; a modulation section for outputting, on the basis of the generated control information, an audio signal of a predetermined frequency band for carrying the control information; and an output section for transmitting to outside the audio signal generated by the modulation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Hiratsuka
  • Patent number: 9040805
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided which includes a music analysis unit for analyzing an audio signal serving as a capture source for a sound material and for detecting beat positions of the audio signal and a presence probability of each instrument sound in the audio signal, and a capture range determination unit for determining a capture range for the sound material by using the beat positions and the presence probability of each instrument sound detected by the music analysis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9029677
    Abstract: A method for composing a musical is carried out by identifying spectral data characterizing a selected chemical composition, said spectral data representing a plurality of transmittance peaks for the selected chemical composition in a spectral range (e.g., a wave number range), including identifying the spectral range and transmittance values and positions of a sequence of transmittance peaks within the spectral range; assigning a melody duration to the identified spectral range; generating a sequence of musical tones by assigning the identified transmittance values to musical tones to the sequence of transmittance peaks; and assigning a duration to each musical tone. A computer-readable medium includes code for carrying out the method on a general-purpose computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Frenkel, Alex Frenkel
  • Patent number: 9024169
    Abstract: A music analysis apparatus has a feature extractor and an analysis processor. The feature extractor generates a time series of feature values from a sequence of notes which is designated as an object of analysis. The analysis processor computes an evaluation index value which indicates a probability that the designated sequence of notes is present in each of a plurality of reference music pieces by applying a probabilistic model to the time series of the feature values generated from the designated sequence of notes. The probabilistic model is generated by machine learning of the plurality of reference music pieces using time series of feature values obtained from the reference music pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kouhei Sumi, Takuya Fujishima, Takeshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9012755
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for generating and storing a database that may be searched for music upon a user's request, and a method and apparatus for searching for music corresponding to the user's request. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of melodies are divided based on phrase breaks and are stored, and a number of melodies which are similar to the user's request are detected from the stored melodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-wan Eom, Jae-won Lee, Jung-eun Kim, Jing Deng
  • Patent number: 8987572
    Abstract: A system and method for teaching a user to discriminate and match musical pitch is disclosed. A pitch module generates a first melodic sequence for a user. The pitch module generates at least two symbolically depicted sequences including a first symbolic sequence that represents a pitch frequency that, when played, matches the first melodic sequence. A tracking module receives a selection of the first symbolic sequence and advances to a next level in response to receiving the selection of the first symbolic sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Generategy LLC
    Inventors: Hirofumi Shimizu, Paul T. Andronis, Melinda Sota, Nathan Rollins, Nattapong Thangvijit, Terrence Layng, Marta Leon, Jay Thompson, Nathan Skone
  • Patent number: 8987574
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing patterns in the relationships of notes of an input piece of music. The method comprises generating a set of the most frequently occurring note pitches in ascending pitch order that matches an interval pattern, and detecting out-of-key pitches that lie outside of this interval pattern. One or more potential key sequence bifurcations are identified which represent a list of possible key sequences according to forwards and backwards analysis. By finding patterns of repetition in the chordal sequences that may be generated according to these key sequence bifurcations, a key sequence that allows the most frequently recurring chord sequences may be chosen. Chord sequences may be analyzed by using ghost chords, temporary harmonic structures that are created, updated and finalized over time according to a combination of essential and inessential note fragments. The method further comprises identifying non-harmony pitches according to the analyzed chord sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Exomens Ltd.
