Note Sequence Patents (Class 84/609)
  • Patent number: 8957296
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for assessing a musical performance of a chord, a chord series, or a chord progression. The performance can include a user's performance of a musical instrument. MIDI or audio notes are input and compared to the notes of music track. An indication can be provided to assess the performance. The assessment can be on the basis of timing and/or pitch errors. A new chord can be displayed to a user based on the assessment of the user's performance of the previous chord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jan-Hinnerk Helms, Greg Gilley, Gerhard Lengeling
  • Publication number: 20150040742
    Abstract: Method and apparatus of a device for playback of a multilayered media file is provided. The method comprises receiving one or more attributes of a musical program of a multilayered media file comprising a plurality of musical programs. The method also comprises receiving a command related to the musical program of the multilayered media file. The method also comprises outputting the multilayered media file based on the attributes and the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Beamz Interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Bardia Dejban, Shannon Dejban, Gary Bencar, Dave Sandler, Charles Mollo
  • Publication number: 20150033932
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to generating music content. In one embodiment, a method includes determining one or more musical attributes based on external data and generating music content based on the one or more musical attributes. Generating the music content may include selecting from stored sound loops or tracks and/or generating new tracks based on the musical attributes. Selected or generated sound loops or tracks may be layered to generate the music content. Musical attributes may be determined in some embodiments based on user input (e.g., indicating a desired energy level), environment information, and/or user behavior information. Artists may upload tracks, in some embodiments, and be compensated based on usage of their tracks in generating music content. In some embodiments, a method includes generating sound and/or light control information based on the musical attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Edward Balassanian
  • Patent number: 8946533
    Abstract: In the present invention, a CPU acquires an achievement level based on the difficulty level of a song by evaluating the playing skills of the user based on a comparison of a plurality musical notation data expressing each note composing the song and music playing data generated in response to the song being played and inputted by the user; updates state variables (achievement level rank “achieve” and achievement level rank change “change”) in a value function table “value” based on the acquired achievement level; and gives advice of a type specified by the most effective (maximum value) advice type “action” retrieved from the value function table “value” [achieve][change][action] based on the updated state variables to the user playing and inputting the song.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Minamitaka
  • Publication number: 20150027299
    Abstract: A divisi process in which different samplings are provided of full section, half a section, quarter section, etc. When a first note on input is received, the note is assigned to the full section. When a subsequent note on input is received, it is assigned to a half section. At that time, the volume of the full section may be reduced. Upon receiving further note on inputs, the notes may be assigned to another half section or to a quarter section depending on the number of notes being played simultaneously. The volume of notes being played is adjusted when a new note is added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Christopher L. Stone
  • Patent number: 8937237
    Abstract: A user interface implemented on a touch-sensitive display for a virtual musical instrument comprising a plurality of chord touch regions configured in a predetermined sequence, each chord touch region corresponding to a chord in a musical key and being divided into a plurality of separate touch zones, the plurality of chord touch regions defining a predetermined set of chords, where each of the plurality of separate touch zones in each region is associated with one or more preselected MIDI files stored in a computer-readable medium. Each of the plurality of touch zones is configured to detect one or more of a plurality of touch gesture articulations including at least one of a legato articulation, a pizzicato articulation, or a staccato articulation. The one or more of the plurality of touch gesture articulations determines the preselected MIDI file associated with each of the plurality of separate touch zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alec H. Little, Eli T. Manjarrez
  • Patent number: 8933312
    Abstract: An apparatus for synchronized digital sheet music display and audio playback comprises an electronic appliance. The apparatus includes an audio output for playing an audio recording of a piece of music and a display for displaying the piece of music in notation form, including a first portion thereof and comprising elements representing discrete segments of the piece of music that may be identified, displayed, and highlighted. The apparatus further comprises software for controllably playing the recording of and displaying the piece of music, highlighting a second portion of the piece of music within and advancing through the first, and synchronizing the highlighted second portion with the audio played from the audio output. The software further supports an electronic book format, displaying and playing book contents containing both written language and music notation. Audio playback includes both music and a voice reading the language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: MakeMusic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Good, Steven Mills
  • Publication number: 20150007708
