Data Storage Patents (Class 84/601)
  • Patent number: 8513513
    Abstract: During reproduction of drum-part performance tones with a predetermined performance pattern, comprising a combination of a plurality of drum tone colors, based on automatic performance style data including at least performance pattern data associated with a drum kit defining a combination of the plurality of drum tone colors, a drum kit editing section replaces any one or more of the drum tone colors, defined in the drum kit, with one or more other drum tone colors. Thus, even during an automatic accompaniment, a user can readily replace any one or more of the drum tone colors, defined in the drum kit allocated to the drum part, with one or more other drum tone colors while promptly checking an automatic accompaniment having the other drum tone colors reflected therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Komano
  • Patent number: 8502056
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, systems, and data structures for providing a music-subscription service customer with a portable music device that has been preloaded with customer-selected music. A music-subscription service provider receives a customer order to purchase a portable music device, and also receives the customer's selection of less than all of the music available on the music-subscription service provider's music database. The music-subscription service provider uses a computer to download the customer-selected music to the portable music device ordered by the customer. The music-subscription service provider then provides to the customer the portable music device that has been preloaded with the customer-selected music. The steps may be performed over the Internet and/or at a retail location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Pushbuttonmusic.com, LLC
    Inventor: Harold B. Oppenheimer
  • Patent number: 8494257
    Abstract: Data set generation and data set presentation for image processing are described. The processing determines a location for each of one or more musical artifacts in the image and identifies a corresponding label for each of the musical artifacts, generating a training file that associates the identified labels and determined locations of the musical artifacts with the image, and presenting the training file to a neural network for training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Museami, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Taub, George Tourtellot
  • Patent number: 8492635
    Abstract: A music sound generation apparatus generates music-sound data based on sound source data, and outputs the music-sound data in synchronization with audio data obtained separately from the music-sound data. A channel assigner assigns a predetermined number of channels to the audio data and the music-sound data. A read control unit reads the audio data and the music-sound data in accordance with their assigned channels. A signal processing unit generates predetermined music by controlling the sound level of the read audio data and the read music-sound data on each assigned channel and mixing the audio data and the music-sound data. When detecting no unoccupied channel, the channel assigner determines, as an unoccupied channel, a channel selected from channels excluding the channel to which the audio data has been assigned. The signal processing unit performs sound elimination on the unoccupied channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 8487173
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and editing collaborative music compositions via a computer network, including remote uploading tracks by musicians, and for creating and joining a band, wherein the system and methods provide for at least one musician to join a virtual group of at least one other musician for the purpose of virtual collaborative creating and/or editing music tracks remotely, via an online network and interactive website therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Parker M. D. Emmerson
  • Publication number: 20130112067
    Abstract: An example graphical programming interface system includes a processor. A grid matrix defined by a plurality of coordinate axes, having selectable matrix positions is displayed on a display device. Multiple movable object icons, each representing an object having a predefined output sound are also displayed on the display device. In one aspect, a single object data file is associated with each matrix position on said grid matrix. In this aspect, once a user places an object icon on a matrix position, the processor causes the predefined output sound associated with the object icon in accordance with the object data file associated with the matrix position at which the object icon is placed, and outputs the processed sound to an output device. This allows a user to program musical sequences by placing one or more object icons each on the selectable matrix positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Patent number: 8438168
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes providing a music collection of a particular scale, determining a distance parameter for locality sensitive hashing based at least in part on the scale of the music collection and constructing an index for the music collection. Another exemplary method includes providing a song, extracting snippets from the song, analyzing time-varying timbre characteristics of the snippets and constructing one or more queries based on the analyzing. Such exemplary methods may be implemented by a portable device configured to maintain an index, to perform searches based on selected songs or portions of songs and to generate playlists from search results. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Rui Cai, Lei Zhang, Wei-Ying Ma
  • Patent number: 8433575
    Abstract: A system and method is described in which a multimedia story is rendered to a consumer in dependence on features extracted from an audio signal representing for example a musical selection of the consumer. Features such as key changes and tempo of the music selection are related to dramatic parameters defined by and associated with story arcs, narrative story rules and film or story structure. In one example a selection of a few music tracks provides input audio signals (602) from which musical features are extracted (604), following which a dramatic parameter list and timeline are generated (606). Media fragments are then obtained (608), the fragments having story content associated with the dramatic parameters, and the fragments output (610) with the music selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: AMBX UK Limited
    Inventors: David A. Eves, Richard S. Cole, Christopher Thorne
  • Patent number: 8380051
    Abstract: In general, a digital video player is described that has a form factor that allows the video player to be built into or otherwise attached to another enclosure. The digital video player may be built into or otherwise attached to the other enclosure such as any physical packaging around or accompanying a product, a Point of Sale (POS) structure near the product in a store, or attached to the product itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, Inc.
