Note Sequence Patents (Class 84/649)
  • Patent number: 7193148
    Abstract: An encoded rhythmic pattern has several groups of velocity values, wherein the velocity values are sorted, such that the groups are included in sequence in an encoded rhythmic pattern. Now, the velocity values concentrated at the beginning of the encoded rhythmic pattern have a higher importance for characterizing the rhythmic gist of a piece of music than velocity values included in additional groups of velocity values. By using such an encoded rhythmic pattern, an efficient database access can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Markus Cremer, Matthias Gruhne, Jan Rohden, Christian Uhle
  • Patent number: 7183478
    Abstract: A dynamically moving method of triggering musical notes that produces intricate, interwoven note sequences with ease as an aid to musicians. Notes that used to stand still while being played can now effectively move. Note events are programmed to generate or trigger positive or negative jumps in intervals of frequency relative to their current frequencies. Subsequent notes are referenced to each new current frequency on a note-by-note basis. Music controller interval producing events are arranged across the playing surface in helpful ways (12, 14, 16). The triggered notes may be artificially generated, instead of played by a musician. Using this technique complex, beautiful music can be coherently and easily produced. The technique generates a moving reference that may be applied to other useful musical functions. For instance, an input note event can silently move the reference to a new location. An input note event can also repeat the last interval, whatever it was.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Paul Swearingen
  • Patent number: 7183481
    Abstract: A method implemented on a data processing device is described comprising: generating supplemental data defining one or more characteristics of one or more light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) on the data processing device; embedding the supplemental data within a musical instrument digital interface (“MIDI”) stream; decoding the supplemental data concurrently with decoding the MIDI stream; and modifying the one or more characteristics of one or more of the LEDs responsive to decoding the supplemental data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Danger, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Alex Hales
  • Patent number: 7183480
    Abstract: Performance interface system includes a motion detector provided for movement with a performer, and a control system for receiving detection data transmitted from the motion detector and controlling a performance of a tone in response to the received detection data. State of a performer's motion is detected via a sensor of the motion detector, and detection data representative of the detected motion state is transmitted to the control system. The control system receives the detection data from the motion detector, analyzes the performer's motion on the basis of the detection data, and then controls a tone performance in accordance with the analyzed data. With this arrangement, the performer can readily take part in the tone performance in the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nishitani, Satoshi Usa, Masaki Sato, Eiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7164075
    Abstract: A music session support method which enables each of players in a music session which is performed via a network to immediately recognize whether or not the other players are in the state of being able to participate in the session. A session support apparatus 10 transmits sets of status information indicative of whether or not each of players is in a state of being able to participate in a session, and player identification information which identifies the players, to each of session terminals 20. Each of the session terminals 20 which have received the sets of status information and player identification information causes a touch display 24 thereof to display the status information for each of the players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Tada
  • Patent number: 7157638
    Abstract: A workstation system produces a display presentation of a selected performance composition (e.g., a musical composition) responsive to composition data and responsive to one or both of input variables and a selected operating mode. The workstation can communicate with one or more external devices, such as other workstations, etc. The display system provides for selection of original compositions, creation of derivative compositions, distribution of compositions, monitoring of each performer's performance, group virtual performances, and for local and distributed retrieval and editing, which for music includes things such as changing keys, pitch, tempo, and other parameters. The musical composition's transformation can be performed locally or at the central or distributed music database. The musical composition data can be transposed via a controller, and can be transmitted to a plurality of the individual workstations that then display the musical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: David H. Sitrick
  • Patent number: 7135636
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing a natural-sounding singing voice divides performance data into a transition part and a long sound part. The transition part is represented by articulation (phonemic chain) data that is read from an articulation template database and is outputted without modification. For the long sound part, a new characteristic parameter is generated by linearly interpolating characteristic parameters of the transition parts positioned before and after the long sound part and adding thereto a changing component of stationary data that is read from a constant part (stationary) template database. An associated apparatus for carrying out the singing voice synthesizing method includes a phoneme database for storing articulation data for the transition part and stationary data for the long sound part, a first device for outputting the articulation data, and a second device for outputting the newly-generated characteristic parameter of the long sound part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kemmochi, Yasuo Yoshioka, Jordi Bonada