    Abstract: A beat analysis module is described for determining beat information associated with an audio item. The beat analysis module uses an Expectation-Maximization (EM) approach to determine an average beat period, where correlation is performed over diverse representations of the audio item. The beat analysis module can determine the beat information in a relative short period of time. As such, the beat analysis module can perform its analysis together with another application task (such as a game application task) without disrupting the real time performance of that application task. In one application, a user may select his or her own audio items to be used in conjunction with the application task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hagai ATTIAS, Darko KIROVSKI
  • Patent number: 8927846
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing patterns in the relationships of notes of an input piece of music. The method comprises generating a set of the most frequently occurring note pitches in ascending pitch order that matches an interval pattern, and detecting out-of-key pitches that lie outside of this interval pattern. One or more potential key sequence bifurcations are identified which represent a list of possible key sequences according to forwards and backwards analysis. By finding patterns of repetition in the chordal sequences that may be generated according to these key sequence bifurcations, a key sequence that allows the most frequently recurring chord sequences may be chosen. Chord sequences may be analyzed by using ghost chords, temporary harmonic structures that are created, updated and finalized over time according to a combination of essential and inessential note fragments. The method further comprises identifying non-harmony pitches according to the analyzed chord sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Exomens
    Inventor: Marcus A. Matusiak
  • Publication number: 20150000505
    Abstract: Techniques for analyzing a musical performance of a sequence of events. The events have parameters, such as timing, pitch and dynamics. A processor inputs (1-2) the performance; accesses (1-4) a standard performance of the musical piece; identifies (1-6) and compares (1-8) mutually corresponding events and determines (1-10) one of a set of classes: correct”, “low” or “high”. A current marker is displayed on an area of a display. The marker's position depends on the classification and the position of the previous marker, whereby trends and changes in performance accuracy are easily detected during performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Aalto-korkeakoulusäätiö
    Inventors: Henri PENTTINEN, Ole KIRKEBY
  • Publication number: 20150000506
    Abstract: A digital piano includes a keyboard comprising a plurality of keys; LED prompting lights corresponding to and disposed on the keys; a mode selector for making the digital piano at least work in a LED rectifying mode; a sound engine configured to receive an input note information relative to a key pressed and convert the input note information into a first note data; a digital music sheet processor configured to receive the first note data in real time from the sound engine, to compare an input note corresponding to the first note data with the note of a preset music sheet based on the preset music sheet and the first note data when the mode selector selects the LED rectifying mode and to determine whether to continue to play; at least one speaker configured to send out a sound according to a sound signal corresponding to the first note data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Wanaka Inc.
    Inventor: Bin Ye
  • Publication number: 20140366710
    Abstract: Apparatus for audio processing comprises: a beat tracking module for identifying beat time instants in an audio signal and a downbeat identifier for identifying downbeats occurring at beat time instants, each downbeat corresponding to the start of a musical bar or measure. A pattern identifier identifies two or more adjacent bars or measures containing musical characteristics which repeat within the audio signal, the pattern identifier being configured to: generate for each downbeat a plurality of scores using respective analysis methods for indicating different characteristics within the audio signal at the downbeat; combine the scores for each downbeat; and identify based on the combined scores non-adjacent downbeats that correspond to the start of a musical pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Antti Johannes ERONEN, Jussi Artturi Leppänen, Igor Danilo Diego CURCIO
  • Patent number: 8912419
    Abstract: A musical playback amusement system is disclosed. A primary audio track defined by a plurality of time-sequence audio data elements and associated synchronization identifiers are loaded and played back on a first interactive device. A second interactive device is in communication with the first interactive device to receive playback synchronization commands that coordinates playback of a secondary track loaded on the second interactive device. The synchronization identifiers in the primary track are transmitted from the first to the second interactive device as the playback synchronization commands in coordination with the playback of the primary audio track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Sui Lun Fong, Kelvin Yat Kit Fong, Xi-Song Zhu, Chun-Yan Liu
  • Patent number: 8907196
    Abstract: A sound analysis and associated sound synthesis method is provided. A first input sound signal is received and analyzed, to determine its corresponding impulse response representative of a timbre of the input sound signal. A second input sound signal is received and processed into a form which the corresponding impulse response is susceptible to being applied, wherein the processing includes generating a “pink noise” equivalent frequency spectrum of the second input sound signal. The impulse response is applied to the processed second input sound signal to generate an output signal, wherein the output sound signal includes at least timbral nuances of the first input sound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Mikko Pekka Vainiala
  • Patent number: 8907194
