Selecting Circuits Patents (Class 84/653)
  • Patent number: 7285712
    Abstract: A method of dynamically determining a maximum polyphony number is used in an electronic device, which has S tone generators. First, an operation mode of the electronic device is detected. Next, a residual computing power of the electronic device is obtained according to the operation mode. Then, a maximum polyphony number is determined according to a constant computing power, which is required to synthesize a polyphony, and the residual computing power. Next, the states of T tone generators of the S tone generators are set to be an ON state according to the maximum polyphony number, wherein T is a positive integer and is smaller than or equal to S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: MediaTek Incorporation
    Inventors: Yu-Cheng Hsieh, Ti-Wen Yuan
  • Patent number: 7279628
    Abstract: An electronic music apparatus has a tone generator settable by setting information to generate a music tone signal and an open memory area accessible for storing identification information of the electronic music apparatus and setting information specific to the electronic music apparatus. The electronic music apparatus reads out the identification information from the open memory area and sends the read identification information to an editing apparatus, and receives setting information from the editing apparatus and writes the received setting information into the open memory area. Further, when the setting information is written into the open memory area, the written setting information is applied to the tone generator. The editing apparatus has a storage for storing the edited setting information in association with the identification information of each electronic music apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromu Miyamoto, Kenichiro Saito, Hideo Miyamori
  • Patent number: 7247786
    Abstract: A song selection device stores song characteristic quantities of a plurality of songs. A user operates the song selection device to enter personal properties and a sensibility word. The song selection device selects a song having a song characteristic quantity corresponding to the personal properties and the sensibility word. The song selection device may select a plurality of songs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Suzuki, Satoshi Odagawa, Yasuteru Kodama, Takehiko Shioda
  • Patent number: 7247785
    Abstract: The electronic musical instrument comprises a plurality of slide-type faders (1), an interval setup device (5, 6), and a sound synthesis device (20). The slide-type faders are provided correspondingly to a plurality of tones included an interval and allow slide operations to change output sound volume. The interval setup device means sets the interval to define a tone for each slide-type fader. The sound synthesis device synthesizes sounds according to a volume changing pattern with predefined sound quality and based on operations of the slide-type fader. The slide-type faders can be manipulated by fingertips or the like for musical performance to enjoy the DJ play without many practices or high proficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignees: Vestax Corporation, Shingo Annen
    Inventor: Shingo Annen
  • Patent number: 7244885
    Abstract: In a server apparatus, a storage section stores musical composition data representing a plurality of musical compositions. A transmission section transmits musical composition data which represents a first musical composition to an electronic musical apparatus via a communication network in a streaming manner, such that the electronic musical apparatus can reproduce the first musical composition in realtime basis. A reception section receives operation data from the electronic musical apparatus, the operation data representing a user operation of the electronic musical apparatus performed in response to realtime reproduction of the first musical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kageyama
  • Patent number: 7227072
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the similarity of music files based on a perceptual metric is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic components are generated for each of the music files. The dimensionality of the components is then reduced to six by a mapper. This reduction is part of what allows the present invention to process large collections of music files very quickly. The mapper maps the components to positions on two-dimensional feature maps. The feature maps are trained by a trainer. The top N positions in each feature map, along with their amplitudes, are taken as the representative vectors for the music files. To compare the similarity between two music files, the distance between the two representative vectors are calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher B. Weare
  • Patent number: 7227074
    Abstract: A transport control, e.g., for use with an audio content playing device, the transport control for initiating play of dynamically rendered audio content selections that are rarely, if ever, played the same way twice is provided. The transport control includes a play indicator, e.g., a play button or the like, and a control indicator, for instance, a rotatable knob. The control indicator is linearly mapped to an interactive music engine having a plurality of component engines, each of which is controlled by the control indicator. Accordingly, the control indicator is referred to herein as a “multi-purpose” indicator. Upon altering this single multi-purpose control indicator, multiple components and music elements of the output can be affected. Thus, a transport control that permits a user to initiate play of dynamically rendered music selections with little input and/or decision-making is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Ball
  • Patent number: 7199301
    Abstract: Systems, and related methods, for graphical visualization and real-time motion control of virtual or real objects for the purpose of generating or influencing image or tone sequences in real time by interactive control commands of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: 3DConnexion GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Von Prittwitz