    Inventor: Marcus A. Matusiak
  • 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: 8957296
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for assessing a musical performance of a chord, a chord series, or a chord progression. The performance can include a user's performance of a musical instrument. MIDI or audio notes are input and compared to the notes of music track. An indication can be provided to assess the performance. The assessment can be on the basis of timing and/or pitch errors. A new chord can be displayed to a user based on the assessment of the user's performance of the previous chord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jan-Hinnerk Helms, Greg Gilley, Gerhard Lengeling
  • Patent number: 8933312
    Abstract: An apparatus for synchronized digital sheet music display and audio playback comprises an electronic appliance. The apparatus includes an audio output for playing an audio recording of a piece of music and a display for displaying the piece of music in notation form, including a first portion thereof and comprising elements representing discrete segments of the piece of music that may be identified, displayed, and highlighted. The apparatus further comprises software for controllably playing the recording of and displaying the piece of music, highlighting a second portion of the piece of music within and advancing through the first, and synchronizing the highlighted second portion with the audio played from the audio output. The software further supports an electronic book format, displaying and playing book contents containing both written language and music notation. Audio playback includes both music and a voice reading the language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: MakeMusic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Good, Steven Mills
  • Patent number: 8927846
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing patterns in the relationships of notes of an input piece of music. The method comprises generating a set of the most frequently occurring note pitches in ascending pitch order that matches an interval pattern, and detecting out-of-key pitches that lie outside of this interval pattern. One or more potential key sequence bifurcations are identified which represent a list of possible key sequences according to forwards and backwards analysis. By finding patterns of repetition in the chordal sequences that may be generated according to these key sequence bifurcations, a key sequence that allows the most frequently recurring chord sequences may be chosen. Chord sequences may be analyzed by using ghost chords, temporary harmonic structures that are created, updated and finalized over time according to a combination of essential and inessential note fragments. The method further comprises identifying non-harmony pitches according to the analyzed chord sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Exomens
    Inventor: Marcus A. Matusiak
  • Patent number: 8907193
    Abstract: A game system and method that uses an instrument as an input encourages a user to play along with the game's soundtrack on an instrument (e.g. guitar, bass, etc.). The game cues the player to play notes and/or chords on the instrument at an appropriate time and then data is collected from the instrument via a connection between the instrument and the apparatus running the game. The game then scores the user based on note/chord and timing information it receives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ubisoft Entertainment
    Inventors: Paul Cross, Nicholas Bonardi, Naomi Higo
  • Patent number: 8907195
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing musical training is disclosed. The method/apparatus allows a user to practice voice lessons, ear training lessons, songs, and/or various musical instruments that rely on good pitch perception (such as a violin or a brass instrument). The method/apparatus displays a sequence of music notes to the user via a combination of conventional music staffs (such as a grand staff) and instances of a pitch-based representation. The method/apparatus also displays the accuracy of the user in hitting notes, the quality of his/her tone if supported, changes to his/her vocal range if desired, and tracks the user's practice history. The method/apparatus further provides features such as automatic vocal range detection, adjustment of lessons to a user's vocal range, and a display method that makes changes to the pitches of music notes clear during musical key/scale changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Neset Arda Erol
  • Patent number: 8907196
    Abstract: A sound analysis and associated sound synthesis method is provided. A first input sound signal is received and analyzed, to determine its corresponding impulse response representative of a timbre of the input sound signal. A second input sound signal is received and processed into a form which the corresponding impulse response is susceptible to being applied, wherein the processing includes generating a “pink noise” equivalent frequency spectrum of the second input sound signal. The impulse response is applied to the processed second input sound signal to generate an output signal, wherein the output sound signal includes at least timbral nuances of the first input sound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Mikko Pekka Vainiala
  • Patent number: 8889976
