Waveform Memory Patents (Class 84/604)
  • Patent number: 7348482
    Abstract: A nibble stream containing MIDI music data words and synchronous nibbles and an external audio signal are selectively converted to an audio-frequency signal, which in turn is converted to a set of PCM codes for storing it in a compact disc; and the audio frequency signal, which is demodulated from the PCM data codes, is analyzed to see which is the origin of the audio frequency signal on the basis of the signal level and what sort of modulation technique was employed on the basis of features of the audio frequency signal such as peak-to-peak intervals and similarity to reference waveforms so that the nibble stream or the external audio signal is exactly reproduced from the audio frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Ishii, Takashi Tamaki
  • Patent number: 7332668
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an audio synthesis system for performing wavetable audio synthesis. The system comprises an instrument database, an analysis module, a memory, a judgment module, and a synthesis module. The instrument database is used for storing data of a first predetermined number of musical instruments. The analysis module is used for analyzing an inputted wavetable music to generate required data of a second predetermined number of musical instruments. The memory has a predetermined capacity for storing the required data of musical instruments to synthesize the wavetable music. The judgment module is used for judging whether the total amount of data of the second predetermined number of musical instruments exceeds the predetermined capacity. The synthesis module is used for synthesizing a digital music signal according to the instrument data stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Cheng Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7329811
    Abstract: A musical tone generating apparatus, which is capable of effectively utilizing the access timing for an unused slave sound source, is provided. The musical tone generating apparatus is composed of a master sound source 1000, which comprises a mode switching means 101, an accumulator 102, an upper-address processing means 103, an address memory for a second sound source 104, an address-switching output means 105, a waveform data register 106, a sample buffer 107, an interpolation coefficient memory 108, an interpolation coefficient extracting means 109, a sample interpolation means 110 and a selection means 111.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Tetsuya Hirano
  • Publication number: 20070256542
    Abstract: Dynamics value is acquired intermittently at predetermined time periods, and a waveform data set for a sustain tone, corresponding to the acquired dynamics value, is specified from among waveform data sets stored in a memory. To generate a tone waveform while switching to the specified waveform, a waveform switching time is used which is modified suitably in accordance with a dynamics value variation amount from a predetermined time earlier than the current dynamics value acquisition time to the current dynamics value acquisition time. Such arrangements not only can variably control a tone, having a tone-color-variation realizing characteristic, in accordance with the input dynamics value but also permits a tone color variation with an enhanced responsiveness without causing the tone color variation to impart a feeing of undesired step-like unsmoothness, thereby synthesizing a tone with a high quality faithfully reproducing a desired tone color variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Motoichi Tamura, Yasuyuki Umeyama
  • Patent number: 7277765
    Abstract: An audio system attachable to a computer includes a sound reproduction device for producing audible sound from audio signals. The sound reproduction device includes a radio tuner and a powered speaker. The audio system further includes a connector for connecting the sound reproduction device with a computer. The computer provides audio signals from a plurality of sources, the sources including a computer CD player, digitally encoded computer files stored on the computer, and a computer network connected to the computer. The sound reproduction device further includes control buttons for controlling at least one of the computer CD player, the digitally encoded computer files and the computer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Beckmann, Santiago Carvajal, Christopher H. Perry
  • Patent number: 7276655
    Abstract: The invention relates to a music synthesis system for synthesizing a corresponding digital music output according to commands from a music data file. The music data file comprises a plurality of music data units. Each music data unit records related information of the music. The music synthesis system comprises a wavetable, a memory, a music analyzer, a wavetable preprocessor, and a synthesizer. The wavetable pre-stores the digital sampling data. The memory has a predetermined memory capacity for storing data. The music analyzer receives the music data file, analyzes the music data units of the music data file, and generates a corresponding analysis result. The wavetable preprocessor selects the digital sampling data with relatively greater importance in the wavetable and stores the selected digital sampling data in the memory. The synthesizer selects the digital sampling data from the memory and synthesizes the digital music output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mediatek Incorporated
    Inventors: Tzueng-yau Lin, Pei-chen Chang
  • Patent number: 7274967
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for use in a wavetable based sound synthesis, wherein a first processor stores wavetable data and wherein a second processor generates an output audio signal frame-by-frame based on samples of the wavetable data. One method comprises at the first processor selecting samples of the stored wavetable data, which are expected to be required at the most at the second processor for generating a next output audio frame. The selection is based on a model of a pitch-shift evolution during a single frame and on the number of samples which have been used so far by the second processor. The selected samples are made available to the second processor. Another method allows the second processor to make use of the provided samples. The invention relates equally to corresponding processors, to a corresponding wavetable based sound synthesis system, to a corresponding device and to corresponding software program products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Marius Tico, Jarno Seppanen, Matti S. Hamalainen
