Envelope Shaping (i.e., Attack, Decay, Sustain, Or Release) Patents (Class 84/627)
  • Patent number: 11625217
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to generating music content. In one embodiment, a method includes determining one or more musical attributes based on external data and generating music content based on the one or more musical attributes. Generating the music content may include selecting from stored sound loops or tracks and/or generating new tracks based on the musical attributes. Selected or generated sound loops or tracks may be layered to generate the music content. Musical attributes may be determined in some embodiments based on user input (e.g., indicating a desired energy level), environment information, and/or user behavior information. Artists may upload tracks, in some embodiments, and be compensated based on usage of their tracks in generating music content. In some embodiments, a method includes generating sound and/or light control information based on the musical attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: AiMi Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Balassanian
  • Patent number: 11354211
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing a test for a CPU, and an electronic device. A decay command in a SETWP test and a command-executing duration corresponding to each command subsequent to the decay command can be automatically deployed. Thereby, the SETWP test is correctly performed for the CPU to obtain a test result. It is not necessary to rely on manual adjustment on a parameter of a delay corresponding to each command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: ZHENGZHOU YUNHAI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Deli Shi
  • Patent number: 10447207
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a switching circuit with enhanced linearity. The switching circuit can include a switch and an envelope generator. The switch can receive an input signal, provide an output signal, and receive an envelope signal corresponding to an envelope of the input signal. The envelope generator can generate the envelope signal so as to cause intermodulation distortion in the output signal to be reduced to cause linearity of the switch to be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Zhu, Oleksiy Klimashov, Hailing Wang, Dylan Charles Bartle, Paul T. DiCarlo
  • Patent number: 10032332
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining that a sound problem would occur if first content were to be presented simultaneously with second content via one or more output devices of a wagering game machine. In some examples, the first content is provided by a first application and the second content is provided by a second application independent from the first application. In some embodiments, the operation can further include modifying one or more characteristics of one or more of the first content and the second content based on the determining that the sound problem would occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. Berry, Timothy T. Gronkowski, Eric M. Pryzby, Paul J. Radek, Charles A. Richards, Steven J. Zoloto
  • Patent number: 9818390
    Abstract: Provided are a memory device and waveform data editing method and editing program thereof. Waveform data obtained by sampling a musical sound is acquired, and a difference between a harmonic frequency of an nth harmonic of the waveform data and a resonance sound frequency of the nth harmonic sound of a resonance sound generation circuit is calculated, and if the difference is 1 Hz or more, a waveform of a frequency component of 20 Hz centered on a central of the frequency of the nth harmonic of a frequency spectrum is clipped. The difference calculated in regard to the clipped waveform is reduced. The waveform and the clipped original waveform are combined to edit the waveform data. Thus, in the waveform data, the difference between the harmonic frequencies of the resonance characteristic is eliminated, and resonance is facilitated and occurrence of beat of the sound is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Kusakabe, Atsushi Hoshiai, Kenji Hirano
  • Patent number: 9761210
    Abstract: A method for generating music is provided, the method comprising receiving, on a capacitive touch sensitive interface such as a keyboard, multi-finger gesture inputs having a first component and a second component, wherein the second component has a temporal evolution such as speed; determining the onset of an audio signal, such as a tone, based on the first component, analyzing the temporal evolution of the second component to determine MIDI or Open Sound Control OSC instructions; modifying the audio signal based on the instructions, in particular by decoupling the temporal relationship between specific gesture inputs (e.g. at key onset, during a note and upon key release), thus mapping gesture and motion inputs, to thus obtain previously unachievable musical effects with music synthesizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
    Inventor: Andrew McPherson
  • Patent number: 9564115
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for producing sounds in a virtual world, as well as a sound card. The method comprises the steps of determining a spring mass model of an object in the virtual world based on a 3D model of the object; analyzing force components produced on the 3D model by a collision in the virtual world; and generating sounds produced by the collision according to the spring mass model and the force components. By considering sound material of the object in the virtual world, the method, apparatus, and sound card may produce sounds in the virtual world more vividly and in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qi Cheng Li, Jian Wang, Yi Min Wang, Zi Yu Zhu
  • Patent number: 8831762
