Rhythm Patents (Class 84/651)
  • Patent number: 9660803
    Abstract: A system for secure communications using resonate cryptography includes a resonator that has a random number generator (RNG). The RNG can be at least one of a true random number generator, pseudo-random number generator, and any non-repeating sequence of numbers having a characteristic of a random number stream, and generating a first stream of random numbers. A transmitter, electrically coupled to the random number generator, is also included to transmit the generated first stream of random numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBAL RISK ADVISORS
    Inventor: Kevin Chalker
  • Patent number: 9012755
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for generating and storing a database that may be searched for music upon a user's request, and a method and apparatus for searching for music corresponding to the user's request. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of melodies are divided based on phrase breaks and are stored, and a number of melodies which are similar to the user's request are detected from the stored melodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-wan Eom, Jae-won Lee, Jung-eun Kim, Jing Deng
  • Patent number: 9000285
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing patterns in the relationships of notes of an input piece of music. The method comprises generating a set of the most frequently occurring note pitches in ascending pitch order that matches an interval pattern, and detecting out-of-key pitches that lie outside of this interval pattern. One or more potential key sequence bifurcations are identified which represent a list of possible key sequences according to forwards and backwards analysis. By finding patterns of repetition in the chordal sequences that may be generated according to these key sequence bifurcations, a key sequence that allows the most frequently recurring chord sequences may be chosen. Chord sequences may be analyzed by using ghost chords, temporary harmonic structures that are created, updated and finalized over time according to a combination of essential and inessential note fragments. The method further comprises identifying non-harmony pitches according to the analyzed chord sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Exomens
    Inventor: Marcus A. Matusiak
  • Patent number: 8987574
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing patterns in the relationships of notes of an input piece of music. The method comprises generating a set of the most frequently occurring note pitches in ascending pitch order that matches an interval pattern, and detecting out-of-key pitches that lie outside of this interval pattern. One or more potential key sequence bifurcations are identified which represent a list of possible key sequences according to forwards and backwards analysis. By finding patterns of repetition in the chordal sequences that may be generated according to these key sequence bifurcations, a key sequence that allows the most frequently recurring chord sequences may be chosen. Chord sequences may be analyzed by using ghost chords, temporary harmonic structures that are created, updated and finalized over time according to a combination of essential and inessential note fragments. The method further comprises identifying non-harmony pitches according to the analyzed chord sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Exomens Ltd.
    Inventor: Marcus A. Matusiak
  • Patent number: 8829322
    Abstract: Computer-based methods infer a metrical grid from music that has been input without a predetermined time signature or tempo, enabling such free rhythm input to be annotated with the inferred grid, and stored and transcribed as a musical score. The methods use Bayesian modeling techniques, in which an optimal metrical grid is inferred by identifying the metrical grid that best explains the given sequence of notes by maximizing the posterior probability that it represents the note sequence. Prior musical input from a given user as well as explicit information about the musical style of the input may be used to improve the accuracy of the transcription.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Walmsley
  • Patent number: 8629343
    Abstract: An example computer of an information processing apparatus that reproduces music composed of one or more tracks is caused to function as: a reproduction section configured to reproduce the music; a meter change section configured to change the meter for reproduction of the music, while the reproduction section is reproducing the music; and a determination section configured to, based on the meter that has been changed, repeatedly determine whether or not to cause the reproduction section to reproduce the next beat supposed to be reproduced in a bar of the music that is currently being reproduced. The reproduction section reproduces the music, based on the result of the determination by the determination section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Wakai, Masato Mizuta
  • Patent number: 8575465
    Abstract: A system for scoring a singing voice comprises receiving a singing reference audio signal and/or a user audio signal and/or a pitch contour representation (PCR) of the reference and/or user singing audio signals; a processor means connected to the receiving means and comprising a pitch contour representation (PCR) module (10) for determining a PCR of the singing reference and/or user audio signal, a time synchronization module for time synchronizing the PCRs of the reference and user audio signals respectively. A selection module is provided for selecting a segment of the PCRs based on pre-defined criteria. A cross-correlation module is provided for performing time-warped cross-correlation on the selected segments of the PCRs and outputting a cross-correlation score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