    Inventors: Ariel Braunstein, John Louis Warpakowski Furlan, Jonathan Kaplan
  • Patent number: 8338685
    Abstract: An artificial intelligence video analysis recommendation system and method is provided that allows video viewers to discover new videos and video producers to evaluate the potential success of a new project as well as to understand the perceptual factors beneath audience ratings. The system and method accomplish these tasks by analyzing a database of video in order to identify key similarities between different pieces of video, and then recommends pieces of video to a user depending upon their video preferences. An embodiment enables a user to evaluate a new video's similarity to videos already established as commercially valuable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Polyphonic Human Media Interface, S.L.
    Inventors: Antonio Trias Bonet, Jesús Sanz Marcos, Antonio Trias Llopis, María Gimena Llopis Rivas
  • Patent number: 8324492
    Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a system of musically interacting devices. A first device has a first identification code, a first wireless communication interface and a first audio player, and a second device has a second identification code, a second wireless communication interface and a second audio player. The first device and the second device are configured to participate in an interaction sequence in which: the first device wirelessly communicates using the first wireless communication interface, the second device wirelessly communicates using the second wireless communication interface, a musical composition is selected based on both the first identification code and the second identification code, and the first device and the second device cooperatively play the musical composition, with each of the first device and the second device playing a different part of the musical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Vergence Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Feeney, Jeff E. Haas, Brent W. Barkley
  • Publication number: 20120297962
    Abstract: A keytar is disclosed. The keytar has a keyboard body having a front, back, left side, and right side. A piano-style keyboard with a number of keys is on the front of the keyboard body. A neck extends from either the left or the right side and the left side of the keyboard body. A number of drum pads are on the front of the keyboard body. An electronic circuit is electrically connected to the drum pads and keys. The electronic circuit is configured and arranged to scan the state of each of the drum pads and keys and generate a MIDI note signal corresponding to the state each drum pad and keys and transmit the MIDI note signal to the tablet computer. The keytar may further include an accelerometer to provide music effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: ALESIS, L.P.
