Abstract: An electronic device comprising: receiving means for receiving a first packaged installation file; installation means for installing a first version of a software application using the received first packaged installation file; packaging means for creating a second packaged installation file, for installing a second version of the software application; and transfer means for transferring the second packaged installation file to a second host device. A hand-portable electronic device, for sending data to another device during a session to enable the interactive production of music by the devices as an ensemble, comprising: output means operable, during a session, to send musical synchronisation information to the other device; a user input for controlling, during a session, the content of at least one of first musical control data and musical synchronisation information; and a synthesiser for producing music in dependence upon the first musical control data and the musical synchronisation information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for embedding event notification into multimedia content being reproduced on an electronic device are provided herein. The method may include causing reproduction of multimedia content on said electronic device, detecting an event that requires notification of a user of said electronic device and responsive thereto applying a modification to said reproduction of said multimedia content, according to said event, wherein said modification achieves a user-perceivable variation in said reproduced multimedia content.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for embedding event notification into multimedia content being reproduced on an electronic device. The method comprises reproducing multimedia content on said electronic device, detecting an event requiring notification of a user of said electronic device and responsive thereto applying a modification to said reproduction of said multimedia content, according to said event, wherein said modification achieves a user-perceivable variation in said reproduced multimedia content.

Abstract: A method of creating autonomous musical output: including creating a mutually inhibiting neuronal network including a plurality of nodes arranged to integrate and fire; associating each of the plurality of nodes with a musical instrument; and creating, when a node fires, a musical output corresponding to the musical instrument associated with the firing node.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and software product are presented for storing and retrieving information about phone calls. At least part of a call is recorded, and that recording is stored. A link is established from a user calendar to the stored recording, the calendar also being used for other chronological information such as events, appointments, and the like. The stored recording is then accessible by activating the link in the calendar.

Abstract: A mobile telephone terminates the musical audible alert for an incoming call by introducing a replacement musical sequence. The mobile telephone includes audio output means for alerting a user to an incoming call by playing a musical audible alert; a user input for answering an incoming call; and control means, responsive to the user input, for controlling the audio output means to terminate the musical audible alert, wherein the audio output means is operable to terminate the musical audible alert by introducing a replacement musical sequence.

Abstract: A multi-user system, for interactively controlling the action of at least a first participant in an environment, comprising: a first device operable by a first user to dynamically control the action of the first participant in the environment; and a second device simultaneously operable by a second user to dynamically vary the environment. A method for multi-user interactive control of at least a first participant in an environment, comprising the steps: a first user dynamically controls the action of the first participant in the environment; and simultaneously, a second user dynamically varies the environment. Described embodiments include a musical environment in which the participant is a musical instrument and a gaming environment in which the participant is a character in a game.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising: receiving means for receiving a first packaged installation file; installation means for installing a first version of a software application using the received first packaged installation file; packaging means for creating a second packaged installation file, for installing a second version of the software application; and transfer means for transferring the second packaged installation file to a second host device. A hand-portable electronic device, for sending data to another device during a session to enable the interactive production of music by the devices as an ensemble, comprising: output means operable, during a session, to send musical synchronisation information to the other device; a user input for controlling, during a session, the content of at least one of first musical control data and musical synchronisation information; and a synthesiser for producing music in dependence upon the first musical control data and the musical synchronisation information.