    Inventors: Preeti Rao, Vishweshwara Rao, Sachin Pant
  • Patent number: 8530734
    Abstract: A programmable rhythm trainer configured to operate on a general purpose computing device including a handheld computing device or a mobile communication device. According to an embodiment, the programmable rhythm trainer comprises a component configured to generate a mix or chain comprising one or more bars and each the bars comprising one or more note arrangements. According to an embodiment, the programmable rhythm trainer comprises a component configured to rearrange one or more of the bars in the chain and save the rearranged chain to memory. According to an embodiment, the programmable rhythm trainer comprises a component configured to rearrange one or more of the note arrangements belonging to one of the bars. According to an embodiment, the programmable rhythm trainer comprises a component configured to set a beats-per-minute for one or more the chains in response to a user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Andy Shoniker
  • Patent number: 8513513
    Abstract: During reproduction of drum-part performance tones with a predetermined performance pattern, comprising a combination of a plurality of drum tone colors, based on automatic performance style data including at least performance pattern data associated with a drum kit defining a combination of the plurality of drum tone colors, a drum kit editing section replaces any one or more of the drum tone colors, defined in the drum kit, with one or more other drum tone colors. Thus, even during an automatic accompaniment, a user can readily replace any one or more of the drum tone colors, defined in the drum kit allocated to the drum part, with one or more other drum tone colors while promptly checking an automatic accompaniment having the other drum tone colors reflected therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Komano
  • Patent number: 8507781
    Abstract: A guitar delay engine such as a multi-tap delay pedal or other rhythm engine such as a vocal multi-tap delay pedal, a drum machine, or any other device that requires setting a rhythmic pattern (i.e. level and timing information) for operation is provided. In a guitar delay device, the guitarist can hold down a foot pedal, play a rhythmic pattern on their guitar, and then release the foot pedal and have the rhythmic pattern just played emulated in the delay pattern on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Harman International Industries Canada Limited
    Inventors: Peter R. Lupini, Glen A. Rutledge, William Norman Campbell
  • Patent number: 8492637
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a musical composition section extracting unit which extracts musical composition sections with tempos which are close to a preset reference tempo based on tempo information indicating a tempo of each section constituting musical compositions; a harmonization level calculating unit which calculates a harmonization degree for a pair of musical composition sections extracted by the musical composition section extracting unit, based on chord progression information indicating chord progression of each section constituting musical compositions; and a harmonization section extracting unit which extracts a pair of sections with a high harmonization degree for the musical compositions calculated by the harmonization level calculating unit from among sections extracted by the musical composition section extracting unit, wherein the harmonization level calculating unit weights the harmonization degree for the musical compositions such that a large value is set to the harmon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Miyajima
  • Patent number: 8431810
    Abstract: A tempo detection device includes: a basic feature amount extracting section which extracts a plurality of types of basic feature amounts from an input audio signal; a weighting and adding section which weights and adds the basic feature amounts of the plurality of types extracted in the basic feature amount extracting section to obtain an addition signal; and a tempo detecting section which detects BPM indicating the tempo on the basis of a periodic component included in the addition signal obtained in the weighting and adding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shusuke Takahashi, Akira Inoue
  • Patent number: 8338686
    Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing audio comprising a first interface and a harmonizing module is disclosed. The first interface receive a first audio segment from a first source. The harmonizing module is coupled to the first interface. The harmonizing module is configured to identify at least one musical property of the first audio segment; calculate a subset of notes that are harmonious with the first audio segment based on the at least one musical property; and select from the subset of notes to generate an audio track to be played substantially synchronously with the first audio segment. A second interface may also be provided to receive a second audio segment from a second source. In this case, the harmonizing module may be configured to generate the audio track by transforming one or more notes of the second audio segment. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Music Mastermind, Inc.