    Abstract: A system for timbral change, capable of changing timbres included in an existing music audio signal to arbitrary timbres. Replaced harmonic peak parameters are created by replacing a plurality of harmonic peaks included in harmonic peak parameters, which are stored in a separated audio signal analyzing and storing section 3 and indicate relative amplitudes of n-th order harmonic components of each tone generated by a musical instrument of a first kind, with harmonic peaks included in harmonic peak parameters, which are stored in a replacement parameter storing section 6 and indicate relative amplitudes of n-th order harmonic components of each tone generated by a musical instrument of a second kind and corresponding to each tone generated by the musical instrument of the first kind. A synthesized separated audio signal generating section 7 generates a synthesized separated audio signal for each tone using parameters other than the harmonic peak parameters and the replaced harmonic peak parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Kyoto University
    Inventors: Takehiro Abe, Naoki Yasuraoka, Katsutoshi Itoyama, Hiroshi Okuno
  • Patent number: 8735710
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic stringed instrument comprising: a pickup that detects vibration of a string; a feedback operator used to select a level of feedback effect; a feedback control device that controls to add a feedback effect to a tone signal based on the vibration of the string detected by the string vibration detection device and based on the selected level of feedback effect from the feedback operator; and an output device that outputs the tone signal to which the feedback effect is added by the feedback control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Yamabata
  • Patent number: 8653353
    Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument, including: a key; a mass body driven by a depressed key for pivotally moving in a movement region between a rest position and an end position; a back check portion to back check the mass body; a position detecting portion to detect a position of the mass body; and a controller for controlling silencing of a tone, such that the currently generated tone is silenced when the mass body reaches a preset tone silencing position in its movement from the end position to the rest position, wherein the controller is configured to change the tone silencing position on the basis of respective times required for the mass body to pass through first and second sub regions of the movement region in the movement of the mass body, the second sub region being located nearer to the rest position than the first sub region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiko Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8450590
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reproducing apparatus for continuously reading and reproducing a plurality of content data items from a content data storage unit which stores the plurality of content data items and a plurality of specific position information items representative of specific positions each corresponding to a specific portion of each of the content data items. The reproducing apparatus includes: an input unit; a reproduction unit; and a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Araki, Susumu Ijichi, Ryo Mukaiyama, Akihiko Nakatani
  • Patent number: 8415549
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thorsten Adam, Oliver Reichhardt, Robert Hunt, Clemens Homburg
  • 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: 8178772
    Abstract: Resonators generate resonance sound data of given resonant frequencies based on sound signal data corresponding to a pitch of a key. Each resonator includes a delay circuit which delays an input based on delay time data, a second adder which adds an output from the delay circuit to input sound signal data, and a low-pass filter which performs filtering depending on a filter control signal on the output from the second adder. An output from the low-pass filter is input to the delay circuit, and a first adder adds outputs from the resonators. A storage device stores a coefficient table containing items of delay time data to be provided to the resonators, and the items of the delay time data do not match with frequencies corresponding to pitches of keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Iwase
  • Patent number: 8153882
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thorsten Adam, Oliver Reichhardt, Robert Hunt, Clemens Homburg
  • Patent number: 8053658
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes: an input device that inputs a sound generation instruction to start generating a musical sound and a stop instruction to stop the musical sound; an on-on time timer device that measures a time difference between a first and second sound generation instructions; a gate time timer device that measures a time difference between the second sound generation instruction and a stop instruction; an attack characteristic setting device that sets an attack characteristic of the musical sound to have a shorter attack time as the time difference measured by the on-on time timer device becomes shorter; and a release characteristic setting device that sets a release characteristic of the musical sound generated to have a shorter release time as the time difference measured by the gate time timer device becomes shorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Ikuo Tanaka, Taro Umemoto
  • Patent number: 8030566
    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. Amplitude-envelope controlled time-modulation and pitch-modulation are employed to add rich and attention-getting aspects to solo lines and chords. The amplitude envelope may be measured from the signal being modulated, a delayed version of this signal, or another signal source. Modulation 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. The invention may also be used in spatially-distributed timbre construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • 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: 7795526