  • Patent number: 7105735
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument with which, without difficulty to a user, it is possible to reproduce and save and the like the musical tones that the user has performed and to carry this out in units having musically satisfactory breaks. For each count of one beat by a beat counter, the time information for the musical tone data that are stored at that timing is stored in a beat time information table. When a skip-back button is operated during the recording, an address having a musically satisfactory break is acquired by computation based on the time information and the storage address of the operation timing, the time information of said table, and the sampling period. Therefore, even in those cases where optimization processing of the memory has been done during the recording, there is no need to update the storage address at that time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Senoo, Kenji Yamada
  • Patent number: 7105734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel array or piece of equipment (100) for providing assistance while composing musical compositions at least by means of acoustic reproduction during and/or after composing musical compositions or the like which are played on virtual musical instruments, preferably in a light music ensemble. Said array or piece of equipment comprises a composing computer (100) having at least one processor unit (4), at least one sequencer (5) that is data-flow connected to the latter and at least one sound sample library storage unit (6b) that is data-flow and data-exchange connected to at least said units (4,5). In order to manage the sound samples (61) stored in the above-mentioned storage unit (6b), a bidirectional sound parameter storage unit (6a) is provided, which is bidirectional or multitdirectional data-flow and data-exchange connected at least to the processor unit (4) and to the sequencer (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Vienna Symphonic library GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Tucmandl
  • Patent number: 7098392
    Abstract: An electronic image visualization system, such as a music stand system and display, management and communications methodologies relating thereto are presented. The electronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystem comprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic, and communications management logic. The communications management logic provides management of communication via the communications interface with external apparatus responsive to the performance logic and the librarian logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus can be integrated into a touch-screen input display. The user input apparatus can alternatively be at least one of a touch-tablet, a stylus-based writing tablet, a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a game controller, and a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventors: David H. Sitrick, Russell T. Fling
  • Patent number: 7074999
    Abstract: An electronic image visualization system, such as a music stand system and display, management and communications methodologies relating thereto are presented. The electronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystem comprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic, and communications management logic. The communications management logic provides management of communication via the communications interface with external apparatus responsive to the performance logic and the librarian logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus can be integrated into a touch-screen input display. The user input apparatus can alternatively be at least one of a touch-tablet, a stylus-based writing tablet, a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a game controller, and a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventors: David H. Sitrick, Russell T. Fling
  • Patent number: 7053291
    Abstract: The present invention implements a method that can most easily be thought of as having three major components. They are creating, building, and maintaining musical licks or melodies. Several unique algorithms along with other application functionality, including MIDI, make up these components. A brief description of each component follows. Creating Melodies—This component implements a set of algorithms for the purpose of forming melodic-parts. They are a) combinations and permutations, b) Lickparts, and c) scales which are created through the use of partitions and permutations. Each algorithm provides a unique approach to forming melodic-parts, each yielding different results. Building Melodies—Identifies a) scales or modes for harmonic usage of melodic-parts when the user has not previously designated a particular use, b) allows the user to combine melodic-parts, and also c) concatenate those melodic-parts to form longer new melodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph Louis Villa
  • Patent number: 7038118
    Abstract: A method and system for time-shortening one or more songs to generate time-shortened versions of the one or more songs are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a song editor time-shortens one or more songs and provides the time-shortened versions to a music provider. The music provider can then distribute one or more of the time-shortened songs to one or more listeners. Alternatively, in another embodiment, a song editor enables a music provider to time-shorten one or more songs. The song editor can enable the music provider by providing the music provider a procedure to time-shorten a song, where the song is provided by the song editor or is obtained separately by the music provider. The music provider can then apply the supplied procedure to the song to generate a time-shortened vision. Alternatively, the song editor can enable the music provider by providing one or more characteristics of a song selected for time-shortening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Reel George Productions, Inc.
