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US5204969A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Sound editing system using visually displayed control line for altering specified characteristic of adjacent segment of stored waveform

Assignee: Adobe Inc
•
Filing: 1992-03-19
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Granted: 1993-04-20
•
Expires: 2012-03-19
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Abstract

Abstract A hardware and software system and method for a personal computer such as the Macintosh allows recording, editing, and playback of sound. The system includes a sound editor which displays sound waveforms, and permits the user to mix together several simultaneously displayed waveforms, and to change the pitch and amplitude of one part of each waveform by means of a novel screen display.

Inventors

  • 👤 Stephen P. Capps
  • 👤 Samuel M. Roberts
  • 👤 Michael P. Lamoureux
  • 👤 Josef Sensendorf

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 14:10
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/02; G11B27/031; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/16; G06F3/165; G11B27/10; G11B27/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/978

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim 184 words
A device for editing sounds comprising: a memory for storing a sound waveform; a display for visually displaying the stored waveform; an editor for editing the appearance of a predetermined portion of the visually displayed waveform by manipulation of said visually displayed waveform; and means for changing the sound waveform stored in the means for storing in accordance with changes made in the visually displayed waveform by the editor; wherein the memory stores a digital representation of the waveform, and the display displays an analog representation of the waveform; and wherein the display comprises a display displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis; wherein the editor comprises: means for displaying a sound characteristics control line adjacent to the displayed waveform; and means for displacing at least one segment of the sound characteristics control line adjacent to the portion of the displayed waveform; wherein the editor comprises mean for altering a specified characteristic of a portion of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed waveform adjacent to the displaced line segment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 184 words
A device for editing sounds comprising: a memory for storing a sound waveform; a display for visually displaying the stored waveform; an editor for editing the appearance of a predetermined portion of the visually displayed waveform by manipulation of said visually displayed waveform; and means for changing the sound waveform stored in the means for storing in accordance with changes made in the visually displayed waveform by the editor; wherein the memory stores a digital representation of the waveform, and the display displays an analog representation of the waveform; and wherein the display comprises a display displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis; wherein the editor comprises: means for displaying a sound characteristics control line adjacent to the displayed waveform; and means for displacing at least one segment of the sound characteristics control line adjacent to the portion of the displayed waveform; wherein the editor comprises mean for altering a specified characteristic of a portion of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed waveform adjacent to the displaced line segment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
The device of claim 1, wherein each of the means comprise a portion of a computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the computer comprises a Macintosh computer and a computer program installed in the Macintosh computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the display simultaneously displays a plurality of independent waveforms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the means for editing comprises means for mixing the independent waveforms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 66 words
The device of claim 5, wherein the means for mixing comprises: means for moving each independent displayed waveform relative to the associated time axis; and means for combining the independently displayed waveforms wherein a stored waveform the visual representation of which has been moved relative to the associated time axis is correspondingly shifted in time relative to the other independent waveforms by the means for editing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 12 words
The device of claim 5, wherein the display displays four independent waveforms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 26 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the amount of alteration of the specified characteristic is a function of the amount of displacement of the line segment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 33 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for displacing comprises means for indicating a specific point on the sound characteristics control line, which specific point denotes one end of the line segment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 41 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for editing comprises: means for selecting a portion of the waveform; and means for moving the selected portion to a position on the waveform other than an original position of the selected portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 34 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for editing comprises: means for selecting a portion of the waveform; and means for copying the selected portion and inserting the copied portion in the waveform.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 29 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for editing comprises: means for selecting a portion of the waveform; and means for deleting the selected portion from the waveform.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 11 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the sounds are multichannel sounds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 20 words
The device of claim 13, wherein the display simultaneously displays a separate waveform for each channel of a multichannel sound.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 18 words
The device of claim 13, wherein the means for editing independently edits each channel of a multichannel sound.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 204 words
A device for editing sounds comprising: a memory for storing a sound waveform; a display for visually displaying the stored waveform; an editor for editing the appearance of a predetermined portion of the visually displayed waveform by manipulation of said visually displayed waveform; and means for changing the sound waveform stored in the memory in accordance with changes made in the visually displayed waveform by the editor; wherein the memory stores a digital representation of the waveform, and the display displays an analog representation of the waveform; and wherein the display comprises a display displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis; and wherein the editor comprises: means for displaying an amplitude control line substantially parallel to the time axis; and means for displacing at least one segment of the line adjacent to a portion of the displayed amplitude peaks; wherein the editor comprises means for altering the amplitude of a portion of the amplitude peaks of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed amplitude peaks adjacent to the displaced line segment, the amount of alteration of the amplitude being a function of the amount of displacement of the line segment.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 204 words
