Abstract: Systems and methods applicable, for example, in music data repetition functionality. Timbral feature calculation and/or pitch feature calculation might, for instance, be performed. One or more self matrices might, for example, be calculated. A combined matrix might, for instance, be created. One or more music data repetition candidates might, for example, be selected. Candidate refinement might, for instance, be performed. A final choice for the music data repetition corresponding to the music data might, for example, be determined.

Abstract: A similarity assessment apparatus is provided for assessing a performance sound based on a model performance sound. In the apparatus, a probability density function generating unit divides data of a performance sound into a sequence of frames each having a predetermined temporal length, and generates a probability density function of a fundamental frequency for each frame of the performance sound. A probability density function providing portion provides a probability density function of a fundamental frequency for each frame of the model performance sound. A similarity assessment unit compares the generated probability density function of a frame of the performance sound with the provided probability density function of a frame of the model performance sound so as to assess a similarity between the performance sound and the model performance sound.

Abstract: A device for synthesizing sound having sinusoidal components includes a selector for selecting a limited number of the sinusoidal components from each of a number of frequency bands using a perceptual relevance value. The device further includes a synthesizer for synthesizing the selected sinusoidal components only. The frequency bands may be ERB based. The perceptual relevance value may involve the amplitude of the respective sinusoidal component, and/or the envelope of the respective channel.

Abstract: In displaying a music score by using a computer, there is provided a function for matching an in-music position being updated in a computer with an in-music position being played. According to the in-music position, display update is controlled. Space of music score display is divided into several partitions. The timing of updating each partition is defined as the moment when the in-music position in the computer has arrived at the position in the page obtained by predetermined function from the position of the page divided and the partitions are successively updated. Thus, it is possible to realize smooth display update capable of displaying the preceding partition and holding the display with a sufficient width before and after the position being played. Here, a plurality of timing input means are provided for matching the in-music position required here, so that a trace shift in the lower level can be corrected by means having a higher-level reliability when necessary.

Abstract: A musical rhythm is expressed by the number of the timing marks (for example, three timing marks when in simple triple time); and a musical tempo is expressed by the distance among the timing marks and a timing ball that moves at a fixed speed among those timing marks. Accordingly, a player may easily grasp the tempo of the music and easily determine the rhythm of the music in a sound game.

Abstract: For each of a plurality of music pieces, a storage device stores respective tone data of a plurality of fragments of the music piece and respective musical character values of the fragments. Similarity determination section calculates a similarity index value indicative of a degree of similarity between the character values of each of the fragments of a main music piece and the character values of each individual fragment of a plurality of sub music pieces. Each of the similarity index values calculated for the fragments of each of the sub music pieces can be adjusted in accordance with a user's control. Processing section processes the tone data of each of the fragments of the main music piece on the basis of the tone data of any one of the fragments of the sub music pieces of which the similarity index value indicates sufficient similarity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for editing music on a computer. A preferred embodiment according to the present invention provides a score window display containing various types of execution graphical icon layers onto which graphical execution ions (representing musical symbols such as bend-up/down, grace-up/down, dynamics, glissando, tremolo) can be attached and arranged in conformity with a progression of a musical tune on a screen of the display. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, may select desired execution icons from an icon select palette that provides lists of execution icons and attach or detach them to the displayed layers via graphical drag-and-drop operations to edit the underlying musical score. In addition, a user may modify parameters of a specific icon.

Abstract: A system and method for recording and reproducing three-dimensional sound events using a discretized, integrated macro-micro sound volume for reproducing a 3D acoustical matrix that reproduces sound including natural propagation and reverberation. The system and method may include sound modeling and synthesis that may enable sound to be reproduced as a volumetric matrix. The volumetric matrix may be captured, transferred, reproduced, or otherwise processed, as a spatial spectra of discretely reproduced sound events with controllable macro-micro relationships.

