Tempo Control Patents (Class 84/612)
  • Publication number: 20120272812
    Abstract: An apparatus for signal processing, wherein a disc is placed on a turntable and is provided with a groove which can be followed by the pick-up element, and employing a time-code signal wherein during use of the disc the said time-code signal controls the digital audio source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: N2IT Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Mark-Jan Bastian
  • Patent number: 8280539
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and storage media for automatically segueing between a first audio track and a second audio track. The first audio track and the second audio track may be analyzed to determine a preferred transition window. Segueing from the first track to the second track may occur during the preferred transition window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: The Echo Nest Corporation
    Inventor: Tristan Jehan
  • Patent number: 8269093
    Abstract: Methods for beat synchronization between media assets are described. In one embodiment, beat synchronized media mixes can be automatically created. By way of example, a beat synchronized event mix can be created by selecting a plurality of media assets, arranging the media assets into an unsynchronized media mix, determining the a profile of each of the media assets in the media mix, automatically beatmatching the beats of adjacent media assets in the media mix, and automatically beatmixing the beats of adjacent beatmatched media assets to create the beat-synchronized media mix. The media assets that can be used include both audio and video media. Media assets are selected based on a specific set of media asset selection criteria, which can include music speed or tempo, music genre, music intensity, media asset duration, user rating, and music mood. A beat synchronized event mix can be subdivided into one or more event mix segments. Each event mix segment can have its own selection criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Devang K. Naik, Kim E. Silverman
  • Patent number: 8253005
    Abstract: A music information memory unit stores music information including identification information on each piece of music and pace information thereof. A process control unit selects out a predetermined number of pieces of music information each of whose identification information is to be presented from the music information memory unit. A notification image generating unit generates a notification image in which an object is moved in a scrolling manner based on the pace information of each piece of the selected music information. An image display control unit synthesizes the identification information of each piece of the selected music information with each of the generated notification images, and displays the synthesized image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichi Asami
  • Publication number: 20120180619
    Abstract: A computer implemented method allows a user to adjust tracks in a musical arrangement. The method involves a user selecting a musical position of an audio track, which the user desires to adjust in time, either by compressing it or expanding it, by indicating with a pointing device, such as a mouse, the position in the time line of the audio track that the user wishes to alter. A first marker is then displayed at the selected musical position in the audio track. Boundary markers defining transients in the audio signal surrounding the selected musical position are then automatically generated by analysis of the audio signal, and are displayed on the audio track. The two boundary markers define an audio segment that is to be adjusted in tempo by the user moving the first marker along the time line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thorsten Adam, Oliver Reichhardt, Robert Hunt, Clemens Homburg
  • Patent number: 8217252
    Abstract: An apparatus for signal processing, wherein a disc is placed on a turntable and is provided with a groove which can be followed by the pick-up element, and employing a time-code signal wherein during use of the disc the said time-code signal controls the digital audio source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: N2IT Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Mark-Jan Bastian
  • Patent number: 8218790
    Abstract: User interface signals representing volume change requests are converted to volume control signals using a mapping. The mapping is overridden (modified) within a given time interval after starting (which includes resuming) playback. During this interval, the mapping for volume decreases is modified so that the resulting volume decreases are accelerated relative to those that would be generated by the default mapping. This allows the user to quickly reduce the volume of the device when begins playing very loud music. The mapping for volume increases can be modified during this interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William Bull, Policarpo Wood, Kourtny Minh Hicks, Benjamin Andrew Rottler, Eric James Hope, Alan Cannistraro
  • Patent number: 8212136