A device for editing sounds comprising: a memory for storing a sound waveform; a display for visually displaying the stored waveform; an editor for editing the appearance of a predetermined portion of the visually displayed waveform by manipulation of said visually displayed waveform; and means for changing the sound waveform stored in the memory in accordance with changes made in the visually displayed waveform by the editor; wherein the memory stores a digital representation of the waveform, and the display displays an analog representation of the waveform; and wherein the display comprises a display displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis; and wherein the editor comprises: means for displaying an amplitude control line substantially parallel to the time axis; and means for displacing at least one segment of the line adjacent to a portion of the displayed amplitude peaks; wherein the editor comprises means for altering the amplitude of a portion of the amplitude peaks of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed amplitude peaks adjacent to the displaced line segment, the amount of alteration of the amplitude being a function of the amount of displacement of the line segment.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 200 words
A device for editing sounds comprising: a memory for storing a sound waveform; a display for visually displaying the stored waveform; an editor for editing the appearance of a predetermined portion of the visually displayed waveform by manipulation of said visually displayed waveform; and means for changing the sound waveform stored in the memory in accordance with changes made in the visually displayed waveform by the editor; wherein the memory stores a digital representation of the waveform, and the display displays an analog representation of the waveform; and wherein the display comprises a display displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis; and wherein the editor comprises: means for displaying a pitch control line substantially parallel to the time axis; means for displacing at least one segment of the line adjacent to a portion of the display amplitude peaks; and wherein the editor comprises means for altering the pitch of a portion of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed amplitude peaks adjacent to the displaced line segment, the amount of alteration of the pitch being a function of the amount of displacement of the line segment.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 200 words
A device for editing sounds comprising: a memory for storing a sound waveform; a display for visually displaying the stored waveform; an editor for editing the appearance of a predetermined portion of the visually displayed waveform by manipulation of said visually displayed waveform; and means for changing the sound waveform stored in the memory in accordance with changes made in the visually displayed waveform by the editor; wherein the memory stores a digital representation of the waveform, and the display displays an analog representation of the waveform; and wherein the display comprises a display displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis; and wherein the editor comprises: means for displaying a pitch control line substantially parallel to the time axis; means for displacing at least one segment of the line adjacent to a portion of the display amplitude peaks; and wherein the editor comprises means for altering the pitch of a portion of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed amplitude peaks adjacent to the displaced line segment, the amount of alteration of the pitch being a function of the amount of displacement of the line segment.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 171 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; wherein the step of storing comprises storing a digital representation of the waveform, and the step of displaying comprises displaying an analog representation of the waveform; and wherein the step of displaying comprises displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis; wherein the step of editing comprises: displaying a sound characteristics control line adjacent to the displayed waveform; and displacing at least one segment of the sound characteristics control line adjacent to a portion of the displayed waveform; wherein the step of editing comprises altering a specified characteristic of portion of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed waveform adjacent to the displaced line segment.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 171 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; wherein the step of storing comprises storing a digital representation of the waveform, and the step of displaying comprises displaying an analog representation of the waveform; and wherein the step of displaying comprises displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis; wherein the step of editing comprises: displaying a sound characteristics control line adjacent to the displayed waveform; and displacing at least one segment of the sound characteristics control line adjacent to a portion of the displayed waveform; wherein the step of editing comprises altering a specified characteristic of portion of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed waveform adjacent to the displaced line segment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the step of displaying comprises displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the step of displaying comprises simultaneously displaying a plurality of independent waveforms.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of editing comprises mixing the independent waveforms.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 61 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the step of mixing comprises: moving each independent displayed waveform relative to the associated time axis; combining the independently displayed waveforms wherein a stored waveform the visual representation of which has been moved relative to the associated time axis is correspondingly shifted in time relative to the other independent waveforms by the step of editing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the step of displaying comprises displaying four independent waveforms.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the sounds are multichannel sounds.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the step of displaying simultaneously displays a separate waveform for each channel of a multichannel round.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the step of editing independently changes each channel of a multichannel sound.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the amount of alteration of the specified characteristic is a function of the amount of displacement of the line segment.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the step of displacing comprises indicating a specific point on the sound characteristics control line, with specific point denotes one end of the line segment.
Claim 33
Independent Claim 194 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; and wherein the step of storing comprises storing a digital representation of the waveform, and the step of displaying comprises displaying an analog representation of the waveform; and wherein the step of displaying comprises displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis; wherein the step of editing comprises: displaying an amplitude control line substantially parallel to the time axis; and displacing at least one segment of the line adjacent to a portion of the displayed amplitude peaks; wherein the step of editing comprises altering the amplitude of a portion of the amplitude peaks of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed amplitude peaks adjacent to the displaced line segment, the amount of alteration of the amplitude being a function of the amount of displacement of the line segment.