Abstract: Multiple kernel-mode audio processing modules or filters are combined to form a module or filter graph. The graph is implemented in kernel-mode, reducing latency and jitter when handling audio data (e.g., MIDI data) by avoiding transfers of the audio data to user-mode applications for processing. A variety of different audio processing modules can be used to provide various pieces of functionality when processing audio data.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a keyboard having a plurality of keys, a top board located in the rear of the keyboard and having a space for placing external equipment, a music stand that is erected on the top board, and a plurality of connection terminals that are located in the rear of the music stand and on a top surface of the top board, and that are freely connected with and disconnected from the external equipment.

Abstract: A musical sonification system and method sonifies data, such as real-time financial market data, to produce an audio signal output including a musical rendering of the data. A sonification engine converts the data into sound parameters based on configuration data and a sonification and mapping scheme. A sound generator generates the audio output signal from the sound parameters.

Abstract: An energy-based pattern recognition algorithm receives the input frames of an audio signal and a test frame sequence and returns a best match in the audio signal to the given test frame sequence. The energy of each input frame is computed, and input frames for which the energy is within a predetermined degree of closeness to the local maximum energy within the test frame sequence are identified as probable matches. Probable matches are then eliminated if the respective probable match does not correspond to a local maximum within a respective neighborhood of adjacent frames. The difference between overall energy for frames neighboring the remaining probable matches and the test frame sequence is computed as a percentage, with the minimum percent deviation in energy from the test frame sequence being returned as the best pattern match. Local signal characteristic matching may be employed to refine matching.

Abstract: A similar music search method, including: extracting an audio feature value from a compression zone of a music file and generating a music content summary using the extracted audio feature; classifying a mood and a genre of the music file by using the generated music content summary; extracting a similarity feature for a similarity retrieval from the music content summary; storing an information on the classified mood and a genre and the extracted similarity feature information in a database; receiving a query music; detecting the mood and the genre of the query music; measuring a similarity between the query music and music files having a mood and a genre identical to the query music by referring to the database; and retrieving the similar music with respect to the query music based on the measured similarity.

Abstract: A game system includes a game apparatus, and the game apparatus is connected with a monitor and a percussion-type controller. When a game player beats a first beating operation surface or a second beating operation surface, first operation data is input from the controller to the game apparatus. Furthermore, when a microphone detects an operation sound generated at a time that a beating operation is performed, second operation data including volume data is input from the controller to the game apparatus. In the game apparatus, when a magnitude of the volume data is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold value, an ability value as to an action of the player object to be executed according to a command indicated by the first operation data is changed to execute the action.

Abstract: A digital music player includes an audio file selector that selects a subsequent audio file to play from a collection of audio files based upon a desired relationship between an audio characteristic of a current audio file and an audio characteristic of the subsequent audio file. The audio selector digitally analyzes the audio files to determine their audio characteristics. A weighting procedure then assigns weights to the audio files in the collection based upon their audio characteristics and their relationship to the audio characteristics of the current audio file. A random selector then pseudo randomly selects the subsequent audio files from a weighted list of the files. The desired relationship can be a specified correspondence between a key or tempo of the current audio file and a key or tempo of the subsequent audio file. The audio selector is preferably implemented through a software macro which is downloaded into an existing digital music player.

Abstract: A method and system for synthesizing electronic watermarks is disclosed. The method includes generating electronic watermark sounds for music data by converting harmonic overtones that match the music data into signals. The generated electronic watermark sounds are then synthesized into the music data. The synthesized electronic watermark sounds and the music data are then output via various ways. In one embodiment, an encoded music file is generated, which can be sent to a recipient via a network or recorded on any of various recording media for distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a beat and tatum tracker includes an accent filter bank, a periodicity estimator, a period estimator and a phase estimator. The accent filter bank is configured to downsample an input audio signal. The periodicity estimator is configured to determine a periodicity based on the downsampled signal. The period estimator is configured to determine a period based on the periodicity. The phase estimator is configured to estimate a phase based on the period for determining beat and tatum times of the input audio signal.