  • Patent number: 7259314
    Abstract: In a waveform data processing apparatus, a transfer section reads out waveform data of multiple tracks stored in a first storage device in data units, and transfers the read waveform data to a second storage device having an access speed higher than an access speed of the first storage device. A reproduction section reads out the waveform data of the tracks from the second storage device for every sampling period, and which reproduces an audio signal according to the read waveform data. A control section replaces old waveform data which has been read from the second storage device by new waveform data which is read from the first storage device, whereby the audio signals of the tracks are continuously reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hironari Kobayashi, Mitsutaka Goto
  • Patent number: 7256340
    Abstract: Compressed waveform data structure is proposed which is suited for segmentation of a plurality of samples of compressed waveform data into a plurality of frames and subsequent storage of each of the frames. The number of bits per sample of the compressed waveform data is variable between the frames, but uniform, i.e. the same among all of the samples, within each of the frames. Each of the frames has a same data storage size. Each of the frames includes, in a predetermined layout, an auxiliary information area for storing auxiliary information that includes compression-related information to be used for decompressing the compressed waveform data, and a data area for storing a plurality of samples of the compressed waveform data of the frame with each of the samples comprising a same number of bits. Thus, respective start positions of the frames and compressed waveform data in a memory can be fixed at predetermined positions common to the frames, so that readout control can be performed with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masatsugu Okazaki, Tokio Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 7253352
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a music playing/processing device for playing a musical file in a wireless communication device and determining the playing order of a plurality of tones of the musical file. The music playing/processing device comprises: an analysis module for receiving the musical file and analyzing a waveform corresponding to each of the tones to generate a plurality of order parameters of each of the tones; a sorting module for arranging a playing order to play the tones according to the order parameters of each of the tones; and a playing module for playing the tones according to the playing order. The music playing/processing device of the present invention is provided to reduce the tone commands to be executed and to make the digital signal processor use less memory to execute the wavetable synthesis operation, and to make the performance of the music as perfect as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventors: I-Hung Hsieh, Hung-Ming Chang, Hsi-Wen Nien
  • Publication number: 20070162437
    Abstract: An application program installed in a user terminal including a user interface unit for displaying a list of music files; a playback unit for playing back a music file selected out of the list; a transfer unit for transferring the selected music file to a certain storage medium; and a control unit for controlling the playback unit to play back the selected music file. The list being controlled at the same time to display an operation menu below music information of the music file being played back, if a playback request signal is input through the user interface unit, and controlling the transfer unit to transfer the selected music file, if a transfer request signal is input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Jun-ho Hwang
  • Patent number: 7211721
    Abstract: Systems (100 or 300) and methods (400 or 500) are provided for selecting a post-compression waveform from a post-compression waveform table (106) and supplying it to a synthesis engine (108). The post-compression waveform is based upon a set of post-compression coefficients determined by generating a frequency-domain representation of a periodic signal, the representation including at least one pre-compression frequency-domain sample (204), and performing a threshold-based compression of the pre-compression frequency-domain samples. Systems and methods also include indexing and storing (502) post-compression coefficients in a post-compression coefficient table (102), generating (506) a post-compression waveform based upon the set of post-compression coefficients, and placing (508) the post-compression waveform in the table prior to the selecting (510).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc A. Boillot, Radu C. Frangopol, Jean Khawand
  • Patent number: 7151215
    Abstract: A waveform adjusting system for a music file suitable in hand held devices is described. A music file includes a plurality of tones, and the waveform adjusting system includes a maximum magnitude estimating module and an adjusting module. The waveform adjusting system is capable of analyzing the whole music file, superposing the magnitudes of all the tones, and calculating a scale factor according to the maximum superposed magnitude and a predetermined level. The adjusting module multiplies the magnitude of each tone by the scale factor K, thus the volume of the music is kept to a suitable level without suffering from too small volume problem or signal distortion due to too large volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Cheng Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7117154
