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US5883957A
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Methods and apparatus for encrypting and decrypting MIDI files
Assignee: LIVE UPDATE Inc
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Filing: 1997-03-05
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Granted: 1999-03-16
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Expires: 2017-03-05
Abstract
Abstract Techniques for playing and distributing MIDI tracks in the context of a non-real-time network such as the Internet. One of the techniques makes it possible to begin playing a multi-track MIDI file that is being received over the Internet before the entire file has been received. Others of the techniques permit playing of MIDI tracks that are generated in real time and then distributed via the Internet. The techniques ensure that expected network delays will not cause underflow in the MIDI buffer, provide a way of playing an "endless" MIDI stream received via the Internet, and provide ways by which players may collaborate and even participate in jam sessions over the Internet. Also disclosed are techniques for including decrypters in MIDI synthesizers and using the decrypters in the context of encrypted MIDI streams received via the Internet.
Inventors
- 👤 William A. Moline
- 👤 Frederick A. Putnam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:35
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0033; G10H1/0041; G10H1/0058; G10H1/0066; H; H04; H04K; H04K1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
An improved synthesizer of the type which includes apparatus for producing an analog output from a track containing events to which a synthesizer responds, the improvement comprising: a decrypter integral with the synthesizer which receives an encrypted track, serially decrypts the encrypted track to obtain the events, and provides the events to the apparatus for producing an analog output while the remainder of the encrypted track is being decrypted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
An improved synthesizer of the type which includes apparatus for producing an analog output from a track containing events to which a synthesizer responds, the improvement comprising: a decrypter integral with the synthesizer which receives an encrypted track, serially decrypts the encrypted track to obtain the events, and provides the events to the apparatus for producing an analog output while the remainder of the encrypted track is being decrypted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
The synthesizer set forth in claim 1 wherein: the apparatus for producing an analog output has components including at least a stream generator for receiving the events and generating a stream from the events as they are received, a wave form generator for receiving the stream and generating waveforms from the stream as it is received; and a sound generator for generating the analog output from the waveforms as they are received; and at least the decrypter, the stream generator, and the wave form generator components are implemented in executable code such that none of those components can be replaced at run time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The synthesizer set forth in claim 2 wherein: the sound generator as well is implemented in executable code such that the sound generator cannot be replaced at run time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The synthesizer set forth in claim 1 wherein: the decrypter employs a key to decrypt the encrypted track; and the key is integral to the synthesizer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The synthesizer set forth in claim 1 wherein: the synthesizer receives tracks encrypted with a plurality of first keys; and a plurality of second keys corresponding to the first keys is integral to the synthesizer, the decrypter employing a second key corresponding to a given one of the first keys to decrypt a track encrypted with the given first key.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The synthesizer set forth in either claim 4 or claim 5 wherein: the synthesizer is implemented as a plugin for a browser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The synthesizer set forth in claim 1 wherein: a plurality of tracks encrypted with first keys are provided by track providers; a user of the synthesizer makes an arrangement with a given track provider to receive a given one of the tracks; and a second key corresponding to the first key for the given track is provided to the synthesizer as part of the arrangement to receive the given track.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The synthesizer set forth in claim 7 wherein: the synthesizer is implemented as a plugin for a browser; and the second key is integral to the plugin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The synthesizer set forth in claim 7 wherein: the second key is provided in encrypted form to the synthesizer; and the synthesizer decrypts the encrypted form and stores the decrypted second key integrally to the synthesizer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The synthesizer set forth in claim 7 wherein: at least one of the first keys is a URL for a provider of the track.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The synthesizer set forth in claim 7 wherein: a first given one of the second keys is usable to decode all tracks provided by a given track provider.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The synthesizer set forth in claim 7 wherein: a first given one of the second keys is usable to decode some tracks provided by a given track provider.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The synthesizer set forth in claim 7 wherein: a first given one of the second keys is usable only to decode a single track provided by the given track provider.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The synthesizer set forth in any of claims 11 through 13 wherein: the synthesizer has a plurality of users; and the first given one of the second keys is usable only to decode a track for a given user of the synthesizer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The synthesizer set forth in any of claims 11 through 13 wherein: there is a plurality of instantiations of the synthesizer; and the first given one of the second keys is usable only to decode a track for a given instantiation of the synthesizer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The synthesizer set forth in any of claims 11 through 13 wherein: the synthesizer is implemented at least in part in code executable by a processor; and the first given one of the second keys is usable only to decode a track for a given copy of the code.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The synthesizer set forth in claim 1 wherein: the synthesizer is implemented as a plugin for a browser.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
Data storage apparatus characterized in that: the data storage apparatus contains code which when executed by a processor implements the improved synthesizer of claim 1.
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) | 2002-03-15 | 2002-09-14 | 2003-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-15 | 2006-09-14 | 2007-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-15 | 2010-09-14 | 2011-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |