Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recognizing a melody from a set of stored melodies. In the method, an audio sample representing the melody to be recognized is produced to form a first search criterion. In the method, an audio sample is produced of at least one word related to the melody to be recognized to form a second search criterion, wherein in the recognition, a first search set is formed of the stored melodies on the basis of one said search criterion. Another said search criterion is used for recognizing the melody from said first search set.

Abstract: Music-performance data is separated into at least note-number data, musical note-velocity data, musical note-length data and other necessary data. A primary encoded code is formed in which the note-number data, the musical note-velocity data, the musical note-length data and the other necessary data are arranged in different data fields. The primary encoded code and a playback player are compressed, the playback player being formed in software having a primary encoded code decoding function to decode the primary encoded code into the data arranged in the different data fields for reproducing the music-performance data, thus forming a first secondary encoded code for the primary encoded code and a second secondary encoded code for the playback player. The first secondary encoded code is decoded into the primary encoded code of the music-performance data. The second secondary encoded code is decoded into the playback player.

Abstract: A data modifying apparatus having: a memory that stores modification data for modifying data; a detecting unit for detecting each data group from performance data, the data group being unable to be reproduced at the same time from the viewpoint of music; and a modifying unit for modifying the data group detected by the detecting unit to divide the data group into a plurality of sub-data groups capable of being reproduced at the same time from the viewpoint of music, by using the modification data.

Abstract: In the sound signal adding apparatus in which there is a limitation on the number of reproducible sound sources, a remaining reproduction time determining section and a sound data attenuation controlling section are provided. The remaining reproduction time determining section checks, when sound data is to be added and reproduced, the remaining reproduction time of the sound data current being reproduced and detects a sound data having least reproduction time remaining. While the sound data attenuation controlling section reduces the output level of the sound signal corresponding to the sound data detected by the remaining reproduction time determining section.

Abstract: A device and related method for detecting, controlling, and recording keyboard motion in which individual magnets, sensors and actuators associated with each key capture and re-produce key motion with a high degree of accuracy. The method uses a non-contact sensing assembly technique that requires no mechanical or electrical connections with the keyboard assembly, thus making the device easy to service and install. The method also uses a mathematical algorithm to adjust actuator key movement at a very rapid rate making it possible to install in a variety of pianos with different key weights and still be able to play with high accuracy. Finally, the device system dynamically maps the keyboard to which keys are in playback mode and which are in record mode, allowing the use of both modes simultaneously, thus letting the player add to (layer) performances.

Abstract: In a portable communication terminal apparatus, a transmitter and receiver conducts either of a transmission and receipt of a message. A tone generator generates a sequence of tones to sound a music melody of a song in association with either of the transmission and the receipt of the message. A music composer is provided for inputting a motif melody comprised of a rhythm and a pitch and for composing the music melody of the song based on the inputted motif melody. The music composer may automatically input either of the rhythm and the pitch of the motif melody. A display device displays the inputted the motif melody in a sequence of beat points for editing.

Abstract: An apparatus is equipped to provide dance visualization of a stream of music. The apparatus is equipped with a sampler to generate characteristic data for a plurality of samples of a received stream of music, and an analyzer to determine a music type for the stream of music using the generated characteristic data. The apparatus is further provided with a player to manifest a plurality of dance movements for the stream of music in accordance with the determined music type of the stream of music.

Abstract: Electronic guitar including a case, a keyboard, a sound synthesis electronic assembly and an output line. The keyboard is divided into an upper keyboard arranged on a neck of the case and a lower keyboard arranged on a body of the case. The upper and lower keyboards constitute a complex array. When a key on the upper keyboard and a key on the lower keyboard are pressed, a determined note is generated by the sound synthesis electronic assembly and can be output to a karaoke CD player. It is thus possible to play this guitar while singing the karaoke.

Abstract: A registration apparatus for a musical instrument having a memory that has stored information representing set states of various parameters that specify respective types of rhythms to be accompanied automatically and respective types of musical sound generation. The set parameters are called and updated in a lump. By changing a type of calling, all the parameters can be called out immediately or only a parameter that specifies a type of accompaniment generation can be called out in synchronism with a predetermined timing of an accompaniment.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument of the string-plucking type which does not create a large time lag from when the musical instrument is operated until when the sound is produced, and does not cause a detection mechanism to become complex. A photo sensor (11) for being operated by a player is provided in a main body (10) that is formed in a shape resembling a string-plucking musical instrument. The photo sensor (11) generates a signal for producing sound when the light emitted from a light-emitting unit (11a) to a light-receiving unit (11b) is not detected by the light-receiving unit (11b). A detection signal from the photo sensor (11) needs not be put to the conversion processing, and the time can be shortened from when the musical instrument is operated until when the sound is produced. Since light is used, the constitution of the detection mechanism does not become complex.