    Abstract: A musical score position estimating device includes an audio signal acquiring unit, a musical score information acquiring unit acquiring musical score information corresponding to an audio signal acquired by the audio signal acquiring unit, an audio signal feature extracting unit extracting a feature amount of the audio signal, a musical score feature extracting unit extracting a feature amount of the musical score information, a beat position estimating unit estimating a beat position of the audio signal, and a matching unit matching the feature amount of the audio signal with the feature amount of the musical score information using the estimated beat position to estimate a position of a portion in the musical score information corresponding to the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakadai, Takuma Otsuka, Hiroshi Okuno
  • Patent number: 8884147
    Abstract: A method of correlating scales or chords that is represented as color codes, number codes, or both. The method involves correlating at least one chord with another. The method also involves correlating scales with one another. Furthermore, the method involves correlating chords with scales as well. Notes of scales or chords are assigned colors. Notes of one scale or chord are assigned one color. Notes of another scale or chord are assigned another color. Then at least one distinguishing color is assigned to notes that occur in more than one scale or chord in the correlation. Also, when chords are correlated with scales, distinguishing colors are assigned to notes that occur in more than one musical concept. When more than two chords or scales are correlated by the method, different distinguishing colors are assigned to notes that occur in three or more scales or chords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Skysun Grady Stambaugh
  • Patent number: 8884148
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transforming character strings and musical input are provided herein. According to some embodiments, methods for transforming character strings into musical output may include executing instructions stored in memory via a processor to determine a scheme for converting character strings into musical output, receive the character string, parse the character string into character segments, and convert the character segments into individual musical notes according to the scheme to create the musical output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Randy Gurule
  • Patent number: 8878043
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for determining one or more chords and/or music notes to output (e.g., via a mobile device) based on a direction of movement and/or a speed of movement (e.g., of a mobile device). In some embodiments, determining a music note for output may comprise determining whether a speed of a mobile device has increased, decreased, or remained constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: uSOUNDit Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Jean Cheever, Tom Polum, Tamra Hayden-Rice
  • Patent number: 8878040
    Abstract: A music support apparatus includes: a display unit; a bar width calculating unit configured to set display widths of the plurality of bars at a constant width; a bar width correcting unit configured to correct the display width of the bar to which the musical symbol for changing a performance tempo is designated; and a display information generating unit configured to generate display information to be displayed on the display unit from the plurality of bars of which display widths are calculated by the bar width calculating unit and the bar width correcting unit. The display unit is configured to display the display information and a performance position display portion for displaying a current performance position, and scroll either one of the display information and the performance position display portion at a constant tempo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Casting Media Inc.
    Inventors: Shigehiko Araki, Masato Kobayashi, Hiroko Kawamura, Sachiko Kon
  • Patent number: 8878041
    Abstract: A beat analysis module is described for determining beat information associated with an audio item. The beat analysis module uses an Expectation-Maximization (EM) approach to determine an average beat period, where correlation is performed over diverse representations of the audio item. The beat analysis module can determine the beat information in a relative short period of time. As such, the beat analysis module can perform its analysis together with another application task (such as a game application task) without disrupting the real time performance of that application task. In one application, a user may select his or her own audio items to be used in conjunction with the application task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hagai T. Attias, Darko Kirovski
  • Patent number: 8872014
    Abstract: A controller having proximity sensors associated with a trigger, such as beam sensors, configured to generate proximity data as a function of where each beam is broken along its span. A variety of control signals are be generated, whereby each beam can be configured to be spatially controlled and mapped to mimic other controllers, such as those of a DJ controller or other entertainment device. MIDI messages may be generated in response to positioning a member in a beam as detected by the proximity sensors. Each beam may be configured into a plurality of proximity zones, where a different MIDI message is generated when the member is positioned in the respective proximity zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Beamz Interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Sandler, Cody Myer, Gerald H. Riopelle
  • Patent number: 8865994
