Patent US6353170B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6353170B1
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Method and system for composing electronic music and generating graphical information
Assignee: Lego AS
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Filing: 1999-09-03
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Granted: 2002-03-05
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Expires: 2019-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and system are provided that allows a user to interactively compose music and create a video of an animated character that dances to the rhythm and beat of the composed music. To compose music, the user interactively selects and arranges a plurality of music samples for a plurality of instruments. Music samples are independent pieces of music that can be seamlessly looped to compose the musical work. A harmonizer program allows the user to hammonize the music samples that play simultaneously, thereby allowing the user to compose a music piece without knowledge or experience in musical theory or training. The user creates a video of an animated character that dances to the rhythm and beat of the music using an animation program. The animation program provides the user with a plurality of video clips from which the user can select and arrange to create the video. Once completed, the user can play, edit, and save the composed music and the video.
Inventors
- 👤 Adriana Eyzaguirre
- 👤 Ole Ivanoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:25
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0008; G10H1/0025; G10H2210/00; G10H2210/101; G10H2220/00; G10H2220/091; G10H2220/101; G10H2220/106
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
In a computer, a method of composing a multimedia work comprising the steps of: in response to a user interaction selecting ( 430 ) a music sample from a plurality of music samples, wherein each of the music samples is an independent pre-composed piece of music of fixed duration having a common interface that allows the music samples to be seamlessly looped; and placing ( 740 ) the selected music sample in a location in the multimedia work, wherein the step of selecting ( 430 ) a music sample and placing ( 740 ) the selected music sample in a location in the multimedia work is repeated in response to a user interaction to create the multimedia work characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: in response to further user interaction selecting ( 460 ) a pre-drawn dance movement clip from a plurality of dance movement clips; and placing the selected pre-drawn dance movement clip ( 810 ) in a location ( 820 ) in the multimedia work; wherein the step of selecting a pre-drawn dance movement clip and placing the selected pre-drawn dance movement in a location ( 820 ) in the multimedia work is repeated in response to further user interaction to create the multimedia work as a user composed multimedia work with an animated character ( 610 ) that dances to a user created composition of the musical samples by playing ( 750 ) the selected music samples and sequentially displaying (FIG. 6) the dance movement clips at corresponding speed and tempo of the music.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
261 words
In a computer, a method of composing a multimedia work comprising the steps of: in response to a user interaction selecting ( 430 ) a music sample from a plurality of music samples, wherein each of the music samples is an independent pre-composed piece of music of fixed duration having a common interface that allows the music samples to be seamlessly looped; and placing ( 740 ) the selected music sample in a location in the multimedia work, wherein the step of selecting ( 430 ) a music sample and placing ( 740 ) the selected music sample in a location in the multimedia work is repeated in response to a user interaction to create the multimedia work characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: in response to further user interaction selecting ( 460 ) a pre-drawn dance movement clip from a plurality of dance movement clips; and placing the selected pre-drawn dance movement clip ( 810 ) in a location ( 820 ) in the multimedia work; wherein the step of selecting a pre-drawn dance movement clip and placing the selected pre-drawn dance movement in a location ( 820 ) in the multimedia work is repeated in response to further user interaction to create the multimedia work as a user composed multimedia work with an animated character ( 610 ) that dances to a user created composition of the musical samples by playing ( 750 ) the selected music samples and sequentially displaying (FIG. 6) the dance movement clips at corresponding speed and tempo of the music.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , further including a step of removing a selected music sample to insert a sample of silence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a video is interactively created from a plurality of video clips and said video is synchronized to a beat of the musical work.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting a music sample comprises the steps of: selecting one of a plurality of musical instruments; selecting one of a plurality of music samples for the selected instrument, wherein each of the music samples is an independent pre-composed piece of music, and sequentially arranging the selected music sample; and selecting another one of the plurality of musical instruments, repeating the steps of selecting a plurality of music samples and sequentially arranging the selected music samples for said another one of the plurality of musical instruments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising the steps of: selecting one of the music samples previously arranged, harmonizing the arranged music samples of all instruments that correspond in Uime to said selected one of the music samples previously arranged; and repeating the step of selecting one of the music samples previously arranged, and harmonizing the arranged music samples of all instruments that correspond in time to said selected one of the music samples previously arranged to compose the musical work.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the steps are performed in response to user interactions using a graphical user interface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the steps of: storing a version of the plurality of music samples for each of the specified instruments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein video of a dancer is choreographed to the musical work so that movements of the dancer match a beat of the musical work.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the video of the dancer is choreographed to match 120 beats per minute.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the interactive steps are implemented using a story.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the music samples are one measure long.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer system comprising means for executing the method according to any of the claims 1 through 11 .
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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) | 2005-03-04 | 2005-09-03 | 2006-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-04 | 2009-09-03 | 2010-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-04 | 2013-09-03 | 2014-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |