Expression Or Special Effects (e.g., Force Or Velocity Responsive, Etc.) Patents (Class 84/626)
  • Publication number: 20130291708
    Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium incorporating instructions are provided to enable a user to create and to share a digital effects package. The instructions enable user input of a first sound effect, and a first trigger that, when activated, plays the first sound effect, and to associate the first sound effect and the first trigger with the digital effects package. The trigger can be on a musical instrument, such as on a fretboard or fingerboard of a stringed instrument. The digital effects package may be created and shared by a user at a first terminal connected via a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Jesse Harris Orshan
  • Patent number: 8569606
    Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing light signals to a music input signal includes an analog to digital converter to generate a digital signal equivalent of the analog music input signal, an digital signal decoder to generate an output pulse width modulated signal that is representative of the tempo and the volume of the music input signal, a light driver unit that receives the output pulse width modulated signal to correspondingly light up a lighting unit, and a lighting unit that emits light. Thus, light brightness synchronizes with the music volume amplitude, and the light blinks on and off with the music tempo and beating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Semiconductor Asia Pte.Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Kiong Leslie Khoo, Shuang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130263721
    Abstract: A sound manipulator comprising a touch sensitive sensor detecting finger tapings and multiplying them electronically on simultaneously produced sound, such that touches and releases affect sound composition in part (e.g. added sound effects and their characteristics) or as a whole (e.g. full or partial muting). The Sound manipulator may be attached to a guitar and allow the player both pick and tap fretted tones to give a fully new type of sound producing to the guitar. Rhythmical and electronic music may be imitated by the Sound manipulator, without losing the basic authentic guitar sound and while maintaining the flavor of live play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel Shavit
  • Publication number: 20130239786
    Abstract: A first contact and a second contact are provided at each of a plurality of keys, and are successively closed in accordance with a key press operation. On the basis of respective closed sense signals from the first contact and the second contact, a duration from when the first contact is closed until the second contact is closed is counted as a first count value and then a duration after this counting has ended is counted as a second count value. An attainment duration value and the second count value are compared, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a control signal is outputted. When this control signal is received, sound emission information instructing an emission of a sound by a sound emission controller is sent. The sound emission information includes touch information based on the first count value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Goro SAKATA
  • Publication number: 20130233156
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a systems and methods for downloading one or more effects to an effects unit. One or more effects may be received on an effects unit. Audio signals for the one or more effects may be processed based on instructions for processing the audio signals received with the one or more effects. For each subsequent effect received on the effect unit, the processing of the audio signals may be reprogrammed. The one or more effects may be transmitted for output from the effects unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh D. Kapp, James D. Pennock, Robin M. Urry, Christopher M. Belcher, William E. Clements, Darrell Brent Erickson, Craig B. DeVries
  • Patent number: 8530736
    Abstract: A musical tone signal is synthesized based on performance information to simulate a sound generated from a musical instrument having a string and a body that supports the string by a support. There is provided a closed loop circuit having a delay element that simulates delay characteristic of vibration propagated through the string and a characteristic control element that simulates a variation in amplitude or frequency. A string model calculation circuit inputs an excitation signal based on the performance information to the closed loop circuit, and calculates first information representing a force of the string acting on the support based on a cyclic signal generated in the closed loop and representing the vibration of the string circuit. A body model calculation circuit calculates second information representing a displacement of the body or a derivative of the displacement. A musical tone signal calculation circuit calculates the musical tone signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Encai Liu, Masatsugu Okazaki, Eiji Tominaga
  • Patent number: 8519248