    Inventors: John E. O'Donnell, David Gill, Brian R. Shim
  • Patent number: 8319086
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Iampietro, P B Ramesh, Abhinav Darbari
  • Patent number: 8314319
    Abstract: A plurality of musical instrument is connected to a server device through a network to form a storage system. The musical instrument generates performance data, and sends the performance data to the server device every time the performance data is generated. The server device receives the performance data sent from the musical instrument. The server device has a clock unit that measures date and time, and a storage unit that stores the performance data received by the receiving unit. Further, a file generation unit of the server device divides a polarity of the performance data stored in the storage unit into blocks based on the date and time of the performance data measured by the clock unit when the performance data is received by the receiving unit, and generates performance files corresponding to the blocks of the performance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Taro Yokoyama, Haruki Uehara, Yoshiki Kasahara, Yutaka Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8304642
    Abstract: The MUSIC AND LYRICS DISPLAY METHOD provides for a complete solution comprising a way of displaying correct portions of lyrics and or musical notation at appropriate times while something live is happening. By using a predetermined series of symbols in a song sequence, symbols may serve as indices for looking up and displaying distinct portions of lyrics identified by corresponding symbols comprised within bodies of lyrics. Furthermore, when displaying words and music notation, notes are spaced horizontally to align with words that are large and not broken up, such that words are natural looking and easy to read, while musical notes are easy to sight read with words to which they obviously correspond. Another aspect of the present invention allows for providing such multimedia in such a way that users may play audio for free for a certain span of days or demo trial period, and where users may register to retain access thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Robison James Bryan
  • Patent number: 8294017
    Abstract: A method for creating a personalized musical file is presented, the method comprising receiving a birth date, determining angular distribution of planets on a birth sky based, at least in part, on the birth date, selecting a plurality of Names from Shem ha-Meforash based, at least in part, on the angular distribution of planets, associating vowels with at least some of the Names, generating a recorded musical portion for at least some of the Names, assembling at least some of the recorded musical portions in a musical file and recording the musical file. A method for creating a personalized mandala and a personalized mantra is also presented herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Yatsav Productions Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Veillet
  • Patent number: 8258390
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating playlists of media items with audio data are disclosed. Based on two received feature sets, media items corresponding to each feature set are identified. Transition characteristics are also received. Based on the identified media items and transition characteristics, a dynamic playlist is generated that transitions from media items having characteristics of the first feature set to media items having characteristics of the second feature set. Each time the playlist is generated, it may include a different set of media items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Gossweiler, Douglas Eck, Hrishikesh Aradhye, Tomas Izo
  • Patent number: 8260760
    Abstract: Apparatus in which, with respect to a vague search request, content, such as a musical piece matching a user's mood at that time, can easily be searched for with a simple operation. A content providing apparatus includes a content storage section in which a plurality of pieces of content are grouped and stored. In a state in which content read from the content storage section is provided to the user, when a user input detection device detects a specific input by the user, desired content other than the provided content among the content belonging to the same group as the content being provided belongs or the content belonging to a group differing from the group to which the content being provided belongs is selected from a plurality of pieces of content stored in the content storage section, and the content is provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Sho Murakoshi
  • Patent number: 8217251
    Abstract: An interactive assembly for displaying a sequence of words from a text comprising: a processor; at least one memory operatively connected to the processor; at least one speech recognizer operatively connected to the processor; at least one audio input operatively connected the speech recognizer; at least one display operatively connected to the speech recognizer for displaying words of a song based upon the words recognized by the speech recognizer; whereby based upon a word received by the audio input, the next words to be recited incrementally displayed onto the at least one display contemporaneously with the input received from the operator. A method for interactively display the words of a text sequentially on a display comprising: receiving an inputted vocal input in an audio input device; inputting the inputted vocal input into a speech recognizer; comparing the inputted vocal input with words stored in sequence in memory; outputting on a display screen only the next sequential words for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Lawrence E Anderson
  • Patent number: 8198524
    Abstract: An apparatus for signal processing, wherein a disc is placed on a turntable and is provided with a groove which can be followed by the pick-up element, and employing a time-code signal wherein during use of the disc the said time-code signal controls the digital audio source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: N2IT Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Mark-Jan Bastian, Tim Hemel