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-aided prerecorded-music-interpretation system. The system comprises at least one musical actuator (A1, A2) actuatable by an interpreting artist user, memory means for storing musical information (MM) relating to the score of a piece of music to be interpreted by the user, and means for transmitting the musical information to an electronic/computerized device (A4) adapted for producing audio signals on the basis of the musical information received. The memory (MM) for the musical information defines the totality of the musical events (EM) constituting the piece of music to be interpreted. The invention is usable in the field of prerecorded-music interpretation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Movea
    Inventor: Dominique David
  • Patent number: 8907193
    Abstract: A game system and method that uses an instrument as an input encourages a user to play along with the game's soundtrack on an instrument (e.g. guitar, bass, etc.). The game cues the player to play notes and/or chords on the instrument at an appropriate time and then data is collected from the instrument via a connection between the instrument and the apparatus running the game. The game then scores the user based on note/chord and timing information it receives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ubisoft Entertainment
    Inventors: Paul Cross, Nicholas Bonardi, Naomi Higo
  • Patent number: 8907195
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing musical training is disclosed. The method/apparatus allows a user to practice voice lessons, ear training lessons, songs, and/or various musical instruments that rely on good pitch perception (such as a violin or a brass instrument). The method/apparatus displays a sequence of music notes to the user via a combination of conventional music staffs (such as a grand staff) and instances of a pitch-based representation. The method/apparatus also displays the accuracy of the user in hitting notes, the quality of his/her tone if supported, changes to his/her vocal range if desired, and tracks the user's practice history. The method/apparatus further provides features such as automatic vocal range detection, adjustment of lessons to a user's vocal range, and a display method that makes changes to the pitches of music notes clear during musical key/scale changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Neset Arda Erol
  • Patent number: 8907191
    Abstract: Game systems according to various embodiments are adapted to allow users to assemble an instrument performance for a particular song by: (1) displaying a music loop pallet that includes a plurality of different music loops that each contain music played by a particular musical instrument (e.g., guitar, bass, drums, piano, etc.); and (2) allowing a user to assemble the instrument performance by indicating (a) which of the plurality of music loops will be included in the instrument performance, and (b) in which order the music loops will be played during the instrument performance. In certain embodiments, the system is configured to allow a user to create songs that comprise a plurality of instruments and genres of music into one complete song.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventors: Marshall Seese, Jr., Michael VanBeneden, Adam Kunz
  • Patent number: 8895830
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein relating to interactive gaming within a media sharing service. Game data, such as sets of notes extracted from the audio track of user generated videos or from audio samples, can be generated based on videos containing musical content or from audio content. A device can use the game data to facilitate an interactive game during playback of the user generated videos or audio samples. Players can press buttons, for example, corresponding to notes as the video with musical content is played within the game interface. Players can be scored for accuracy, and can play with other players in a multiplayer environment. In this sense, user generated video content or audio content can be transformed and used within a gaming interface to increase interaction and engagement between users in a media sharing service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Sharifi, Gheorghe Postelnicu, Aviv Reznik
  • Publication number: 20140338515
    Abstract: A method for extracting the most representative segments of a musical composition, represented by an audio signal, according to which the audio signal is preprocessed by a set of preprocessors, each if which is adapted to identify a rhythmic pattern. The output of the preprocessors that provided the most periodic or rhythmical patterns in the musical composition selected and the musical composition is divided into bars with rhythmic patterns, while iteratively checking and scoring their quality and detecting a section that is a sequence of bars with score above a predetermined threshold. Checking and scoring is iteratively repeated until all sections are detected. Then similarity matrices between all bars that belong to the musical composition are constructed, based on MFCCs of the processed sound, chromograms and the rhythmic patterns. Then equivalent classes of similar sections are extracted along the musical composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Ohad Sheffer, Kobi Calev, Omri Cohen Alloro
  • Patent number: 8889976
    Abstract: A musical score position estimating device includes an audio signal acquiring unit, a musical score information acquiring unit acquiring musical score information corresponding to an audio signal acquired by the audio signal acquiring unit, an audio signal feature extracting unit extracting a feature amount of the audio signal, a musical score feature extracting unit extracting a feature amount of the musical score information, a beat position estimating unit estimating a beat position of the audio signal, and a matching unit matching the feature amount of the audio signal with the feature amount of the musical score information using the estimated beat position to estimate a position of a portion in the musical score information corresponding to the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakadai, Takuma Otsuka, Hiroshi Okuno