    Abstract: A media application for providing outputs (e.g., audio outputs) in response to inputs received from an input device is provided. The media application may connect input mechanisms of an input device with parameters of channel strips (e.g., which may define output sounds) using an intermediate screen object. The media application may first assign an input mechanism to a screen object, and separately map a screen object to a channel strip parameter. The media application may map a screen object to several channel strips simultaneously such that, based on the value of the screen object, the volume of each of the several channel strips changes. The media application may provide a graphical representation of available channel strips using layers. As the media application accesses a channel strip, the appearance of the portion of the layer associated with the channel strip may change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kerstin Heitmann, Robert Chin, Jan-Hinnerk Helms, Sascha Hoehne
  • Patent number: 8507782
    Abstract: An electronic percussion instrument generates, in accordance with a trigger signal output from a pad source, a musical performance tone of a tone color assigned to the pad source. The electronic percussion instrument includes a program memory for storing a control program and a CPU for controlling operation of the electronic percussion instrument in accordance with the control program stored in the program memory. A storage device is also provided for storing a plurality of trigger data sets each of which includes at least one sensitivity setting parameter for setting sensitivity to the trigger signal, and a plurality of drum kits each of which includes pad setting data for setting the tone color assigned to the at least one pad source and link data for designating one of the plurality of trigger data sets. A setting operation input unit is provided for selecting a drum kit from among the plurality of drum kits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Takehisa, Yasuharu Katagiri, Mikihiro Hiramatsu, Makoto Katsuura
  • Publication number: 20130160633
    Abstract: An advanced MIDI/audio processing system with virtual key-switches. The virtual key-switches are mapped to different musical concepts. As a user presses a key-switch in real time with the playing of musical notes, the musical concept mapped to the key-switch that was pressed is applied. The instrument then switches to a new playing state based on the particular musical concept that was applied. Furthermore, the system is configured to provide a smooth transition between dynamic levels when applying crescendo or diminuendo effects via a modulation wheel. The system also configured to provide enhanced cycling of alternate samples by providing an individual alternate cycle for each note of each articulation in each dynamic level. Furthermore, the system is configured to allow a user to store and recall specific cycle positions, and override an existing cycle to choose a specific alternate sample for a specific note.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: FABLE SOUNDS, LLC
    Inventor: FABLE SOUNDS, LLC
  • Patent number: 8457969
    Abstract: An effect device may be configured such that when an input audio signal switches from a consonant to a vowel and an input level of the switched vowel is greater than a threshold value Lc (and a variable t is greater than time Ts), an audio effect signal A may be generated. Such an effect device may allow for increasing the occurrences when portamento is simulated, while still sounding natural. In general, a detecting module detects whether an audio signal is a vowel sound or a consonant sound and whether the audio signal changed from a consonant sound to a vowel sound; and a pitch change module changes a pitch of the audio signal and changes, based on a prescribed function, an amount the pitch is changed to produce a modified audio signal, when the audio signal changed from a consonant sound to a vowel sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Ae
  • Patent number: 8450592
    Abstract: A method and a system for providing sound generation instructions from a digitized input signal are provided. The invention comprises transforming at least part of the digitized input signal into a feature representation, extracting characteristic features of the obtained feature representation, comparing at least part of the extracted characteristic features against stored data representing a number of signal classes, selecting a signal class to represent the digitized input signal based on said comparison, and selecting from stored data, which represents a number of sound effects, sound effect data representing the selected signal class. Sound volume data is determined from stored reference volume data corresponding to the selected signal class and/or sound effect and from at least part of the obtained characteristic features, and sound generation instructions are generated based at least partly on the obtained sound effect data and the obtained sound volume data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Circle Consult APS
    Inventors: Kai Feng, Lars Fox, Lauge Rønnow
  • Patent number: 8445771
    Abstract: A performance apparatus 11 extends in its longitudinal direction to be held by a player with his or her hand. The performance apparatus 11 is provided with a geomagnetic sensor 22 and an acceleration sensor 23. At the time when the geomagnetic sensor and acceleration sensor determine that the performance apparatus 11 is kept within a sound generation space and has been moved by the player, CPU 21 gives an electronic musical instrument 19 an instruction to generate a musical tone of a tone color corresponding to the sound generation space. The sound generation spaces and corresponding tone colors are stored in a space/tone color table in RAM 26. Upon receipt of the instruction, the electronic musical instrument generates a musical tone of a tone color corresponding to the sound generation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoyuki Sakazaki