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for reproducing a MIDI-based music file are provided. According to the apparatus and method, a plurality of notes and note reproduction times are extracted from the MIDI file, a section where envelope values of sound source samples exponentially reduce is changed into a linear section, and the sound source samples are outputted according to the note reproduction times by reflecting the slope of the linear section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Chul Park, Jung Min Song, Jun Yup Lee, Yong Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7750230
    Abstract: Once performance event information is supplied in real time in accordance with a progression of a performance, a time indicative of temporal relationship between at least two notes to be generated in succession is measured on the basis of the performance event information supplied in real time. Comparison is made between a preset rendition style determination condition including time information and the measured time, and a rendition style that is to be applied to a current tone to be performed in real time is determined on the basis of the comparison result. With the arrangement that a rendition style to be applied to the current tone is determined on the basis of the comparison result, it is possible to execute a real-time performance while automatically expressing a tonguing rendition style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Akazawa
  • Patent number: 7750229
    Abstract: The present synthesizer generates an underlying spectrum, pitch and loudness for a sound to be synthesized, and then combines the underlying spectrum, pitch and loudness with stored Spectral, Pitch, and Loudness Fluctuations and noise elements. The input to the synthesizer is typically a MIDI stream. A MIDI preprocess block processes the MIDI input and generates the signals needed by the synthesizer to generate output sound phrases. The synthesizer comprises a harmonic synthesizer block (which generates an output representing the tonal audio portion of the output sound), an Underlying Spectrum, Pitch, and Loudness (which takes pitch and loudness and uses stored algorithms to generate the slowly varying portion of the output sound) and a Spectral, Pitch, and Loudness Fluctuation portion (which generates the quickly varying portion of the output sound by selecting and combining Spectral, Pitch, and Loudness Fluctuation segments stored in a database).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Eric Lindemann
  • Patent number: 7709723
    Abstract: Audio samples corresponding to audio extracts or whole audio titles are automatically mapped to triggers 12 in a playable sound-producing device 1, the mapping being dependent on the meta-data associated with the audio samples. Thus, a user can play the sound-producing device and generate sounds derived from his favorite audio titles. It is possible to define different mappings between the audio samples and the playable domain of the sound-producing device: an audio sample selector 50 can select between different possible samples for playback by comparing the audio properties of the samples and the play-mode and/or characteristics of the user's performance. An audio sampler/sample-processor 70 can automatically extract segments of an audio source file and map them to triggers in the sound-producing device 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Sony France S.A.
    Inventors: François Pachet, Jean-Julien Aucouturier
  • Patent number: 7692088
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a waveform synthesizer apparatus that synthesizes a waveform of a musical sound based on musical performance event information. In particular, a music synthesizer includes an overlap detector that detects whether a first and second musical sound overlap, and a sound length meter that determines a sound length of the first musical sound. If the first and second musical sounds overlap, the synthesizer instantly terminates synthesizing of the first sound and starts synthesizing the second sound, provided the length of the first sound does not exceed a predetermined length. If the first and second sounds do not overlap, synthesis of the first sound is terminated, and the synthesis of the second sound is initiated, if it is determined that the length of rest between the two sounds does not exceed a predetermined length, and that the first sound does not exceed a predetermined length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Umeyama, Eiji Akazawa
  • Patent number: 7674970
    Abstract: Herein described are at least a method and a system for assisting a musician in playing an instrument by way of using an intelligent multifunctional digital music display device (MDMDD). The multifunctional digital music display device (MDMDD) may be used to assist musicians or performers during practice sessions or performances. The various aspects of the invention provide a method of constructing an ADSR envelope for a note generated by an instrument, displaying one or more pages of music, generating a more accurate metronome beat consistent with the music being played, and alerting the musician when his instrument is out-of-tune. Further, the various aspects of the invention provide a method of statistically monitoring and reporting the performance of the musician. The system comprises a storage device capable of storing an instructional code, a processor for executing the instructional code, a microphone, and a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventors: Brian Siu-Fung Ma, Kenneth Chi-Kit Ma
  • Patent number: 7642445