  • Patent number: 8892565
    Abstract: There is provided a method for accessing at least one audio file from a collection comprising more than one audio file stored within or accessible with an electronic device. The method includes generating one index comprising of information entries obtained from each of the more than one audio file in the collection, with each audio file in the collection information being linked to at least one information entry; receiving an input during an input reception mode; converting the input into a digital signal using an analog-digital converter; analyzing the digital signal using either frequency spectrum analysis or melody contour analysis into discrete portions; and comparing the discrete portions with the entries in the index. It is advantageous that the audio file is accessed when the discrete portions substantially coincide with at least one of the information entries in the index. The discrete portions may be musical notes, melody contours or waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jun Xu, Huayun Zhang
  • Patent number: 8884147
    Abstract: A method of correlating scales or chords that is represented as color codes, number codes, or both. The method involves correlating at least one chord with another. The method also involves correlating scales with one another. Furthermore, the method involves correlating chords with scales as well. Notes of scales or chords are assigned colors. Notes of one scale or chord are assigned one color. Notes of another scale or chord are assigned another color. Then at least one distinguishing color is assigned to notes that occur in more than one scale or chord in the correlation. Also, when chords are correlated with scales, distinguishing colors are assigned to notes that occur in more than one musical concept. When more than two chords or scales are correlated by the method, different distinguishing colors are assigned to notes that occur in three or more scales or chords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Skysun Grady Stambaugh
  • Patent number: 8884148
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transforming character strings and musical input are provided herein. According to some embodiments, methods for transforming character strings into musical output may include executing instructions stored in memory via a processor to determine a scheme for converting character strings into musical output, receive the character string, parse the character string into character segments, and convert the character segments into individual musical notes according to the scheme to create the musical output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Randy Gurule
  • Patent number: 8886685
    Abstract: Grouping media files via playlists on a computer-readable medium. One or more media files are selected according to a grouping criterion to define one or more playlists from the media files. A container group is associated with the playlists and stores values identifying each of the playlists associated with the container group along with references to each of the playlists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Microsoft Corporation, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ian Cameron Mercer, Kevin Leigh LaChapelle, Harutoshi Miyamoto, Yoshifumi Yanagawa, Nobuyasu Takeguchi, Chiyoko Matsumi
  • Patent number: 8885841
    Abstract: An audio processing apparatus includes an audio signal acquisition unit which acquires an audio signal of a musical piece, a feature value extraction unit which extracts a predetermined type of feature value from the audio signal acquired by the audio signal acquisition unit in time series, a change point detection unit which detects a change point in which the amount of change of the feature value extracted in time series by the feature value extraction unit is changed to be greater than a predetermined threshold value, a hook analysis unit which analyzes a hook place of the audio signal based on the feature value extracted by the feature value extraction unit in block units with the change point detected by the change point detection unit as a boundary, and a hook information output unit which outputs the hook place analyzed by the hook analysis unit as hook information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Uchino, Shusuke Takahashi, Akira Inoue
  • Patent number: 8878041
    Abstract: A beat analysis module is described for determining beat information associated with an audio item. The beat analysis module uses an Expectation-Maximization (EM) approach to determine an average beat period, where correlation is performed over diverse representations of the audio item. The beat analysis module can determine the beat information in a relative short period of time. As such, the beat analysis module can perform its analysis together with another application task (such as a game application task) without disrupting the real time performance of that application task. In one application, a user may select his or her own audio items to be used in conjunction with the application task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hagai T. Attias, Darko Kirovski
  • Patent number: 8878040
    Abstract: A music support apparatus includes: a display unit; a bar width calculating unit configured to set display widths of the plurality of bars at a constant width; a bar width correcting unit configured to correct the display width of the bar to which the musical symbol for changing a performance tempo is designated; and a display information generating unit configured to generate display information to be displayed on the display unit from the plurality of bars of which display widths are calculated by the bar width calculating unit and the bar width correcting unit. The display unit is configured to display the display information and a performance position display portion for displaying a current performance position, and scroll either one of the display information and the performance position display portion at a constant tempo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Casting Media Inc.