Abstract: The automatic audio playing device mainly contains a hollow body member, a control unit housed inside the body member, a plug member and a speaker as integral parts of the body member, an adaptor, and a remote controller. The control unit has a radio reception circuit for receiving control signals from the remote controller. The control signal is forwarded to a signal processing circuit, which in turn triggers a microprocessor in accordance with the control signals. The microprocessor instructs an audio playing circuit to play an appropriate digital audio file via the speaker. The plug member could be plugged into a conventional lamp socket for a light bulb, or the plug member is first plugged into the adaptor and the adaptor is then plugged into a conventional wall socket. Once this is done, the automatic audio playing device could be turned on and off by switches of existing wiring.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and a method for creating a visual representation of music that conveys the musical form, structure, event surface, orchestration, and sonic framework of the piece being visualized. The representation comprises visual characters/sprites that move in time according to instructions from the metadata synchronized to the actual musical recording. These characters accurately portray the rhythm, pitch, and timbre of the individual elements in the musical surface (individual lines or performers) and have a hierarchy of representation, e.g. thematic elements that are divided into sub-elements (gestures or phrases) that are further divided into individual notes. The visual representation corresponds to the structure of the music as heard, where simultaneous harmonic events are parsed into individual notes which are then tied together into a rhythmic stream of linked events.

Abstract: A browser portion BR obtains a reproduction manner specifying file from a content distribution server 30, and delivers the same to a reproduction control portion CT. The reproduction control portion CT obtains from the content distribution server 30 a music content file designated by a reproduction content list in the reproduction manner specifying file. The reproduction control portion CT reproduces, in cooperation with a tone generating circuit 43, a music piece corresponding to the music content in a reproduction manner specified by the reproduction manner specifying file. The reproduction control portion CT displays the music content on a display device 42 in a display manner specified by a reproduction manner specifying file. When a user operates an input operation element group 41 for changing the display manner of the display device 42, the reproduction control portion CT changes the display manner of the display device 42.

Abstract: A music practice supporting appliance has an input unit that inputs a musical sound of a musical instrument and/or vocal music, converts the musical sound into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal as an input signal. An amplifying unit amplifies the input signal outputted from the input unit. A processing unit processes the amplified input signal to obtain input signal data. A first memory unit stores the input signal data. A second memory unit stores input signal data stored in the first memory unit when the input signal data stored in the first memory unit exceeds a preselected storage capacity of the first memory unit.

Abstract: A music piece reproduction device comprises a recording section (12) for recording a plurality of music piece data each possessing a sound data file and a beat guide file containing information on the sound data file, and a control section (1) for controlling so as to connect the sound data files recorded in the recording section (12), using a predetermined method. A command comment, indicating what kind of editing is capable of being performed and at which position in the music piece, is added to the beat guide file, and the control section successively reproduces a preceding music piece and a subsequence music piece based on the command comments of these two music pieces.

Abstract: Processor devices functioning as tone-generation-related processing elements, such as a keyboard, tone generator and speaker, are connected to a star-type network. Desired processing elements are logically connected (e.g., a keyboard is logically connected to the input side of the tone generator and a speaker is connected to the output side of the tone generator) in an internal network, so that a tone generation system can be built. Each processor device possesses a content file, and each of the processor devices has a table storing, for each of the processor devices, information indicating whether the content file possessed thereby can be supplied. If a particular one of the processor devices does not possess a content file to be used, the particular processor device extracts, from the table, another processor device capable of supplying the content file to be used and receives the content file from the extracted processor device.

Abstract: A musical content utilizing apparatus has a data input portion B11, transformation process portion B13 and utilization process portion B15 implemented via programmed processes. The data input portion B11 inputs musical content data comprising different kinds of content material data about music and content definition data defining the handling of the content material data. The transformation process portion B13 transforms the content definition data in accordance with stylesheets stored in a stylesheet storage portion B14 in order to enable the utilization process portion B15 to utilize the content material data. The utilization process portion B15 generates musical tones or displays images in accordance with the input content material, providing a user with musical content. As a result, a piece of musical content is able to be shared among various different types of musical content utilizing apparatuses, i.e., various platforms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying mood of music at high speed. The method includes: extracting a Modified Discrete Cosine Transformation-based timbre feature from a compressed domain of a music file; extracting a Modified Discrete Cosine Transformation-based tempo feature from the compressed domain of the music file; and classifying the mood of the music file based on the extracted timbre feature and the extracted tempo feature.