    Inventors: David Mann, Francesco Gerald Capodieci, Reza Rassool
  • Patent number: 8330033
    Abstract: An example graphical programming interface system includes a processor. A grid matrix defined by a plurality of coordinate axes, having selectable matrix positions is displayed on a display device. Multiple movable object icons, each representing an object having a predefined output sound are also displayed on the display device. In one aspect, a single object data file is associated with each matrix position on said grid matrix. In this aspect, once a user places an object icon on a matrix position, the processor causes the predefined output sound associated with the object icon in accordance with the object data file associated with the matrix position at which the object icon is placed, and outputs the processed sound to an output device. This allows a user to program musical sequences by placing one or more object icons each on the selectable matrix positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard Lengeling, Jan-Hinnerk Helms
  • Patent number: 8183453
    Abstract: Apparatus for improving health of a user is provided, including a first sensor, adapted to measure a first physiological variable, which is indicative of a voluntary action of the user. A second sensor is adapted to measure a second physiological variable, which is substantially governed by an autonomic nervous system of the user. Circuitry is adapted to receive respective first and second sensor signals from the first and second sensors, and, responsive thereto, to generate an output signal which directs the user to modify a parameter of the voluntary action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Intercure Ltd.
    Inventor: Naphtali Wagner
  • Patent number: 8106281
    Abstract: CPU 11 reads from RAM 13 pitch information of each of musical notes composing the music, fingering information for playing the musical notes, and time information of the musical notes, thereby calculating a difficulty level of music. CPU 11 calculates a fingering difficulty level concerning fingering of playing adjacent musical notes based on the pitch information and fingering information, a rhythm difficulty level concerning musical-note duration and timing of key playing based on the time information, and a key difficulty level concerning a key of music based on the pitch information. Further, CPU 11 calculates the whole difficulty level of music based on the fingering difficulty level, rhythm difficulty level and key difficulty level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Minamitaka
  • Patent number: 8080722
    Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for preventing an unintentional deploy of a bonus in a video game. In one aspect this is accomplished by displaying, on a display in communication with a game platform, a target music data of a musical composition. The game platform receives a music performance input data via the microphone, and also determines if the music performance input data has a predetermined degree of matching with a vocal cue. If so, the performance input data is prevented from executing an improvisation deploy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Robert Applewhite, Christopher Joseph Foster, Joshua Forrest Stoddard
  • Patent number: 8022287
    Abstract: An apparatus that allows a musical piece to be recomposed by reflecting, for example, the mood, preference, and ambient environment of a listening user in the musical piece in real time. The apparatus includes a rhythm master unit and a rhythm slave unit. The rhythm master unit generates synchronization signals containing a signal having a period corresponding to a measure of a musical piece and a signal having a period corresponding to a beat of the musical piece and also generates musical-piece recomposition information in synchronization with the synchronization signals. The rhythm slave unit recomposes musical-piece data of input music content in accordance with the synchronization signals and the musical-piece recomposition information, generates output musical-piece data, and outputs the musical-piece data to the rhythm slave unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kosei Yamashita, Yasushi Miyajima, Motoyuki Takai, Yoichiro Sako, Toshiro Terauchi, Toru Sasaki, Yuichi Sakai
  • Patent number: 8003873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a percussion assembly comprising a multitude of percussion instruments, means for playing said percussion instruments and input means for inputting a tone pitch selection for the purpose of producing a tone pitch selection signal. The percussion assembly further comprises sensor means for producing a synchronization signal when at least one of said percussion instruments is being played. The percussion assembly furthermore comprises control means for receiving the tone pitch selection signal and the synchronization signal and for producing an audio signal dependent on the tone pitch selection signal synchronously with the synchronization signal. The invention further relates to drumsticks and to input means for use with a percussion assembly as described in the foregoing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Hubertus Georgius Petrus Rasker