    Inventors: Shigehiko Araki, Masato Kobayashi, Hiroko Kawamura, Sachiko Kon
  • Patent number: 8878892
    Abstract: A multi-picture synthesizing method in a conference television system is disclosed by the present invention. The method includes: synthesizing multiple pictures into a bottom layer of a multi-picture image according to a preset multi-picture layout, creating at least one layer of image layer over a bottom layer of a multi-picture image, creating at least one image frame in each image layer, and adjusting a pre-output picture corresponding to the image frame according to output characteristics of each image frame, and outputting the pre-output picture into the corresponding image frame. The present invention further discloses a multi-picture synthesizing apparatus in a conference television system. According to the technical scheme of the present invention, the multi-picture synthesizing of a conference television system is implemented flexibly and simply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Junli Liu, Jun Chen, Hui Guan
  • Patent number: 8878042
    Abstract: The present invention extends to practice devices and systems for practicing to play stringed instruments. An electronic stringed instrument practice device can be configured to perform one or more of the following: detect when finger positions and/or string to fret contact on a finger or fret board forms an appropriate musical note or musical chord, visually indicate appropriate positions on a finger or fret board for forming a musical note or musical chord, and detect when strings have been selected (e.g., strummed). The electronic stringed instrument practice device can emit sound in the form of musical notes and chords. The electronic stringed instrument practice device can include communication modules for communicating with other computing devices, including mobile phones and tablets. The electronic stringed instrument practice device can interact with applications on other computing devices to further assist users in learning how to play a stringed musical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pocket Strings, LLC
    Inventors: Gavin Van Wagoner, Michael B. Dodd
  • Patent number: 8878043
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for determining one or more chords and/or music notes to output (e.g., via a mobile device) based on a direction of movement and/or a speed of movement (e.g., of a mobile device). In some embodiments, determining a music note for output may comprise determining whether a speed of a mobile device has increased, decreased, or remained constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: uSOUNDit Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Jean Cheever, Tom Polum, Tamra Hayden-Rice
  • Publication number: 20140318348
    Abstract: To preferably identify a piece of music corresponding to an input sound signal. Continuous input sound signals are converted into a predetermined characteristic amount sequence. A checking process of the characteristic amount sequence against music information is sequentially executed when a predetermined quantity of the characteristic amount sequence is accumulated and a piece of music having a matching degree greater than a threshold value is conclusively identified. In this case, since the conversion of the continuous input sound signals into a predetermined characteristic amount sequence and the execution of the checking process of the characteristic amount sequence against music information are executed in parallel, a music identification having a great real-time ability can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Emiru Tsunoo, Akira Inoue
  • Publication number: 20140318347
    Abstract: Synthetic multi-string musical instruments have been developed for capturing and rendering musical performances on handheld or other portable devices in which a multi-touch sensitive display provides one of the input vectors for an expressive performance by a user or musician. Visual cues may be provided on the multi-touch sensitive display to guide the user in a performance based on a musical score. Alternatively, or in addition, uncued freestyle modes of operation may be provided. In either case, it is not the musical score that drives digital synthesis and audible rendering of the synthetic multi-string musical instrument. Rather, it is the stream of user gestures captured at least in part using the multi-touch sensitive display that drives the digital synthesis and audible rendering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Jeannie Yang, Jieun Oh, Tom Lieber
  • Patent number: 8872014
    Abstract: A controller having proximity sensors associated with a trigger, such as beam sensors, configured to generate proximity data as a function of where each beam is broken along its span. A variety of control signals are be generated, whereby each beam can be configured to be spatially controlled and mapped to mimic other controllers, such as those of a DJ controller or other entertainment device. MIDI messages may be generated in response to positioning a member in a beam as detected by the proximity sensors. Each beam may be configured into a plurality of proximity zones, where a different MIDI message is generated when the member is positioned in the respective proximity zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Beamz Interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Sandler, Cody Myer, Gerald H. Riopelle
  • Patent number: 8874243
    Abstract: The invention provides scoring a performance of a guitar part in a rhythm-action game. It operates in the context of a video game platform in communication with a display and a controller and involves receiving an input performance from the controller including at least one input chord note, each input chord note including an input string value corresponding to a struck string and an input fret value associated with the input string value. Then, a reference performance is provided, which includes at least two reference chord notes to be input at a target time, each reference chord note including a reference string value and a reference fret value associated with the reference string value. Then, a degree of matching is determined between the input performance and the reference performance, and a score is assigned to the input performance based on the degree of matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryn Bennett, Jason D. Booth, Sylvain Dubrofsky