    Inventor: George Gimarc
  • Patent number: 7026537
    Abstract: A user is fingering a piece of music on an electronic piano in ensemble with the playback of a piece of music recorded in a compact disc; while the user is playing the piece of music, the electronic piano generates MIDI music data codes representative of the fingering, and the MIDI data bits and the audio data codes, which are transmitted from the compact disc player, are multiplexed into a digital composite music data signal; the digital composite music data signal is transmitted through a single digital audio cable to a tone generator module or stored in a memory, and the tone generator module demultiplexes or extracts the MIDI music data codes from the digital composite music data signal; thus, the multiplexing and demultiplexing make the data transmission and recording simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Ishii
  • Patent number: 7019205
    Abstract: A music information processing means comprises a music editing means for assigning an arbitrary sound pattern selected from a plurality of sound patterns in a sound buffer to at least one track, a sound presentation trial processing means for outputting the sound pattern assigned to the track on a speaker of a display monitor via SPU when a control input of the user satisfies a predetermined condition, and an audio data processing means for registering audio data extracted from audio data introduced from a music CD (Compact Disc) or the like loaded in an optical disk drive as one of the sound patterns in a sound pattern file in the sound buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Takafumi Fujisawa, Naoto Nakai, Jun Tsuda, Tomoo Yamaguchi, Takeshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7012182
    Abstract: A performance processing apparatus is operable by an operation device and equipped with a sound device and a display device. In the apparatus, a storing section stores song data representative of a music sound constituting a music song, and stores image data representative of an image. An acquiring section acquires detection information from the operation device, which is used by a user and which has a detector for detecting a chronological action or state of the user and outputting the detection information representative of the detected chronological action or state. A sound control section generates the music sound through the sound device according to the song data, and controls a progression degree of the generation of the music sound according to the acquired detection information. A display control section displays the image by the display device according to the image data in correspondence with the progression degree of the generating of the music sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nishitani, Eiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7005570
    Abstract: There is provided a tone generating apparatus and method that enables recording and reproduction of performance made by a performer without requiring any complicated operations. Musical tones generated from a musical instrument are detected, and tone data is stored in a storage device, and the tone data stored in the storage device is reproduced and at least one tone corresponding to the tone data is egenrated when no next musical tone is detected within a predetermined period of time after a musical tone is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nishitani, Kenichi Miyazawa, Eiko Kobayashi, Katsuhiko Masuda
  • Patent number: 6998527
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for indexing and summarizing music videos. A music video summary controller in a video playback device receives a multimedia data stream that contains a plurality of music videos. The music video summary controller (1) segments and identifies the music videos, and (2) creates a music video summary file for each music video. The music video summary file contains information such as title of the song and the name of the artist. The music video summary file also contains an identifying audio segment and video segment of the song. A user can access a list of the music video summary files and select which music video to play on the video playback device by selecting its corresponding music video summary file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Lalitha Agnihotri
  • Patent number: 6992245
    Abstract: A frequency spectrum is detected by analyzing a frequency of a voice waveform corresponding to a voice synthesis unit formed of a phoneme or a phonemic chain. Local peaks are detected on the frequency spectrum, and spectrum distribution regions including the local peaks are designated. For each spectrum distribution region, amplitude spectrum data representing an amplitude spectrum distribution depending on a frequency axis and phase spectrum data representing a phase spectrum distribution depending on the frequency axis are generated. The amplitude spectrum data is adjusted to move the amplitude spectrum distribution represented by the amplitude spectrum data along the frequency axis based on an input note pitch, and the phase spectrum data is adjusted corresponding to the adjustment. Spectrum intensities are adjusted to be along with a spectrum envelope corresponding to a desired tone color. The adjusted amplitude and phase spectrum data are converted into a synthesized voice signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kenmochi, Alex Loscos, Jordi Bonada
  • Patent number: 6989484
    Abstract: A way of controlling sharing of files by portable devices is provided. A portable device is provided that comprises an interface to receive at least one file and a transfer count associated with the file from another device. The portable device further includes a controller that is communicatively coupled to the interface, the controller to allow transfer of the file based on the associated transfer count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Mark T. Gross