  • 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: 7169998
    Abstract: A sound generation device is composed of a main unit and a game cartridge storing a sound generation program. The game cartridge includes an XY-axes acceleration sensor for detecting a tilt in two respective directions of a game device housing. When a button of the main unit is pressed, a CPU of in the main unit reads waveform data corresponding to one syllable in lyrics from human voice sound waveform data stored in a program ROM, changes a frequency and an amplitude of the waveform data in accordance with the obtained amounts of tilts in two directions, and outputs the processed waveform data from a loudspeaker as a sound. Thus, it is possible to provide a sound generation device capable of outputting a sound by changing its pitch and volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Kondo, Yasushi Ida
  • Patent number: 7166791
    Abstract: In a portable multimedia device, a method, apparatus, and system for providing user supplied configuration data are described. In one embodiment, a hierarchically ordered graphical user interface are provided. A first order, or home, interface provides a highest order of user selectable items each of which, when selected, results in an automatic transition to a lower order user interface associated with the selected item. In one of the described embodiments, the lower order interface includes other user selectable items associated with the previously selected item from the higher order user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Robbin, Steve Jobs, Timothy Wasko, Greg Christie, Imran Chaudhri
  • Patent number: 7138575
    Abstract: A musical sonification system and method sonifies data, such as real-time financial market data, to produce an audio signal output including a musical rendering of the data. A sonification engine converts the data into sound parameters based on configuration data and a sonification and mapping scheme. A sound generator generates the audio output signal from the sound parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Accentus LLC
    Inventors: Edward P. Childs, Jr., James C. Perkins, John Graham Brooks
  • 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: 7122731
    Abstract: There is provided a musical information processing terminal that enables reproducing performance data and audio data that are transmitted and received between the musical information processing terminal such as a terminal for a teacher and a terminal for students through a communication network with a simple construction and without an unnatural feeling being given to users. At least one of performance data that instructs generation and control of musical tones and audio data that represents audio waveforms is received from an external musical information processing terminal through a communication network. The performance data or the audio data is reproduced. Data to be reproduced is selected either from the performance data or from the audio data. The data to be reproduced is determined according to the received data and the selected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Isozaki
  • 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: 7009101
    Abstract: A tone generating apparatus has an internal storage in which defining information (taking the form of table information, for instance) on relationship between operation conditions of the apparatus and applications of operation members, such as slider, switch and encoder, is stored in advance. CPU of the apparatus controls the apparatus in such a manner that applications of operation members in a current operation condition of the apparatus are effected according to the defining information. With this arrangement, the work for changing specifications of the apparatus is simplified since it is done primarily by changing contents of the defining information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Setoguchi, Hiroyuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7005571
    Abstract: A MIDI controller pedalboard for composing and playing music such as pipe organ music is disclosed. The MIDI controller pedalboard provides pedals, and switches for the playing of notes and the manipulation of sound data in a MIDI format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Warren R. Groff
  • 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: 6979768
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is provided which enables various settings to be carried out quickly and easily. The electronic musical instrument is provided with at least one connection terminal for connection with a keyboard for use in a computer, and a connection interface for connecting the keyboard to the electronic musical instrument. Operation information input from the operation panel of the musical instrument is replaced by operation information input from the keyboard connected to the electronic musical instrument via the connection terminal and the connection interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Ito
  • 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: 6945784
    Abstract: Generating a pitched musical part from an electronic music file comprised of instrumental parts includes generating a control stream that indicates which of the instrumental parts has a highest value for a period of time, selecting one of the instrumental parts for the period of time based on the control stream, and outputting the selected instrumental part for the period of time to produce the musical part. Generating a non-pitched musical part from an electronic music file includes identifying patterns in the electronic music file and selectively combining the patterns to produce the musical part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Namco Holding Corporation
    Inventors: John Paquette, Robert Ferry
  • 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: 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: 6872878