  • Patent number: 8445769
    Abstract: A performance apparatus 11 extends in its longitudinal direction to be held by a player with his or her hand, and is provided with an acceleration sensor 23 for detecting an acceleration sensor value and an angular rate sensor 22 for detecting an angular rate of rotation of the apparatus 11 about its longitudinal axis. CPU 21 detects a sound-generation timing based on the acceleration sensor value. Using the angular rate, CPU 21 calculates a rotation angle of the performance apparatus 11 made about its longitudinal axis in a period from a first and a second timing, wherein the first and second timing correspond to starting and finishing of swinging motion of the performance apparatus, respectively. CPU 21 determines to increase or decrease a sound volume level, in accordance with the direction and amount of the calculated rotation angle, thereby adjusting a sound volume level of musical tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hiroki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20130118338
    Abstract: Embodiments of an electronic instrument simulating a percussion instrument using capacitive touch sensitive sensors are described herein. Embodiments described comprise an art layer, a sensor layer, a shielding layer, an electronics package and a speaker. The art layer has depictions of one or more percussion instruments. The sensor layer is deposed under the art layer. The sensor layer has one or more instrument sensors, each comprising one or more capacitive touch sensors. Instrument sensors are positioned underneath one of the depicted percussion instruments in the art layer so that a finger tapping the depicted instrument will trigger the sensor. The capacitive touch sensors are electrically connected to the electronics package configured to detect changes in capacitance when a particular capacitive touch sensor is touched, causing the electronics package to play on the speaker a sound sample of an percussion instrument associated with that capacitive touch sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: PURE IMAGINATION LLC
    Inventor: Pure Imagination LLC
  • Publication number: 20130112066
    Abstract: An information processing program executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus that performs processing based on an input from an input device including an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor, is provided, and the information processing program causes the computer to function to set a combined speed indicating a speed based on a movement of the input device, by using acceleration data outputted by the acceleration sensor, and angular velocity data outputted by the angular velocity sensor; and to execute a predetermined process based on the combined speed having been set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masato MIZUTA
  • Patent number: 8389844
    Abstract: In response to detection of a note-on instruction, a CPU assigns a tone generating unit comprising two tone generating channels and sets tone color control data of the assigned tone generating unit into tone generator registers. The tone color control data includes a parameter common to the two channels. Once the CPU gives a tone generation start instruction to a tone generator, the tone generator accumulates a frequency number common to the two channels to thereby generate a progressive phase common to the two channels. Waveform readout section reads out left-channel and right-channel waveform data from a waveform memory on the basis of the phase and waveform selecting information of the left and right channels. Tone characteristics of the read-out left- and right-channel waveform data are controlled by a characteristic control section on the basis of a characteristic control parameter common to the two channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tsuchiya, Kazuyuki Ito, Masahiko Hasebe, Kouichi Kashiwazaki, Hiroyuki Iwase
  • Patent number: 8389847
    Abstract: A piano with an electronic tone generator capable of outputting musical sound signals of a reverberation and/or a resonance, in accordance with whether an external output is performed or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Toshinori Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8389845
    Abstract: A waveform memory WM stores fast decay waveform data representative of fast decay waveforms of different levels of strength and slow decay waveform data representative of a slow decay waveform of a strong strength. A CPU 21 controls a tone generator 15 to select at least a waveform data according to the level of strength of a touch from among the plurality of fast decay waveform data to read out the selected waveform data from the top address of the waveform data. In addition, the CPU 21 also controls the tone generator 15 to read out the slow decay waveform data, starting at an address placed further away from the top of the slow decay waveform data as the level of strength of the touch decreases. The read fast decay waveform data and the read slow decay waveform data is mixed together to be output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Kunimoto, Kiyoshi Hagino
  • Patent number: 8389846
    Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument has a load applier, which gives rise to inner force sense equivalent to another musical instrument such as a piano in the player through black keys and white keys, and the load applier has a mechanical load applier applying a part of load to the keys and an electromechanical load applier applying a remaining part of load to the keys so that the manufacturer can reduce the actuator in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8350142