    Abstract: Provided is a device for playing audio with improved convenience, wherein music can be played such that oneness with the actions of the user can be obtained at all times, without giving the user any unnaturalness whatsoever such as unpleasant sensations. After starting playing of music data through such as an audio signal output processing unit 31, action tempo of the user is detected by an exercise information analyzing circuit 23, based on detection output from an exercise information sensor 24, and in the event that the difference between the detected action tempo of the user and the tempo of the music data being played is not a predetermined range, music data with a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo of the user is within the predetermined range is searched by searching means such as a music playing data generating device unit 22, and a control unit 10 changes the music data to be played so as to play this searched music data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Shirai, Yuichi Sakai, Yoichiro Sako, Masamichi Asukai, Makoto Inoue, Motoyuki Takai, Akane Sano
  • Patent number: 8207437
    Abstract: A small compact easy to handle device with disc-jockey functionality is proposed, comprising a housing, loudspeaker system output means (23) for providing a loud-speaker sound output to at least one loudspeaker system, a display (13), means for 5 providing at least a first channel or at least a second channel as the loudspeaker sound output said computing device being characterized in that the housing is dimensioned to be handheld by a user and that it comprises—selection means (13) for selecting one of the first and second channel 10—control means (14, 18) comprising an input means for controlling at least one characteristic of the selected channel selected from the group of bend and play-back speed—cross-fading means (16) for cross-fading between the first and the second channel independently of the selected channel, said cross-fading means ena- 15 bling cross-fading by using one input means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Idebyran S AB
    Inventors: Jonas Norberg, Joar Sörman, Erik Runeland
  • Patent number: 8207438
    Abstract: The teachings described herein are generally directed to a system, method, and apparatus for learning music through an educational audio track embodied on a computer readable medium. The system can comprise components including a processor, an input device, a database, a transformation module, an emulation recording module, an integration engine, an output module, and an output device, wherein each component is operable in itself to perform it's function in the system and operable with other system components to provide a system to a user for learning music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Jammit, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20120152088
    Abstract: By a musical performance guide which is in “waiting mode” with a “tempo-follow” enabled setting, an electronic musical instrument illuminates a guide lamp at a point in time which is earlier by a tone-generation start allowable period Ta than the note-on timing of a musical tone of a melody part of automatic musical performance data to start musical performance guide. The tone-generation start allowable period Ta is an allowable time #2 which is sufficiently longer than that of a case of a tempo-follow disabled setting. When a user has depressed a correct key within the tone-generation start allowable period Ta, the electronic musical instrument starts generating a melody tone to move the position of the automatic musical performance data which is to be reproduced forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiko IKEYA, Yuxin ZHENG
  • Patent number: 8199937
    Abstract: A contents reproduction apparatus that reproduces contents suitable for a user's environment includes a position detecting unit detecting a user's position, an operation detecting unit detecting a movement of a user's body, a contents generating unit generating contents based on the user's position and the movement of the user's body, and a contents reproducing unit reproducing the generated contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Motoyuki Takai, Yoichiro Sako, Toshiro Terauchi, Makoto Inoue, Masamichi Asukai, Katsuya Shirai, Yasushi Miyajima, Kenichi Makino
  • Patent number: 8198525
    Abstract: A computer implemented method allows a user to collectively adjust tracks in a digital workstation. The method includes causing the display of at least one internal track and at least one external track. The method then allows the collective adjusting of the tempo, tempo and pitch, or tuning of each internal track and each external track in response to receiving a command. The adjusted tempo and/or adjusted tuning value can be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Clemens Homburg
  • Patent number: 8183453
    Abstract: Apparatus for improving health of a user is provided, including a first sensor, adapted to measure a first physiological variable, which is indicative of a voluntary action of the user. A second sensor is adapted to measure a second physiological variable, which is substantially governed by an autonomic nervous system of the user. Circuitry is adapted to receive respective first and second sensor signals from the first and second sensors, and, responsive thereto, to generate an output signal which directs the user to modify a parameter of the voluntary action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Intercure Ltd.