Abstract: The instant device provides a method for enhancing the sound of any acoustic/electric guitar and other musical instrument by electronically oscillating and manipulating the sound emitted by the guitar or other instrument. The prior art utilizes a manually activated processor that when used, in conjunction with a guitar and sound amplifying device, is capable of creating a broad range of sounds. The processor has customarily been located upon the floor and is activated by a foot pedal. This presented method replaces the prior art pedal processors and the need to be physically in proximity to the processor to activate the pedal and the processor. It accomplishes this by providing electronic means integral with a guitar strap whereby upward and downward movements of the guitar neck or guitar body activate the electronic means creating variable electronic signals to an amplifier or other amplifying device enabling a wide range of distorted sounds to be emitted from the guitar.

Abstract: When audio data are to be stored into a large-capacity memory such as a hard disk device, a shared storage section is set in the memory so as to be used both for storing audio data of one or more songs and for storing song management data for each of the songs that are necessary for reproduction of the audio data. The song management data include data indicative of a stored position, in the shared storage section, of the corresponding audio data. The audio data are sequentially stored into the shared storage section in a predetermined single direction, e.g. from one end toward another of the shared storage section. The song management data are sequentially stored into the shared storage section in an opposite direction to the predetermined single direction, e.g. from the other end toward the one end of the shared storage section.

Abstract: A method for automatically creating dance patterns using an audio signal of music, comprising: extracting power feature of an audio signal of each processing window by covering the audio signal with the processing window for analyzing the audio signal at regular intervals, and extracting the processing windows indicating a part having strong-beat power feature as beating window candidates; determining beating windows corresponding to the points where beating should be conducted according to predetermined dance pattern creating option, out of the beating window candidates; and assigning predetermined unique beating codes to the determined beating windows in order of dance patterns based on the dance pattern creating option, and creating beating data of the dance patterns using the beating codes and time information indicating a time interval between beating windows.

Abstract: During reproduction of performance data in a particular performance style, an instruction can be given for shifting the reproduction to another performance style. In response to such a performance style shift instruction, the performance data of one or more of the performance parts of the currently-reproduced performance style is sequentially controlled, through a plurality of stepwise shift phases, to be replaced with the performance data of one or more of the performance parts of a designated shifted-to performance style. Thus, when the performance style is to be shifted during performance, the performance style shift can be effected in a smooth manner by gradually switching the performance data on a performance-part-by-performance-part basis.

Abstract: An elevator information communication system in which communication cables are reduced in number with a simple configuration to make efficient communication possible at a low cost. The elevator information communication system includes a notification device arranged in the elevator system, an information input device for forming notification data for the notification device to receive, and an elevator control device connected to the notification device to output a notification command and having a relay unit connected to the information input device to relay the notification data from the information input device to the notification device.

Abstract: A percussive sound contains both harmonic and non-harmonic frequency spectral content. To reproduce a particular percussive sound, such as the sound of a drum or cymbal or hand clap, for example, the harmonic and non-harmonic content are determined empirically. Also, and tendency of the harmonic content to change over time, and the temporal aspects of attack, sustain, and decay are likewise determined empirically. These attributes are represented in the invention in a percussive sound file which includes a harmonic content profile (502), noise shape filter (504), Doppler shift profile (506), and a time wave shaping profile (508). The harmonic content profile is used by an FM generator (114) to generate a frequency modulated signal (116). The noise shape profile is used by a noise generator (134) to generate and shape the non-harmonic spectral content. While the sound is being generated, the Doppler shift profile is used to adjust the base frequency of the FM signal.

Abstract: The fee for practicing to play a musical instrument is charged on a user so that the user may practice to play the musical instrument with eagerness when the user practices to play the musical instrument using a terminal device that can be connected to a server. A terminal device 10 can be connected to a server 30 via a network NW. A keyboard instrument 26 is connected to terminal device 10, and the user practices to play the musical instrument with the use of keyboard instrument 26. Practice information representing a state of the user's practicing to play the musical instrument is transmitted to server 30 to be stored within server 30. Server 30 determines the fee for the user's playing practice and the fee for materials used for practicing to play by discounting the fees in accordance with the practice information, and charges the determined fees on the user.

Abstract: A definite switching-off of drive equipment for elevators is accomplished with a control at an input side external of a frequency changer power unit that ascertains the presence or the absence of monitoring signals which are derived from the mains voltage at the input of the frequency changer power unit. Upon ascertaining the presence of one or more such signals when the drive is at standstill, the input side control interrupts the energy flow to the frequency changer power unit by generating a switching-off signal to a switching device to disconnect the mains voltage.

Abstract: A method, wireless MP3 player and system for downloading MP3 files from MP3 content sites that are in data communication with the Internet. The method comprises the steps of providing a wireless application protocol network in data communication with the Internet, a music server in data connection with the Internet, at least one MP3 content site in data communication with the Internet, and a wireless MP3 player having circuitry for establishing data communications with the wireless application protocol network and a display for displaying information generated by the music server.

Abstract: In addition to a general transposition setting device for setting a transposition for an entire musical instrument, there is provide an automatic-performance transposition setting device for optionally setting a transposition value for automatic performance. Automatic performance data is transposed in accordance with the transposition value set by the automatic-performance transposition setting device and a visual performance guide display based on the transposed automatic performance data is provided via a key display as an automatic performance process is advanced on a desired music piece. Human player depresses keys in accordance with the visual performance guide display so that tones corresponding to the depressed keys are generated.