  • Patent number: 8865990
    Abstract: In the present invention, a CPU identifies musical notation data to which music playing data corresponds, and determines whether the musical notation data has been played using a right-hand, a left-hand, or both hands. When the pitch of the identified musical notation data and the pitch of the music playing data match, the CPU sets a clear flag in the identified musical notation data to “1” to indicate that the note has been correctly played. Then, the CPU extracts the number of occurrences and the number of times cleared for each musical performance technique type, and acquires an achievement level based on the difficulty level of the song by accumulating achievement levels for each musical performance technique type which are calculated based on their accuracy rates acquired from the extracted number of occurrences and number of times cleared and difficulty levels according to their types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Minamitaka
  • Patent number: 8865991
    Abstract: A portable music player for the playback of a digital audio file comprises a memory for storing a plurality of digital audio files; an audio output; a control for setting a desired change in pitch or tempo; and a digital signal processor configured to process a digital audio file and recover an audio signal therefrom, perceptibly alter one of the pitch and the tempo of the audio signal in response to the desired change in pitch or tempo without perceptibly altering the other of the pitch and tempo, and output the altered audio signal to the audio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited
    Inventors: Rogerio Guedes Alves, Kuan-Chieh Yen, Bryan Neilson
  • Patent number: 8865994
    Abstract: An electronic music system includes a computer which performs a sequencing function and a remote controller. The remote controller is provided with a start operator and a selection operator. In response to an instruction made by the start operator of the remote controller, the computer or the remote controller adds a new track on a sequencer configured on the computer. The computer or the remote controller then offers options of available different types of tone generators used for the track, and in accordance with a selection made by the selection operator in a state where the available different types of tone generators have been offered, assigns the selected type of tone generator to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Okano, Toru Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20140305287
    Abstract: In the present invention, a CPU obtains the number of notes for each skill type from note data included in a phrase segment for which musical performance input has been performed, compares the note data included in the phase segment for which the musical performance input has been performed and musical performance data inputted by the musical performance so as to obtain the number of correctly played notes for each skill type, and accumulates evaluation values for the respective skill types each found by multiplying an accuracy rate for each skill type obtained from the obtained number of notes and the obtained number correctly played notes for each skill type by a skill value of each type so as to obtain an overall musical performance evaluation value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki SASAKI, Junichi Minamitaka
  • Patent number: 8859876
    Abstract: Multi-channel audio signal processing systems and techniques are provided for electronic instruments having multiple and distinct output channels. Such systems may be used in conjunction with instruments comprising multiple vibrating elements, each with a dedicated signal output. Each received audio signal channel may be directed to a dedicated or shared signal processor for variably changing selected attributes of pitch, timing, timbre, and amplitude in ways that are unique for each signal. Signal processors may be shared using an allocating mixer, allocating switch, or both. An output mixer may be used to mix signal processor output signals into one or more outgoing mixed audio signals. Signal processors, mixers, and switches may be configured by stored program control and controlled in real-time. Real-time pitch variations can be used to change the pitch organization of fixed-pitch vibrating elements within an electronic musical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 8861041
    Abstract: An image reading device is provided with a waveform memory that stores correction waveform data generated based on a digital image signal output from an image signal processing circuit when a light source of the image reading device is turned off, and an image signal correcting circuit that corrects an image signal of an original image using the correction waveform data stored in the waveform memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Nagase
  • Patent number: 8859873
    Abstract: A system and an apparatus to play an Angklung musical instrument automatically consisting of hardware and software. The hardware consists of Angklung, two vertical poles, horizontal pole to hang Angklungs, bottom supporting frame which is equipped with an actuator supporting frame, the actuator is in the form of electric motor mounted on the actuator supporting frame connected in a cross-sectional position with each Angklung, an eccentric disk which is equipped with eccentric shaft, vibrator sleeves for connecting the electric motor with an Angklung, controller device consisting of the controller driver and the flow controller as a track storage and regulator of pulses of electrical current that would flow to the electric motor. The software installed on the computer that consists of an interface program to download, remove, save or record the songs stored on the controller device, and other programs to write songs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Kasim Ghozali
  • Publication number: 20140290466