  • Patent number: 7999168
    Abstract: A robot includes: a sound collecting unit collecting and converting a musical sound into a musical acoustic signal; a voice signal generating unit generating a self-vocalized voice signal; a sound outputting unit converting the self-vocalized voice signal into a sound and outputting the sound; a self-vocalized voice regulating unit receiving the musical acoustic signal and the self-vocalized voice signal; a filtering unit performing a filtering process; a beat interval reliability calculating unit performing a time-frequency pattern matching process and calculating a beat interval reliability; a beat interval estimating unit estimating a beat interval; a beat time reliability calculating unit calculating a beat time reliability; a beat time estimating unit estimating a beat time on the basis of the calculated beat time reliability; a beat time predicting unit predicting a beat time before the current time; and a synchronization unit synchronizing the self-vocalized voice signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakadai, Yuji Hasegawa, Hiroshi Tsujino, Kazumasa Murata, Ryu Takeda, Hiroshi Okuno
  • Patent number: 7964783
    Abstract: Systems and methods of evolving music tracks are disclosed. One example method providing a plurality of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). Each of the ANNs uses a time signature input. The method also includes producing a rhythm from each of the plurality of ANNs. The method also includes evolving a next generation of ANNs based upon a user selection of one of the plurality of rhythms and upon the previous generation of ANNs. An example system includes a plurality of Compositional Pattern Producing Networks (CPPNs). Each of the CPPNs uses a time signature input to produce a rhythm. The system also includes logic configured to receive a selection of one or more of the CPPN, and logic configured to generate at least one evolved CPPN based upon the selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Rosario, Kenneth O. Stanley
  • Patent number: 7872188
    Abstract: Determining a plurality of heart rate sections for an individual, and selecting a plurality of songs, wherein each of the plurality of songs has an average beats per minute approximately equal to an average beats per minute of one of the plurality of heart rate sections, and playing the plurality of songs in a sequence on a song playing device. The plurality of songs includes a middle song, which has an average beats per minute which is greater than the average beats per minute of all of the other songs of the plurality of songs. The plurality of songs includes one or more preceding songs which precede the middle song, and each of which has an average beats per minute which is less than the average beats per minute of the middle song. The plurality of songs includes one or more succeeding songs which succeed the middle song, and each of which has an average beats per minute which is less than the average beats per minute of the middle song.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Mariann Martin Willis
  • Patent number: 7754958
    Abstract: A sound analysis apparatus stores sound source structure data defining a constraint on one or more of sounds that can be simultaneously generated by a sound source of an input audio signal. A form estimation part selects fundamental frequencies of one or more of sounds likely to be contained in the input audio signal with peaked weights from various fundamental frequencies during sequential updating and optimizing of weights of tone models corresponding to the various fundamental frequencies, so that the sounds of the selected fundamental frequencies satisfy the sound source structure data, and creates form data specifying the selected fundamental frequencies. A previous distribution imparting part imparts a previous distribution to the weights of the tone models corresponding to the various fundamental frequencies so as to emphasize weights corresponding to the fundamental frequencies specified by the form data created by the form estimation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masataka Goto, Takuya Fujishima, Keita Arimoto
  • Patent number: 7612275
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a beat and tatum tracker includes an accent filter bank, a periodicity estimator, a period estimator and a phase estimator. The accent filter bank is configured to downsample an input audio signal. The periodicity estimator is configured to determine a periodicity based on the downsampled signal. The period estimator is configured to determine a period based on the periodicity. The phase estimator is configured to estimate a phase based on the period for determining beat and tatum times of the input audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jarno Seppänen, Antti Eronen, Jarmo Hiipakka
  • Patent number: 7579546
    Abstract: A user is asked to perform tapping at beat positions by using a tapping detection section while listening to the beginning of a waveform from which beats are to be detected. When a fluctuation calculation section determines that tapping fluctuation falls in a predetermined range, a beat interval close in number to the tempo of the tapping is selected from among beat-interval candidates detected by a tempo-candidate detection section, and a tapping position where tapping becomes stable is determined to be the starting beat position. Tapping by the user for just some beats allows beats to be detected in the entire musical piece more correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Ren Sumita