    Abstract: An electronic music system includes a computer which performs a sequencing function and a remote controller. The remote controller is provided with a start operator and a selection operator. In response to an instruction made by the start operator of the remote controller, the computer or the remote controller adds a new track on a sequencer configured on the computer. The computer or the remote controller then offers options of available different types of tone generators used for the track, and in accordance with a selection made by the selection operator in a state where the available different types of tone generators have been offered, assigns the selected type of tone generator to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Okano, Toru Kitayama
  • Patent number: 8865991
    Abstract: A portable music player for the playback of a digital audio file comprises a memory for storing a plurality of digital audio files; an audio output; a control for setting a desired change in pitch or tempo; and a digital signal processor configured to process a digital audio file and recover an audio signal therefrom, perceptibly alter one of the pitch and the tempo of the audio signal in response to the desired change in pitch or tempo without perceptibly altering the other of the pitch and tempo, and output the altered audio signal to the audio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited
    Inventors: Rogerio Guedes Alves, Kuan-Chieh Yen, Bryan Neilson
  • Patent number: 8859876
    Abstract: Multi-channel audio signal processing systems and techniques are provided for electronic instruments having multiple and distinct output channels. Such systems may be used in conjunction with instruments comprising multiple vibrating elements, each with a dedicated signal output. Each received audio signal channel may be directed to a dedicated or shared signal processor for variably changing selected attributes of pitch, timing, timbre, and amplitude in ways that are unique for each signal. Signal processors may be shared using an allocating mixer, allocating switch, or both. An output mixer may be used to mix signal processor output signals into one or more outgoing mixed audio signals. Signal processors, mixers, and switches may be configured by stored program control and controlled in real-time. Real-time pitch variations can be used to change the pitch organization of fixed-pitch vibrating elements within an electronic musical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 8847054
    Abstract: A method performed by one or more processing devices includes receiving information indicative of an input chord progression, with the input chord progression comprising a plurality of chords; identifying chord changes in the plurality of chords; identifying, based on the chord changes, moving tones in the input chord progression; selecting, from the moving tones, guide tones that provide an outline of a harmony to be used in generating a synthesized melody; generating, based on the selected guide tones and one or more interpolation operations, interpolation tones for interpolation among the guide tones; and generating, based on interpolation of the interpolation tones with the guide tones, the synthesized melody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Dhroova Aiylam
  • Patent number: 8847053
    Abstract: The systems and methods taught herein are generally directed to a dynamic point referencing of an audiovisual performance for an accurate and precise selection and controlled cycling of portions of the performance. The dynamic point referencing can be used by a learning artist, for example, in analyzing or performing a portion of the work through an accurate and precise digital audio/video instructional method having the controlled cycling feature. Such systems and methods will be appreciated, for example, by musicians, dancers, and other enthusiasts of the performing arts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Jammit, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Humphrey, Frank Gryner
  • Patent number: 8847055
    Abstract: A method for obtaining a chord progression based upon a diatonic major key may include the steps of casting a dodecahedron to determine the diatonic major key, casting a octahedron to determine a chord based upon the diatonic major key and casting a cube to determine a playing strategy for the chord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: John Pasco Rowe
  • Patent number: 8829322
    Abstract: Computer-based methods infer a metrical grid from music that has been input without a predetermined time signature or tempo, enabling such free rhythm input to be annotated with the inferred grid, and stored and transcribed as a musical score. The methods use Bayesian modeling techniques, in which an optimal metrical grid is inferred by identifying the metrical grid that best explains the given sequence of notes by maximizing the posterior probability that it represents the note sequence. Prior musical input from a given user as well as explicit information about the musical style of the input may be used to improve the accuracy of the transcription.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Walmsley
  • Patent number: 8802953
    Abstract: A music based video game in which a game player's singing performance is digitally sampled while the player performs a free-form vocal over a prerecorded musical composition. Aspects of the game player's free-form vocal performance are compared with predetermined criteria. For example, the vocal performance may be compared with tempo and key information to generate performance evaluation data. The performance evaluation data may be used to present performance feedback to the game player while the game player is singing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Bright, Brian Marvin, Mark Wojtowicz
  • Patent number: 8785759