    Abstract: An ergonomic, portable, electronic, string-like instrument that utilizes a pseudo-string interface. The pseudo-string interface is tactile for sightless playability and capable of advanced input such as force and pressure sensitivity. The pseudo-strings function to select a note, trigger a selected note, select and play a note on the instrument or an external peripheral. The instrument is played using the techniques of multiple other stringed instruments and the ergonomics allow the user to hold and handle the device consistent with traditional and non-traditional playing techniques familiar to musicians of various instruments. It is internally or externally powered and connects directly to industry-standard musical hardware such as MIDI devices, amplifiers and multi-track recorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Michael V. Butera, Jack Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8847055
    Abstract: A method for obtaining a chord progression based upon a diatonic major key may include the steps of casting a dodecahedron to determine the diatonic major key, casting a octahedron to determine a chord based upon the diatonic major key and casting a cube to determine a playing strategy for the chord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: John Pasco Rowe
  • Patent number: 8847053
    Abstract: The systems and methods taught herein are generally directed to a dynamic point referencing of an audiovisual performance for an accurate and precise selection and controlled cycling of portions of the performance. The dynamic point referencing can be used by a learning artist, for example, in analyzing or performing a portion of the work through an accurate and precise digital audio/video instructional method having the controlled cycling feature. Such systems and methods will be appreciated, for example, by musicians, dancers, and other enthusiasts of the performing arts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Jammit, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Humphrey, Frank Gryner
  • Patent number: 8847054
    Abstract: A method performed by one or more processing devices includes receiving information indicative of an input chord progression, with the input chord progression comprising a plurality of chords; identifying chord changes in the plurality of chords; identifying, based on the chord changes, moving tones in the input chord progression; selecting, from the moving tones, guide tones that provide an outline of a harmony to be used in generating a synthesized melody; generating, based on the selected guide tones and one or more interpolation operations, interpolation tones for interpolation among the guide tones; and generating, based on interpolation of the interpolation tones with the guide tones, the synthesized melody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Dhroova Aiylam
  • Publication number: 20140260908
    Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to processing music. In one embodiment, a system includes a base and one or more structures coupled to the base, where the one or more structures form one or more respective bays in the base. The system also includes one or more input/output (I/O) modules configured to be removably received into the one or more bays, where the one or more I/O modules are operable to provide control information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Miselu, Inc
    Inventor: Yoshinari Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20140260909
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing patterns in the relationships of notes of an input piece of music. The method comprises generating a set of the most frequently occurring note pitches in ascending pitch order that matches an interval pattern, and detecting out-of-key pitches that lie outside of this interval pattern. One or more potential key sequence bifurcations are identified which represent a list of possible key sequences according to forwards and backwards analysis. By finding patterns of repetition in the chordal sequences that may be generated according to these key sequence bifurcations, a key sequence that allows the most frequently recurring chord sequences may be chosen. Chord sequences may be analyzed by using ghost chords, temporary harmonic structures that are created, updated and finalized over time according to a combination of essential and inessential note fragments. The method further comprises identifying non-harmony pitches according to the analyzed chord sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Exomens Ltd.
    Inventor: Marcus A. Matusiak
  • Publication number: 20140256511
    Abstract: Equipment and processes to guide users in the experience of rhythmic exercise. Playback of an audio signal, such as a musical phrase, that has known rhythmic structure (e.g., beat pattern) is accompanied, by non-audio sensory cues such as a light signal or tactical signal (vibration) to mark rhythmic events in the audio playback (such as the beginning and end of playback and/or audio pulses (beats). In addition, equipment is provided to guide a user in performing a GDM (goal directed movement) sequence that is selected to be performed in synch with the rhythm of the audio signal. The user's motion is detected and compared to desired GDM in the selected sequence and also compared to the rhythm of the audio signal. Sensory cues are provided to guide the user in performing the GDM sequence rhythmically. The system may be implemented in cardio fitness equipment including treadmill, AMT and elliptical type exercise equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Kelly Ann Smith
  • Patent number: 8829322
    Abstract: Computer-based methods infer a metrical grid from music that has been input without a predetermined time signature or tempo, enabling such free rhythm input to be annotated with the inferred grid, and stored and transcribed as a musical score. The methods use Bayesian modeling techniques, in which an optimal metrical grid is inferred by identifying the metrical grid that best explains the given sequence of notes by maximizing the posterior probability that it represents the note sequence. Prior musical input from a given user as well as explicit information about the musical style of the input may be used to improve the accuracy of the transcription.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Walmsley