Patents by Inventor Masaaki Okabayashi

Masaaki Okabayashi 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: 8503698
    Abstract: Signal of a channel selected in accordance with a cue instruction is supplied to a cue bus. Cue signal processing section provided in the cue bus can perform one or more signal processing operations, selected from among a predetermined plurality of different signal processing operations, such as “Delay”, “Insert” and “Equalizer”. For each of a plurality of channel types, a set of setting information is stored which contains information for setting ON or OFF of individual ones of the plurality of different signal processing operations. The set of setting information corresponding to the type of the channel selected via the cue instruction is referenced, and one or more signal processing operations is determined in such a manner that each signal processing operation set in an ON state in the setting file in correspondence with the type of the selected channel is performed on the signal supplied to the cue bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Takamitsu Aoki, Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 8498724
    Abstract: In a digital mixer that processes audio signals in a plurality of channels, layer data which indicates a channel to be assigned to each channel strip in a channel strip section can be set to indicate retainment of assignment status for any of the channel strips. When the layer is selected, the digital mixer assigns the channel indicated by the layer data corresponding to the selected layer to each channel strip for which assignment of some channel is indicated, and leaves the assignment of the channel unchanged regarding the channel strip for which retainment of assignment status is indicated in the layer data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Takamitsu Aoki, Masaaki Okabayashi, Kotaro Terada
  • Patent number: 8457329
    Abstract: A sub-console 1200 has a lower channel strip group 40 on a front panel 1202, and an upper channel strip group 42 on a rear panel 1206. Left and right displays 52 and 54 are provided between the upper and lower channel strip groups 42 and 40. Either one of the parameter of the upper and lower channel strip groups 42 and 40 is displayed on the left and right displays 52 and 54. With this structure, the width of the sub-console 1200 can be reduced, and the positional correspondence relationship between the respective channel strip groups and the left and right displays 52 and 54 can be maintained. Accordingly, a high operability can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Fujita, Kotaro Terada, Masaaki Okabayashi, Takeshi Ando
  • Patent number: 8457327
    Abstract: Mixer and one or more external devices, related to audio signal processing, are interconnected via a communication network, such as a LAN. For a particular one of the external devices for which communication with the mixer via the communication network is to be established, a network address unique to the particular external device and a communication protocol to be used for data communication with the particular external device are designated by entry operation by a user. Logical connection is established such that data communication is performed, in accordance with the designated communication protocol, between the mixer and the particular external device corresponding to the designated network address. Thus, data communication is performed, via the communication network, between the mixer and the particular external device for which the logical connection has been established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 8448253
    Abstract: CPU of a console accepts a full application activation instruction generated via an activation instruction switch. The CPU searches through all of apparatus of a mixing system, which the console belongs to, to detect any apparatus having connected thereto a USB dongle that has recorded therein an access key corresponding to an application program to be fully activated. If such an apparatus has been detected within the mixing system, the CPU places the application program in a fully activated state. If, on the other hand, no such apparatus has been detected, the CPU terminates a full application activation process. Such arrangements allows the application program, which requires authentication of the access key, to be executed with simple operation, while preventing unauthorized use of the application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Hagiwara, Masaaki Okabayashi, Yuki Furumoto, Daisuke Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8379883
    Abstract: In each of a plurality of input channels of an audio mixer, there are provided a fader operator for adjusting a tone volume level, and a send level adjustment section for adjusting a send level of an audio signal to be sent from the channel to individual mixing buses. On an operation panel of the mixer, there are provided a plurality of bus selection switches in corresponding relation to the mixing buses. Once any one of the bus selection switches is depressed once, the mixing bus corresponding to the operated bus selection switch is allocated to a selected send level operator. Activation/deactivation of a Sends On Fader (SOF) function may be instructed by a user depressing any one of the bus selection switches twice in succession.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kotaro Terada, Hideki Hagiwara, Takamitsu Aoki, Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 8381103