    Inventor: Naphtali Wagner
  • Publication number: 20120118127
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a musical composition section extracting unit which extracts musical composition sections with tempos which are close to a preset reference tempo based on tempo information indicating a tempo of each section constituting musical compositions; a harmonization level calculating unit which calculates a harmonization degree for a pair of musical composition sections extracted by the musical composition section extracting unit, based on chord progression information indicating chord progression of each section constituting musical compositions; and a harmonization section extracting unit which extracts a pair of sections with a high harmonization degree for the musical compositions calculated by the harmonization level calculating unit from among sections extracted by the musical composition section extracting unit, wherein the harmonization level calculating unit weights the harmonization degree for the musical compositions such that a large value is set to the harmon
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Yasushi MIYAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20120118128
    Abstract: Methods for automatically analyzing and/or performing music are described. One embodiment concerns a method for assigning chords to a musical score indicative of a sequence of time segments, each time segment comprising at least one note, the method comprising assigning a chord to each time segment responsive to consonance/dissonance relationships between the assigned chord and the notes of at least two of the time segments. Optionally, consonance/dissonance relationships include existence of a dissonant between a chord assigned to a time segment and a note of the time segment and existence of resolution to said dissonant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Silpor Music Ltd.
    Inventors: Gershon Silbert, Andres Hakim
  • Publication number: 20120111177
    Abstract: An apparatus for signal processing, wherein a disc is placed on a turntable and is provided with a groove which can be followed by the pick-up element, and employing a time-code signal wherein during use of the disc the said time-code signal controls the digital audio source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: N2IT Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Mark-Jan Bastian
  • Patent number: 8163991
    Abstract: A user can select to play a metronome of the user's voice or a default which is played on headphones at a user-established tempo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Leo C. Rogitz
  • Patent number: 8158874
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the appropriate tempo for early music, which may have originally lacked metronome-based time values, and for playing musical instruments according to the same. One example of such early music is the various piano works of Johann Sebastian Bach. The appropriate tempo is determined according to a number of indicators or parameters within the music score including the common time mode, the time signature, the fastest note type, and the absence or presence of any tempo words. Tempos are based around a common time beat value of 71 beats per minute and a cut-time beat value of 80. Other beats are derived using the parameters based on either of these two base values. An electronic device and/or software application may be provided for determining the appropriate tempo according to the illustrative system and displaying it according to an audio and/or visual queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Leslie M. Kenney
  • Patent number: 8153879
    Abstract: A reproduction list PL1 and specified BPMs of pieces of music that are to be used to control the operation of replaying the pieces of music are prepared on the basis of their ordinary BPMs that indicate the tempos specified in advance for the respective pieces of music (and hence the reproduction speeds specified in advance by the audio data of the respective pieces of music) so that it is now possible to prepare with ease a reproduction list PL1 for replaying only pieces of music having the same tempo or specified BPMs for changing the tempo of each of the pieces of music to a desired one, according to the tempo of a piece of music. Thus, it is also possible to replay with ease each of the pieces of music with a desired tempo (or a reproduction speed) according to the reproduction list PL1 and the specified BPMs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Bunya, Hiroshi Ito, Shin Ogiso
  • Patent number: 8153880
    Abstract: A performance apparatus capable of reproducing performance data having a desired tempo, even if performance data having the desired tempo is not present in a play list. In a search, a main point value indicated in each of meta data in music information files respectively corresponding to pieces of music registered in the play list is compared with a target tempo value. If the main point value falls within a range in which main point does not vary more than plus or minus 3% from the target tempo value, the music whose main point value is currently compared with the target tempo value is determined as intended music. If the intended music is not present in the play list, music data having the target tempo is automatically produced and reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Michihiko Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8119899
    Abstract: Provided is a device for playing audio with improved convenience, wherein music can be played such that oneness with the actions of the user can be obtained at all times, without giving the user any unnaturalness whatsoever such as unpleasant sensations. After starting playing of music data through such as an audio signal output processing unit 31, action tempo of the user is detected by an exercise information analyzing circuit 23, based on detection output from an exercise information sensor 24, and in the event that the difference between the detected action tempo of the user and the tempo of the music data being played is not a predetermined range, music data with a tempo of which the difference as to the action tempo of the user is within the predetermined range is searched by searching means such as a music playing data generating device unit 22, and a control unit 10 changes the music data to be played so as to play this searched music data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Shirai, Yuichi Sakai, Yoichiro Sako, Masamichi Asukai, Makoto Inoue, Motoyuki Takai, Akane Sano