  • Patent number: 7557280
    Abstract: An automatic player piano is a combination between an acoustic piano and an automatic playing system, and a grand piano and an upright piano are used as the acoustic piano; the grand piano has action units prompter than action units of the upright piano so that a half-stroke recorded through the grand piano is not reproducible by the upright piano; the automatic playing system causes the hammers to rotate toward the strings without any escape thereby compensating the poor promptness with the short keystroke of the keys until the rotation of hammers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7534951
    Abstract: A music-synchronized display apparatus includes a beat extractor configured to detect a portion in which a power spectrum in a spectrogram of an input music signal greatly changes and to output a detection output signal that is synchronized in time to the changing portion in synchronization with the input music signal; a tempo value estimation section configured to detect the self-correlation of the detection output signal from the beat extractor and to estimate a tempo value of the input music signal; a variable frequency oscillator in which an oscillation center frequency is determined on the basis of the tempo value from the tempo value estimation section and the phase of the output oscillation signal is controlled on the basis of a phase control signal; a phase comparator; a beat synchronization signal generation and output section; an attribute information storage section; an attribute information obtaining section; and a display information generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kosei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7518053
    Abstract: Beat matching for two audio streams extracts beats from each, computes a conversion ratio from one stream to the other stream by an initial beat alignment plus a stability-maintaining beat alignment. A variable resampling converter or time scale modifier adjusts one stream to align beats with those of the other (reference) stream. Thus for cross-fading two music streams the beats of the fading-in stream can be matched to those of the fading-out stream for a seamless transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel S. Jochelson, Stephen J. Fedigan
  • Patent number: 7390955
    Abstract: A metronome for use by a musician or group of musicians generally includes a signal generator for producing an electrical signal according to a desired timing scheme and one or more transducers in wireless communication with the signal generator. Each transducer, which may take the form of a piezoelectric device, a buzzer, electrodes or any substantial equivalent, is adapted to impart a sensation to the musician in response to the generated electrical signal. The wireless communication may be established with an infrared link or a radio frequency transmission system. The signal generator is under the centralized control of a conductor, bandleader, lead musician or music instructor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Solutions for Thought, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher V. Parsons, David M. Tumey
  • Patent number: 7304230
    Abstract: A multiple channel metronome for use by a plurality of musicians generally includes a signal generator for producing electrical signals according to desired timing schemes and a plurality of transducers in communication with the signal generator. Each transducer, which may take the form of a piezoelectric device, a buzzer, electrodes or any substantial equivalent, is adapted to impart a sensation to one of the musicians in response to one of the generated electrical signals. The communication may be established with hardwired connections, infrared links or a radio frequency transmission system. The signal generator is under the centralized control of a conductor, bandleader, lead musician or music instructor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Solutions for Thought, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher V. Parsons, David M. Tumey
  • Patent number: 7227072
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the similarity of music files based on a perceptual metric is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic components are generated for each of the music files. The dimensionality of the components is then reduced to six by a mapper. This reduction is part of what allows the present invention to process large collections of music files very quickly. The mapper maps the components to positions on two-dimensional feature maps. The feature maps are trained by a trainer. The top N positions in each feature map, along with their amplitudes, are taken as the representative vectors for the music files. To compare the similarity between two music files, the distance between the two representative vectors are calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher B. Weare
