Patents Examined by Marlo Fletcher
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Patent number: 8338686Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing audio comprising a first interface and a harmonizing module is disclosed. The first interface receive a first audio segment from a first source. The harmonizing module is coupled to the first interface. The harmonizing module is configured to identify at least one musical property of the first audio segment; calculate a subset of notes that are harmonious with the first audio segment based on the at least one musical property; and select from the subset of notes to generate an audio track to be played substantially synchronously with the first audio segment. A second interface may also be provided to receive a second audio segment from a second source. In this case, the harmonizing module may be configured to generate the audio track by transforming one or more notes of the second audio segment. A method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Music Mastermind, Inc.Inventors: David Mann, Francesco Gerald Capodieci, Reza Rassool
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Patent number: 8331607Abstract: A speaker includes an elongated diaphragm and a coupling member including forward and rearward segments, wherein at least two protrusions are provided at the rear side of the diaphragm along the major axis direction, the forward segment is engagingly disposed between the opposing end faces of two adjacent protrusions and also between the two portions of a rib of the diaphragm opposing each other in the minor axis direction, and wherein the outer circumferential surface of the voice coil bobbin is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the rearward segment, whereby the voice coil bobbin having a diameter larger than the dimension of the diaphragm measured along the minor axis direction can be successfully attached to the diaphragm. In the speaker described above, the diameter of the voice coil bobbin can be increased without decreasing the width of a surround thus enabling the withstanding of higher power input.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventor: Noboru Onodera
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Patent number: 8330033Abstract: An example graphical programming interface system includes a processor. A grid matrix defined by a plurality of coordinate axes, having selectable matrix positions is displayed on a display device. Multiple movable object icons, each representing an object having a predefined output sound are also displayed on the display device. In one aspect, a single object data file is associated with each matrix position on said grid matrix. In this aspect, once a user places an object icon on a matrix position, the processor causes the predefined output sound associated with the object icon in accordance with the object data file associated with the matrix position at which the object icon is placed, and outputs the processed sound to an output device. This allows a user to program musical sequences by placing one or more object icons each on the selectable matrix positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Gerhard Lengeling, Jan-Hinnerk Helms
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Patent number: 8325962Abstract: There is provided headphones that include a pair of left and right earcups, an audio signal processing unit contained in the earcups, a headband connecting the left and right earcups respectively through a hanger, and a cord to supply a signal to the audio signal processing unit. In the headphones, a connection portion between the hanger and the headband is configured as an extension and contraction unit having a multistage structure including a small-diameter hollow member able to be taken in and out of a large-diameter hollow member, a part of the cord contained in the extension and contraction unit is spirally wound so as to be extended and contracted, nodes are placed respectively between the headband and the extension and contraction unit and between the hanger and the extension and contraction unit, and the respective nodes have a through-hole allowing penetration of the cord.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2008Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Naotaka Tsunoda
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Patent number: 8319083Abstract: Electronic systems, methods and apparatus for teaching and examining music are presented. The method includes presenting a user with one or more musical tasks and providing a menu with one or more selectable icons. Selection of one of the icons activates functionality to enable the user to form an element of musical notation. The method includes comparing one or more characteristics of the element of musical notation with one or more predetermined thresholds in response to a user request and generating a mark, score or grade based on the result of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Web Ed. Development Pty., Ltd.Inventor: Jonathan Adams
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Patent number: 8314319Abstract: A plurality of musical instrument is connected to a server device through a network to form a storage system. The musical instrument generates performance data, and sends the performance data to the server device every time the performance data is generated. The server device receives the performance data sent from the musical instrument. The server device has a clock unit that measures date and time, and a storage unit that stores the performance data received by the receiving unit. Further, a file generation unit of the server device divides a polarity of the performance data stored in the storage unit into blocks based on the date and time of the performance data measured by the clock unit when the performance data is received by the receiving unit, and generates performance files corresponding to the blocks of the performance data.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Taro Yokoyama, Haruki Uehara, Yoshiki Kasahara, Yutaka Hasegawa
