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EP0484047A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for simultaneous output of digital audio and midi synthesised music

Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1991-10-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-10-23
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Abstract

Abstract A method and apparatus are disclosed for simultaneously outputting digital audio and MIDI synthesised music utilising a single digital signal processor. The Musical Instrumert Digital Interface (MIDI) permits music to be recorded and/or synthesised utilising a data file containing multiple serially listed program status messages and matching note on and note off messages. In contrast, digital audio is generally merely compressed, utilising a suitable data compression technique, and recorded. The audio content of such a digital recording may then be restored by decompressing the recorded data and converting that data utilising a digital-to-analog convertor. The method and apparatus of the present invention selectively and alternatively couples portions of a compressed digital audio file and a MIDI file to a single digital signal processor which alternately decompresses the digital audio file and implements a MIDI synthesiser. Decompressed audio and MIDI synthesised music are then alternately coupled to two separate buffers. The contents of these buffers are then additively mixed and coupled through a digital-to-analog convertor to an audio output device to create an output having concurrent digital audio and MIDI synthesised music.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ronald J. Lisle
  • 👤 B. Scott Mcdonald
  • 👤 Michael D. Wilkes

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 18:33
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0033; G10H1/0041; G10H1/0058; G10H1/0066; G10H7/00; G10H2240/00; G10H2240/011; G10H2240/031; G10H2250/00; G10H2250/541; G10H2250/571

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 145 words
A method for the simultaneous output of digital audio and MIDI synthesised music by a single digital signal processor, said method comprising the steps of: storing a compressed digital audio file (22) within a memory device associated with a single digital signal processor; storing a MIDI file (20) within a memory device associated with said single digital signal processor; selectively and alternatively coupling portions of said compressed digital audio file to said single digital signal processor for creation of decompressed audio, and portions of said MIDI file to said single digital signal processor for creation of MIDI synthesised music; storing said decompressed digital audio within a first temporary buffer; storing said MIDI synthesised music within a second temporary buffer; and combining the contents of said first temporary buffer and said second temporary buffer to create a composite output including digital audio and MIDI synthesised music.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further including the step of coupling said composite output to a digital-to-analog converter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, further including the step of coupling an output of said digital-to-analog converter to an audio output device.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 81 words
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said step of selectively and alternatively coupling portions of said compressed digital audio file to said single digital signal processor for creation of decompressed audio and portions of said MIDI file to said single digital signal processor for creation of MIDI synthesised music comprises the step of coupling a selected portion of said compressed digital audio file to said single digital signal processor until a predetermined amount of decompressed audio is created.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 80 words
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said step of selectively and alternatively coupling portions of said compressed digital audio file to said single digital signal processor for creation of decompressed audio and portions of said MIDI file to said single digital signal processor for creation of MIDI synthesised music comprises the step of coupling a selected portion of said MIDI file to said single digital signal processor until a predetermined amount of digitally synthesised music is created.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 142 words
Apparatus for simultaneously outputting digital audio and MIDI synthesised music, said apparatus comprising: first memory means (48) for storing a compressed digital audio file (22); second memory means (48) for storing a MIDI file (20); a single digital signal processor (26); control means (56) for selectively and alternatively coupling said first memory means to said single digital signal processor for creation of decompressed audio, and said second memory means to said single digital signal processor for creation of MIDI synthesised music; first buffer means (50) coupled to said single digital signal processor for temporarily storing said decompressed audio; second buffer means (50) coupled to said single digital signal processor for temporarily storing MIDI synthesised music; and additive mixer means coupled to said first buffer means and said second buffer means for creating a composite output including digital audio and MIDI synthesised music.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, further including a digital-to-analog converter (52) coupled to said additive mixer means for converting said composite output to an analog signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, further including audio output means (68) coupled to said digital-to-analog converter for outputting said analog signal.

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