    Abstract: A music sound generator imitates released key string vibration sounds (RKSV) and cabinet resonances of an acoustic piano. When a key is pressed, waveform is readout from a normal music sound waveform memory 15. The normal sound waveform is inputted into a filter 21, and inputted into a filter 22 through a band-pass filter 33. Output waveform of a cabinet resonance waveform memory 17 is inputted into a filter 23 when the key is pressed. Outputs of the filters are synthesized by an adder 27 through multipliers 24 through 26. When the key is pressed, a cut-off frequency of the filter 22 is sufficiently low and RKSV is not generated. If the damper is not on when key-releasing, the cut-off frequency is returned to normal and RKSV is generated. A level controller 32 attenuates the RKSV and the cabinet resonance for a longer time than the normal music sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Gen Izumisawa
  • Patent number: 7638703
    Abstract: A method and system of audio synthesis capable of reducing CPU load is disclosed, which establishes a parameter look-up table in a read-only memory (ROM). When a computer system synthesizes audio signals, the required coefficients are obtained from the table, which relatively reduces the amount of parameter transferred between an audio chip and a central processing unit (CPU). Thus, the load of the CPU can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Hsinen Lee
  • Patent number: 7613612
    Abstract: In a voice synthesizer, an envelope acquisition portion obtains a spectral envelope of a reference frequency spectrum of a given voice. A spectrum acquisition portion obtains a collective frequency spectrum of a plurality of voices which are generated in parallel to one another. An envelope adjustment portion adjusts a spectral envelope of the collective frequency spectrum obtained by the spectrum acquisition portion so as to approximately match with the spectral envelope of the reference frequency spectrum obtained by the envelope acquisition portion. A voice generation portion generates an output voice signal from the collective frequency spectrum having the spectral envelope adjusted by the envelope adjustment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kemmochi, Jordi Bonada
  • Patent number: 7557288
    Abstract: In a storage section, there are stored special connecting waveform data for connecting between at least two notes to be generated in succession. The special connecting waveform data contain only a waveform of a succeeding-note region of a waveform connecting portion which is provided for a continuous transition between the at least two notes and which is divided into a preceding-note region and the succeeding-note region. When a connecting tone is to be generated for connecting between two notes in accordance with acquired performance information, a tone waveform connecting between waveforms of the two notes is generated using the special connecting waveform data. With such arrangements, the waveform data of the succeeding-note region are read out without waveform data of the preceding-note region being read out, so that it is possible to reduce a time required for transition from a preceding note to a succeeding note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Akazawa, Yasuyuki Umeyama
  • Patent number: 7544879
    Abstract: A plurality of tone generator devices include respective waveform data memories, and each of the waveform data memories is exclusively usable by the corresponding tone generator device, not sharable with the tone generator device. Once event information indicative of a tone to be generated is received, a selection is made, from among the plurality of tone generator devices, a particular tone generator device to be used for generating the tone corresponding to the event information. The selection can be made by determining, with reference to a table, in which of the memories of the tone generator waveform data to be used are stored. For example, first waveform data corresponding to a first pitch range and second waveform data, differing in waveform characteristic from the first waveform data and corresponding to a second pitch range, are stored in the waveform data memories corresponding to different ones of the tone generator devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Keishi Takami
  • Publication number: 20080282872
    Abstract: Herein described are at least a method and a system for assisting a musician in playing an instrument by way of using an intelligent multifunctional digital music display device (MDMDD). The multifunctional digital music display device (MDMDD) may be used to assist musicians or performers during practice sessions or performances. The various aspects of the invention provide a method of constructing an ADSR envelope for a note generated by an instrument, displaying one or more pages of music, generating a more accurate metronome beat consistent with the music being played, and alerting the musician when his instrument is out-of-tune. Further, the various aspects of the invention provide a method of statistically monitoring and reporting the performance of the musician. The system comprises a storage device capable of storing an instructional code, a processor for executing the instructional code, a microphone, and a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Siu-Fung Ma, Kenneth Chi-Kit Ma
  • Patent number: 7396992
    Abstract: Determination is made, in accordance with acquired performance information, as to whether a crossfade characteristic should be changed or not, and a crossfade characteristic of crossfade synthesis having already been started at the time of the acquisition of the performance information was acquired are automatically changed in accordance with a result of the determination. Because the crossfade characteristic is automatically changed during the course of the crossfade synthesis, the time length of the crossfade synthesis can be expanded or contracted as compared to the time length that had been preciously set at the beginning of the crossfade synthesis, and thus, the time position of a succeeding one of rendition style modules to be time-serially combined in accordance with the acquired performance information can be allotted to a time position displaced by an amount corresponding to the expanded or contracted time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Motoichi Tamura, Yasuyuki Umeyama