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Patent number: 8314320Abstract: CPU 21 decides a current melody tone CM relating to a key depressed at a the leading position of a current beat and a previous melody tone PM relating to a key depressed at the leading position of a beat coming directly before the current beat, based on time information, in particular, beat information, controlling progress of automatic accompanying data in operation in a melody sequence progressing in response to manipulation of a keyboard 11. Further, CPU 21 performs a chord name deciding process to decide a current chord name, based on the decided current melody tone, previous melody tone, and a previous chord name PreCH, or a chord name at the previous beat. When deciding a melody tone, CPU 21 decides the current melody tone CM and the previous melody tone PM based on what number the current beat is in a measure.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2011Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroko Okuda
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Patent number: 8309836Abstract: According to some embodiments, a musical instrument pickup comprises a first plurality of non-magnetic pole pieces a second plurality of non-magnetic pole pieces, a plurality of magnetic pole pieces, a first coil disposed around the first plurality of non-magnetic pole pieces, a second coil disposed around the second plurality of non-magnetic pole pieces and the plurality of magnetic pole pieces, and a bar magnet magnetically coupled to the first plurality of non-magnetic pole pieces and the second plurality of non-magnetic pole pieces.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Inventors: David Thomas Bolger, Thomas Bolger
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Patent number: 8309834Abstract: Processor-implemented methods and systems for polyphonic note detection are disclosed. The method includes converting a portion of a polyphonic audio signal from a time domain to a frequency domain. The method includes detecting a fundamental frequency peak in the frequency domain. The method then detects a defined number of integer-interval harmonic partials. If a defined number of integer-interval harmonic partials relative to the fundamental frequency peak are detected the fundamental frequency is recorded as a detected note. This process is repeated for each fundamental frequency until each note in the polyphonic audio signal has been detected. For example, this method allows detection of each note in a strummed guitar chord to provide feedback on the tuning of each string in a strummed chord or allows detection and feedback of the timing and pitch errors for guitar chords played along with a reference track.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steffen Gehring, Markus Sapp, Pierre Fournier
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Patent number: 8299346Abstract: The present invention relates to a musical instrument tuner, e.g. a guitar tuner, featuring tuning as a part of a user session.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: The TC Group A/SInventors: Søren Henningsen Nielsen, Esben Skovenborg, Lars Arknæs-Pedersen, Kim Rishøj Pedersen
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Patent number: 8294017Abstract: A method for creating a personalized musical file is presented, the method comprising receiving a birth date, determining angular distribution of planets on a birth sky based, at least in part, on the birth date, selecting a plurality of Names from Shem ha-Meforash based, at least in part, on the angular distribution of planets, associating vowels with at least some of the Names, generating a recorded musical portion for at least some of the Names, assembling at least some of the recorded musical portions in a musical file and recording the musical file. A method for creating a personalized mandala and a personalized mantra is also presented herein.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Yatsav Productions Inc.Inventor: Guy Veillet
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Patent number: 8294016Abstract: A method of teaching reading includes displaying, by an application executing on a computing device, a singing exercise configured to allow a user to sing along as a song is played. Lyrics of the song are displayed as the song plays, thus allowing the user to read the lyrics as the user sings along to the song. An audio input is monitored as the song is played. A score representing how accurately the audio input matches the song is calculated. The score is provided to the user. A series of target pitch lines representative of target pitches on the display and a target pitch area encompassed about each target pitch line may be displayed. A pitch tracking line from the audio input may be computed and displayed.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Electronic Learning Products, Inc.Inventor: Charles A. Franzblau
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Patent number: 8278545Abstract: A morphed musical piece generation system that enables even a user with little knowledge of music to easily generate a morphed musical piece between two different musical pieces is provided. A first intermediate time-span tree data generation section 6 selectively removes difference information between common time-span tree data and first time-span tree data from the first time-span tree data. Also, a second intermediate time-span tree data generation section 7 performs the same operation to obtain second intermediate time-span tree data. A data combining section combines the first intermediate time-span tree data and the second intermediate time-span tree data to generate combined time-span tree data. A musical piece data generation section generates a morphed musical piece on the basis of the combined time-span tree data.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Japan Science and Technology AgencyInventor: Masatoshi Hamanaka