    Abstract: An automatic player piano is equipped with an electronic supporting system, which makes a player learn an optimum pedal stroke to a half pedal region; while the player is practicing a music tune on the piano, the electronic supporting system monitors the damper pedal; when the player starts to depress the damper pedal, the electronic supporting system exerts an assisting force on the damper pedal so as to make the player feel the damper pedal light; when the damper pedal reaches an entrance of the half pedal region, the electronic supporting system removes the assisting force from the damper pedal so that the player feels the damper pedal heavy, whereby the player learns the pedal stroke to the half pedal region through the change of load borne by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Fujiwara, Tsutomu Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20120297959
    Abstract: A method for applying audio effects to one or more tracks off musical compilation is disclosed. The method comprises identifying a first virtual musician to be associated with a first instrument track; identifying a first virtual producer to be associated with the first instrument track; applying a first series of effects to the first instrument track, the first series of effects being dependent upon the first virtual musician; and applying a second series of effects to the first instrument track, the second series of effects being dependent upon the first virtual producer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Matt Serletic, Patrick Woodward, Frank Capodieci, Reza Rassool
  • Patent number: 8317614
    Abstract: A system and method for playing a multi-player music video game with a drum system video game controller is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for providing a drum solo with a music based multi-player video game. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for providing analog input from one or more drum sensors used in game play associated with a music based multi-player video game. In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for preventing interference between the one or more drum sensors. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for mapping digital information indicative of input to a video game controller in a first form to information in a second form, the second form conforming to a protocol for inputs to a video game console executing a music based multi-player video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack J. McCauley, Brian Bright, John Devecka, Jason VandenBerghe
  • Patent number: 8309833
    Abstract: A data sonification method for representing multidimensional numerical information with a plurality of variable-timbre channels rendered in a sound field is described. The method includes generation of a plurality of variable-timbre audio waveforms, each having an audio frequency parameter and at least one timbre modulation parameter having an adjustable value that affects the timbre of the audio waveform. The method includes associating aspects of multidimensional numerical data with the timbre modulation parameter of each audio frequency waveform using a mapping element. The mapping element varies values of timbre modulation parameters responsive to selected values from the multidimensional numerical data. The method also positions each audio frequency waveform within a sonically-rendered sound field, associating aspects of multidimensional numerical data with the sonically-rendered position within the sound field. The sound field can be stereo, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 8311657
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a computer system for processing an audio track. This system includes at least on DSP for processing the audio track. It also includes an application for editing the audio track. To process audio data in a first interval of the audio track, the application first asks and obtains from the DSP an impulse response parameter related to the DSP's processing of audio data. From the received impulse response parameter, the application identifies a second audio track interval that is before the first interval. To process audio data in the first interval, the application then directs the DSP to process audio data within the first and second intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alan C. Cannistraro, William George Stewart, Roger A. Powell, Kevin Christopher Rogers, Kelly B. Jacklin, Doug Wyatt
  • Patent number: 8288640
    Abstract: In a keyboard apparatus including a key supported for pivoting movement about a pivot point, a mass member that imparts a reaction force to performance operation of the key in interlocked relation to the key, and an electromagnetic actuator provided between the key and the mass member for imparting a driving force to the key and mass member, a transmission member is provided in detachable abutment with the key and mass member. The transmission member can be disengaged from the key or the mass member depending on operating conditions of the key and the mass member. Thus, it is possible to not only prevent unnecessary binding forces from acting in areas where the transmission member and the key and the mass member abut against each other, but also achieve smooth movement of the key and the mass member and prevent increase of inertial mass of the transmission member. The smooth movement of the key and mass member can achieve force sense control with good responsiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Nariyasu Yaguchi, Akihiko Komatsu, Yoshinori Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8288643
