US5824933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for synchronizing and simultaneously playing predefined musical sequences using visual display and input device such as joystick or keyboard
Assignee: BEATNIK ACQUISITION SUB Inc
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Filing: 1996-01-26
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Granted: 1998-10-20
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Expires: 2016-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of pre-recorded, generated or other sound tracks (e.g. voice, karaoke) are selectable and de-selectable by a user for synchronously mixing with a main song track and all other sound tracks that are playing. The sound tracks are matched and synchronized to the song track. A visual display depicts icons which represent the sound tracks, and indicate which sound tracks are selected and de-selected. The user creates an individual musical performance by interactively selecting and de-selecting one or more sound tracks using a joystick or keyboard on a real-time basis with instantaneous visual and audible feedback. Depending on the musical content of each sound track, various operational modes ensure that whenever a track is selected, the result is always immediate, musically synchronized and aesthetically pleasing.
Inventors
- 👤 Joshua Gabriel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:17
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/36; G10H1/361; G10H1/0008; G10H1/0033; G10H1/32; G10H1/34; G10H2220/00; G10H2220/091; G10H2220/101; G10H2220/106; G10H2220/155; G10H2220/315; G10H2240/00; G10H2240/325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A system for playing predefined musical sequences, comprising: display means having visual icons corresponding to said sequences respectively; input means for interactively selecting and de-selecting icons; player means for playing selected sequences corresponding to said selected icons simultaneously, and controlling the display means such that said icons distinguish said selected sequences from de-selected sequences; and synchronizer means for musically synchronizing said selected sequences.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
63 words
A system for playing predefined musical sequences, comprising: display means having visual icons corresponding to said sequences respectively; input means for interactively selecting and de-selecting icons; player means for playing selected sequences corresponding to said selected icons simultaneously, and controlling the display means such that said icons distinguish said selected sequences from de-selected sequences; and synchronizer means for musically synchronizing said selected sequences.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 1, in which the input means comprises actuator means for selecting icons while actuated, and de-selecting icons when not actuated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as in claim 2, further comprising locking means for overriding the actuator means and causing sequences to be continuously selected even when the actuator means is not actuated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 1, further comprising effect means for altering an attribute of said sequences.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 1, in which said sequences further comprise a main sequence which is played without being selected by the input means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 5, in which said main sequence does not have a corresponding icon on the display means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as in claim 1, in which said sequences further comprise a default sequence which the player plays during blank intervals in a corresponding one of said sequences.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as in claim 1, further comprising break means for causing a predetermined one of said sequences to be de-selected while the break means is actuated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as in claim 8, in which said sequences further comprise a main sequence which is played without being selected by the input means; and the break means de-selects said main sequence.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 1, further comprising cancellation means for de-selecting a sequence when a corresponding other sequence is selected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 1, in which the input means comprises a joystick.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as in claim 1, in which the synchronizer means comprises timer means for referencing said sequences to a time base such that corresponding portions of said sequences are played at same relative times respectively.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as in claim 12, in which: the time base comprises time slots; and the player means begins playing a selected sequence at a next time slot after said sequence is selected.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as in claim 1, in which: said sequences comprise musical notes; and the synchronizer means comprises harmonic follow means for, when a sequence is selected, playing a most previous note of said selected sequence until a predetermined event occurs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 14, in which said predetermined event comprises playing a next note of said selected sequence.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 15, in which said predetermined event further comprises delaying a predetermined length of time before playing said next note.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system as in claim 14, in which: the synchronizer means comprises timer means for referencing said sequences to a time base such that corresponding portions of said sequences are played at same relative times respectively; the time base comprises time slots; and the harmonic follow means begins playing said previous note at a next time slot after said sequence is selected.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as in claim 1, in which: said sequences comprise chords of musical notes; and the synchronizer means comprises harmonic follow means for, when a sequence is selected, playing a most previous chord of said selected sequence until a predetermined event occurs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as in claim 18, in which the harmonic follow means comprises means for identifying chords as including notes which are played within a predetermined length of time.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as in claim 1, in which: said sequences comprise musical notes; and the synchronizer means comprises resetting means for, when a sequence is selected, repetitively playing a most previous set of contiguous notes of said selected sequence until a predetermined event occurs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 20, in which said predetermined event comprises playing a next note of said selected sequence.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 21, in which said predetermined event further comprises delaying a predetermined length of time before playing said next note.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 21, in which said set comprises all contiguous notes following a gap of a predetermined length of time.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for playing predefined musical sequences, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying visual icons corresponding to said sequences respectively; (b) interactively selecting and de-selecting icons; (c) musically synchronizing and playing selected sequences corresponding to said selected icons simultaneously; and (d) controlling said icons to distinguish said selected sequences from de-selected sequences.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for playing predefined musical sequences, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying visual icons corresponding to said sequences respectively; (b) interactively selecting and de-selecting icons; (c) musically synchronizing and playing selected sequences corresponding to said selected icons simultaneously; and (d) controlling said icons to distinguish said selected sequences from de-selected sequences.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 24, in which said sequences further comprise a main sequence which is played without being selected.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 25, in which said main sequence does not have a corresponding icon.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 24, in which said sequences further comprise a default sequence which is played during blank intervals in a corresponding one of said sequences.