    Abstract: When a jump instruction to display contents regarding a control out of contents in a help screen is given, if the jump instruction is given for a control with the same identification data as that of a control for which a preceding instruction is given, an explanation at a position next to a position of contents displayed in response to the preceding jump instruction is displayed on the help screen, out of the contents of a help data corresponding to the identification data of the control. If the jump instruction is given for a control with different identification from that of the control corresponding to the preceding jump instruction, an explanation at a head position, out of explanations in the help data corresponding to the identification data of the control for which the current jump instruction is given is displayed on the help screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kotaro Terada, Masaru Aiso, Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 8335325
    Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus comprises input channels, a mix bus, a volume level controller, a path disconnector that connects or disconnects a path from each input channel to the mix bus, a signal selector that select either one of a post-signal and a pre-signal, a volume adjusting operator that groups at least a part of the plurality of input channels and collectively adjusts volume levels of the grouped input channels, a mute setting device that sets muting of the grouped input channels, a mute target selector that selects either one of a first mode in which only the post-signal is muted and a second mode in which both pre-signal and post-signal are muted, and a mute controller that controls, when the mute setting device has set muting of the grouped input channels, the volume level controller to execute the muting of the grouped input channels on the first mode, and controls the path disconnector to execute the muting of the grouped input channels on the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Publication number: 20120250888
    Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus has a plurality of channels for controlling a plurality of audio signals. In the apparatus, a volume setting unit sets volume parameters of the plurality of channels. A group generation unit determines a plurality of groups each including one or more channels among the plurality of channels. An attenuation setting unit sets an attenuation amount for each group. An on/off setting unit sets each group to either an on-state or an off-state. A plurality of volume controllers control the plurality of channels, a volume controller of each channel, which belongs to a group in the off-state, controlling a level of the channel and a volume controller of each channel, which belongs to a group in the on-state, generating a volume value by attenuating the volume parameter set to the channel by the attenuation amount set to the group and controlling a level of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 8214065
    Abstract: In a digital mixer, a standard mode or a switched mode of an input patch is selectable. When shifting from the standard mode to the switched mode is selected, input port information in input patch data stored in a current memory is converted according to a port correspondence relation indicated by conversion data. When shifting from the switched mode to the standard mode is selected, the input port information in the input patch data stored in the current memory is reversely converted to original information according to the port correspondence relation indicated by the conversion data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Takamitsu Aoki, Masaru Aiso, Takashi Suzuki, Kotaro Terada, Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 8126579
    Abstract: In a digital mixer that processes audio signals in a plurality of channels, layer data which indicates a channel to be assigned to each channel strip in a channel strip section can be set to indicate retainment of assignment status for any of the channel strips. When the layer is selected, the digital mixer assigns the channel indicated by the layer data corresponding to the selected layer to each channel strip for which assignment of some channel is indicated, and leaves the assignment of the channel unchanged regarding the channel strip for which retainment of assignment status is indicated in the layer data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Takamitsu Aoki, Masaaki Okabayashi, Kotaro Terada
  • Publication number: 20120027230
    Abstract: Mixer and one or more external devices, related to audio signal processing, are interconnected via a communication network, such as a LAN. For a particular one of the external devices for which communication with the mixer via the communication network is to be established, a network address unique to the particular external device and a communication protocol to be used for data communication with the particular external device are designated by entry operation by a user. Logical connection is established such that data communication is performed, in accordance with the designated communication protocol, between the mixer and the particular external device corresponding to the designated network address. Thus, data communication is performed, via the communication network, between the mixer and the particular external device for which the logical connection has been established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Publication number: 20120020498
    Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus performs audio signal process composed of a plurality of channels each having parameters used in the audio signal process. The audio signal processing apparatus has a plurality of channel strips, each being assigned with a channel and being provided with controls for adjusting values of the parameters of the assigned channel, and has a plurality of storing sections having different priorities relative to each other, each storing section being capable of storing a setting indicative of a channel set to a channel strip for assignment thereto. A changing section changes a setting stored in a storing section. A clearing section clears a setting stored in a storing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki FUJITA, Masaaki Okabayashi, Kotaro Terada