  • Publication number: 20120024130
    Abstract: A tempo detection device includes: a basic feature amount extracting section which extracts a plurality of types of basic feature amounts from an input audio signal; a weighting and adding section which weights and adds the basic feature amounts of the plurality of types extracted in the basic feature amount extracting section to obtain an addition signal; and a tempo detecting section which detects BPM indicating the tempo on the basis of a periodic component included in the addition signal obtained in the weighting and adding section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Shusuke TAKAHASHI, Akira Inoue
  • Patent number: 8106283
    Abstract: Performance interface system includes a motion detector provided for movement with a performer, and a control system for receiving detection data transmitted from the motion detector and controlling a performance of a tone in response to the received detection data. State of a performer's motion is detected via a sensor of the motion detector, and detection data representative of the detected motion state is transmitted to the control system. The control system receives the detection data from the motion detector, analyzes the performer's motion on the basis of the detection data, and then controls a tone performance in accordance with the analyzed data. With this arrangement, the performer can readily take part in the tone performance in the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nishitani, Satoshi Usa
  • Patent number: 8106281
    Abstract: CPU 11 reads from RAM 13 pitch information of each of musical notes composing the music, fingering information for playing the musical notes, and time information of the musical notes, thereby calculating a difficulty level of music. CPU 11 calculates a fingering difficulty level concerning fingering of playing adjacent musical notes based on the pitch information and fingering information, a rhythm difficulty level concerning musical-note duration and timing of key playing based on the time information, and a key difficulty level concerning a key of music based on the pitch information. Further, CPU 11 calculates the whole difficulty level of music based on the fingering difficulty level, rhythm difficulty level and key difficulty level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Minamitaka
  • Patent number: 8101843
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method that allows users to customize audible and visible signals, such as music or video, to maintain a pre-determined or specified pace or to achieve a new pace in repetitive motion activities such as, but not limited to, running, walking, swimming, cycling, aerobics, and the like. Other applications of the system and method include, but are not limited to, enhancing the results of medical rehabilitation programs, physical therapy, weight loss programs, disc jockey services, and industries or manufacturing settings where repetitive motion is common and where audible cues designed to help users maintain a consistent pace are useful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Pacing Technologies LLC
    Inventor: William D. Turner
  • Patent number: 8097800
    Abstract: An apparatus for signal processing, wherein a disc is placed on a turntable and is provided with a groove which can be followed by the pick-up element, and employing a time-code signal wherein during use of the disc the said time-code signal controls the digital audio source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: N2IT Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Mark-Jan Bastian
  • Patent number: 8071869
    Abstract: The prominent tempo of an audio data is determined by detecting a plurality of beat rates of the audio data. One or more audio data characteristics are used to filter through the beat rates to determine the prominent tempo. Systems, methods, and apparatuses to determine the prominent tempo are discussed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Gracenote, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Wei Chen, Kyogu Lee, Peter C. DiMaria, Markus K. Cremer
  • Patent number: 8041801
    Abstract: State information of a user is detected via a biometric information sensor and is stored, in a nonvolatile memory, in association with a content identifier of content that is being reproduced for the user when the state information is detected. An information request, including the state information of another user at another terminal apparatus, is generated and transmitted. Provided information transmitted in response to the information request is received and provided to the user. When an information request is received by the user, information is extracted from the nonvolatile memory based on the state information of another user. Provided information that is based on the extracted information is transmitted to another user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takatoshi Nakamura, Toru Sasaki, Yuichi Sakai, Yoichiro Sako, Toshiro Terauchi, Hirofumi Tamori, Makoto Inoue, Katsuya Shirai, Motoyuki Takai, Kenichi Makino, Akihiro Komori, Akane Sano, Susumu Takatsuka
  • Publication number: 20110245944