  • Patent number: 7373209
    Abstract: The present invention implements a method and an apparatus for retrieving a sound data desired by the user on the basis of its subjective impression over the sound data. The subjective impression on the desired sound data is entered by the user and converted to a numerical value. A target sound impression value which is a numerical form of the impression on the sound data is calculated from the numerical value. The target sound impression value is then used as a retrieving key for accessing a sound database where the audio signal and the sound features of a plurality of the sound data are stored. This allows the desired sound data to be retrieved on the basis of the subjective impression of the user on the sound data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Tagawa, Hiroaki Yamane, Masayuki Misaki
  • Patent number: 7259315
    Abstract: Performance event data designating rendition style modules are supplied in order of time. When a given performance event data at a given time is to be processed in accordance with the supplied performance event data, another performance event data related to one or more events, following the given performance event data, is obtained in advance of a predetermined original time position of the other performance event daata. Control data corresponding to a rendition style module designated by at least one of the given performance event data and the other performance event data obtained in advance is generated on the basis of the given and the other performance event data, and a waveform corresponding to the designated rendition style module is synthesized on the basis of the control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Motoichi Tamura, Yasuyuki Umeyama, Hideyuki Masuda, Eiji Akazawa
  • Patent number: 7253352
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a music playing/processing device for playing a musical file in a wireless communication device and determining the playing order of a plurality of tones of the musical file. The music playing/processing device comprises: an analysis module for receiving the musical file and analyzing a waveform corresponding to each of the tones to generate a plurality of order parameters of each of the tones; a sorting module for arranging a playing order to play the tones according to the order parameters of each of the tones; and a playing module for playing the tones according to the playing order. The music playing/processing device of the present invention is provided to reduce the tone commands to be executed and to make the digital signal processor use less memory to execute the wavetable synthesis operation, and to make the performance of the music as perfect as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventors: I-Hung Hsieh, Hung-Ming Chang, Hsi-Wen Nien
  • Patent number: 7149682
    Abstract: An apparatus is constructed for converting an input voice signal into an output voice signal according to a target voice signal. In the apparatus, an input device provides the input voice signal composed of original sinusoidal components and original residual components other than the original sinusoidal components. An extracting device extracts original attribute data from at least the sinusoidal components of the input voice signal. The original attribute data is characteristic of the input voice signal. A synthesizing device synthesizes new attribute data based on both of the original attribute data derived from the input voice signal and target attribute data being characteristic of the target voice signal composed of target sinusoidal components and target residual components other than the sinusoidal components. The target attribute data is derived from at least the target sinusoidal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignees: Yamaha Corporation, Pompeu Fabra University
    Inventors: Yasuo Yoshioka, Hiraku Kayama, Xavier Serra, Jordi Bonada
  • Patent number: 7135636
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing a natural-sounding singing voice divides performance data into a transition part and a long sound part. The transition part is represented by articulation (phonemic chain) data that is read from an articulation template database and is outputted without modification. For the long sound part, a new characteristic parameter is generated by linearly interpolating characteristic parameters of the transition parts positioned before and after the long sound part and adding thereto a changing component of stationary data that is read from a constant part (stationary) template database. An associated apparatus for carrying out the singing voice synthesizing method includes a phoneme database for storing articulation data for the transition part and stationary data for the long sound part, a first device for outputting the articulation data, and a second device for outputting the newly-generated characteristic parameter of the long sound part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Kemmochi, Yasuo Yoshioka, Jordi Bonada
  • Patent number: 7096186
    Abstract: Sound signal is received which contains sound characteristics to be represented in musical notation. The characteristics, such as a volume level of the sound signal, are extracted out of the received sound signal, and various parameters for use in subsequent analysis of the sound signal are set in accordance with the extracted characteristics. Also, a desired scale determining condition is set by a user. Pitch of the sound signal is determined using the thus-set parameters. The determined pitch is rounded to any one of scale notes, corresponding to the user-set scale determining condition. Also, a given unit note length is set as a predetermined criterion or reference for determining a note length, and a length of the scale note determined from the received sound signal is determined using the thus-set unit note length as a minimum determination unit, i.e., with an accuracy of the unit note length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Funaki