    Abstract: Different kinds of control tables in which action of a pedal 4 is associated with reaction force exerted on the pedal 4 by an actuator 7 are stored in a memory of an electronic keyboard musical instrument 26. The different kinds of control tables are designed to include a half pedal range. A CPU 40 selects one of the different kinds of control tables in accordance with player's manipulation of setting operators 28 to obtain a reaction force exerted on the pedal 4 by the actuator 7 from the selected control table, the reaction force being associated with an action detected by an action detecting portion 6. The CPU 40 also controls the actuator 7 such that the actuator 7 exerts the obtained reaction force on the pedal 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiko Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8283547
    Abstract: A method for use with a musical instrument includes receiving a signal representative of a sound produced by the musical instrument, receiving a selection of an audio effect from a wireless controller, applying the audio effect to the signal representative of a sound produced by the musical instrument, and providing an output signal representative of the audio effect applied to the sound produced by the musical instrument. Other methods include causing an image to be responsive to a signal representative of motions of the musical instrument, and causing an image to be responsive to a signal representative of sound produced by the musical instrument. A computer readable storage medium may store a computer program adapted to cause a processor based system to execute the steps of any one or more of these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Mark Francis Villa, Gary M. Zalewski
  • Publication number: 20120186418
    Abstract: A system for automatically adjusting sound effects and a method thereof. The system includes a communication module, a playing module, an input module for receiving a choice among a plurality of songs made by a user, and a processing module configured to search a storage module for one of sets of sound effects parameters corresponding to the choice made by the user. If the set of sound effects parameters corresponding to the choice made by the user is not found, the processing module is then configured to obtain the set of sound effects parameters from a plurality of servers through a communication module. The playing module is configured to adjust a playing mode according to the set of sound effects parameters found or obtained by the processing module, and to play the song of choice in the playing mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicants: INVENTEC APPLIANCES (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD., INVENTEC APPLIANCES CORP., NANJING, INVENTEC APPLIANCES CORP.
    Inventors: Hao Chen, Yun-Fei Wei
  • Patent number: 8203066
    Abstract: An electronic keyboard apparatus capable of changing, with a simple construction, a musical tone control characteristic for each pedal manipulation stroke section. A detection value representing a pedal depression depth is converted into an output value according to a table group, and a musical tone parameter is controlled based on the output value. The table group includes default and alternate tables exhibiting a hysteresis such that the output value converted from the same detection value becomes smaller in a reverse pedal stroke than in a forward pedal stoke. In the forward stroke, the default table is changed to the alternate table when the detection value passes a second threshold value provided on a deeper depression depth side than a first threshold value. In the reverse stroke, the alternate table is changed to the default table when the detection value passes the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 8198521
    Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for actuating a pallet of a pipe organ under the command of a key of an organ. The actuator comprises a movable member, adapted to be connected to the pallet of the organ pipe and a magnetic plunger, mounted on the movable member. It also comprises an electromagnet having a gap within which the magnetic plunger can be inserted and moved, wherein the electromagnet when energized moves the member to thereby actuate the pallet. A controller unit controls a current in the electromagnet to provide a controlled actuation of the pallet that is proportional to a key dip of the key. It also provides for a system based on a digital serial link for controlling an assembly of organ pallets that are actuated by electromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Novelorg Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Bouchard, Stéphan Boivin, André Chénier, Pierre Pelletier
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8160489
    Abstract: A karaoke device is included within an enclosure and having a voice pickup element integrated into the enclosure, the voice pickup element for converting sound waves into an electrical signal. An audio input signal passes into the enclosure and connects with an electronic circuit for amplifying the electrical signal, for controlling the amplitude of the electrical signal and for mixing the electrical signal and the audio input signal into a mixed audio signal which passes out of the enclosure. A video input signal passes into the enclosure and directly connects to a video output signal that passes out of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Jack Strauser