    Abstract: Sharing of a music experience amongst a group of people each using a personal communication device is described. In some cases, the group can congregate at the same geographic location or at least some of the group can be located at widely dispersed locations and yet still be able to share a music experience. Information can be passed between the personal communication devices using point to point wireless communication, a distributed network of computers such as the Internet, a wireless cellular communication network, and so on. The information can include an indication of a shared music characteristic. The personal communication devices can use the shared music characteristic to identify and start to privately play those music items stored in the personal communication device having a characteristic that matches or most closely matches the shared music characteristic at about the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Sylvain Rene Yves Louboutin
  • Patent number: 8014973
    Abstract: A method for constructing a distance histogram for nearest neighbor classification. A training sample is determined for each of two classes. For each defect, a distance is measured in the feature space between the defect and the training sample for each of the classes. All of the distances for a given defect are normalized by dividing each distance for the given defect by the sum of all of the distances for the given defect. A histogram is constructed by plotting a chart of the normalized distances versus the number of defects having the distances. A threshold bar is placed on the center of the histogram to construct a normal nearest neighbor classifier. The threshold bar can be adjusted to the left or to the right to construct a weighted nearest neighbor classifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Tong Huang
  • Patent number: 7999166
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration authoring tool, a vibration authoring method, and a storage medium recorded with the same. To this end, the present invention provides a vibration authoring tool, including: a scale defining unit that defines a scale by controlling the frequencies, amplitudes, and waveforms of the vibration; a clef defining unit that defines a clef by corresponding each staff line of a vibration score to a portion of the frequencies and corresponding head numbers of each note to a portion of the amplitudes; a score authoring unit that authors a score by inputting symbols including notes, rests, and dynamics in the vibration score; and a reproducing unit that reproduces the score authored through the score authoring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Pohang University of Science
    Inventors: Seung Moon Choi, Jong Hyun Ryu, Jae Bong Lee
  • Patent number: 7999168
    Abstract: A robot includes: a sound collecting unit collecting and converting a musical sound into a musical acoustic signal; a voice signal generating unit generating a self-vocalized voice signal; a sound outputting unit converting the self-vocalized voice signal into a sound and outputting the sound; a self-vocalized voice regulating unit receiving the musical acoustic signal and the self-vocalized voice signal; a filtering unit performing a filtering process; a beat interval reliability calculating unit performing a time-frequency pattern matching process and calculating a beat interval reliability; a beat interval estimating unit estimating a beat interval; a beat time reliability calculating unit calculating a beat time reliability; a beat time estimating unit estimating a beat time on the basis of the calculated beat time reliability; a beat time predicting unit predicting a beat time before the current time; and a synchronization unit synchronizing the self-vocalized voice signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakadai, Yuji Hasegawa, Hiroshi Tsujino, Kazumasa Murata, Ryu Takeda, Hiroshi Okuno
  • Publication number: 20110179943
    Abstract: The invention generally pertains to a hand-held computing device. More particularly, the invention pertains to a computing device that is capable of controlling the speed of the music so as to affect the mood and behavior of the user during an activity such as exercise. By way of example, the speed of the music can be controlled to match the pace of the activity (synching the speed of the music to the activity of the user) or alternatively it can be controlled to drive the pace of the activity (increasing or decreasing the speed of the music to encourage a greater or lower pace). One aspect of the invention relates to adjusting the tempo (or some other attribute) of the music being outputted from the computing device. By way of example, a songs tempo may be increased or decreased before or during playing. Another aspect of the invention relates to selecting music for outputting based on tempo (or some other attribute). For example, the computing device may only play songs having a particular tempo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Adam Bowen
  • Patent number: 7973231
    Abstract: The invention generally pertains to a hand-held computing device. More particularly, the invention pertains to a computing device that is capable of controlling the speed of the music so as to affect the mood and behavior of the user during an activity such as exercise. By way of example, the speed of the music can be controlled to match the pace of the activity (synching the speed of the music to the activity of the user) or alternatively it can be controlled to drive the pace of the activity (increasing or decreasing the speed of the music to encourage a greater or lower pace). One aspect of the invention relates to adjusting the tempo (or some other attribute) of the music being outputted from the computing device. By way of example, a songs tempo may be increased or decreased before or during playing. Another aspect of the invention relates to selecting music for outputting based on tempo (or some other attribute). For example, the computing device may only play songs having a particular tempo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Bowen
  • Patent number: 7968784