  • Patent number: 6931124
    Abstract: A soft mute circuit includes a programmable amplifier controlled by a register. Data is stored in the register from an adder that combines the current data in the register with a second number for increasing or decreasing the gain of the amplifier. A summation circuit includes a plurality of inputs coupled by gates to a summation node and the summation node is coupled to an input of the programmable amplifier. The gates are controlled by suitable logic for selecting input signals in any combination. A control loop maintains the gain of the amplifier at a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Acoustic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Rubacha, Samuel L. Thomasson
  • Patent number: 6911591
    Abstract: Rendition style determining apparatus detects at least one of duration of a first note to be performed at a given time point and time interval between the first note and a second note to be performed following the first note, in order to automatically impart music piece data with an appropriate rendition style. Rendition style to be imparted to the music piece data in relation to the given time point is determined on the basis of the detected duration or time interval. Also, the apparatus can readily control the rendition style to be imparted to the music piece data, by appropriately setting/changing rendition style determination conditions, such as reference time lengths. Music piece data is supplied to a determination device, thereby causes the determination device to perform automatic rendition style determination based on the supplied music piece data and then displays the rendition style imparted to the music piece data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Akazawa, Yasuyuki Umeyama, Junji Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6835886
    Abstract: Basic envelope is produced for at least one tone on the basis of performance information. In response to a free selection by a user, a segment template including a characteristic variation curve is supplied, and the characteristic variation curve of the segment template is placed on a performance time axis. Then, the placed characteristic variation curve and the basic envelope are combined together to produce a synthesized envelope, and a tone is generated using the produced synthesized envelope. A plurality of segment templates of different lengths are prepared beforehand, which include phrase segment templates corresponding to lengths of phrases, note segment templates corresponding to substantial total lengths of tones, and tone-portion segment templates corresponding to lengths of portions of tones. Two or more segment templates of different lengths selected by the user are combined, as necessary, so as to permit fine envelope control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Motoichi Tamura, Yasuyuki Umeyama
  • Publication number: 20040226434
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a music playing/processing device for playing a musical file in a wireless communication device and determining the playing order of a plurality of tones of the musical file. The music playing/processing device comprises: an analysis module for receiving the musical file and analyzing a waveform corresponding to each of the tones to generate a plurality of order parameters of each of the tones; a sorting module for arranging a playing order to play the tones according to the order parameters of each of the tones; and a playing module for playing the tones according to the playing order. The music playing/processing device of the present invention is provided to reduce the tone commands to be executed and to make the digital signal processor use less memory to execute the wavetable synthesis operation, and to make the performance of the music as perfect as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: I-Hung Hsieh, Hung-Ming Chang, Hsi-Wen Nien
  • Patent number: 6675141
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting the reproducing speed of an acoustic signal where, of the acoustic signals held in a data recording section 1, the input acoustic signal s1 (sampled for max. pitch cycle×2) is read from a process-start position P. A low-pass filter 7 controls the high-band component of the acoustic signal s1. A decimation section 8 performs appropriate down-sampling on a signal output from the low pass filter 7. The signal, thus down-sampled, is read into a signal buffer section 9. A down-sampled, input acoustic signal s2 is transferred from the signal buffer section 9 to a pitch-calculating section 3, which calculates a pitch cycle s3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Inoue, Masayuki Nishiguchi
  • Publication number: 20030188627
    Abstract: An Interactive Performance Interface for use with an audio system uses at least one performance mode to provide access to control rate and audio rate signals activated by interaction rate signals synthesized by interactive control envelopes. Audio signals, control rate signals, interactive envelopes and performance modes are all selectable and may be user-activated with user controls that change function according to a hierarchy of conditional latches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Nicholas C. Longo
  • Patent number: 6611592