Abstract: A musical content utilizing apparatus has a data input portion B11, transformation process portion B13 and utilization process portion B15 implemented via programmed processes. The data input portion B11 inputs musical content data comprising different kinds of content material data about music and content definition data defining the handling of the content material data. The transformation process portion B13 transforms the content definition data in accordance with stylesheets stored in a stylesheet storage portion B14 in order to enable the utilization process portion B15 to utilize the content material data. The utilization process portion B15 generates musical tones or displays images in accordance with the input content material, providing a user with musical content. As a result, a piece of musical content is able to be shared among various different types of musical content utilizing apparatuses, i.e., various platforms.

Abstract: A characteristic-data-extraction unit 13 extracts characteristic data containing changing information from song data, then an impression-data-conversion unit 14 uses a pre-learned hierarchical neural network to convert the characteristic data extracted by the characteristic-data-extraction unit 13 to impression data and stores it together with song data into a song database 15. A song search unit 18 searches the song database 15 based on impression data input from a PC-control unit 19, and outputs the search results to a search-results-output unit 21.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product are provided to allow a user to generate a playlist in a game-like manner. A starting song and a target song may be initially selected. The computer system recommends a plurality of songs based on the starting song. The user selects a song from these recommendations. The system then recommends another plurality of songs based on the user-selected song. The user then selects a song from these recommendations and the system recommends yet another plurality of songs based on the new user-selected song. This process continues until the system recommends and the user selects the target song. The user generally desires minimize the steps required to traverse a music collection from the starting song to the target song. The path that the user takes to reach the target song can be stored as a playlist.

Abstract: The Harmony Hat is a musical instrument which greatly improves the portability of an electronic musical instrument by: (1) integrating the keyboard surfaces into the visor of a hat; and (2) deploying a portable battery supply so as to eliminate any need for alternating current supplies or AC wall sockets. Additionally, the Harmony Hat integrates all the electronic components of an electronic organ or synthesizer into a portable and wearable hat so that a musician can use the hat to experiment with musical notes in any environment, such as while traveling in a car or plane, and even while jogging or walking. The Harmony Hat includes additional electronic controls to adjust the octaves of musical notes available on the keyboard.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a clip-beat aligner that identifies musical beats in an audio file. An editing mode is provided to associate the audio file with a media segment according to a timeline. The clip-beat aligner aligns a boundary of the media segment with a musical beat on the timeline. Upon performing an editing operation, the clip-beat aligner maintains that the boundary of the media segment is aligned with any one of the musical beats. To align a boundary of each media segment with a musical beat, the clip-beat aligner identifies a musical beat that is proximate to the position of the media segment's boundary. The clip-beat aligner then aligns the media segment's boundary with the proximate musical beat by, if necessary, automatically trimming the media segment's duration such that the media segment's boundary occurs at the same moment in time as the proximate musical beat.

Abstract: An energy-based pattern recognition algorithm receives the input frames of an audio signal and a test frame sequence and returns a best match in the audio signal to the given test frame sequence. The energy of each input frame is computed and input frames for which the energy is both within a predetermined degree of closeness to the local maximum energy within the test frame sequence and a local maximum within a respective neighborhood of adjacent frames are identified as probable matches. The difference between overall energy for frames neighboring the remaining probable matches and the test frame sequence is computed as a percentage. The best match is selected based on a weighted combination of difference between local maximum energies and minimum percent deviation in overall energy. Local signal characteristic matching may be employed, with weighting, to refine matching.

Abstract: A musical instrument signaling system (10) that is designed to alert a player of a hand-held musical instrument when to commence and stop playing the instrument. Typically, the hand-held musical instrument consists of a handbell as used by members of a bell choir. The system (10) is disclosed in five embodiments, wherein each embodiment has a transmitting circuit that includes a musical instrument such as a keyboard, and a receiving circuit. In the first, third and fifth embodiments a set of electrical signals containing the notes are transmitted through space. In the second and fourth embodiments the signals containing the notes are transmitted from the transmitter circuit to the receiving circuit by a hard-wired cable. In all five embodiments only the selected notes of a musical performance are sent to the bell ringers.