    Abstract: A timer may be for timing a current time period corresponding to an amount of time since a previous operation of an operator. Circuitry may be for processing data to carry out a performance based on a set tempo. The circuitry may be configured to change a position of the performance to a specified position of the performance in a case where the operator is operated and the current time period equals or exceeds a specified time period. The circuitry may be configured to change the tempo based on the current time period in a case where the operator is operated and the current time period is less than the specified time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Yamada, Hiroya Kurio
  • Publication number: 20110132176
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for displaying and scrolling musical notes and a method for a user to perform music using such a system. In particular, the system includes a tempo detector for detecting the user's tempo, so that musical notes are displayed and scrolled in synchronization with the user's actual tempo. A group of tablet-shaped display devices incorporating such a system can be used to display musical notes for multiple instruments, which may be the same or different instruments, to a group of users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: STEPHEN MAEBIUS, MARIA MAEBIUS
  • Patent number: 7956274
    Abstract: A performance apparatus capable of reproducing music pieces while making changeover between the music pieces without disturbing the rhythm of exercise, dance, or the like performed by a user to the rhythm of music. A beat position is acquired that will appear in a preceding performance data for the first time after a preparatory time required for changing the reproduction of the preceding music piece to the reproduction of a subsequent music piece elapses from when a music selection instruction is given. The reproduction of the subsequent music piece is started at the same time when the music is reproduced up to the acquired beat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Michihiko Sasaki, Gou Usui, Shinichi Ito
  • Patent number: 7952012
    Abstract: A computer implemented method allows a DAW to adjust a variable tempo of an audio file independent of a global tempo. The method includes causing the display of a musical arrangement having a global tempo. The musical arrangement includes an audio file having a variable tempo which is independent of the global tempo. The method includes adjusting the variable tempo of the audio file, wherein the variable tempo begins at an initial tempo and adjusts to an end tempo over a set length of time. The method can also include outputting the audio file having the variable tempo in response to a command to play the musical arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Clemens Homburg
  • Patent number: 7923621
    Abstract: A tempo analyzer to analyze the tempo of sound such as a musical composition or the like is provided in which a controller (9) takes, based on level information on a sound signal from an analysis data extraction unit (62), a frame which is a predetermined unit-time interval as a unit of process, detects positions of peaks of the level of the sound signal (apex of the change in level) higher than a predetermined level to find a time interval (peak-to-peak interval) between the peak positions in the frame, and determines a peak-to-peak time interval having occurred frequently as a tempo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Goro Shiraishi, Chie Sekine, Kumiko Masuda, Kuniharu Mori
  • Publication number: 20110072955
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method that allows users to customize audible and visible signals, such as music or video, to maintain a pre-determined or specified pace or to achieve a new pace in repetitive motion activities such as, but not limited to, running, walking, swimming, cycling, aerobics, and the like. Other applications of the system and method include, but are not limited to, enhancing the results of medical rehabilitation programs, physical therapy, weight loss programs, disc jockey services, and industries or manufacturing settings where repetitive motion is common and where audible cues designed to help users maintain a consistent pace are useful. Other features of the invention include providing target- or pace-specific advertisements, and broadcasting target- or pace-specific information about athletes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: William D. Turner
  • Patent number: 7915512
    Abstract: Disclosed is an audio device that adjusts the cadence of played songs. A user sensor determines cadence data based on movement of the user. A desired cadence is determined based on the cadence data received from the sensor. The cadence of songs is determined by low pass filtering digital representations of the songs and determining the period (T) of the back beat of the songs. An adjustment of the period (T) of the songs is then determined such that the adjustment of the period (T) of the songs results in the songs having the desired cadence. The period (T) of the back beat of the subsequent songs are then adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Agere Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger A. Fratti, Cathy Lynn Hollien, Arlen R. Martin
  • Publication number: 20110067555
    Abstract: A tempo detecting device 100 includes an envelope detecting means 1 that detects an envelope of musical composition data, a frequency-component detecting means 2 that performs a discrete Fast Fourier Transform processing on the detected envelope to thereby detect a frequency spectrum, and a tempo detecting means 3 that detects, based on a characteristic of the detected frequency spectrum, a tempo of the musical composition data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ichiro Sugai
  • Publication number: 20110061515