  • Patent number: 7012183
    Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing an audio signal with regard to rhythm information of the audio signal by using an autocorrelation function comprises a filter bank for separating the audio signal into at least two sub-band signals. The sub-band signals are examined with regard to periodicities by an autocorrelation function, to obtain rhythm raw-information for the at least two sub-band signals. To reduce or eliminate the ambiguities of the autocorrelation function for periodical signals, the rhythm raw-information is postprocessed to obtain post-processed rhythm raw-information for the sub-band signal. The rhythm information of the audio signal is established based on the postprocessed rhythm raw-information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Jürgen Herre, Jan Rohden, Christian Uhle, Markus Cremer
  • Patent number: 6924426
    Abstract: A method for the algorithmic expressive intonation tuning (EIT) and performance of electronic, computer and MIDI musical works relies on melodic intervals, rather than on chordal harmony, and acts by desirably modifying the pitch of a note slightly (compared to equal temperament tuning), depending on the next melodic note. This dynamic, non static, melodic tuning emulates, and can even possibly augment, aspects of outstanding live human musical performance achieved with regard to pitch subtleties, as it enhances the living sounding, real aspects of the performance of electronic, computer and MIDI music, by sensibly causing a slightly different pitch of particular notes, depending on the size of an interval and on whether an interval is ascending or descending, with the same note subtly having more than one pitch often, depending on melodic context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Microsound International Ltd.
    Inventor: Manfred Clynes
  • Patent number: 6747201
    Abstract: A method and system for extracting melodic patterns by first recognizing musical “keywords” or themes. The invention searches for all instances of melodic (intervallic) repetition in a piece (patterns). This process generally uncovers a large number of patterns, many of which are either uninteresting or are only superficially prevalent. Filters reduce the number and/or prevalence of such patterns. Patterns are then rated according to characteristics deemed perceptually significant. The top ranked patterns correspond to important thematic or motivic musical content. The system operates robustly across a broad range of styles, and relies on no metadata on its input, allowing it to independently and efficiently catalog multimedia data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: William P. Birmingham, Colin J. Meek
  • Patent number: 6561908
    Abstract: The present invention involves a gaming device with a metronome system. The metronome system includes a CPU which reads game state data on ticks determined by a check-back rate. The CPU can cause sound file changes to occur at any time any tick occurs, thereby enabling a plurality of sound recordings to be interfaced on-beat or otherwise. The present invention provides gaming devices with enhanced sound and music capabilities, adding to a gaming device player's enjoyment and entertainment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Stephen J. Hoke
  • Patent number: 6486390
    Abstract: A rhythm pattern is provided to be subjected to forward syncopation processing. The time position of an un-syncopated note in the rhythm pattern is shifted forward to render advanced beating of the note to make a forward-syncopated rhythm pattern. The notes in the modified rhythm pattern are given respective note pitches to establish a melody, wherein the skeleton notes in the rhythm pattern are given skeleton pitches, and the non-skeleton notes in the rhythm pattern are given non-skeleton pitches. The advanced beating of a note makes a skeleton note which plays an important role in syncopation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignees: Yamaha Corporation, Optnix Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichiro Aoki, Toshio Sugiura
  • Patent number: 6472591
    Abstract: In a portable communication terminal apparatus, a transmitter and receiver conducts either of a transmission and receipt of a message. A tone generator generates a sequence of tones to sound a music melody of a song in association with either of the transmission and the receipt of the message. A music composer is provided for inputting a motif melody comprised of a rhythm and a pitch and for composing the music melody of the song based on the inputted motif melody. The music composer may automatically input either of the rhythm and the pitch of the motif melody. A display device displays the inputted the motif melody in a sequence of beat points for editing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichiro Aoki, Shigehiko Mizuno, Shigeki Akahori
  • Patent number: 6469240
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of extracting a representation of its rhythmic structure, from a given signal. The representation is designed to yield a similarity relation between item titles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Sony France, S.A.