  • Patent number: 8153881
    Abstract: A disc jockey music-based video game with a controller for the same. The disc jockey music-based video game presents instructive cues for manipulation of the controller and evaluates game player's performance based on the player's compliance with the instructive cues. A display with visual indicators of instructive cues and visual indicators representing player performance may be provided. Additionally, other forms of game player feedback may be provided, for example music, simulated crowd response other forms of generally auditory cues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Activision Publishing, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Coppard, Lee Guinchard, Phillip Hindle, Jamie Jackson, Lee Yat Lam, Chan Yuk On, David Osbourn, Neil Wigfield, Stephen N. Withers
  • Patent number: 8148624
    Abstract: A control unit for a musical instrument having a keypad and/or touch pad areas for controlling a signal processing unit. The control unit is preferably formed in a thin and elastic layered structure whereby touching electrode surfaces of the structure generates a charge, voltage or capacitance that is subsequently processed. The control unit includes a surface element, whereby settings and values of the signal processing unit can be changed and controlled by a user applying physical contact to the surface element. A user control device is further coupled to the control unit, and is operable under at least two forms of operation, and wherein the user control device is configured to (1) select an acoustic parameters and (2) adjust the selected acoustic parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: B-Band Oy
    Inventor: Heikki Raisanen
  • Patent number: 8115092
    Abstract: An electronic piano includes a tone signal synthesizing system implemented by software, keys and key sensors monitoring the keys and reporting the key positions to the tone signal synthesizing system, and the tone signal synthesizing system includes damper model calculating modules for determining resistance against vibrations of wires of an a piano, a hammer model calculating module for determining force exerted on the wires, string model calculating modules for determining force exerted on an instrument body of the piano by the wires on the basis of the resistance and force exerted on the wires, an instrument body model calculating module for determining displacements of instrument body on the basis of the force exerted on the instrument body and an air model calculating module for determining a sound pressure at an observation point from the displacement of instrument body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Tominaga
  • Patent number: 8110735
    Abstract: A first control may be for setting a patch including one or more types of effects to be provided by circuitry to an inputted music signal, the patch associated with multiple candidate keywords to be displayed by a display device. A second control may be for assigning a patch name including a candidate keyword from the multiple candidate keywords to the patch. A storage device may be for storing the patch name and the patch. The one or more types of effects may be provided to the inputted music signal based on the patch stored in the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Watanabe, Taishi Uchimiya
  • Patent number: 8106282
    Abstract: There is provided a music accompaniment apparatus that is connected to at least one external device to reproduce an audio or video signal, the music accompaniment apparatus including: an audio input section for inputting an external audio signal; an audio signal processing section for processing an audio signal including an accompaniment signal internally provided and an external audio signal input through the audio input section, and externally outputting the processed audio signal; a video signal processing section for processing a video signal including a caption signal, and externally outputting the processed video signal; a time delay calculating section for calculating the difference between a transmission time of a check signal to the at least one external device and a reception time of the check signal from the at least one external device to compute a time delay representing a delay of the audio or video signal for the at least one external device; and a control section for controlling the whole oper
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Enter Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20120011989
    Abstract: Operation detection apparatus includes a sensor section, and a pad formed of a transparent or translucent material and including at least one hitting portion provided on its surface. The hitting portion is suitable for being hit by a user. The sensor section is provided in a region positionally corresponding to the hitting portion under the pad, to detect hitting of the hitting portion. The sensor section includes a see-through portion provided in association with the hitting portion for allowing a region below the sensor section to be partly seen therethrough. The sensor section is sheet-shaped as a whole, and the see-through portion is an opening provided in a predetermined position of the sheet-shaped sensor section. Display area is located under the sensor section and exposed through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuji TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 8088987