  • Publication number: 20120020497
    Abstract: An output channel processing an audio signal after mixing in a mixing bus in a digital mixer is configured such that output points PreHPF and PostON are provided at locations before and after a signal processing module group composed of signal processing modules from a high-pass filter to an ON/OFF control module, an output selecting switch selects one of the output points to supply the audio signal at the selected output point to a direct-out output module which is provided corresponding to the output channel and includes an ON/OFF control module and a level adjustment module so that the audio signal can be outputted via the direct-out output module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 8103964
    Abstract: A device editing a value of a parameter according to an operation by a user operates in a normal mode and in a detailed edit mode. In the normal mode, according to an operation sensed by a touch panel, the position of a cursor in a main screen displayed on a display panel is controlled, and a parameter to be edited is selected and an operation mode is shifted to the detailed edit mode. In the detailed edit mode, a screen for accepting an edit operation of the parameter selected in the normal mode is displayed on a touch screen and a value of the parameter stored in a current memory is changed according to the operation sensed by the touch panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 8068621
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling a graphic equalizer which is implemented by digital filters, each being assignable to a frequency band for regulating a level of the frequency band. In the apparatus, a set of control devices are provided in correspondence to respective frequency bands, each control device being operable to specify the level of the corresponding frequency band to either of a reference level or other level than the reference level. An assignment section operates when a number of the digital filters is less than a total number of the frequency bands, for assigning the digital filters to the frequency bands which are specified with the levels other than the reference level. A control section controls remaining digital filters which are not assigned to any of the frequency bands in a through state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Okabayashi, Shigeki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8059839
    Abstract: Mixer and first and second engines are cascade-connected, and the second engine is connected to a speaker. In mode A, input signals to the first engine are output to the speaker via output channels of the second engine, and mixing operation of the first engine is performed via a console. Input signals to the second engine are output for monitoring via output channels of the first engine, and mixing control of the second engine is performed via a personal computer. In mode B, input signals to the second engine are output to the speaker via the output channels of the second engine, and mixing operation of the second engine is performed via the console. Input signals to the first engine are output for monitoring via the output channels of the first engine, and mixing control of the first engine is performed via the personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Aiso, Masaaki Okabayashi, Atsuo Hamada
  • Publication number: 20110274294
    Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus performs audio signal process composed of a plurality of channels each having parameters used in the audio signal process. The audio signal processing apparatus has a plurality of channel strips, each channel strip being assigned with a channel and being provided with manipulators for adjusting values of the parameters of the assigned channel. There are provided a plurality of storing sections having different priorities relative to each other, each storing section being capable of storing a setting indicative of a channel set to a channel strip for assignment thereto. A changing section changes the settings stored in the storing sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki FUJITA, Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 8050426
    Abstract: Mixer apparatus includes: a plurality of input channels, mixing buses and output channels; a monitor section that outputs, for a monitoring purpose, signals of one or more of the channels selected in response to monitoring selecting operation; and a plurality of effecters. For each of the plurality of effecters, setting is performed to insert the effecter in a designated one of the input or output channels, to allow the inserted effecter to be used in the designated channel. The mixer also permits editing of a selected one of the effecters while causing an editing screen for the selected effecter to be displayed. When any one of the effecters has been selected for editing while the mixer is set in the interlock mode, control is performed to automatically output, for the monitoring purpose, the signal of the channel having the selected effecter inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Okabayashi, Takamitsu Aoki
  • Patent number: 8032242
    Abstract: One format converter connected to a mixer and another format converter connected to a head amplifier are interconnected via a single control/audio communication line. Each of the format converters includes a communication interface, control signal interface, audio signal interface, and a control section. The control section converts control data and audio data into data compliant with the EtherSound (registered trademark) that allows the control data and audio data to be transmitted over a single physical cable, and then it transmits, over the physical cable, the converted data from the communication interface to the other format converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Aiso, Masaaki Okabayashi