    Abstract: A voice converter synthesizes an output voice signal from an input voice signal and a reference voice signal. In the voice converter, an analyzer device analyzes a plurality of sinusoidal wave components contained in the input voice signal to derive a parameter set of an original frequency and an original amplitude representing each sinusoidal wave component. A source device provides reference information characteristic of the reference voice signal. A modulator device modulates the parameter set of each sinusoidal wave component according to the reference information. A regenerator device operates according to each of the parameter sets as modulated to regenerate each of the sinusoidal wave components so that at least one of the frequency and the amplitude of each sinusoidal wave component as regenerated varies from original one, and mixes the regenerated sinusoidal wave components altogether to synthesize the output voice signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignees: Yamaha Corporation, Pompeu Fabra University
    Inventors: Yasuo Yoshioka, Xavier Serra
  • Patent number: 7078610
    Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument samples an input waveform. An unused waveform number may be automatically assigned to the sampled waveform upon sampling or when a user-specified waveform number is already in use for another waveform. Musical time parameters for the input waveform may be specified in advance of sampling, and an endpoint for the sampled waveform may be automatically set in response to a stop sampling command so that length of the waveform is a whole number of musical time units such as bars or beats. The endpoint of the sampled waveform may be set to the beginning or the end of the musical time unit during which the stop command is received, depending on the time at which the stop command is received. The sampled waveform may be edited by manually moving the starting point by a specified amount and automatically moving the end point by a corresponding amount, by changing the specified tempo of the waveform, or by specifying a different number of musical time units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Chiharu Mori, Kazuaki Inoue
  • Patent number: 7067731
    Abstract: A sound source circuit is provided for a telephone terminal to reproduce chorus-effect imparted musical tones as incoming call sound or hold sound. Herein, original musical tone data ? c1 are slightly modified in pitches to produce musical tone data ? c2 with respect to a prescribed tone color. These musical tone data are periodically selected and synthesized together to form musical tone signals having a chorus effect, based on which the chorus-effect imparted musical tones be reproduced for the telephone terminal such as a portable telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yamaki, Shinji Otaki
  • Patent number: 7058882
    Abstract: Each track is made up of a linkage of regions, and each of the regions is made up of a linkage of nodes or clusters. Sound data are stored on a cluster-by-cluster basis, and reproduced by tracing such linkages. Each time editing is performed on a virtual track of the track, a track data of a corresponding leading region in the edited virtual track is stored in memory as a history record of the track. When an undoing instruction is given, desired record data is selected from the history records of the leading region. Where the sound data in the trailing-end cluster of a preceding region and leading-end cluster of a succeeding region amount to less than 50% of a predetermined total data quantity of sound data to be contained in a proper cluster, the sound data represented by a trailing-end offset and the sound data represented by a leading-end offset are combined together and then written into a reproducing cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Hironari Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7058462
    Abstract: An audio data processing means registers one of audio data extracted from a music CD as one of sound sources for an entertainment apparatus. The audio data processing means has an audio data extracting means for sampling desired audio data from the audio data introduced via an optical disk drive based on a control input entered from a manual controller, and an audio data registering means for registering the sampled audio data as one of the sound sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Takafumi Fujisawa, Naoto Nakai
  • Patent number: 7038119
    Abstract: A wavetable synthesizer is controlled by dynamically determining a present CPU loading estimate associated with a song being played by the wavetable synthesizer. An interpolation degree is determined based on the present CPU loading estimate, and the wavetable synthesizer is adjusted to utilize the interpolation degree when playing the song. This technique can be used to enable the wavetable synthesizer to generate a varying number of simultaneous voices at, for example, a highest-quality without exceeding a predetermined maximum permissible CPU load limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Andrej Petef
  • Patent number: 7016841
    Abstract: A singing voice synthesizing apparatus is provided, which enables achievement of a natural sounding synthesized singing voice with a good level of comprehensibility. A phoneme database stores a plurality of voice fragment data formed of voice fragments each being a single phoneme or a phoneme chain of at least two concatenated phonemes, each of the plurality of voice fragment data comprising data of a deterministic component and data of a stochastic component. A readout device that reads out from the phoneme database the voice fragment data corresponding to inputted lyrics. A duration time adjusting device adjusts time duration of the read-out voice fragment data so as to match a desired tempo and manner of singing. An adjusting device adjusts the deterministic component and the stochastic component of the read-out voice fragment so as to match a desired pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kenmochi, Xavier Serra, Jordi Bonada
  • Patent number: 7010491