    Abstract: A musical tone signal generation apparatus accommodated for multiple users to play music in an ensemble is configured by a main unit and a prescribed number of performance operators, which are physically separated from each other. The main unit installs speakers that are arranged in connection with the performance operators respectively. At least one of the performance operators is configured as a hold operator that is configured using a pressure sensor mounted on a base member and encapsulated in a hold member which is made by elastic material (e.g., urethane foam) and is formed in a round shape suited for grip of the user. Each of other performance operators installs at least a pad, which is manually operated by each user to issue tone-generation instructions. Performance data (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Ono, Yoshitaka Noguchi
  • Patent number: 6867359
    Abstract: A silent piano is available for a performance through electronic tones, and a player can give a timbre different from that of an acoustic piano to the electronic tones; when the player specifies a timbre of another acoustic musical instrument having a compass narrower than the compass of the acoustic piano, the key levers outside of the compass are never depressed in the performance, and several musical performance styles such as mute, glissando, tremolo and so fourth are assigned to the idle key levers; while the player is fingering on the keyboard, the player depresses one of the idle key levers and, thereafter, the black and white key levers in the compass, then, the electronic tones are produced in the selected musical performance style; the idle key levers are not mixed in the compass so that the player is less liable to be mistakenly depress the idle key levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Koseki, Haruki Uehara
  • 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: 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: 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: 6762355
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument is equipped with manual operators such as switches and controls arranged on an operation panel and keys of a keyboard as well as a display and a tone generator. It is characterized by automatically running demonstration programs when it is supplied with electric power but is left unattended at a store or in an exhibition area. The demonstration programs are started after a lapse of a predetermined time or more under prescribed conditions where none of the manual operators is operated by a user, no tone-generation instruction is issued with respect to automatic performance being played by internal functions, and no tone-generation instruction is issued with respect to external performance data being supplied by means of a communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Komano, Shinichi Ito
  • 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: 6703552
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuous keyboard system. The Continuous Music Keyboard resembles a traditional keyboard in that it is approximately the same size and is played with ten fingers. It also resembles a fretless string instrument in that it has no discrete pitches; any pitch and any tuning may be played, and finger movements produce smooth glissandi and vibrato. The Continuous Music Keyboard comprises a plurality of rods, each of which has a magnet on each end. The displacement of each rod is measured through mounted Hall-Effect sensors. The sensor values are then analyzed to identify the three-dimensional location of the fingers depressing upon a control surface. Additionally, predictive analysis is conducted on values collected to identify whether a new depression on the control surface has occurred, or rather if a previously placed finger is simply moving alone the Continuous Music Keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Lippold Haken
  • 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: 6673995
    Abstract: The characteristic value detection section detects a characteristic value concerning input musical data. The detected characteristic value is converted by a genre information determination section to genre information representing a genre of the contents of the input musical data. Based on the genre information, a parameter determination section determines an acoustic processing parameter which is used for adjusting the tone of the output from a acoustic processing section. In accordance with the acoustic processing parameter as determined, the acoustic processing section applies predetermined acoustic processing to the input musical data. The musical data having been subjected to the predetermined acoustic processing is reproduced by a reproduction section. Thus, the musical signal processing device makes it possible to obtain a tone which is adapted to the contents of the input musical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiko Ogawa, Ryosuke Kobayashi, Tomomi Hirata, Toshihiko Date
  • 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: 6627807
    Abstract: A communications apparatus for tone generator setting information includes a timer for providing an instruction at a constant time interval and a transmitting unit for transmitting initial tone generator setting information before sound information is transmitted and thereafter periodically transmitting the real time subsequent tone generator setting information corresponding to the initial tone generator setting information, in response to instructions from the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Motoyama
  • Patent number: 6605770