  • Patent number: 6984781
    Abstract: A method for formulating music, methods for formulating individual musical elements for utilization in formulating music, and methods for expanding and/or modifying the musical elements for utilization in formulating music. The musical elements are mathematically derived from origination elements as non-limitedly exemplified by intervals, chords, chord progressions, arpeggios, and instruments, thereby providing a vast array of new elements as attained from mathematical manipulations of such origination elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen M. Mazzoni
  • Patent number: 6974901
    Abstract: Multiple kernel-mode audio processing modules or filters are combined to form a module or filter graph. The graph is implemented in kernel-mode, reducing latency and jitter when handling audio data (e.g., MIDI data) by avoiding transfers of the audio data to user-mode applications for processing. A variety of different audio processing modules can be used to provide various pieces of functionality when processing audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Martin G. Puryear
  • Patent number: 6960713
    Abstract: A portable telephone produces either beep sound or melody sound as incoming call sound. The melody sound is produced based on music data, which are stored in advance or downloaded from the prescribed distribution center, wherein the music data represent the melody of a single musical tune in different arrangements that are respectively assigned to time zones in advance. Hence, the portable telephone produces the same melody in different arrangements in response to time zones, to which the time for receiving an incoming call belong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Ichiro Futohashi
  • Patent number: 6958442
    Abstract: A software solution to the pitch limitations inherent in the MIDI standard. The invention uses the Polyphonic Aftertouch (also known as “Key Aftertouch”) messages available in the basic MIDI standard to retune selected notes, according to the following process: First, a standard note lying on the Western scale is played. Then, a Polyphonic Aftertouch signal is immediately sent to shift the pitch of the standard note to transform it into a non-standard note. The Polyphonic Aftertouch message follows immediately behind the Note On message and pitch value creating the standard note. Thus, the standard note only sounds for about 960 microseconds. The shortest temporal resolution of the human ear is approximately 2–3 milliseconds. As a result, the human ear does not hear the first standard note, since it does not sound for a sufficient length of time. The human ear only perceives the pitch shifted note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Florida State University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Ahmed Shawky Moussa
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6933432
    Abstract: A sequential playback system is configured to select each sequential song based upon characteristics of an ending segment of each preceding song. Songs are selected based on the characteristics of the overall theme of the selection, if any, and also based on a musical correspondence between songs. The correspondence may be based on the rhythm of each song, the notes and chords of each song, and other musical characteristics of the songs. The end segment of each selected song is characterized, and the first segment of a candidate song that satisfy the overall selection criteria is compared to this characterization to determine a correspondence. If the first segment of the candidate song is inconsistent with the end segment of the previously selected song, another candidate song is found that satisfies the overall selection criteria, and the first segment of this new candidate song is compared to the characterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Eugene Shteyn, Willem Bulthuis
  • Patent number: 6933434
    Abstract: There is provided a musical tone control system which is capable of preventing control not intended by the user even when the user stops moving when controlling the generation of musical tones reflecting motion or physical posture of the user. A motion detecting device capable of being carried by an operator generates a detected motion signal corresponding to motion of the operator carrying the device, and transmits same to an external device. A musical tone generating device generates musical tones. A control device receives the detected motion signal transmitted from the motion detecting device and controls generation of musical tones from the musical tone generating device based on the received detected motion signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nishitani, Satoshi Usa, Eiko Kobayashi, Akira Miki
  • Patent number: 6924426
    Abstract: A method for the algorithmic expressive intonation tuning (EIT) and performance of electronic, computer and MIDI musical works relies on melodic intervals, rather than on chordal harmony, and acts by desirably modifying the pitch of a note slightly (compared to equal temperament tuning), depending on the next melodic note. This dynamic, non static, melodic tuning emulates, and can even possibly augment, aspects of outstanding live human musical performance achieved with regard to pitch subtleties, as it enhances the living sounding, real aspects of the performance of electronic, computer and MIDI music, by sensibly causing a slightly different pitch of particular notes, depending on the size of an interval and on whether an interval is ascending or descending, with the same note subtly having more than one pitch often, depending on melodic context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Microsound International Ltd.