    Inventors: François Pachet, Olivier Delerue
  • Patent number: 6417437
    Abstract: In accordance with a rhythm of a main melody, a auxiliary-melody or counter-melody creating rhythm pattern is supplied which indicates timing of respective hit points of a plurality of tones in the auxiliary or counter melody. Predetermined important hit points and unimportant hit points in the supplied rhythm pattern are discriminated from each other. Any one of component notes of chords, specified by a previously-supplied chord progression, is allocated to each of the thus-discriminated important hit points, while any one of scale notes, corresponding to previously-supplied scale information, is allocated to each of the unimportant hit points. Thus, an auxiliary or counter melody is created on the basis of the notes allocated to the individual hit pints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Eiichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 6294720
    Abstract: From a given melody motif is extracted a rhythm pattern consisting of a series of rhythmic alignment of notes without a pitch representing the time positions of the notes constituting the melody. Also extracted from the given melody motif are the pitches of the skeleton notes which are notes having primary importance in the rhythm pattern in view of rhythm beats such as the strong beat notes. A rhythm pattern which is similar to the motif rhythm pattern is provided, for example, by searching through a data base including various rhythm patterns. The skeleton notes in the searched similar rhythm pattern are given the pitches identified by the extracted pitches, respectively at corresponding time positions. The non-skeleton notes are given pitches using, for example, passing notes, unison, appoggiatura, changing notes and after notes according to the musical rules relative to the pitch given skeleton notes. Thus, a length of melody similar to the melody motif is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Eiichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 6225547
    Abstract: Sound generation control and instruction operation evaluation is performed by sound group selection and a sound generation instruction, with a mimic guitar having selection buttons for selecting one of a plurality of sound groups bearing a series of sounds, and a picking blade for instructing the generation of a sound. The rhythm-matching game can be enjoyed relatively easily in a manner closer to a realistic state of playing an instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Konami Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoki Toyama, Shigehito Mukasa, Toru Okubo, Tomoya Yamano
  • Patent number: 6177623
    Abstract: In a music reproducing system, each of characters is allocated in advance a favorite rhythm component and a peculiar figure expressing ability. A sound pressure data producing section produces sound pressure data for each of a pluralty of frequency bands from musical data. A frequency band identifying section identifies the frequency band which beats a rhythm most. A rhythm estimating section derives a changing period of a sound pressure component in the sound pressure data at the identified frequency band and estimates a rhythm component based on the derived changing period. A character managing section cumulatively changes a figure expressing ability of a displayed character according to the matching degree between the estimated rhythm component and a favorite rhythm component of the displayed character. A display control section changes a display figure of the displayed character according to the figure expressing ability thereof while musical data is reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignees: Konami Co., Ltd., Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuhito Ooseki
  • Patent number: 6162982
    Abstract: There are provided an automatic composition apparatus and a method for automatically composing a piece of music, which enable a user to generate a large number of melodies having different atmospheres using a reduced number of melody generating templates, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method. A plurality of piece-of-music-independent templates containing various information independent of pieces of music are supplied to generate melodies of the pieces of music. A plurality of piece-of-music-dependent templates containing various information dependent on the pieces of music are supplied to generate melodies of the pieces of music. A piece-of-music-independent template is selected from the supplied plurality of piece-of-music-independent templates. A piece-of-music-dependent template is selected from the supplied plurality of piece-of-music-dependent templates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Eiichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 6080926
    Abstract: In an automatic accompanying apparatus and an automatic accompanying method, the respective part structures of a plurality of basic variation patterns used as a basic accompanying pattern of rhythm are arbitrarily set by a music player. When the music player selects one basic variation pattern from a plurality of basic variation patterns to which the part structures are set in such a manner, the part structure is automatically set in such a manner that part structures of an intro-pattern, an ending pattern, and also a fill-in pattern, which are prepared for this rhythm, are made equal to the part structure of the selected basic variation pattern. The automatic accompaniment is carried out by employing the selected basic variation pattern, and the intro-pattern, ending pattern, and fill-in pattern, which own the same part structures as that of this basic variation pattern. As a result, the automatic accompaniment can be carried out while being matched with a motif of a user through the entire music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Toshinori Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6040517