    Abstract: Specific pitch of an input tone signal is sequentially detected, and a normalized pitch corresponding to a pitch name is sequentially detected on the basis of the specific pitch. It is determined whether there has been a variation in the detected pitch. Lead tone (first tone signal) is generated on the basis of the input tone signal, and a harmony tone (second tone signal) is generated on the basis of the detected pitch. When it is determined that there has been a variation in the pitch, processing waits until a predetermined time passes, and control is performed to change a pitch of the second tone signal if a pitch detected immediately before the variation and a current detected pitch are determined to be different from each other upon the passage of the predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Motoaki Takashima
  • Patent number: 8067684
    Abstract: In a filter device, a filter coefficient calculation circuit has a parameter table. The parameter table stores a plurality of sets of filter coefficients associated with a first parameter based on a frequency and a second parameter based on respective plurality of levels representing a degree of attenuation or enhancement of a gain of a filter in filter characteristics. The filter coefficient calculation circuit extracts a set of filter coefficients from a parameter table with the use of the first parameter and the second parameter determined according to a frequency and a strength of a musical sound signal, and outputs the extracted set of filter coefficients to the filter. The filter circuit performs filter processing for the musical sound signal, based on the filter characteristics determined by the set of filter coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoji Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8030565
    Abstract: This invention provides a signal processing and signal synthesis technique from a family of signal processing and signal synthesis techniques designed to readily interwork or be used individually in creating new forms of rich musical timbres. A plurality of audio signal delays, each with high resonance positive feedback, distortion characteristics, and selectable delay times corresponding to a desired resonant frequency, provide twang and resonance synthesis for moments of sparkle or vibrantly-responsive ongoing backdrops. The selectable delay times may match a musical scale or other resonant frequency distribution. Delay, feedback, and signal processing characteristics and parameters may be recalled from stored program control or modulated in real-time by arbitrary control signals, including those derived from the original input signal. The invention may be used individually or in conjunction with other signal processing and signal synthesis techniques in creating new forms of rich musical timbres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 8017852
    Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a music content includes a first acquisition unit for acquiring data of a music content, a second acquisition unit for acquiring attribute information, a reproducing unit for reproducing, into an audio reproduction output, the music content data acquired by the first acquisition unit, a detecting unit for detecting bio-information of a listener listening to the audio reproduction output, and a setting unit for setting a next reproduction music content candidate based on the acquired bio-information of the listener and the attribute information acquired by the second acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kosei Yamashita, Yasushi Miyajima, Motoyuki Takai, Yoichiro Sako, Toshiro Terauchi, Toru Sasaki, Yuichi Sakai
  • Patent number: 8013231
    Abstract: A sound signal processing apparatus which is capable of correctly detecting expression modes and expression transitions of a song or performance from an input sound signal. A sound signal produced by performance or singing of musical tones is input and divided into frames of predetermined time periods. Characteristic parameters of the input sound signal are detected on a frame-by-frame basis. An expression determining process is carried out in which a plurality of expression modes of a performance or song are modeled as respective states, the probability that a section including a frame or a plurality of continuous frames lies in a specific state is calculated with respect to a predetermined observed section based on the characteristic parameters, and the optimum route of state transition in the predetermined observed section is determined based on the calculated probabilities so as to determine expression modes of the sound signal and lengths thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Fujishima, Alex Loscos, Jordi Bonada, Oscar Mayor
  • Patent number: 8015200
    Abstract: A karaoke home entertainment center for streamlining karaoke show; reduce stress, problems and time pressure on the KJ & to prevent piracy. The inventive device includes Ultimate Karaoke Book, Karaoke Rental Systems, ProPlayer, Karaoke Shoppe Download Center, Karaoke Burning Station, Downloadable Karaoke CD+G Player, Video Library Pro, DRM and Licensing encryption engine, Pre-manufactured CD DRM. The Book eliminates the majority of KJ typing when creating or updating their book. Book with minimal player forms the Karaoke Rental System. ProPlayer incorporates super encryption Dongle or soft encryption, which permits “back-up” copy but can only be used with the original dongle. Karaoke Shoppe Download Center consists of basic computer system that can access our on-line database or come pre-loaded with encrypted songs. Karaoke burning Station Kiosk is either counter-top or stand-alone kiosks that can contain and deliver cds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventors: Phil Seiflein, Dawud Davis