    Inventor: Manfred Clynes
  • Patent number: 6924425
    Abstract: A computer-readable medium stores a data structure that encodes an audio performance for interactive playback. The data structure includes a virtual instrument pool, which encodes an interactive part of the audio performance. Audio content of the interactive part is encoded at least in a sequence of synthesizer control data. Each datum in the synthesizer control data specifies a digital sample of the audio content to be played back. The data structure also includes a global accompaniment pool, which encodes non-interactive portions of the audio performance. The global accompaniment pool includes timing information to synchronize the playback of the audio performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Namco Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley J. Naples, Kevin D. Morgan
  • Patent number: 6914181
    Abstract: A digital interface apparatus is provided for use in an analog musical instrument capable of generating an analog audio signal, and is designed for interfacing with an external digital audio apparatus. In the digital interface apparatus, an input/output interface converts the analog audio signal generated by the analog musical instrument into a digital audio signal. The input/output interface has an input terminal and an output terminal for transmitting the digital audio signal to the external digital audio apparatus and for receiving a digital audio signal from the external digital audio apparatus. A digital signal processor processes the digital audio signal which is either converted from the analog audio signal or received from the input terminal. A main controller controls operation of the digital signal processor according to instructions. An operating member is manually operated to provide the instructions to the main controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Toshitani
  • Patent number: 6878869
    Abstract: A game device is provided which has a function to automatically compose background music without forcing a player to input complicated operations, while allowing the player to enjoy the game. A game processor (22) receives operational signals from a control pad (10) and thereby performs the game processing. An accompaniment parameter generator (25) receives, from the game processor (22), parameters relating to the status of the game and then generates an accompaniment parameter which corresponds to the status of the game. A melody parameter generator (24) receives the operational signals from the control pad (10), and then decides on scales, sound production starting time, note lengths and other necessary conditions by considering the operational signals as sound producing factors for a melody. The starting time for producing the melody is determined by referring to the sound producing timing of the melody which is included in the accompaniment parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Sega Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Mita, Koji Kaifu
  • Patent number: 6872877
    Abstract: A method of generating musical tones and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method are provided. Musical piece data is decomposed into phrases, the musical piece data being formed of pieces of performance data arranged in the order of performance. The pieces of performance data of the musical piece data are analyzed for each of the phrases obtained by the decomposing step. Tone color control data is prepared for each of the phrases according to results of the analyzing. The pieces of performance data of the musical piece data are reproduced by sequentially reading the pieces of performance data at timing at which the pieces of performance data are to be performed to the order of performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Suzuki, Masao Sakama, Yoshimasa Isozaki
  • Patent number: 6867358
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a computer program product is described for improvised playing of audio materials (31) in the form of a music piece consisting of sections, wherein the audio materials (31) are associated with the sections and stored in a memory, and the simultaneously playable audio materials (31) are sorted into at least one group (23) for each section, and wherein by means of a computer program one section is selected at random, and then in the selected section one group (23) is selected at random, and the audio materials (31) of the selected group (23) are mixed and supplied to a decoder for being decoded into sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventor: Sandor Mester, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6864413
    Abstract: An ensemble system reproduces a performance on an automatic player piano expressed by a set of MIDI music data codes in ensemble with another performance recorded in a compact disc in the form of audio data codes; the ensemble system firstly determines the pitch of the fundamental tone produced through vibrations of a string, then searching the audio data codes for a corresponding tone, calculating a ratio between the pitch of the fundamental tone and the pitch of the corresponding tone, and determining a data read-out speed for the audio data codes; while the MIDI data codes are being supplied to the automatic player piano, the audio data codes are transferred to a speaker system at a speed equal to the product between the standard speed and the ratio so that the piano tones are well harmonized with the electronic tones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Shiiya
  • Patent number: 6849794
    Abstract: A server stores audio and coordinated video digital files in a library, and upon requests supplies individual files to multiple dedicates processors under sole control of the server. Music files have separate vocal and specific instrument channels. The processor supplies single channels to amplifiers and speakers having controlled frequency ranges capable of reproducing only the frequencies on the individual channels. Images from the video files are projected on screens around and above an audience seated on swivel chairs. Coordinated sounds emanate from speakers distributed over the screens. Bus-like wiring extends, from the processor. Individual speaker wires connect to ends of bundled conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventors: Ronnie C. Lau, Michael P. Lau