  • Patent number: 8188357
    Abstract: In a portable multimedia device, a method, apparatus, and system for providing user supplied configuration data are described. In one embodiment, a hierarchically ordered graphical user interface is provided. A first order, or home, interface provides a highest order of user selectable items each of which, when selected, results in an automatic transition to a lower order user interface associated with the selected item. In one of the described embodiments, the lower order interface includes other user selectable items associated with the previously selected item from the higher order user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Robbin, Steve Jobs, Timothy Wasko, Greg Christie, Imran Chaudhri
  • Patent number: 8183451
    Abstract: A system and methods for continuously communicating data regarding the status of a monitored condition using music, which trained persons can recognize and interpret. One or more data collector devices monitor conditions and provide data regarding the status of the conditions to an analyzing device. The analyzing device receives the data and creates data music that is played on an audio device with reference music establishing the Hierarchal Music Structure (HMS) to the listener. The data music is a musical representation of the data against the reference music, which are played on an audio device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventor: Panaiotis
  • Patent number: 8163990
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for recording and compiling a music section, wherein multiple takes of the music section are recorded; and wherein the method uses a take folder to store the multiple takes. The take folder may belong to a single track. Sections of one or more takes can be selected to be part of a resulting compilation which is composed of the selected sections. In one embodiment, a method automatically ensures that selected sections do not overlap in time and that there are no breaks between adjacent selections. In addition, the present invention relates to programs, a storage media and data processing systems having the above features as well as to a storage medium containing the music produced thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thorsten Adam, Jens Altfelder, Robert Hunt
  • Publication number: 20120090447
    Abstract: A sound generating system in the embodiment of the invention includes an information processing terminal displaying a screen relating to a setting for controlling an electronic musical instrument determined based on a positional relation with the electronic musical instrument on a display screen and transmitting control information based on an operation performed on a touch sensor, and the electronic musical instrument performing the setting relating to sound generation according to the received control information to generate an audio signal based on the performed setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akie HINOKIO, Yoshihiro KATSUMATA
  • Patent number: 8148621
    Abstract: A music based video game in which a game player's singing performance is digitally sampled while the player performs a free-form vocal over a prerecorded musical composition. Aspects of the game player's free-form vocal performance are compared with predetermined criteria. For example, the vocal performance may be compared with tempo and key information to generate performance evaluation data. The performance evaluation data may be used to present performance feedback to the game player while the game player is singing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Bright, Brian Marvin, Mark Wojtowicz
  • Patent number: 8143508
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing lyrics with streaming music. A music stream is accessed that includes timing information for a song. Lyrics and other textual information such as song title, song artist, and album title are also accessed. A lyric file may be accessed that includes further timing information. The timing information is used to synchronize the song lyrics and music stream. A user may be permitted access to the synchronized lyrics and music stream by presentation on a display through a digital television set-top box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Daniel George Jean, Mary C. McCarthy, Ledley Lewis Yaussy
  • Patent number: 8106283
    Abstract: Performance interface system includes a motion detector provided for movement with a performer, and a control system for receiving detection data transmitted from the motion detector and controlling a performance of a tone in response to the received detection data. State of a performer's motion is detected via a sensor of the motion detector, and detection data representative of the detected motion state is transmitted to the control system. The control system receives the detection data from the motion detector, analyzes the performer's motion on the basis of the detection data, and then controls a tone performance in accordance with the analyzed data. With this arrangement, the performer can readily take part in the tone performance in the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nishitani, Satoshi Usa
  • Patent number: 8106281
    Abstract: CPU 11 reads from RAM 13 pitch information of each of musical notes composing the music, fingering information for playing the musical notes, and time information of the musical notes, thereby calculating a difficulty level of music. CPU 11 calculates a fingering difficulty level concerning fingering of playing adjacent musical notes based on the pitch information and fingering information, a rhythm difficulty level concerning musical-note duration and timing of key playing based on the time information, and a key difficulty level concerning a key of music based on the pitch information. Further, CPU 11 calculates the whole difficulty level of music based on the fingering difficulty level, rhythm difficulty level and key difficulty level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Minamitaka
  • Patent number: 8044289