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 24, further comprising the steps of: (e) creating a break operation; and (f) automatically de-selecting one of said sequences during said break operation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 28, in which: said sequences further comprise a main sequence which is played without being selected; and step (f) further comprises automatically de-selecting said main sequence.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 24, further comprising the step of: (e) automatically de-selecting a sequence when a corresponding other sequence is selected.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 24, in which step (b) comprises selecting and de-selecting said sequences using a joystick.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 24, in which step (c) comprises referencing said sequences to a time base such that corresponding portions of said sequences are played at same relative times respectively.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 32, in which: the time base comprises time slots; and step (c) comprises beginning to play a selected sequence at a next time slot after said sequence is selected.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as in claim 24, in which: said sequences comprise musical notes; and step (c) comprises performing a harmonic follow operation such that, when a sequence is selected, a most previous note of said selected sequence is played until a predetermined event occurs.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 34, in which said predetermined event comprises playing a next note of said selected sequence.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 35, in which said predetermined event further comprises delaying a predetermined length of time before playing said next note.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as in claim 34, in which: step (c) further comprises referencing said sequences to a time base such that corresponding portions of said sequences are played at same relative times respectively; the time base comprises time slots; and the harmonic follow operation of step (c) comprises beginning to play said previous note at a next time slot after said sequence is selected.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as in claim 24, in which: said sequences comprise chords of musical notes; and step (c) comprises performing a harmonic follow operation such that, when a sequence is selected, a most previous chord of said selected sequence is played until a predetermined event occurs.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 38, in which the harmonic follow operation of step (c) comprises identifying chords as including notes which are played within a predetermined length of time.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as in claim 24, in which: said sequences comprise musical notes; and step (c) comprises performing a resetting operation such that, when a sequence is selected, a most previous set of contiguous notes of said selected sequence is repetitively played until a predetermined event occurs.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 40, in which said predetermined event comprises playing a next note of said selected sequence.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 41, in which said predetermined event further comprises delaying a predetermined length of time before playing said next note.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 41, in which said set comprises all contiguous notes following a gap of a predetermined length of time.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
92 words
A harmonic follow method for synchronizing a predefined musical sequence of notes to a time base such that an immediate audio response is provided to prevent an unacceptable period of silence, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting the sequence: (b) playing a most previous note of the sequence; (c) delaying a predetermined length of time; and (d) playing a next note of the sequence, in which: the time base comprises time slots; and step (b) comprises beginning to play said previous note at a next time slot after the sequence is selected.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
92 words
A harmonic follow method for synchronizing a predefined musical sequence of notes to a time base such that an immediate audio response is provided to prevent an unacceptable period of silence, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting the sequence: (b) playing a most previous note of the sequence; (c) delaying a predetermined length of time; and (d) playing a next note of the sequence, in which: the time base comprises time slots; and step (b) comprises beginning to play said previous note at a next time slot after the sequence is selected.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
100 words
A resetting method for synchronizing a predefined musical sequence of notes to a time base such that an immediate audio response is provided to prevent an unacceptable period of silence, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting the sequence: (b) repetitively playing a most previous set of contiguous notes of the sequence until a next note of the sequence occurs; and (c) playing said next note of the sequence, in which: the time base comprises time slots; and step (b) comprises beginning to play said most previous set of contiguous notes at a next time slot after the sequence is selected.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
100 words
A resetting method for synchronizing a predefined musical sequence of notes to a time base such that an immediate audio response is provided to prevent an unacceptable period of silence, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting the sequence: (b) repetitively playing a most previous set of contiguous notes of the sequence until a next note of the sequence occurs; and (c) playing said next note of the sequence, in which: the time base comprises time slots; and step (b) comprises beginning to play said most previous set of contiguous notes at a next time slot after the sequence is selected.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 45, in which said set comprises all contiguous notes following a gap of a predetermined length of time.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
74 words
A graphic user interface (GUI) for controlling the playing of predefined musical sequences, comprising: display means for controlling a display of visual icons corresponding to said sequences respectively; input means for interactively receiving user inputs for selecting and de-selecting sequences for playing; and playing means for causing said selected sequences to be played simultaneously, and causing the display means to control said display of said icons to distinguish said selected sequences from de-selected sequences.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
74 words
A graphic user interface (GUI) for controlling the playing of predefined musical sequences, comprising: display means for controlling a display of visual icons corresponding to said sequences respectively; input means for interactively receiving user inputs for selecting and de-selecting sequences for playing; and playing means for causing said selected sequences to be played simultaneously, and causing the display means to control said display of said icons to distinguish said selected sequences from de-selected sequences.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
77 words
A graphic user interface (GUI) for controlling the playing of predefined musical sequences, comprising: display means for controlling a display of visual icons corresponding to said sequences respectively; input means for interactively receiving user inputs for selecting and de-selecting icons; and playing means for causing said selected sequences corresponding to said selected icons to be played simultaneously, and causing the display means to control said display of said icons to distinguish said selected sequences from de-selected sequences.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
77 words
A graphic user interface (GUI) for controlling the playing of predefined musical sequences, comprising: display means for controlling a display of visual icons corresponding to said sequences respectively; input means for interactively receiving user inputs for selecting and de-selecting icons; and playing means for causing said selected sequences corresponding to said selected icons to be played simultaneously, and causing the display means to control said display of said icons to distinguish said selected sequences from de-selected sequences.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-19 | 2002-04-20 | 2002-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-19 | 2006-04-20 | 2006-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-19 | 2010-04-20 | 2010-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |