Patents by Inventor Alexander H. Little

Alexander H. Little has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9928817
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for implementing user interfaces for interacting with a virtual instrument. For example, first touch input indicating a string location of a plurality of string locations within the note selection area. Audio output corresponding to the sting location may be presented on a speaker based at least in part on the first touch input. Second touch input corresponding to an ornamental interface element of the user interface may be received. In response to the first and second touch input, a series of two or more audio outputs may be presented on the speaker according to a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander H. Little, Joshua W. Decker, Eli T. Manjarrez, Christopher C. Lane
  • Publication number: 20170330539
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for implementing user interfaces for interacting with a virtual instrument. For example, first touch input indicating a string location of a plurality of string locations within the note selection area. Audio output corresponding to the sting location may be presented on a speaker based at least in part on the first touch input. Second touch input corresponding to an ornamental interface element of the user interface may be received. In response to the first and second touch input, a series of two or more audio outputs may be presented on the speaker according to a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander H. Little, Joshua W. Decker, Eli T. Manjarrez, Christopher C. Lane
  • Publication number: 20170092246
    Abstract: A method for visually representing a recording session on a display, the method including displaying, by a processor on a display device, an icon having a shape, receiving audio data, and generating pulses that radiate outwardly, concentrically, and separately from the icon. A timing of the pulses may correspond to audio events within the audio data, a starting size of the pulses may correspond to an amplitude of the audio events within the audio data, and a spacing between consecutive pulses may correspond to a timing between the audio events within the audio data. The radiating pulses can be circular and may expand outwardly from the icon. The audio events may include audio transients. The icon can be circular, polygonal, three-dimensional (e.g., spherical), or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Eli T. Manjarrez, Alexander H. Little, Sascha Hohne
  • Patent number: 9508330
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include storing musical elements in a database and processing performance data, where the musical elements including a plurality of reference accent pattern data and a plurality of reference system pattern data. Processing performance data can include receiving input data corresponding to a musical performance, determining an accent pattern for the musical performance, matching the accent pattern data to one or more reference accent pattern data in the database, and selecting one of the matching reference accent patterns. Processing performance data further includes receiving input corresponding to a selection of a musical style, one or more musical performance parameters, and generating a musical accompaniment based on the processed performance data, the selected musical style, and the selected one or more musical performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Buskies, Matthias Gros, Alexander H. Little, Thomas Sauer, Oliver Ludecke, Tobias Bade
  • Patent number: 9263018
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises receiving musical data including reference timing data, and a succession of musical notes arranged with respect to the reference timing data, receiving input corresponding to a selection of a groove template, and altering the arrangement of the notes (shifting in a positive or negative direction) with respect to the reference timing data based on the selected groove template. Altering the arrangement of notes can further include adding additional musical notes to the succession of musical notes to add stylistic embellishments particular to the selected groove template, where one of the selectable groove templates includes adding a shuffle dynamic to the succession of musical notes by determining a positive offset associated with each of the musical notes along the musical bar, and applying the positive offset to each of the musical notes, wherein the positive offset corresponds to the position of the musical note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Buskies, Matthias Gros, Thomas Sauer, Oliver Ludecke, Tobias Bade, Alexander H. Little
  • Patent number: 9251773
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to a computer-implemented method that includes receiving musical data, identifying a succession of accentuated events in the musical data, determining a pattern in the succession of accentuated events, comparing the pattern to a plurality of reference patterns, and determining a match for the pattern using the plurality of reference patterns. The method further includes selecting one of the matching reference patterns, and generating a rhythmic musical accompaniment for the musical data based on the selected matching reference pattern. In some cases, the musical data is MIDI data or analog audio data. Analog audio data analysis includes detecting transients in the analog audio data by identifying the succession of accentuated event in the musical data. This may include identifying a plurality of events in the musical data, and determining whether each of the plurality of events is an accent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Buskies, Matthias Gros, Thomas Sauer, Oliver Ludecke, Tobias Bade, Alexander H. Little
  • Patent number: 9214143
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a music editing application that enables a user to compose and edit note characteristics, e.g., via a touch-sensitive display. The GUI can display a portion of a music track including note events. In response to receiving a user selection of a note event and a user indication for editing a note event, the GUI can display a menu providing a list of characteristics. The characteristics can include an option for associating at least one of several virtual instruments or one of several articulations with the note event. Upon receiving a user input indicating a characteristic, the matrix editor can associate the note event with the characteristic based on the user input. The music editing application can allow the user to edit additional note characteristics (e.g., an instrument, an articulation) because of the extended capacity for data associated with each note event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander H. Little, Tobias Manuel Hermann, Clemens Homburg
  • Patent number: 9129583
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) for an audio editing application enables a user to easily and conveniently shift a temporal and/or pitch of a sequence of note events within a musical piece, e.g., via a touch-sensitive display. The GUI displays a set of note events on a matrix grid and a subset of the note events (e.g., selected by the user) on a note events grid that overlaps the matrix grid. The note events grid is moveable with respect to the matrix grid such that the subset of note events is shifted against the remaining note events while the note events within the subset maintain a spatial relationship with respect to each other. Further, the user can shift the note events grid (and the note events therein) to any location within the matrix grid, without unintentionally snapping the note events to a nearest grid location on the matrix grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander H. Little, Tobias Manuel Hermann, Clemens Homburg
  • Publication number: 20150221297