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having a screen and a numeric keypad, comprises: a sound card for processing sound signals to produce musical tones; a musical synthesizer, associated with said sound card, for electronically synthesizing musical instruments; and a user interface for interfacing said musical synthesizer to a user via said screen and said numeric keypad. The device can be a cellular telephone and may be able to interact with other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Eyal Toledano, Natan Linder, Ytai Ben-Tsvi
  • Patent number: 8035020
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for collaborative handling of music contributions over a network. Embodiments of the invention provide a portal, the portal being accessible over the network by a plurality of workstations and configured to provide a set of editing capabilities for editing music elements. Music contributions may be received at the portal. At least a portion of the music contributions include music elements. In certain embodiments, the music elements have been deconstructed from an audio signal or a score image. A number of collaboration requests may be received at the portal over the network. Some collaboration requests may originate from a first workstation, while other collaboration requests may originate from a second workstation. In response to at least one of the collaboration requests, at least a portion of the music elements may be edited using the editing capabilities of the portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: MuseAmi, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Taub, J. Alexander Cabanilla, George Tourtellot
  • Patent number: 8030563
    Abstract: An audio playing method is provided. The method includes: accessing an audio file from a data storage; transmitting the audio file to a decoder to decode and outputting the decoded audio file through the audio output unit; determining whether a skipping command is received from an input unit; determining the desired section according to the received skipping command if the skipping command is received from the input unit; accessing the starting address of the desired section from the control part, and playing the main audio part from the starting address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Chung Chou, Li-Zhang Huang, Chuan-Hong Wang
  • Patent number: 8017849
    Abstract: Electronic piano includes speakers arranged on its front side region and another speaker provided at a back position of the piano. Waveform memory provided in a tone generator section has prestored therein sets of four-channel waveform data, each of the sets corresponding to a tone. The four-channel waveform data are data recorded from a natural musical instrument via four microphones installed at sampling positions corresponding to the above-mentioned speakers. The microphones are installed with the on-microphone setting in which the microphones are positioned close to sounding members of the natural musical instrument. In response to depression of a key, any one of the sets of four-channel waveform data, corresponding to a tone pitch designated by the key depression, is read out from the waveform memory, so that the four-channel waveform data are supplied in parallel to the individual speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Tajima, Shinya Koseki
  • Patent number: 8017852
    Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a music content includes a first acquisition unit for acquiring data of a music content, a second acquisition unit for acquiring attribute information, a reproducing unit for reproducing, into an audio reproduction output, the music content data acquired by the first acquisition unit, a detecting unit for detecting bio-information of a listener listening to the audio reproduction output, and a setting unit for setting a next reproduction music content candidate based on the acquired bio-information of the listener and the attribute information acquired by the second acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kosei Yamashita, Yasushi Miyajima, Motoyuki Takai, Yoichiro Sako, Toshiro Terauchi, Toru Sasaki, Yuichi Sakai
  • Patent number: 8008567
    Abstract: A music reproducing system includes a musical instrument for reproducing a music tune on the basis of the MIDI music data, a sound reproducer for reproducing a music tune and/or narration from audio data codes and a server computer for distributing programs, MIDI files and audio files to the musical instrument and sound reproducer, and a program contains plural music tunes and narration; while a program is being reproduced in collaboration between the musical instrument and the sound reproducer, the audio data codes are converted to an audio signal expressing the narration through the sound reproducer, and the music tunes are reproduced on the basis of the MIDI files through the musical instrument; and the duration data codes of audio file are supplied to the musical instrument so as to make the musical instrument and the sound reproducer synchronized with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Haruki Uehara
  • Patent number: 8003875
    Abstract: A playback apparatus is provided that includes an operation plane, a detection unit to detect which of contact relationship including first contact relationship, second contact relationship with a higher degree of contact than the first contact relationship and third contact relationship with a higher degree of contact than the second contact relationship the operation plane and an operation object have, a creation unit to create a list screen of content data for selecting content data based on movement of the operation object with respect to the operation plane in the first contact relationship, a playback unit to play back content data, and a playback control unit to cause the playback unit to play back content data selected on the list screen when becoming the second contact relationship from the first contact relationship if contact relationship becomes the third contact relationship from the second contact relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: QiHong Wang, Akiko Terayama, Takaomi Kimura, Ryo Mukaiyama
  • Patent number: 7999169