    Abstract: A rhythmic tone generator includes a casing that houses a rhythm signal generating circuit, a battery and a tone generating device, and that is positioned and held on the concha by an attaching device, so that the rhythmic tone generator is attached to the ear without being inserted into the ear hole, and operates to generate rhythmic tones right in the vicinity of the ear hole. On the rear surface of the casing are disposed a display device connected to the rhythmic tone generating circuit and operable to display a parameter representing the speed of the rhythm signal, and a push-button switch that may be operated with a hand while the tone generator is being attached to the ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: RIC Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5942711
    Abstract: A unique note length is allocated to each of a plurality of operating positions provided on a ribbon controller. In response to a position-selecting operation by a human operator, time data is generated which is representative of the note length allocated to the selected operating position. An automatic drum roll performance is executed by repetitively generating a drum sound with a note length represented by the thus-generated time data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoji Tanji
  • Patent number: 5890116
    Abstract: A conduct-along system that can give expressions to sounds and/or images, in which expressions are added to sounds and/or images following the playback of sounds and/or images in real-time based on any one or any combination of parameters, such as tempo, intensity, beat timing and accent, detected from the movement of an input device. The conduct-along system detects any one or any combination of parameters, such as tempo, intensity, beat timing and accent, from the movements of the input device, and plays back voices and/or images in real-time following any one or any combination of detected parameters, such as tempo, intensity, beat timing and accent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventors: Yasunari Itoh, Hiroyuki Kiyono
  • Patent number: 5859379
    Abstract: An apparatus for composing a melody by switching musical phrases sequentially corresponding to key input signals, and playing the switched musical phrases smoothly. The apparatus selects musical phrase data, which consists of note data and phrase change information data from a memory corresponding to the key input signals, then reads selected phrase data and plays a musical phrase corresponding to the phrase data. If a key input signal is detected during the playing of a musical phrase, the apparatus selects phrase data corresponding to the signal at the timing that the latest phrase change information data is read after the detection. The note data has a predetermined scale note value and read timing. The phrase change information data has a predetermined read timing. The scale note value and the read timing are predetermined so that a melody becomes in rhythm and in tune when musical phrases are sequentially played according to the note data that are included in selected phrase data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Works Zebra
    Inventor: Mamoru Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 5763804
    Abstract: An electronic music system has an input device, one or more computer storage media, a rhythm generator, a pitch selector, and a sound generator. The input device generates rhythm-related input signals and pitch-related input signals in response to manipulations of the input device by a user attempting to create and play a solo. The computer storage media have a plurality of user-selectable musical accompaniment tracks over which the user can create and play the solo and a plurality of rhythm blocks wherein each rhythm block defines, for at least one note, at least a time at which the note should be played. The computer storage media also store at least a portion of the solo created by the user over a predetermined time interval in the immediate past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander P. Rigopulos, Eran B. Egozy
  • Patent number: 5714705
    Abstract: An arpeggiator scans key-pushing data and produces in sequence a plurality of playing data according to results of the scanning. The arpeggiator includes a rhythm pattern table having at least one step which stores therein a time interval of a rhythm, a sound generation continuing time and a sound generation strength coefficient. The arpeggio playing is performed according to the rhythm pattern table. The arpeggiator further includes a scan mode table having at least one step which stores one of a plurality of scan functions. The key-pushing data is scanned by sequentially referring to the stored scan function so as to produce playing data based on which the arpeggio playing is performed. The arpeggiator has a mode where the key-pushing data is erased based on key-releasing data and another mode where erasure of the key-pushing data is prohibited based on given hold data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsushi Kishimoto, Tsuyoshi Sakata