  • Patent number: 6849795
    Abstract: This invention provides a signal processing and signal synthesis technique from a family of signal processing and signal synthesis techniques designed to readily interwork or be used individually in creating new forms of rich musical timbres. A real-time controllable mix of a plurality of multiple output frequency-reduced signals and the cross-products of these signals provides rich animated harmonically partitioned spectra. Mixing parameters may be recalled from stored program control or modulated in real-time by arbitrary control signals, including envelope generators, low-frequency oscillators, and those derived from an original input signal, and specifically including the amplitude of an original input signal. The real-time controllable mix may have multiple outputs and be subjected to further signal processing and multiple-channel amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 6846979
    Abstract: A search list of records is displayed on a display screen DP. Some records may have the same music title as one item, but are different in other items (genre, rhythm, tempo and the like). A favorite list can be formed by a selection process using a mark FMa (reversible by a favorite switch ST0) on each record. A first or second list can be formed by a search process after a search switch SM5 or ST5 is operated. A desired list is selected by using list selection switches ST1 to ST4 and a desired record is designated by a cursor CR to decide a style. The cursor CR can be moved by one record after another by a normal cursor motion switch SM2 or SM3, and jumped to a record group having different item contents by a special cursor motion switch SM1 or SM4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Kondo
  • Patent number: 6791021
    Abstract: For both an automatic chord correction and an automatic composition, it is required to correct a part of a series of given chords in order to have a musically natural connection between adjacent chords. A series of chords “a”, “b”, “c”, “d”, “e”, “f” (each letter means one kind of chords) for a music is selected by a user. If two chords “c” and “d” among the series of chords “a”, “b”, “c”, “d”, “e”, “f” are changed into different ones, according to the user's preference or to make them more appropriate to the motif melody, the chord “b” adjacent to the changed “c” is automatically corrected into “b*” so that both chord connections from “a” to “b*” and from “b*” to the changed “c” can be more musically natural.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Eiichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 6777607
    Abstract: A musical instrument and a method of operating it. An instrument and method which retunes and adjusts volumes in response to the chord being sustained and the way that chord is voiced. The instrument is capable of producing tones, the intervals between which are equal tempered intervals of a twelve note octave, and tones, the intervals between at least some of which are determined by identifying at least selected ones of the notes the instrument is being commanded to produce. The method includes identifying the at least selected ones of the notes the instrument is being commanded to produce, providing a map for mapping the identified notes to a chord type, identifying a note in that chord type, and substituting a frequency closer to a harmonic of the identified note for the frequency of at least one harmonic of at least one other note the instrument is being commanded to produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Paul Reed Smith Guitars, Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Jack W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6770806
    Abstract: A music apparatus is constructed for processing a music tone signal in response to a clock signal at each sampling period. In the music apparatus, a clock generator generates the clock signal. A signal processor is operable in synchronization to the clock signal for time-divisionally processing a plurality of music tone signals through a plurality of channels within one sampling period. A clock controller is operative during a supply duration allocated within one sampling period for supplying the clock signal to the signal processor from the clock generator to thereby operate the signal processor, and is operative during other than the supply duration within one sampling period for stopping the supplying of the clock signal to the signal processor to thereby suspend the signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Okamura, Tetsuji Ichiki
  • Patent number: 6768046
    Abstract: A system and method of generating a link between a note of a digital score and a realization of the score are provided. To do so, a digital score is processed to generate an onset curve. The onset curve is then filtered to generate a first series of first time intervals, which each have a significant number of onsets. A realization of the digital score is also processed to generate a second series of second time intervals, which each have a significant dynamic change of the realization. The first and the second series of time intervals are then correlated to produce the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Werner Kriechbaum, Gerhard Stenzel
  • Patent number: 6756534
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a way of presenting a musical composition such as an orchestral piece, a song, jingle, or other musical content (complete or excerpts) as a sort of game made up of component audio tracks. In one preferred embodiment, the individual tracks are defined by layers (also called “segments”) that represent different instruments. For example, in the case of an orchestral music, the layers may represent the sounds made by a violin, flute, trumpet, drum, piano, and so on. The separate digital recordings of each layer then are the audio tracks that become pieces of a puzzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Quaint Interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Gimpelson, Mirek Nisenbaum, Igor Tkachenko, Roman Yakub