Abstract: An automatic player piano is a combination between an acoustic piano and an automatic playing system, and a grand piano and an upright piano are used as the acoustic piano; the grand piano has action units prompter than action units of the upright piano so that a half-stroke recorded through the grand piano is not reproducible by the upright piano; the automatic playing system causes the hammers to rotate toward the strings without any escape thereby compensating the poor promptness with the short keystroke of the keys until the rotation of hammers.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communication terminal includes a wireless communication module and a controller. The wireless communication module is configured to communicate with other communication terminals over a wireless interface. The controller is configured to establish a connection with a participant wireless communication terminal via the wireless communication module, to maintain a play list representing song files to be played, to receive a participant song identification from the participant wireless communication terminal, wherein the participant song identification corresponds to a participant song file stored on the participant wireless communication terminal, to add the participant song identification to the play list, and to thereafter execute playback of the song files represented by the play list, including retrieving the participant song file from the participant wireless communication terminal for playback.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for outputting audio data and a musical score image, displaying a musical score image corresponding to reproduced audio data, and outputting audio data corresponding to a musical score image are provided, in which a tone is extracted, the tone is converted into a frequency, a monotone or polyphonic tone is identified, the frequency corresponding to a monotone or polyphonic tone is converted into tone information data, and the tone information data is stored, and a musical score is displayed. Also, audio data corresponding to a musical score are output, in which the musical score is photographed, musical signs from the photographed musical score are extracted, a pitch of a tone is extracted from music paper and musical note information of the musical signs, a duration of the tone from the musical note information of the musical signs is extracted, and audio data are output.

Abstract: A music-synchronized display apparatus includes a beat extractor configured to detect a portion in which a power spectrum in a spectrogram of an input music signal greatly changes and to output a detection output signal that is synchronized in time to the changing portion in synchronization with the input music signal; a tempo value estimation section configured to detect the self-correlation of the detection output signal from the beat extractor and to estimate a tempo value of the input music signal; a variable frequency oscillator in which an oscillation center frequency is determined on the basis of the tempo value from the tempo value estimation section and the phase of the output oscillation signal is controlled on the basis of a phase control signal; a phase comparator; a beat synchronization signal generation and output section; an attribute information storage section; an attribute information obtaining section; and a display information generator.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for fabrication of nucleic acid-based medium for storage of socially valuable information. This medium offers the possibility of simple and efficient reproduction of the information and cm be used for preserving information over periods of time, far surpassing those currently achievable by information storage devices utilizing conventional media.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling note velocity within an electronically controlled player piano in response to the analog characteristics (level, strength, amplitude, etc.) of a received audio signal encoded with a MIDI (or similar) note stream. The invention allows conventional audio playback devices to be utilized as a source for MIDI information which drives the actuation of the keys of the player piano.

Abstract: A talk assisting system has a vibration sensor for detecting tones produced through a musical instrument and a signal interrupter connected between a microphone and a sound system; while a player is fingering a music tune on the musical instrument, pieces of vibration data express a wide amplitude of the vibrations, and a tone discriminator changes a state signal to an active high level; and the signal interrupter is responsive to the state signal so as to block the sound system from the voice signal, whereby the tones are not mixed with the voice.

Abstract: Multiple kernel-mode audio processing modules or filters are combined to form a module or filter graph. The graph is implemented in kernel-mode, reducing latency and jitter when handling audio data (e.g., MIDI data) by avoiding transfers of the audio data to user-mode applications for processing. A variety of different audio processing modules can be used to provide various pieces of functionality when processing audio data.

Abstract: A karaoke system which displays and highlights musical notes and tablature, in addition to lyrics, as they are to be played or sung, with a view to helping an aspiring musician learn to play their instrument of choice. The system further utilizes a means to slow the tempo of the songs being played, so that the aspiring musician can master the notes and timing of the songs. The system can be patched to any TV system or displayed on the screen of the system itself The system contains an amp which allows for the plugging in of electric instruments and features a built in microphone. The system further allows a musician the option of a “full band” backup when the song is played, or the option of hearing only the selected instrument while playing along. Compact disks can be provided which would contain the songs, musical notes, lyrics and back up music thereon.