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Patent number: 8273976Abstract: A synchronized performance process includes performing a first portion of a musical work using musicians and performing a second portion of the musical work using a computer.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Inventor: Michael Dalby
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Patent number: 8265307Abstract: An acoustic transducer radiates a sound wave into a medium, and includes: a shaft member which extends at a center portion of the acoustic transducer; first and second cylindrical acoustic radiation plates which have a cylindrical shape, a central axis of the first and second cylindrical acoustic radiation plates agreeing with the longitudinal axis of the shaft member, the first and second cylindrical acoustic radiation plates alternately arranged in a direction of the central axis; a plurality of connection members which have a ring shape, and connect adjacent first and second acoustic radiation plates to each other; a plurality of bending vibration plates each of which connects the shaft member and one of the connection members to each other; and a plurality of vibrators which are provided on the bending plates.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Yoshinori Hama
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Patent number: 8253005Abstract: A music information memory unit stores music information including identification information on each piece of music and pace information thereof. A process control unit selects out a predetermined number of pieces of music information each of whose identification information is to be presented from the music information memory unit. A notification image generating unit generates a notification image in which an object is moved in a scrolling manner based on the pace information of each piece of the selected music information. An image display control unit synthesizes the identification information of each piece of the selected music information with each of the generated notification images, and displays the synthesized image.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yuichi Asami
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Patent number: 8217612Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system and method for sensing both hard and soft obstructions for a movable panel such as a sunroof. A dual detection scheme is employing that includes an optical sensing as the primary means and electronic sensing of motor current as a secondary means. The secondary means utilizes system empirical precharacterization, fast processing algorithms, motor parameter monitoring including both current sensing and sensorless electronic motor current commutation pulse sensing, and controller memory, to adaptively modify electronic obstacle detection thresholds in real time without the use of templates and cycle averaging techniques.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Uusi, LLCInventors: Mario Boisvert, Randall Perrin, John Washeleski
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Patent number: 8217254Abstract: In an implementation of this invention, a stringed musical instrument has a resonator comprised of a bridge and a soundboard. Vibrations from the strings are transmitted through the bridge to the soundboard. A plurality of sensors are attached to or embedded in the soundboard. The sensors measure primarily the vibrations of the soundboard, rather than primarily the vibrations of the strings. Preferably, three or more sensors are used. Piezoelectric sensors sample vibrations in the soundboard. The resonator includes a printed circuit board that amplifies the signal from each sensor separately. Also, a signal processing device that is “onboard” the musical instrument processes the separate input signals to create one output signal. The resonator may be easily removed, enabling resonators to be interchanged. Also, the physical characteristics of a particular resonator, such as its mass or its boundary condition, may be adjusted, thereby changing the acoustic qualities of the soundboard.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Amit Shlomo Zoran, Marco Luigi Coppiardi
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Patent number: 8115092Abstract: An electronic piano includes a tone signal synthesizing system implemented by software, keys and key sensors monitoring the keys and reporting the key positions to the tone signal synthesizing system, and the tone signal synthesizing system includes damper model calculating modules for determining resistance against vibrations of wires of an a piano, a hammer model calculating module for determining force exerted on the wires, string model calculating modules for determining force exerted on an instrument body of the piano by the wires on the basis of the resistance and force exerted on the wires, an instrument body model calculating module for determining displacements of instrument body on the basis of the force exerted on the instrument body and an air model calculating module for determining a sound pressure at an observation point from the displacement of instrument body.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Eiji Tominaga
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Patent number: 8101845Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, method, and program that are capable of analysing a waveform of a tune involving a modulation with a reduced operation amount. A beat feature extraction section 41 extracts a feature related to a beat from sections of a waveform of a tune involving a modulation, each of the sections corresponding to each beat. A beat feature removal section 42 removes a phase component from a frequency component of each feature extracted. An autocorrelation map generation section 43 generates, based on the features whose phase components have been removed, autocorrelation information representing correlation between one section and another section. This enables the waveform of the tune involving a modulation to be analyzed with a reduced operation amount. The present invention is applicable to an information processing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Yoshiyuki Kobayashi