    Abstract: A incoming-call tone generation device comprises: a first storage unit 1, for storing an effect calculation formula for incoming-call tone data; a second storage unit, for storing incoming-call tone data that consist of data for original sounds; a controller, for reading incoming-call tone data from the second storage unit and transmitting the data to a digital signal processor 4, and for controlling a D/A converter 5; the digital signal processor 4, for calculating an effect pattern and a sine wave using the calculation formula read from the first storage unit, and for performing an envelope process for the incoming-call tone data; the D/A converter 5, for converting, into analog data, digital incoming-call tone data obtained during the envelope process, and for outputting an analog incoming-call tone; and a loudspeaker 6 through which an analog incoming-call tone is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Sato, Koichiro Togao, Nobuhiro Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20030154847
    Abstract: In a memory, there are prestored shot-tone-related rendition style modules, each integrally including attack and release waveforms, in addition to attack-, release-, body- and joint-related rendition style modules. When two or more rendition style modules are to be time-serially combined, a shot-tone-related rendition style module is selectively assigned to a tone corresponding to a predetermined rendition style and allotted to a time axis. Then, a waveform is synthesized in accordance with the thus-allotted shot-tone-related rendition style module. Such arrangements permit production, with ample controllability, a high-quality waveform of a characteristic tone faithfully reflecting a predetermined rendition style having rendition styles of attack and release portions closely related each other, which was hitherto impossible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Akazawa, Motoichi Tamura
  • Patent number: 6452082
    Abstract: A method of generating musical tones and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method are provided. Musical piece data is decomposed into phrases, the musical piece data being formed of pieces of performance data arranged in the order of performance. The pieces of performance data of the musical piece data are analyzed for each of the phrases obtained by the decomposing step. Tone color control data is prepared for each of the phrases according to results of the analyzing. The pieces of performance data of the musical piece data are reproduced by sequentially reading the pieces of performance data at timing at which the pieces of performance data are to be performed to the order of performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Yahama Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Suzuki, Masao Sakama, Yoshimasa Isozaki
  • Patent number: 6426456
    Abstract: A percussive sound contains both harmonic and non-harmonic frequency spectral content. To reproduce a particular percussive sound, such as the sound of a drum or cymbal or hand clap, for example, the harmonic and non-harmonic content are determined empirically. Also, and tendency of the harmonic content to change over time, and the temporal aspects of attack, sustain, and decay are likewise determined empirically. These attributes are represented in the invention in a percussive sound file which includes a harmonic content profile (502), noise shape filter (504), Doppler shift profile (506), and a time wave shaping profile (508). The harmonic content profile is used by an FM generator (114) to generate a frequency modulated signal (116). The noise shape profile is used by a noise generator (134) to generate and shape the non-harmonic spectral content. While the sound is being generated, the Doppler shift profile is used to adjust the base frequency of the FM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean Khawand, Radu Frangopol
  • Publication number: 20020093841
    Abstract: Filtering is performed on original waveform to remove components of a predetermined frequency band from the waveform, and dividing positions of the original waveform data are determined on the basis of envelope levels of the filtered waveform. The dividing positions may be determined on the basis of differentiation of an envelope of the filtered waveform. Rise positions in the original waveform data are detected, and one rise position may be selected from among one or more rise positions detected within a predetermined range of the original waveform and extracted as a dividing position of the original waveform. Presumed beat positions in the original waveform may be detected, and rise positions of the original waveform may be detected within predetermined ranges corresponding to the presumed beat positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Kitayama, Makoto Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6365818
    Abstract: Waveform corresponding to a tone performed with desired styles of rendition is produced from vector data generated on the basis of received style-of-rendition stream data. The style-of-rendition stream data describes a series of performance tones by a combination of characteristics of a plurality of styles of rendition. The vector data can be generated for each of the styles of rendition, and waveforms corresponding to any desired styles of rendition can be produced in a simplified manner with facility on the basis of the individual vector data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Suzuki
  • Patent number: RE37459
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having a rhythm performance function includes a first memory for pre-storing plural rhythm tone kinds, rhythm selecting switches each capable of designating one of said rhythm tone kinds and a rhythm tone generator having plural channels. The selected rhythm tone kind is assigned to each channel of the rhythm tone generator. A rhythm tone corresponding to the selected rhythm tone kind is generated by each channel so that continuous rhythm tones will be generated by plural channels based on time division system. In addition, before playing a rhythm performance, rhythm patterns can be arbitrarily programmed and then stored into a second memory by operating the rhythm selecting switches and other switches corresponding to the predetermined rhythm tones of plural musical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Mikio Ito, Masao Kondo, Yasunao Abe