Patents Examined by Marion T. Fletcher
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Patent number: 7525033Abstract: A karaoke system which displays and highlights musical notes and tablature, in addition to lyrics, as they are to be played or sung, with a view to helping an aspiring musician learn to play their instrument of choice. The system further utilizes a means to slow the tempo of the songs being played, so that the aspiring musician can master the notes and timing of the songs. The system can be patched to any TV system or displayed on the screen of the system itself The system contains an amp which allows for the plugging in of electric instruments and features a built in microphone. The system further allows a musician the option of a “full band” backup when the song is played, or the option of hearing only the selected instrument while playing along. Compact disks can be provided which would contain the songs, musical notes, lyrics and back up music thereon.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Inventor: Lisa Lance
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Patent number: 7378589Abstract: A sound determination unit previously divides sound into a low sound range for first sound, a middle sound range for second sound, and a high sound range for third sound by its frequency band. When sound information detected by the microphone is inputted to the sound determination unit, the sound determination unit determines whether the frequency band of that sound information is in the predetermined low sound range or not. When it is in the low sound range, a signal to operate a first vibrator is generated from a first controller. When it is in the middle sound range, a signal to operate a second vibrator is generated from a second controller. When it is in the high sound range, a signal to operate a third vibrator is generated from a third controller.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Inventor: Ichiro Kameda
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Patent number: 7015388Abstract: To store main information with associated additional information incorporated therein, data constituting the additional information is divided into a plurality of small-size data pieces of, e.g., one bit. Then, the respective values of particular ones of predetermined data units (e.g., bytes) constituting the main information are subjected to arithmetic operations in accordance with a predetermined algorithm containing the value of each of the data pieces as a parameter. In this way, the respective values of the particular data units in the main information are modulated in accordance with the values of the individual data pieces in the additional information; at that time, only some of the data unit values are altered with the others left unaltered. The thus-arithmetically-operated main information is stored into a storage.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Hideaki Taruguchi
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Patent number: 7002315Abstract: A servo control device comprises a current supply unit for supplying a drive unit with a drive current for driving a target to be controlled, a first detector for detecting at least the drive current value, and a logical arithmetic section. The logical arithmetic section introduces a current command determining the drive current for controlling the drive speed of the drive unit to move the target to a predetermined position, and introduces the drive current value fed back from the first detector. The logical arithmetic section outputs the current command to the current supply unit after converting the current command by a digital logic process on the basis of the drive current value by using a custom LSI.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryuji Aono, Naomi Kobayashi, Takeshi Iida, Takamichi Ito
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Patent number: 6838607Abstract: Vibrating musical devices including a motorized drumstick that can generate and/or distort sound when placed into contact with a surface. For example, the motorized drumstick can generate a “buzz roll” on a drum or other resonating surface. The drumstick includes a rod that is attached to a handle. Located within the handle is a motor that can create an oscillating movement of the rod. The oscillating movement may be induced by an off-center weight that is attached to the motor. The motor and weight may be incorporated into other musical devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Elliot RudellInventors: Daniel J. Elliot, George T. Foster
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Patent number: 6822152Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus for changing a tempo of an input audio signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a magnification designator capable of designating a plurality of different magnifications. A device is capable of automatically detecting a beat(s) per minute, BPM, or the audio input signal. The device may also detect a beat period of the input audio signal. The device also changes the BPM or beat period in accordance with a magnification designated by the magnification designator. Further, the device changes the tempo of the audio signal in accordance with the changed BPM and the changed beat period.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1999Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Pioneer Electronic CorporationInventors: Youichi Yamada, Takeaki Funada, Hiroyuki Isobe, Keitaro Kaburagi, Naomi Amemiya, Gen Inoshita, Ko Atsumi