    Abstract: A sound synthesizer has a storage unit, a setting unit and a sound synthesis unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of sound data respectively representing a plurality of sounds collected by different sound collecting points corresponding to the plurality of the sound data. The setting unit variably sets a position of a sound receiving point according to an instruction from a user. The sound synthesis unit synthesizes a sound by processing each of the plurality of the sound data according to a relation between a position of the sound collecting point corresponding to the sound data and the position of the sound receiving point specified by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Hiraku Kayama
  • Patent number: 7999167
    Abstract: A composite device, including a first control section; a second control section; and a storage section having a common area and a dedicated area, the common area can be accessed by both the first control section and the second control section, and the first control section prohibits the second control section from accessing the dedicated area, when activated in a first mode, the first control section converts data stored in the dedicated area into a predetermined format and stores the converted data in the common area, and when activated in a second mode, the second control section by sending a request to the first control section, obtains the converted data from the common area of the storage section via the first control section, and carries out a process using the converted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Hajime Yoshikawa, Tomohiro Hasekura
  • Patent number: 7994412
    Abstract: A sound system and method for modeling a sound field generated by a sound source and creating a sound event based on the modeled sound field is disclosed. The system and method captures a sound field over an enclosing surface, models the sound field and enables reproduction of the modeled sound field. Explosion type acoustical radiation may be used. Further, the reproduced sound field may be modeled and compared to the original sound field model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Verax Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 7994410
    Abstract: A method is provided to compare recordings that includes providing a list of a plurality of recordings and selecting at least a first recording and a second recording from the plurality of recordings. The first recording and the second recording have predetermined lengths. The method also includes selecting a first portion of the first recording, identifying a second portion of the second recording based on the first portion, and comparing the first portion to the second portion. When the entire length of the recording is selected as the first portion, the entire length of the second recording can be identified as the second portion. Identifying a second portion may also include normalizing it to the first portion. Also, identifying the second portion can include translating the first portion into a wave-form, searching the second recording for another wave-form similar to the translated wave-form, and matching the translated wave form with the similar wave-form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Classical Archives, LLC
    Inventor: Pierre R. Schwob
  • Patent number: 7985910
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Tohgi, Ken'ichi Yamauchi, Gary Gregson
  • Patent number: 7985911
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, systems, and data structures for providing a music-subscription service customer with a portable music device that has been preloaded with customer-selected music. A music-subscription service provider receives a customer order to purchase a portable music device, and also receives the customer's selection of less than all of the music available on the music-subscription service provider's music database. The music-subscription service provider uses a computer to download the customer-selected music to the portable music device ordered by the customer. The music-subscription service provider then provides to the customer the portable music device that has been preloaded with the customer-selected music. The steps may be performed over the Internet and/or at a retail location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventor: Harold B. Oppenheimer
  • Patent number: 7985915
    Abstract: Characteristic amounts are calculated from each of multiple musical piece contents, and then time points when the characteristic amounts exceed a threshold are detected as cut points. Information on the cut point concerning each of the multiple musical piece contents is stored. Based on the stored information on the cut point, a judgment is made as to whether the multiple musical piece contents match each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Matsumoto, Yuji Yamamoto, Tatsuo Koga, Ryosuke Ohtsuki
  • Patent number: 7977559
    Abstract: In a plurality of rooms, hubs are installed to build a star-shaped LAN, and tone-generation-related devices, such as a keyboard, tone generator device and speaker, are connected to the respective hubs. For example, in an internal network, the keyboard is logically connected to an input side of the tone generator device and a speaker is connected to an output side of the tone generator device, so as to build a tone generation system. The tone-generation-related devices are provided with respective network adaptors so that they can be readily connected to the LAN. Communication is carried out between the tone-generation-related devices, using a communication protocol intended for retransmission control. Each of the tone-generation-related devices is in the form of a processor device, which executes a program corresponding to a function of a desired processing element to thereby implement the desired processing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Oba, Shuzo Karakawa
  • Patent number: 7964782