    Abstract: With the goal of presenting a waveform compression and expansion apparatus with which the sound quality of such things as musical tones that are expressed by waveforms is satisfactory following the compression and expansion of the waveforms of the musical tones etc., a method and system for waveform compression and expansion is disclosed in which all of the multiple number of band divided waveforms that comprise the original waveform which has been band divided are apportioned to at least two kinds of compression and expansion formats and form a multiple number of compressed and expanded waveforms by compression or expansion an identical amount only in the direction of the temporal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventor: Tadao Kikumoto
  • Patent number: 7002068
    Abstract: A grand piano generates acoustic tones through vibrations of strings and sound board so that the acoustic tones are converted to analog audio signals at recording points over the sound board, and a group of waveform data sets are produced from the analog audio signal through sampling and analog-to-digital conversion; when electronic tones are generated, delay parameters and volume parameters are determined on the basis of differences between the recording points and tone radiating points occupied by loud speakers, the sets of waveform data series are sequentially read out from the group of waveform data sets and are modified with the delay parameters and volume parameters so that the electronic tones become close to the acoustic tones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Koseki, Rokurota Mantani, Takashi Tamaki, Nobuo Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6972362
    Abstract: An electronic sound generation device is adapted to start arithmetic processing with a start signal. When the arithmetic processing is not completed in a period between two sampling signals of a constant period, a start signal for starting next arithmetic processing signal for the next period is output after the completion of the on-going arithmetic processing. The electronic sound generation device is also adapted to hold resultant data of arithmetic processing, which is output in synchronism with the sampling signal. An address for designating waveform data in a waveform memory is calculated upon the address arithmetic parameters received from a digital signal processor (DSP) having a sum-of-products arithmetic circuit. Using fractional parts of the addresses, the data read out from the waveform memory are interpolated, and supplied to the DSP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6967277
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a new device and technique to realize a utilization for providing a system, method, and apparatus for providing an improved audio tone control and generation. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for an electronically improved audio tone control and generation that is adaptable for utilization in cooperation with a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (“MIDI”). In a business method embodiment, the user may pay a monthly fee or a licensing fee for an audio tone control and generation service, or alternatively may pay a per-session fee or a fee based upon data size and/or amount of data manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: William Querfurth
  • Patent number: 6946594
    Abstract: Method for electronically reproducing the sound of an acoustic accordion, that is provided with a number of keys/buttons, which can be pressed individually so as to excite a corresponding number of reeds that are coupled with every single key/button; for electronically reproducing the sound generated by pressing each key/button, the sounds that are characteristic of each reed that is coupled with a key/button are generated individually and electronically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Roland Europe S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luigi Bruti, Demetrio Cuccu′, Roberto Gaetani
  • Patent number: 6881949
    Abstract: An apparatus including sensors that aid in the location of a stylus within the groove of a rotating record. The location of the stylus corresponds to a portion of an audio waveform present at a unique location within the groove. Using the correspondence between the location of the stylus and the portion of the audio waveform, an external digital source may be synchronized with an analog waveform. A high speed digital data path connects a control unit including a turntable platter to signal processing unit. Software in the signal processing unit synchronizes the analog waveform and digital signals from the external digital source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Charles A. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6881888
    Abstract: In a memory, there are prestored shot-tone-related rendition style modules, each integrally including attack and release waveforms, in addition to attack-, release-, body- and joint-related rendition style modules. When two or more rendition style modules are to be time-serially combined, a shot-tone-related rendition style module is selectively assigned to a tone corresponding to a predetermined rendition style and allotted to a time axis. Then, a waveform is synthesized in accordance with the thus-allotted shot-tone-related rendition style module. Such arrangements permit production, with ample controllability, a high-quality waveform of a characteristic tone faithfully reflecting a predetermined rendition style having rendition styles of attack and release portions closely related each other, which was hitherto impossible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Akazawa, Motoichi Tamura
  • Patent number: 6873955
    Abstract: Partial waveform data representative of a waveform shape variation are extracted from supplied waveform data, and the extracted partial waveform data are stored along with time position information indicative of their respective time positions. In reproduction, the partial waveform data and time position information are read out, then the partial waveform data are arranged on the time axis in accordance with the time position information, and a waveform is produced on the basis of the waveform data arranged on the time axis. In another implementation, sets of sample identification information and time position information are obtained in accordance with a performance tone waveform to be reproduced, and sample data are obtained from a database in accordance with the sample identification information. The thus-obtained sample data are arranged on the time axis in accordance with the time position information, and the desired waveform is produced on the basis of the sample data arranged on the time axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Suzuki, Motoichi Tamura, Satoshi Usa