  • Patent number: 7977564
    Abstract: In normal mode or expansion mode, a normal load table 53 or an expansion load table 54 is selected, respectively, to store half area start position HS and half area end position HE as effect-switchable positions. The selected load table is referenced to generate and output drive signals so as to obtain depression reaction force F according to position ST. In accordance with player's depression/release of keys, musical tone signals are generated on the basis of waveform data 51 and envelope data 52 corresponding to the manipulated keys, designated basic tone color and depression area to carry out tone emission/tone-vanishing processes. Both the characteristics of musical tones and the rate of change in the reaction force switch at the effect-switchable positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Souichi Takigawa
  • Patent number: 7968787
    Abstract: Audio player, having many items of music content stored therein and having at least a function for reproducing any one of the items of music content stored therein, is instructed to select and reproduce music content, corresponding to a user-designated music piece, from among the items of music content. In response to user's designation of the music piece, the audio player selects, from among the many items of music content, music content corresponding to the designated music piece and reproduces the selected music content. With such arrangements, a user is allowed to appropriately and readily set a performance environment suited for the desired music piece, by using the audio player to actually listen to and check the content of the music piece for which a performance environment is to be set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Ueki
  • Patent number: 7947891
    Abstract: A product-sum operation circuit has delay circuits of the first to the (n?1)th stage for delaying musical tone data, multiplying circuits 60-6(n?1) for multiplying the musical signal data or the delayed musical signal data output from the delay circuits by impulse response coefficients, and adders 71-7(n?1) for summing up data output from the multiplying circuits. The product-sum operation circuit is provided with a feed back circuit. The feed back circuit includes a multiplying circuit 80 that receives the delayed data from the delay circuit at the (n?1)th stage and multiplies the received data by a multiplication coefficient, and an adder 81 for adding data from the multiplying circuit 80 to the delayed data from the delay circuit at the “p”th stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuichi Nakae
  • Patent number: 7902448
    Abstract: A method, operation position sensor device for an electronic musical, and musical instrument for detecting an operation position of an operation member in an electronic musical instrument. A determination is made of an amount of measured light resulting from the depression of the operation member has changed in excess of a predetermined difference value a number of times. A determination is made of a difference value of clock counts measured at a last two determinations that the measured light changed in excess of the predetermined difference value in response to determining that the amount of the measured light has changed in excess of the predetermined difference value the number of times. The difference value is converted to a key depression speed. A sound generation command is issued based on the key depression speed to a sound source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Tadao Kikumoto, Mitsuhiro Umeta
  • Patent number: 7875789
    Abstract: A synthesizer 10 is configured such that when a PC 30 is connected thereto, the synthesizer 10 accepts selection of a tone used for sound generation from among a tone included in an internal tone generation unit 16 and a tone included in a tone generation module 312 provided by the external PC 30, and causes the PC 30 to enable the function of the tone generation module 312, downloads an edit operation accepting program corresponding to the tone generation module 312 from a UI control program memory 315 of the PC 30, and executes the downloaded edit operation accepting program to thereby realize a function of editing data of the tone included in the tone generation module 312, the data being stored in the PC 30, when the tone included in the tone generation module 312 of the PC 30 is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Mizuhiki, Kazuhide Iwamoto
  • Publication number: 20100307322
    Abstract: An electronic piano includes a tone signal synthesizing system implemented by software, keys and key sensors monitoring the keys and reporting the key positions to the tone signal synthesizing system, and the tone signal synthesizing system includes damper model calculating modules for determining resistance against vibrations of wires of an a piano, a hammer model calculating module for determining force exerted on the wires, string model calculating modules for determining force exerted on an instrument body of the piano by the wires on the basis of the resistance and force exerted on the wires, an instrument body model calculating module for determining displacements of instrument body on the basis of the force exerted on the instrument body and an air model calculating module for determining a sound pressure at an observation point from the displacement of instrument body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji TOMINAGA