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include storing musical elements in a database and processing performance data, where the musical elements including a plurality of reference accent pattern data and a plurality of reference system pattern data. Processing performance data can include receiving input data corresponding to a musical performance, determining an accent pattern for the musical performance, matching the accent pattern data to one or more reference accent pattern data in the database, and selecting one of the matching reference accent patterns. Processing performance data further includes receiving input corresponding to a selection of a musical style, one or more musical performance parameters, and generating a musical accompaniment based on the processed performance data, the selected musical style, and the selected one or more musical performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Christoph Buskies, Matthias Gros, Alexander H. Little, Thomas Sauer, Oliver Ludecke, Tobias Bade
  • Patent number: 9012754
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include storing musical elements in a database and processing performance data, where the musical elements including a plurality of reference accent pattern data and a plurality of reference system pattern data. Processing performance data can include receiving input data corresponding to a musical performance, determining an accent pattern for the musical performance, matching the accent pattern data to one or more reference accent pattern data in the database, and selecting one of the matching reference accent patterns. Processing performance data further includes receiving input corresponding to a selection of a musical style, one or more musical performance parameters, and generating a musical accompaniment based on the processed performance data, the selected musical style, and the selected one or more musical performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Buskies, Matthias Gros, Alexander H. Little, Thomas Sauer, Oliver Ludecke, Tobias Bade
  • Publication number: 20150013527
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include storing musical elements in a database and processing performance data, where the musical elements including a plurality of reference accent pattern data and a plurality of reference system pattern data. Processing performance data can include receiving input data corresponding to a musical performance, determining an accent pattern for the musical performance, matching the accent pattern data to one or more reference accent pattern data in the database, and selecting one of the matching reference accent patterns. Processing performance data further includes receiving input corresponding to a selection of a musical style, one or more musical performance parameters, and generating a musical accompaniment based on the processed performance data, the selected musical style, and the selected one or more musical performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Christoph Buskies, Matthias Gros, Alexander H. Little, Thomas Sauer, Oliver Ludecke, Tobias Bade
  • Publication number: 20150013528
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises receiving musical data including reference timing data, and a succession of musical notes arranged with respect to the reference timing data, receiving input corresponding to a selection of a groove template, and altering the arrangement of the notes (shifting in a positive or negative direction) with respect to the reference timing data based on the selected groove template. Altering the arrangement of notes can further include adding additional musical notes to the succession of musical notes to add stylistic embellishments particular to the selected groove template, where one of the selectable groove templates includes adding a shuffle dynamic to the succession of musical notes by determining a positive offset associated with each of the musical notes along the musical bar, and applying the positive offset to each of the musical notes, wherein the positive offset corresponds to the position of the musical note.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Christoph Buskies, Matthias Gros, Thomas Sauer, Oliver Ludecke, Tobias Bade, Alexander H. Little
  • Publication number: 20150013533
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to a computer-implemented method that includes receiving musical data, identifying a succession of accentuated events in the musical data, determining a pattern in the succession of accentuated events, comparing the pattern to a plurality of reference patterns, and determining a match for the pattern using the plurality of reference patterns. The method further includes selecting one of the matching reference patterns, and generating a rhythmic musical accompaniment for the musical data based on the selected matching reference pattern. In some cases, the musical data is MIDI data or analog audio data. Analog audio data analysis includes detecting transients in the analog audio data by identifying the succession of accentuated event in the musical data. This may include identifying a plurality of events in the musical data, and determining whether each of the plurality of events is an accent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christoph Buskies, Matthias Gros, Thomas Sauer, Oliver Ludecke, Tobias Bade, Alexander H. Little
  • Publication number: 20130233155
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) for an audio editing application enables a user to easily and conveniently shift a temporal and/or pitch of a sequence of note events within a musical piece, e.g., via a touch-sensitive display. The GUI displays a set of note events on a matrix grid and a subset of the note events (e.g., selected by the user) on a note events grid that overlaps the matrix grid. The note events grid is moveable with respect to the matrix grid such that the subset of note events is shifted against the remaining note events while the note events within the subset maintain a spatial relationship with respect to each other. Further, the user can shift the note events grid (and the note events therein) to any location within the matrix grid, without unintentionally snapping the note events to a nearest grid location on the matrix grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander H. Little, Tobias Manuel Hermann, Clemens Homburg
  • Publication number: 20130233154
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a music editing application that enables a user to compose and edit note characteristics, e.g., via a touch-sensitive display. The GUI can display a portion of a music track including note events. In response to receiving a user selection of a note event and a user indication for editing a note event, the GUI can display a menu providing a list of characteristics. The characteristics can include an option for associating at least one of several virtual instruments or one of several articulations with the note event. Upon receiving a user input indicating a characteristic, the matrix editor can associate the note event with the characteristic based on the user input. The music editing application can allow the user to edit additional note characteristics (e.g., an instrument, an articulation) because of the extended capacity for data associated with each note event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander H. Little, Tobias Manuel Hermann, Clemens Homburg
  • Patent number: 7940942
    Abstract: A microphone including a connector with a plurality of electrical contacts. The microphone interfaces with a computer system via a digital bus. The microphone can transmit data to the computer system via the connector that is related to at least one of the following: the microphone manufacturer, the microphone manufacture date, the microphone model number, the microphone serial number, the microphone frequency response, whether the microphone uses phantom power, the desired pre-amplifier gain, and the microphone dynamic response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander H. Little
  • Publication number: 20100162878
    Abstract: A song audio is played and a graphical representation of a musical instrument contributing to the audio is displayed. A fingering display is overlayed on the graphical representation of the instrument during the playing of song. The fingering display is synchronized to the song audio. During the playing of the song audio, the tempo of the song is adjusted. The pitch of the song is substantially preserved in real-time despite the tempo adjustment. In addition, the synchronization between the fingering display and the audio are maintained in real-time in view of the adjusted tempo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard H. Lengeling, Alexander Soren, Jan-Hinnerk Helms, Alexander H. Little, John Danty, Matthew C. Evans, Timothy B. Martin, Ole Lagemann, Stefan Pillhofer