Abstract: A data synthesis apparatus detects the start of a period of voice waveform data, stores the voice waveform data in a first storage device, starting with its part indicative of the start of the detected period. The apparatus stores in a second storage device musical-sound waveform data including information on pulses having a specified period, and then performs a convolution operation on the voice waveform data stored in the first storage device and the musical-sound waveform data stored in the second storage device, thereby outputting synthesized waveform data synchronized with the specified period of the musical-sound waveform data stored in the second storage device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of and system for browsing of music. In an embodiment, a method of browsing recorded music comprises steps of: selecting a song from a library; playing at least a portion of the selected song for a user; while the portion of the selected song is playing, accepting input from the user, the input comprising an indication of the user's enjoyment of the at least a portion of the selected song; repeating said steps of selecting, playing and accepting to generate a sequence of song portions; and creating a record comprising an identification of each selected song portions and the indication for the song portions.

Abstract: A musical information retrieval system and process is presented. The system and process generally involves a user employing a unique graphic user interface (GUI) to enter a musical theme query, which is then characterized using a special normalized format. The characterized musical query is then compared in a variety of ways to similarly characterized musical themes resident in a database to identify one or more matching themes. The matching theme or themes are then reported to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shifting pitches of audio signals to achieve desired pitch relationships between the audio signals. Two or more audio signals are received. The audio signals may be in either a digital or analog format. One of the input audio signals is selected to be a reference signal. For each of the other audio signals, the pitch of the other audio signal is compared with the pitch of the reference signal to determine a relative pitch relationship. For each of the other signals, an adjustment is determined to bring the relationship to a desired pitch relationship. Based on the adjustment, the pitch of at least one of the audio signals is adjusted to achieve the desired pitch relationship between the audio signals.

Abstract: A musical sonification system and method sonifies data, such as real-time financial market data, to produce an audio signal output including a musical rendering of the data. A sonification engine converts the data into sound parameters based on configuration data and a sonification and mapping scheme. A sound generator generates the audio output signal from the sound parameters.

Abstract: A client device comprises a plurality of audio input ports, at least one audio output port, a MIDI input port, a MIDI output port, a video input port, a video output port, a processor and a network interface. The processor generates outgoing IP messages that carry at least one audio input signal received from the audio input ports, a first MIDI signal received from the MIDI input port and a first video signal received from the video input port. From incoming IP messages, the processor extracts a second MIDI signal for the MIDI output port, a second video signal for the video output port, and at least one audio output signal for the at least one audio output port. A network interface sends the outgoing IP messages within a VoIP call via a network and receives the incoming IP messages within the VoIP call via the network.

Abstract: A processing load at the time of playing back sound data having a loop part is reduced. A sound data encoding apparatus comprises a block dividing means that divides the sound data into blocks according to predetermined rules, and an encoding means that encodes the blocks in groups of a plurality of consecutive blocks. The block dividing means divides the sound data such that, when encoded blocks encoded by the encoding means are decoded to output decoded blocks, then the loop end position in a block that includes the loop end position in the decoded blocks is nearer to an end of the block than a predetermined position. In detail, input delay dummy data are added ahead of the sound data before dividing the sound data. At the time of outputting the encoded data, loop information is outputted also.

Abstract: At least one musical instrument, a server computer, a mobile telephone and a communication network form a music performance system; the owner has registered the musical instrument with a client database in the server computer, and a user transmits a request for music data distribution service to the server computer through the mobile telephone; upon reception of the request, the server computer searches the client database to see whether or not the owner has contracted the provider for the music data distribution service; when the server computer finds the owner in the client database, the server computer transmits a set of music data codes directly to the musical instrument so that the mobile telephone is shareable between the musical instrument and another musical instrument.

Abstract: An automatic music transcription apparatus that can automatically transcribe a monophonic or polyphonic signal produced by a single musical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes an input block, an overtone-power-ratio detection block, a storage block, a chromatic-note-power detection block, an overtone elimination block for subtracting the product of the power of the fundamental note and the power ratio of each overtone corresponding to the chromatic note of the fundamental note from the power of the chromatic note of the overtone and adding the product of the power of the fundamental note, a musical-notation-information detection block, and a detection result output block for outputting the detected musical notation information to a file or the like.