    Abstract: A method for operating cue points on a lighting ring of a digital multimedia audio player is revealed. A lighting ring for showing data related to digital music playing now is disposed around a turntable of a multimedia audio player. The lighting ring is arranged with a plurality of visual markers at important cue points by DJs for producing special sound effects while one of the cue point markers is set at a position that matches DJs' operation way and this is the position of an active cue point. Thereby during operation of the multimedia audio player, the obvious markers at the cue points allow DJs to operate the device easily and conveniently. Moreover, the active cue point can be set and adjusted according to different operation ways of DJs. Thus the present invention provides DJs with an intuitive reminder and convenient operation on the vision and the operational control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Hanpin Electron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shen-Chi Liu
  • Patent number: 7935878
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, or method extracts a music playing data file from a given musical work resource such as an electronic music score data file, a printed sheet of music and an audio signals of a musical performance, to be utilized for playing music automatically by means of a tone generator device. The extracted music playing data file is encrypted using an encryption key to be stored in a storage device or to be transmitted to an automatic music playing apparatus. The stored or the transmitted music playing data file is decrypted beforehand to be used for automatic music playing. After the decrypted music playing data file has been utilized, the decrypted music playing data file is deleted from the system so that no unencrypted data file remains in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Hiratsuka
  • Publication number: 20110088533
    Abstract: A method for creating a personalized musical file is presented, the method comprising receiving a birth date, determining angular distribution of planets on a birth sky based, at least in part, on the birth date, selecting a plurality of Names from Shem ha-Meforash based, at least in part, on the angular distribution of planets, associating vowels with at least some of the Names, generating a recorded musical portion for at least some of the Names, assembling at least some of the recorded musical portions in a musical file and recording the musical file. A method for creating a personalized mandala and a personalized mantra is also presented herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Guy Veillet
  • Patent number: 7928307
    Abstract: The system describes a karaoke system that enhances the experience of singing along with music, but without the need to display the lyrics. The system includes a combination of a vocal track reducer and an echo canceller, decision logic for determining when a person is talking or singing (double-talk detector) and a method for “ducking” (i.e., attenuating) the vocal track when the singing is detected. No special CD or DVD with lyric tracks is required, making the system capable of working with CD, mp3, AM, FM, HD radio, satellite radio signals, or any other suitable content source. The result is that any content source may potentially be used as a karaoke soundtrack without any pre-modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: QNX Software Systems Co.
    Inventors: Phil A. Hetherington, Shree Paranjpe
  • Publication number: 20110061514
    Abstract: A plurality of musical instrument is connected to a server device through a network to form a storage system. The musical instrument generates performance data, and sends the performance data to the server device every time the performance data is generated. The server device receives the performance data sent from the musical instrument. The server device has a clock unit that measures date and time, and a storage unit that stores the performance data received by the receiving unit. Further, a file generation unit of the server device divides a polarity of the performance data stored in the storage unit into blocks based on the date and time of the performance data measured by the clock unit when the performance data is received by the receiving unit, and generates performance files corresponding to the blocks of the performance data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taro YOKOYAMA, Haruki UEHARA, Yoshiki KASAHARA, Yutaka HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: RE42683
    Abstract: A system and method for creating audiovisual programming has media elements, such as audiovisual clips, stored in a library. A database contains selected information about each of the media elements. The stored information in the database does not dictate the temporal sequence of the media elements. Media elements are selected in response to a request for media programming, and arranged in a temporal organization. A user does not select the individual media elements or their temporal organization. Transitions between audiovisual clips are determined by the system based on information stored in the database and predetermined preferences as to types of transitions. Transition information includes a variety of possible transition points in an individual clip, capable of selection by the system. Separate transitions for the audio and video portions of audiovisual clips may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ntech Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Dwight Marcus
  • Patent number: RE44309
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of displaying directories differently based on attributes of files included therein. The present method examines a directory structure and the attributes of data files recorded on a recording medium, generates a mark for visually differentiating directories including at least one file of a pre-specified attribute, based on the examined attribute information, and displays a generated mark with the examined directory structure information. Owing to the present invention, a user can recognize directories including at least one file having a desired attribute at a glance, therefore, reproduction, selection, or copy for a file having a desirable attribute can be conducted very quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hwan Kim