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method that allows users to customize audible and visible signals, such as music or video, to maintain a pre-determined or specified pace or to achieve a new pace in repetitive motion activities such as, but not limited to, running, walking, swimming, cycling, aerobics, and the like. Other applications of the system and method include, but are not limited to, enhancing the results of medical rehabilitation programs, physical therapy, weight loss programs, disc jockey services, and industries or manufacturing settings where repetitive motion is common and where audible cues designed to help users maintain a consistent pace are useful.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: William D. TURNER
  • Patent number: 7884276
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for automatically converting audio input signal data into musical score representation data. Embodiments of the invention identify a change in frequency information from the audio signal that exceeds a first threshold value; identify a change in amplitude information from the audio signal that exceeds a second threshold value; and generate a note onset event, each note onset event representing a time location in the audio signal of at least one of an identified change in the frequency information that exceeds the first threshold value or an identified change in the amplitude information that exceeds the second threshold value. The generation of note onset events and other information from the audio input signal may be used to extract note pitch, note value, tempo, meter, key, instrumentation, and other score representation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: MuseAmi, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Taub, J. Alexander Cabanilla
  • Patent number: 7884275
    Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein a server based music creator is accessible by a client for the creation of composite audio files. The method and system receives, from a remote client computer via a network connection, a play sequence for playing audio segments, wherein a play sequence identifies one or more audio segments and associates at least one temporal location in a playback timeline with each audio segment. A composite audio file including each audio segment identified in the play sequence is generated, such that the composite audio file when played plays each audio segment identified by the play sequence at each audio segment's associated temporal location(s). The composite audio file is then transmitted to the client computer. In another non-limiting example, the play sequence includes one or more track sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Tedman, Gerard Luna
  • Publication number: 20110023691
    Abstract: Provided are a musical performance-related information output device and a musical performance system capable of superimposing musical performance-related information on an audio signal without damaging the general versatility of the audio signal. The musical performance-related information output device includes a musical performance-related information acquiring section that is adapted to acquire musical performance-related information related to a musical performance of a performer, a superimposing section that is adapted to superimpose the musical performance-related information on an analog audio signal such that a modulated component of the musical performance-related information is included in a band higher than the frequency component of the analog audio signal generated in accordance with the musical performance manipulation of the performer, and an output section that outputs the analog audio signal on which the superimposing section superimposes the musical performance-related information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Iwase, Takuro Sone, Mitsuru Fukui
  • Patent number: 7881481
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an audio processing apparatus and method. In an embodiment, if a playing mode that abruptly changes the level of audio being played has been input, the data of the audio is processed to mitigate the abrupt change in the level of the audio and converted into analog signals, and the analog signals are output. In an embodiment, if a playing mode that causes a jump from the current track of the audio being played to another track is input, the audio data is divided by an exponential function of 2 before the jump to the another track is completed. In another embodiment, if a playing mode that rapidly moves a playing position to another location on the same track has been input, the audio data is divided by a specific exponential function, and is then multiplied by the exponential function after the playing mode has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Shin Kyo Choi
  • Publication number: 20110011245
    Abstract: A computer implemented method allows a user to adjust tracks in a musical arrangement. The method involves a user selecting a musical position of an audio track, which the user desires to adjust in time, either by compressing it or expanding it, by indicating with a pointing device, such as a mouse, the position in the time line of the audio track that the user wishes to alter. A first marker is then displayed at the selected musical position in the audio track. Boundary markers defining transients in the audio signal surrounding the selected musical position are then automatically generated by analysis of the audio signal, and are displayed on the audio track. The two boundary markers define an audio segment that is to be adjusted in tempo by the user moving the first marker along the time line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thorsten Adam, Oliver Reichhardt, Robert Hunt, Clemens Homburg
  • Publication number: 20110011243
    Abstract: A computer implemented method allows a user to collectively adjust tracks in a digital workstation. The method includes causing the display of at least one internal track and at least one external track. The method then allows the collective adjusting of the tempo, tempo and pitch, or tuning of each internal track and each external track in response to receiving a command. The adjusted tempo and/or adjusted tuning value can be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Clemens Homburg