    Abstract: A play list generation device for generating a play list of a set of audio information streams in an order to be reproduced by are production device is provided. The play list generation device includes a condition input section for receiving a condition regarding a target; a transfer information stream acquisition section for acquiring a transfer information stream which represents a transfer of impressions given to the target based on the condition; and a play list generation section for selecting, from a first plurality of audio information streams stored in a database, a second plurality of audio information streams which give the target a transfer of impressions proximate to the transfer of impressions represented by the transfer information stream, and generating a play list including the selected second plurality of audio information streams as the set of audio information streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yamane, Junichi Tagawa, Masayuki Misaki
  • Patent number: 6583348
    Abstract: A server apparatus is provided for conducting an evaluation of a music piece with an external terminal apparatus. In the apparatus, a communication unit is used to exchange information with the external terminal apparatus. A first transmitting section transmits first prompt information to the external terminal apparatus through the communication unit, the first prompt information being effective to prompt a first evaluation of a music piece. A second transmitting section transmits inquiry information to the external terminal apparatus through the communication unit, the inquiry information inquiring whether or not to proceed with a second evaluation of the music piece. A receiving section receives request information from the external terminal apparatus in response to the inquiry information through the communication unit, the request information requesting the second evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Hasegawa, Shinji Koezuka, Nobuo Tsunashima, Masaya Okura
  • Patent number: 6576824
    Abstract: A display 21 for setting atone control parameter is disposed on an operation panel of an electronic musical instrument. Function and subfunction operator groups 23, 24 are arranged in parallel in two rows along a longer side of display 21. Function operator group 23 corresponds to each function in the first hierarchy, and subfunction operator group 24 corresponds to each subfunction in the second hierarchy that is designated for each function in the first hierarchy. Display 21 displays a tone control parameter that is to be set by the operation of a parameter setting operator group 25 and the characters representing each function and each subfunction of the function and subfunction operator groups 23, 24. By operation of each operator group 23, 24, the functions and the subfunctions are switched hierarchy by hierarchy, whereby a desired tone control parameter can be easily set to be a desired value or can be easily changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Ishibashi, Fumiteru Takeda
  • Patent number: 6548748
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument has a tone generation instruction operation member for instructing to start tone generation, and a tone generation control unit for starting a tone generation process upon operation of the tone generation instruction operation member, continuing the tone generation process even after the tone generation instruction operation member is released, and executing a mute process when the identical tone generation instruction operation member is operated again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tadayuki Ishida, Hiroshi Kato
  • Patent number: 6541687
    Abstract: Performance data processing apparatus includes a memory for storing settings input by a user and a processor for performing various control in accordance with the settings stored in the memory. Performance data are displayed in one or more display forms desired by the user. Marker or repeat mark is displayed in response to an instruction for displaying the marker or repeat mark. The performance data are reproduced in accordance with the input mark indicating that a performance should be repeated within a predetermined range. Further, a chord name is converted in accordance with a designated type of transposing instrument, and the converted chord name is displayed or stored in memory. Because the various control is performed in accordance with the memory-stored user settings, the user is allowed to change convenience-of-use or operability of the performance data processing apparatus in creating/editing of the performance data, by just changing the settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromu Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6534699
    Abstract: A variety of instructions are inputted through different input modes on a single touch panel. Calculator 22 calculates the coordinates of the contact point on the touch panel 91. Area table 24 has a flag assigned to each area in each image for indicating that the segment is a continuous press input area. Area identifier 25 examines the area table 24 whether the contact point on the panel is in the continuous or the instant touch input area. Examined area attribute is saved in an input mode storage 26. When receiving the mode data from the storage 26 and the coordinates, a screen controller 20 switches the image to another or updates the settings and graphic item in the image. In response to the mode data of the storage 26 and the coordinate data, a parameter setting 27 modifies the parameters of the envelope or effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Sadamoto Wakuda
  • Patent number: 6452083
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method designed to be used to compute music sequences in all possible contexts and situations, including: Internet adaptive radio, Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) with intelligent scheduling, music recommendation systems, and other innovative Electronic Music Distribution (EMD) services in general. These sequences are generated “iteratively”, and step by step. To the above end, there is provided a method of generating incrementally a sequence of items from a database containing said items, characterized in that the sequence is generated by implementing in combination a sequence completion system and a user profiling system, thereby taking into account both sequence coherence and user profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sony France S.A.