Abstract: A method for playing music having i note polyphony, as well as a system containing a plurality of sources and a source itself, with at least two sources of a group of sources, where a first source is assigned to play j notes and a second source is assigned to play k notes, where j<i and k<i, and where the notes are assigned in a predetermined order. For a case where j+k<i, the methods further includes assigning a third source l additional notes to play of the musical composition. For a case where j+k_i, the l notes may duplicate all or some of the j or k notes played by the first or second sources. The j and k notes are played simultaneously, and the method further includes an initial step of synchronizing the first source to the second source through a wireless local network such as an RF network, e.g., a Bluetooth network, or an optical network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a ringing tone in a communication device, such as a mobile phone, an electronic organizer or a personal digital assistant, to signal an event in the communication device. The method includes the steps of generating a sequence of musical notes in a random fashion within a range of pitch and duration for defining the musical notes, modifying the sequence of musical notes based on a set of modification rules in order to produce a modified sequence, and repeating the modified sequence for forming a motif. More than one motif can be produced and stored in a computer-readable medium at a user's initiation of the communication device to allow the user to choose one of the motives as a ringing tone for signaling a different event. The user can delete one or more motives stored in the computer-readable medium and generate new ones, if desired.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for transmitting MIDI messages between a transmitter and a receiver through a link that is susceptible to errors. The method includes parsing MIDI messages to be transmitted into a critical category and a non-critical category, and transmitting critical category MIDI messages using a reliable transmission protocol and non-critical category MIDI messages using a less reliable transmission protocol. As an example, a non-critical category of MIDI message is a Note On message, and a critical category MIDI message is a corresponding Note Off message. The step of parsing preferably includes atomizing certain MIDI messages, such as Note On/Note Off pairs, that in turn can include encapsulating the certain MIDI messages within a common transmission packet.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for transmitting MIDI messages between a transmitter and a receiver through a link that is susceptible to errors. The method includes parsing MIDI messages to be transmitted into a critical category and a non-critical category, and transmitting critical category MIDI messages using a reliable transmission protocol and non-critical category MIDI messages using a less reliable transmission protocol. As an example, a non-critical category of MIDI message is a Note On message, and a critical category MIDI message is a corresponding Note Off message. The step of parsing preferably includes atomizing certain MIDI messages, such as Note On/Note Off pairs, that in turn can include encapsulating the certain MIDI messages within a common transmission packet.

Abstract: Mobile telephones, personal digital assistants or other small portable computing devices are used to play music either transmitted from a content provider or stored in the device. A number of options are provided that enable the user, even with limited musical ability, to modify the music, both in a solo playing mode and in an ensemble jamming mode. A Master Computer runs a program to play the music and synchronizing the playing. The program may also assign parts to the members of the group.

Abstract: A method for playing music having i note polyphony, as well as a system containing a plurality of sources and a source itself, with at least two sources of a group of sources, where a first source is assigned to play j notes and a second source is assigned to play k notes, where j<i and k<i, and where the notes are assigned in a predetermined order. For a case where j+k<i, the methods further includes assigning a third source l additional notes to play of the musical composition. For a case where j+k_i, the l notes may duplicate all or some of the j or k notes played by the first or second sources. The j and k notes are played simultaneously, and the method further includes an initial step of synchronizing the first source to the second source through a wireless local network such as an RF network, e.g., a Bluetooth network, or an optical network.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed that transmit MIDI messages between a transmitter and a receiver through a link that is susceptible to errors. The method includes: detecting an error condition during the reception of MIDI messages from the link; estimating a severity of the error condition and, based on the estimated severity, selectively one of ignoring the error condition or substituting error concealment MIDI messages to compensate for the error condition. The error concealment MIDI messages may be received from the transmitter and stored in the receiver, or they may be generated algorithmically by the receiver. The method further includes determining a duration of the error condition, and if the duration exceeds some threshold, at the end of the error condition the receiver re-starts the use of transmitted MIDI messages at the beginning of a next bar, or at some other suitable location.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating two or more mobile stations that form a local group. The method includes beginning an application, such as a game that transfers data, with each of the mobile stations; and using a variation in sound made by each of the mobile stations to represent movement of a virtual object, such as a game piece, between the station. The variation in sound can be caused by execution of MIDI commands that change the volume and/or the pitch of the sound, and can be made in response to MIDI commands from another mobile station designated as the group master. The sound may be separately varied to represent both horizontal and vertical changes in object motion. Also disclosed is a mobile station having an audio user interface (AUI) for representing motion of a data object relative to the mobile station by varying an audio output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a ringing tone in a communication device, such as a mobile phone, an electronic organizer or a personal digital assistant, to signal an event in the communication device. The method includes the steps of generating a sequence of musical notes in a random fashion within a range of pitch and duration for defining the musical notes, modifying the sequence of musical notes based on a set of modification rules in order to produce a modified sequence, and repeating the modified sequence for forming a motif. More than one motif can be produced and stored in a computer-readable medium at a user's initiation of the communication device to allow the user to choose one of the motives as a ringing tone for signaling a different event. The user can delete one or more motives stored in the computer-readable medium and generate new ones, if desired.