    Abstract: An electric keyboard musical instrument 10 includes: keys 32; third switches 36 that detect that the keys 32 are pressed down to a position x3; various switches 12 to 15 that receive a selection of a kind of tone; and a CPU 21 that executes generating a sound with a tone of the kind received by various switches 12 to 15 in response to the third switch 36 detecting that a key 32 is pressed down to a position x3. The CPU 21 changes a time from when the third switch 36 detects that a key 32 is pressed down to position x3 until sound generation is executed, according to a kind of tone received through the various switches 12 to 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Iwase, Tomomi Notsu
  • Patent number: 8735709
    Abstract: A lead tone is generated on the basis of an input tone signal. Meanwhile, a specific pitch of the input tone signal is sequentially detected, from which is detected a normalized pitch corresponding to any one of the musical pitch names. Then, difference information is obtained which pertains to a difference between the specific pitch and the normalized pitch, and a pitch having a given pitch interval from the normalized pitch is determined as a target pitch of a tone signal to be generated. Then, a harmony tone is generated which has a pitch obtained by modulating the target pitch in accordance with the difference information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Yamauchi, Hikaru Kase, Motoaki Takashima
  • Patent number: 8718823
    Abstract: A thereminist robot has a characteristic model of theremin and is capable of performing in response to an environment of theremin performance by calibrating the characteristic model before the performance. A robot 10 has a first arm 12, a second arm 11, and a pitch model for indicating an arm position corresponding to a pitch of the theremin The robot 10 plays the theremin by moving the first arm 12 to the arm position corresponding to a musical note based on the target note and the pitch model. The robot further has a parameter adjustment unit for adjusting parameters of the pitch model that change depending on environments surrounding the theremin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsujino, Hiroshi Okuno, Takeshi Mizumoto
  • Patent number: 8692100
    Abstract: A method and user interface for data sonification for representing multidimensional numerical information with a plurality of variable-timbre channels are described. The method includes providing a user interface that includes a plurality of metaphors and spatial sound rendering operations resulting in stereo audio output. In one implementation, a metaphor is used in making parameter assignments according to which audio-frequency waveforms having adjustable timbre attributes are generated. In another implementation, timbre attributes are adjustable over a range of timbre variation and are further associated with corresponding metaphors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 8686274
    Abstract: A pitch shift device provides pitch-shifted sounds based on performance sounds generated by an electronic string musical instrument. The pitch shift device has a device that detects vibrato. When vibrato is detected, an interpolation device of a pitch shift control device performs a control of interpolating for a pitch shift change in the musical sound signal accompanying a change in pitch shift information stored in a pitch information storage device and read out by a pitch shift readout device from a group of pitch shift information. Therefore, unnatural pitch changes in pitch-shifted sound can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Fukuda, Shoichi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8680386
    Abstract: A signal processing device that identifies a piece of music of an input signal by comparing the input signal with a plurality of reference signals including only a piece of music includes a weight distribution generating section that generates a weight distribution corresponding to a likeness to music in regions of the input signal transformed into a time-frequency domain, and a similarity calculating section that calculates degrees of similarity between a feature quantity in the regions of the input signal transformed into the time-frequency domain and feature quantities in the regions of the reference signals transformed into the time-frequency domain on the basis of the weighting based on the weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Shibuya, Keisuke Toyama, Mototsugu Abe
  • Patent number: 8680388
    Abstract: A method of matching the tempo and phase in pieces of music which allows the conjunction of the pieces of music to form a continuous stream of music. The interactive music player which digitally executes the method of matching the tempo and phase in pieces of music is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Native Instruments Software Synthesis GmbH
    Inventors: Friedemann Becker, Thomas Holl, Michael Kurz, Toine Diepstraten, Daniel Haver
  • Patent number: 8674206
    Abstract: A method for generating music via a computing system includes providing a website coupled to a computing system. A music application is executed on the computing system. Generated music is audibly played at least in part using the computing system. As a first step musical data is provided for a complete music piece, and the musical data for the complete music piece includes one or more seed parameter values transmitted by the website that are determinative of the complete music piece and based on which the music is generated. At least one seed parameter value is processed by a pseudorandom number generator routine to generate the music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Medialab Solutions Corp.
    Inventor: Alain Georges