  • Patent number: 6859530
    Abstract: A communication apparatus having value added functions useful for musicians is provided. A tempo signal having a cycle corresponding to a tempo set by a user through an operation device is generated, a musical tone signal equivalent to a metronome sound is generated in accordance with the generated tempo signal, and the metronome sound is generated in accordance with the generated musical tone signal. Therefore, the present invention can contribute to further increasing the added value of a communication apparatus, which is requisite for musicians.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kosei Terada, Takeshi Kikuchi, Yutaka Hasegawa, Takashi Kunii
  • Patent number: 6806413
    Abstract: An oscillator for digital music synthesis that provides a smooth waveform that is rich in harmonic content and whose shape is continuously and dynamically variable over a wide range of harmonically rich shapes. The oscillator is efficient in that it generates the shapes in a time consonant with sampling rates commonly used in music synthesis, and is generally free of discontinuities which would otherwise create audible alias components on subsequent signal processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Young Chang Akki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Chidlaw, Ralph Muha
  • Patent number: 6762358
    Abstract: A waveform reproduction apparatus and process for carrying out waveform reproduction without delays. Waveform data expressing first and latter half portions of a musical tone waveform are stored on a storage device. In response to a tone generation start indicator, waveform data that express first half portions corresponding to the tone generation start indicator are successively read out and corresponding musical tone waveforms are formed. Following this, the waveform data that express latter half portions corresponding to the tone generation start indicator are successively read out and corresponding musical tone waveforms are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Iguchi, Toshio Yamabata
  • Patent number: 6756532
    Abstract: A method generates waveform signals from a plurality of channels to sound a music tone through an electro-acoustic converter in response to sounding instruction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masatada Wachi, Masahiro Shimizu, Tsuyoshi Futamase
  • Patent number: 6740804
    Abstract: A waveform generating method is provided, which is capable of generating expressive musical tones. A plurality of partial waveforms are stored in a partial waveform memory. Property information on respective ones of the partial waveforms stored in the partial waveform memory is stored in a property information memory. The property information is retrieved according to inputted sounding control information in order to read out a partial waveform having property information corresponding to the sounding control information. The readout partial waveform is then processed according to the property information and the sounding control information to generate a waveform corresponding to the sounding control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Shimizu, Yasuhiro Kawano, Hidemichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 6727420
    Abstract: Style-of-rendition identification information representing a style of rendition of a performance tone is received, and reference is made to a predetermined table on the basis of the received style-of-rendition identification information to thereby obtain, from the table, style-of-rendition module data corresponding to the received style-of-rendition identification information. Waveform is produced on the basis of the obtained style-of-rendition module data. The style-of-rendition module data is data representing behavior of a waveform to be produced in accordance with a style of rendition and may include data representing characteristic behavior of vectors that control the waveform to be reproduced. The behavior of the waveform can be defined by various waveform factors. The vectors include, for example, vectors of various fundamental waveform factors for producing the waveform, such as a waveform shape, pitch, amplitude and time axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Suzuki, Hideyuki Masuda, Motoichi Tamura, Satoshi Usa, Yasuyuki Umeyama
  • Publication number: 20040055444
    Abstract: A synchronous player system is used for recording an ensemble between an automatic player piano and an audio player and playback therebetween; while a user is playing on the automatic player piano in ensemble with the audio player, reference characteristic data of the performance is extracted from the audio music data, and are stored in a memory together with the event codes; when the user instructs the synchronous player system to reproduce the performance in ensemble with the same piece of music recorded in another compact disc, the synchronous player system extracts objective characteristic data from the audio data recorded in the other compact disc, finds differences through a correlation analysis, by way of example, and rescheduling the timing to reproduce the note events for synchronously controlling the automatic player piano and audio player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Ishii, Rei Furukawa, Yoshihiro Shiiya, Takeyoshi Aihara
  • Publication number: 20040050238