  • Patent number: 6747201
    Abstract: A method and system for extracting melodic patterns by first recognizing musical “keywords” or themes. The invention searches for all instances of melodic (intervallic) repetition in a piece (patterns). This process generally uncovers a large number of patterns, many of which are either uninteresting or are only superficially prevalent. Filters reduce the number and/or prevalence of such patterns. Patterns are then rated according to characteristics deemed perceptually significant. The top ranked patterns correspond to important thematic or motivic musical content. The system operates robustly across a broad range of styles, and relies on no metadata on its input, allowing it to independently and efficiently catalog multimedia data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: William P. Birmingham, Colin J. Meek
  • Patent number: 6727421
    Abstract: In a reproducing apparatus for reproducing audio data, a central control section includes detection means for detecting playlists of plural kinds of formats, and detection means for detecting audio data not associated with playlists. The central control section reads out audio data from an audio data storage section, and discriminating the format of the audio data to detect playlists. In addition, the central control section detects the presence/absence of audio data not associated with playlists, and if audio data not associated with playlists is stored, processes a list of such audio data as one playlist. The central control section causes the detected playlists to be displayed on a display section, successively processes the audio data from a first one of the playlists, and outputs the processed data through a sound output section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hidehito Izawa, Shigeo Morimoto, Masanori Watanuki
  • Patent number: 6683241
    Abstract: A method for the creation and playback of recording industry music and audio, such that each time a composition is played back, a unique audio version is generated in the manner previously defined by the recording artist. During composition creation, the artist's definition of how the composition will vary from playback to playback is embedded into the composition data set. During playback, the composition data set is processed on a playback device by a specific playback program the artist specified, so that each time the composition is played back a unique version is generated. Variability occurs during playback per the artist's composition data set, which specifies the spawning of group(s) from a snippet, the selection of a snippet from each group, editing of snippets, flexible and variable placement of snippets, and the mixing of multiple snippets to generate each time sample in a channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: James W. Wieder
  • Patent number: 6658309
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a computer system adapted for composing sound. Sound is composed via a combination of blocks and modifiers, where a block is an abstraction of a collection of data that, when processed by appropriate algorithms and hardware, produces sound. Further, the current invention also comprises one or more modifiers, each of which, when applied to a block, alters the sound produced by that block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Abrams, Daniel V. Oppenheim, Donald P. Pazel, James L. Wright
  • Patent number: 6653545
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed to permit real time, distributed performance by multiple musicians at remote locations. The latency of the communication channel is transferred to the behavior of the local instrument so that a natural accommodation is made by the musician. This allows musical events that actually occur simultaneously at remote locations to be played together at each location, though not necessarily simultaneously at all locations. This allows locations having low latency connections to retain some of their advantage. The amount of induced latency can be overridden by each musician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: eJamming, Inc.
    Inventors: William Gibbens Redmann, Alan Jay Glueckman, Gail Susan Kantor
  • Patent number: 6653544
    Abstract: In an image display device such as a TV set, a playing sound generating method generates a sound without using a separate sound source integrating device and also generates a playing sound using the generated sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics
    Inventors: Su-Duk Cho, Jae-Kyung Lee
  • Patent number: 6646195
    Abstract: Multiple kernel-mode audio processing modules or filters are combined to form a module or filter graph. The graph is implemented in kernel-mode, reducing latency and jitter when handling audio data (e.g., MIDI data) by avoiding transfers of the audio data to user-mode applications for processing. A variety of different audio processing modules can be used to provide various pieces of functionality when processing audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Martin G. Puryear
  • Patent number: 6642444
    Abstract: Plural part playback channels each play back music performance signals of respectively assigned performance parts selectively in an enhanced mode or in an unenhanced mode. When an enhanced mode is designated for a particular channel 2 (at time A), the channel 2 plays back the music performance signals in a prominent manner and channels 1, 3-6 plays back in a suppressed manner. The tone volume of the channels 1, 3-6 in the suppressed manner is set by manipulating the contrast dial CD. Where the enhanced mode is set for plural channels 2 and 6 (between time C and time D), manipulation of an enhanced mode clear switch SC (at time D) causes cancellation of the prominent manner of playback at the channels 2 and 6 as well as the suppressed manner of playback at the channels 1, 3-5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Hagiwara, Masaaki Okabayashi