    Inventors: François Pachet, Daniel Cazaly
  • Patent number: 6444890
    Abstract: There are provided a musical tone-generating apparatus and a musical tone-generating method which make it possible to distribute tone generation loads evenly between a plurality of musical tone-generating sections, even if musical tones designated for tone generation are more concentrated in some specific tone ranges,, to thereby reduce a tone generation load applied to each of the musical tone-generating sections, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the musical tone-generating method. Performance information is supplied which simultaneously instructs a start of generation of musical tones corresponding to each of a plurality of tone pitches. Each of a plurality of tone generators generates musical tones of at least one pitch name independently of each other, all of the tone generators being capable of generating musical tones of all pitch names.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Kondo
  • Patent number: 6407326
    Abstract: In an electronic musical apparatus having a generator for generating a tone, a play member is provided for playing a music such that a key-on touch operation and a key-off touch operation are performed on the play member to input a note of the music. A detector detects the key-on touch operation and the key-off touch operation to generate key-on information and key-off information. A controller operates based on the key-on information and the key-off information for controlling the generator to generate a tone corresponding to the note. The detector detects a transitional state of the key-off touch operation for generating a sequence of first key-off information and second key-off information indicative of the transitional state of the key-off touch operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Kondo
  • Patent number: 6348648
    Abstract: A system and method for coordinated music composition and display among musicians is presented. The system and method enables a conductor, composer or band leader to interactively edit one or more score parts of a composition using a pen-based interface, mouse, alphanumeric keyboard, or a musical keyboard. Hand-written music editing, which is entered with the pen-based interface, may be flexibly converted to a digital music notation format. Connected to the composer station are one or more musician stations that may be arranged as an orchestra. The musical score parts may be selectively transmitted to one or more musician stations by the composer. Thus, an operator of the conductor station can flexibly write and edit music score parts and transmit the parts to musicians over the network. The system and method can also be used to conduct the orchestra in rehearsals or performances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Harry Connick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6320112
    Abstract: A process for the automatic selection of musical or tonal compositions to be replayed from a collection of musical or tonal compositions includes the step of assigning evaluation data to each of said compositions which describe its characteristics. Parameters are established describing a target corresponding to a selected behavior of an audience. Status data is generated based on an evaluation of audience behavior. The parameters are then compared with the status data to generate requirement data based on the comparison. The requirement data is compared with the evaluation data and a composition is selected based on the comparison of the requirement data with the evaluation data. A device is also provided for the automatic selection of musical or tonal compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Martin Lotze
  • Patent number: 6316711
    Abstract: A musical sound signal generation apparatus for producing a sound corresponding to an operated key can produce a sound of a newly-operated key even if all the musical sound signal generation means for generating a musical sound signal are in use. On producing the new sound, the apparatus prevents the players and the audience from having a sense of incongruity derived from the change in sound production. Especially, when a chord has been produced, it can maintain the state of chord production normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Eiji Matsuda, Jiro Tanaka, Tsutomu Saito
  • Patent number: 6291757
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to, in the music data processing apparatus, reduce the complex processings in each of the computing units and access to the shared region of the main memory unit and to generate more efficiently the music data. According to the music data processing apparatus, the computing units (31) to (33) of the operating device unit (2) perform specified operations on data necessary for generating music that is stored in a main memory (3) and store “1” as the respective flags indicating the completion of the operating process in a synchronization notification information designating part (9) of the main memory (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Kaoru Yamanoue