    Abstract: A waveform data processing apparatus has a bus that transfers data signals representative of waveform data. A plurality of transmitting nodes transmit the data signals to the bus. A plurality of receiving nodes receive the data signals from the bus. A clock generator generates a word clock signal at each sampling period. A controller is responsive to the word clock signal for conducting a session of transferring the data signals within a sampling period, such that the transmitting nodes sequentially transmit the data signals in an order predetermined by the controller so as to avoid collision of the data signals within the sampling period, and each of the receiving nodes selectively admits a necessary one of the data signals outputted from the transmitting nodes and processes the admitted data signal within the sampling period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Okamura
  • Publication number: 20040040434
    Abstract: A sound generation device is composed of a main unit 10 and a game cartridge 30 storing a sound generation program. The game cartridge 30 includes an XY-axes acceleration sensor 31 for detecting a tilt in two respective directions of a game device housing 11. When an A button 16 is pressed, a CPU 21 included in the main unit 10 reads waveform data corresponding to one syllable in lyrics from human voice sound waveform data 51 stored in a program ROM 33, changes a frequency and an amplitude of the waveform data in accordance with the obtained amounts of tilts in two directions, and outputs the processed waveform data from a loudspeaker 18 as a sound. Thus, it is possible to provide a sound generation device capable of outputting a sound by changing its pitch and volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Koji Kondo, Yasushi Ida
  • Patent number: 6687674
    Abstract: Waveform data of a plurality of loop waveforms are prestored along with initial phase information corresponding to the loop waveforms. Two of the loop waveforms are selected and repeatedly read out to thereby form loop-reproduced waveforms corresponding to the selected two loop waveforms. These loop-reproduced waveforms are connected together, for example, through cross-fade synthesis, during which time the phases of the loop-reproduced waveforms are adjusted to match with each other using the corresponding initial phase information. Generation of loop read addresses is carried out in such a way that first and second address signals for reading out first and second loop waveforms, respectively, are caused to loop while maintaining a difference between the first and second addresses corresponding to a difference between the initial phases of the selected loop waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Suzuki, Masao Sakama, Umeyama Yasuyuki
  • Patent number: 6653544
    Abstract: In an image display device such as a TV set, a playing sound generating method generates a sound without using a separate sound source integrating device and also generates a playing sound using the generated sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics
    Inventors: Su-Duk Cho, Jae-Kyung Lee
  • Patent number: 6646194
    Abstract: A waveform reproduction apparatus providing an intuitive way to operate controllers corresponding to musical time quantities such as beats and bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventor: Tadao Kikumoto
  • Patent number: 6640257
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a system that provides a convenient and easy-to-use means for controlling audio input and output for recording. The system includes a first input adapted to receive a high fidelity microphone such as a low impedance microphone, and a second input adapted to receive a musical instrument. The system also includes at least two outputs, each adapted to transmit analog signals to an input of a sound card (30) of a computer (20), and electrical circuitry coupling the inputs to the outputs. More specifically, the system further comprises at least one additional input adapted to receive analog signals from an output of the sound card (30) and at least one additional output adapted to transmit analog signals to a receiver. The electrical circuitry couples the additional input to the additional output, and is operable to transmit analog signals from the first and second inputs to the receiver and to the input of the sound card (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Electronics Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: M. David MacFarlane
  • Publication number: 20030196539
    Abstract: A grand piano generates acoustic tones through vibrations of strings and sound board so that the acoustic tones are converted to analog audio signals at recording points over the sound board, and a group of waveform data sets are produced from the analog audio signal through sampling and analog-to-digital conversion; when electronic tones are generated, delay parameters and volume parameters are determined on the basis of differences between the recording points and tone radiating points occupied by loud speakers, the sets of waveform data series are sequentially read out from the group of waveform data sets and are modified with the delay parameters and volume parameters so that the electronic tones become close to the acoustic tones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Koseki, Rokurota Mantani, Takashi Tamaki, Nobuo Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6636938
    Abstract: A sound generator, capable of improving a DRAM download speed and reducing power consumption when operating a DRAM download by applying a dedicated download logic, may increase the download speed up to 8 times at the minimum to 62 times at the maximum, and reduce power consumption by decreasing unnecessary clockings. In addition, since the sound generator according to the present invention does not access a parameter memory when downloading, previously processed data is not erroneously handled, and there is no need to rewrite new data to an internal memory after the download operation is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yeon Ok Kim
  • Patent number: 6605768