Claim 34
Independent Claim 194 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; and wherein the step of storing comprises storing a digital representation of the waveform, and the step of displaying comprises displaying an analog representation of the waveform; and wherein the step of displaying comprises displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis; wherein the step of editing comprises: displaying an amplitude control line substantially parallel to the time axis; and displacing at least one segment of the line adjacent to a portion of the displayed amplitude peaks; wherein the step of editing comprises altering the amplitude of a portion of the amplitude peaks of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed amplitude peaks adjacent to the displaced line segment, the amount of alteration of the amplitude being a function of the amount of displacement of the line segment.
Claim 35
Independent Claim 190 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said visually displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; wherein the step of storing comprises storing a digital representation of the waveform, and the step of displaying comprises displaying an analog representation of the waveform; and wherein the step of displaying comprises displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis; wherein the step of editing comprises: displaying a pitch control line substantially parallel to the time axis; and displacing at least one segment of the line adjacent to a portion of the display amplitude peaks; wherein the step of editing comprises altering the pitch of a portion of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed amplitude peaks adjacent to the displaced line segment, the amount of alteration of the pitch being a function of the amount of displacement of the line segment.
Claim 36
Independent Claim 190 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said visually displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; wherein the step of storing comprises storing a digital representation of the waveform, and the step of displaying comprises displaying an analog representation of the waveform; and wherein the step of displaying comprises displaying the amplitude of the waveform along a first associated axis and time along a second associated axis; wherein the step of editing comprises: displaying a pitch control line substantially parallel to the time axis; and displacing at least one segment of the line adjacent to a portion of the display amplitude peaks; wherein the step of editing comprises altering the pitch of a portion of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed amplitude peaks adjacent to the displaced line segment, the amount of alteration of the pitch being a function of the amount of displacement of the line segment.
Claim 37
Independent Claim 85 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; wherein the step of editing comprises: selecting a portion of the waveform; and moving the selected portion to a position in the waveform other than an original position of the selected portion.
Claim 38
Independent Claim 85 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; wherein the step of editing comprises: selecting a portion of the waveform; and moving the selected portion to a position in the waveform other than an original position of the selected portion.
Claim 39
Independent Claim 78 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; wherein the step of editing comprises: selecting a portion of the waveform; and copying the selected portion and inserting the copied portion in the waveform.
Claim 40
Independent Claim 78 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; wherein the step of editing comprises: selecting a portion of the waveform; and copying the selected portion and inserting the copied portion in the waveform.
Claim 41
Independent Claim 73 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; wherein the step of editing comprises: selecting a portion of the waveform; and deleting the selected portion from the waveform.
Claim 42
Independent Claim 73 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; wherein the step of editing comprises: selecting a portion of the waveform; and deleting the selected portion from the waveform.
Claim 43
Independent Claim 133 words
A device for editing sounds comprising: a memory for storing a sound waveform; a display for visually displaying the stored waveform; an editor for editing the appearance of a predetermined portion of the visually displayed waveform by manipulation of said visually displayed waveform; and means for changing the stored sound waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the editor; wherein the editor comprises: means for displaying a sound characteristics control line adjacent to the displayed waveform; and means for displacing at least one segment of the sound characteristics control line adjacent to a portion of the displayed waveform; wherein the editor comprises means for altering a specified characteristic of a portion of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed waveform adjacent to the displaced line segment.
Claim 44
Independent Claim 133 words
A device for editing sounds comprising: a memory for storing a sound waveform; a display for visually displaying the stored waveform; an editor for editing the appearance of a predetermined portion of the visually displayed waveform by manipulation of said visually displayed waveform; and means for changing the stored sound waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the editor; wherein the editor comprises: means for displaying a sound characteristics control line adjacent to the displayed waveform; and means for displacing at least one segment of the sound characteristics control line adjacent to a portion of the displayed waveform; wherein the editor comprises means for altering a specified characteristic of a portion of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed waveform adjacent to the displaced line segment.
Claim 45
Independent Claim 121 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; wherein the step of editing comprises: displaying a sound characteristics control line adjacent to the displayed waveform; and displacing at least one segment of the sound characteristics control line adjacent to a portion of the displayed waveform; wherein the step of altering comprises altering a specified characteristic of a portion of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed waveform adjacent to the displaced line segment.
Claim 46
Independent Claim 121 words
A method for editing sounds comprising the steps of: storing a waveform representing a sound; displaying the waveform on a display; editing the appearance of the displayed waveform by manipulation of said displayed waveform; and changing the stored waveform in accordance with changes made in the displayed waveform by the step of editing; wherein the step of editing comprises: displaying a sound characteristics control line adjacent to the displayed waveform; and displacing at least one segment of the sound characteristics control line adjacent to a portion of the displayed waveform; wherein the step of altering comprises altering a specified characteristic of a portion of the stored waveform corresponding to the portion of the displayed waveform adjacent to the displaced line segment.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1996-04-19 1996-10-19 1997-04-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2000-04-19 2000-10-19 2001-04-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2004-04-19 2004-10-19 2005-04-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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