    Abstract: Upon receipt of a music signal from a music-signal input section, a sound-source separating section in a preprocessing section separates the music signal into a plurality of signals in units of the type of audio source. A physical-property converting section changes a physical property of each of the signals on the basis of control information received from a control-information input section. A signal-synthesizing section synthesizes a plurality of output signals outputted from the physical-property converting section, and supplies the resultant signal to a data-compressing section. For example, in compressed data, a high data rate is allocated to a vocal, whereas low data rates are allocated to other parts. As a result, quality improvement can be implemented in auditory perceptibility of a musically important part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Date, Ryousuke Kobayashi, Michiko Ogawa, Tomomi Hirata
  • Publication number: 20030131714
    Abstract: A waveform reproduction apparatus and process for carrying out waveform reproduction without delays. Waveform data expressing first and latter half portions of a musical tone waveform are stored on a storage device. In response to a tone generation start indicator, waveform data that express first half portions corresponding to the tone generation start indicator are successively read out and corresponding musical tone waveforms are formed. Following this, the waveform data that express latter half portions corresponding to the tone generation start indicator are successively read out and corresponding musical tone waveforms are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Roland Corpopration
    Inventors: Akira Iguchi, Toshio Yamabata
  • Patent number: 6573444
    Abstract: In a music apparatus 50 of this invention, digital data received at a digital input terminal 20 are stored in a primary memory area 22a on a hard disk drive 22. Subsequently, a music data converter 23 performs a predetermined conversion of the digital data stored in the primary memory area 22a to obtain digital data having a different form, and the altered data are thereafter stored in a secondary memory area 22a on the hard disk drive 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Yamamoto, Reisuke Sato, Yasufumi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20030084778
    Abstract: Style-of-rendition identification information representing a style of rendition of a performance tone is received, and reference is made to a predetermined table on the basis of the received style-of-rendition identification information to thereby obtain, from the table, style-of-rendition module data corresponding to the received style-of-rendition identification information. Waveform is produced on the basis of the obtained style-of-rendition module data. The style-of-rendition module data is data representing behavior of a waveform to be produced in accordance with a style of rendition and may include data representing characteristic behavior of vectors that control the waveform to be reproduced. The behavior of the waveform can be defined by various waveform factors. The vectors include, for example, vectors of various fundamental waveform factors for producing the waveform, such as a waveform shape, pitch, amplitude and time axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Suzuki, Hideyuki Masuda, Motoichi Tamura, Satoshi Usa, Yasuyuki Umeyama
  • Patent number: 6553436
    Abstract: An audio record/playback system is configured using a RAM containing PC buffers and a sound input/output board which is equipped with another RAM containing P buffers and R buffers as well as a digital audio circuit. At a playback mode, waveform sample data consisting of waveform samples are subjected to burst transfer using a PCI bus from the PC buffer to the P buffer in a first half duration of each sampling period with respect to one channel. In a second half duration, one of the waveform samples is transferred from the P buffer to the digital audio circuit, wherein it is subjected to digital audio processing. Thus, the waveform sample data are played back in response to prescribed timings synchronized with sampling periods. At a record mode, waveform sample data corresponding to sounds to be picked up are supplied to the digital audio circuit, from which they are transferred to the R buffer. Then, the waveform sample data are transferred to the PC buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Tokiharu Ando, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6535772
    Abstract: In generating tone waveform data for each fixed or variable section via software of a personal computer or the like, a generation start condition is changed depending on an application of the waveform data. When the waveform data is to be sounded in real time, various programs are activated in synchronism with predetermined cycles, such as tempo clock and frame cycles, in order to generate the waveform data at accurate timing. When, on the other hand, the waveform data is to be recorded in a waveform file, various programs are activated on condition that waveform data generation processing has already been completed for a preceding section. Such arrangements can eliminate limitations to processing times of the programs and thereby provide a tone waveform of high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Miyamori, Yuichi Sekido
  • Patent number: 6529843
    Abstract: A system and methods for assisting a technician in tuning a musical instrument exhibiting inharmonicity, such as a piano. A display informs the technician of one or more beat rates associated with respective intervals of a note being tuned and other notes. A second display informs the technician of the phase difference between the note being adjusted and a reference signal. The note being tuned is detected automatically, thereby allowing the technician to work without constantly touching the system. The wavelengths emanating from the notes are determined accurately, and the corresponding frequencies are tested for their quality before being used in calculations used for providing the information for the displays. A tuning frequency is calculated for each note after measurement of a first note, and the calculation is updated as more measurements are taken. If desired, the technician may visit each note only once in the tuning of the musical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: David J. Carpenter