US5792972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling the tempo and volume of a MIDI file during playback through a MIDI player device
Assignee: Muse Tech Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-25
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Granted: 1998-08-11
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Expires: 2016-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for controlling a tempo and volume of a MIDI file having a plurality of MIDI instructions stored on a computer-readable medium are disclosed. The method includes the computer-implemented steps of incrementing a counter at a first rate, transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to a general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate, receiving an input signal from a data input device, determining a first increment value when the input signal is received, determining a first average value from the first increment value and a predetermined number of second increment values; and transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate when the first average value has a predetermined logical relationship to a second average value.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott J. Houston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:19
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/46; G10H1/0033; G10H1/0041; G10H1/0058; G10H1/0066; G10H2210/00; G10H2210/375; G10H2210/381; G10H2220/00; G10H2220/135; G10H2220/141; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for controlling a tempo of a MIDI file having a plurality of MIDI instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, comprising the computer-implemented steps of: incrementing a counter at a first rate; transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to a general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate; receiving an input signal from a data input device; determining a first increment value when the input signal is received; determining a first average value from the first increment value and a predetermined number of second increment values; and transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate when the first average value has a predetermined logical relationship to a second average value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for controlling a tempo of a MIDI file having a plurality of MIDI instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, comprising the computer-implemented steps of: incrementing a counter at a first rate; transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to a general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate; receiving an input signal from a data input device; determining a first increment value when the input signal is received; determining a first average value from the first increment value and a predetermined number of second increment values; and transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate when the first average value has a predetermined logical relationship to a second average value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining a first increment value includes the steps of: storing a present count value of the counter when the input signal is received; and subtracting a previous count value from the present count value to determine the first increment value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining a first average value includes the steps of summing the first increment value and the predetermined number of previous increment values together to determine a sum value; and dividing the sum value by the predetermined number to determine the first average value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate step includes the step of: incrementing the counter at the second rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate step includes the step of: increasing the first rate when the first average value is greater than the second average value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate step includes the step of: decreasing the first rate when the first average value is less than the second average value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of: transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate when the first average value has a predetermined logical relationship to the second average value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the step of transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate step includes the step of: transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate when the first average value is equal to the second average value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of: highlighting one or more text characters displayed on a display monitor at the first rate; and highlighting one or more of the text characters at the second rate when the first average value has a predetermined logical relationship to the second average value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, further including the steps of: determining a characteristic of the input signal received from the data input device; and varying a volume level based on the characteristic of the input signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the determining a characteristic of the input signal step includes the step of: determining which key of the data input device was tapped by a user.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for controlling a tempo of a MIDI file having a plurality of MIDI instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, comprising the computer-implemented steps of: incrementing a counter at a first rate; transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to a general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate; receiving an input signal from a data input device; determining a first count value of the counter when the input signal is received; and transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate when the first count value has a predetermined logical relationship to a second count value associated with a lyric instruction to be executed.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for controlling a tempo of a MIDI file having a plurality of MIDI instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, comprising the computer-implemented steps of: incrementing a counter at a first rate; transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to a general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate; receiving an input signal from a data input device; determining a first count value of the counter when the input signal is received; and transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate when the first count value has a predetermined logical relationship to a second count value associated with a lyric instruction to be executed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the step of transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate step includes the step of: incrementing the counter at the second rate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the step of transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate step includes the step of: increasing the first rate when the first count value is greater than the second count value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the step of transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate step includes the step of: decreasing the first rate when the first count value is less than the second count value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 12, further including the step of: transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate when the first count value has a predetermined logical relationship to the second count value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the step of transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate step includes the step of: transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate when the first count value is equal to the second count value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 12, further including the step of: highlighting one or more text characters displayed on a display monitor at the first rate; and highlighting one or more of the text characters at the second rate when the first count value has a predetermined logical relationship to the second count value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12, further including the steps of: determining a characteristic of the input signal received from the data input device; and varying a volume level based on the characteristic of the input signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the determining a characteristic of the input signal step includes the step of: determining which key of the data input device was tapped by a user.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
158 words
A computer system configured to permit a user to control a tempo of a MIDI file having a plurality of MIDI instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to said processor, said memory having stored therein a sequence of instructions which, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to perform the steps of: incrementing a counter at a first rate; transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to a general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate; receiving an input signal from a data input device; determining a first increment value when the input signal is received; determining a first average value from the first increment value and a predetermined number of second increment values; and transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate when the first average value has a predetermined logical relationship to a second average value.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
158 words
A computer system configured to permit a user to control a tempo of a MIDI file having a plurality of MIDI instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to said processor, said memory having stored therein a sequence of instructions which, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to perform the steps of: incrementing a counter at a first rate; transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to a general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate; receiving an input signal from a data input device; determining a first increment value when the input signal is received; determining a first average value from the first increment value and a predetermined number of second increment values; and transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate when the first average value has a predetermined logical relationship to a second average value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
63 words
The computer system of claim 21, wherein said sequence of instructions cause said processor to perform the additional steps of highlighting one or more text characters displayed on a display monitor at the first rate; and highlighting one or more of the text characters at the second rate when the first average value has a predetermined logical relationship to the second average value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer system of claim 21, wherein said sequence of instructions cause said processor to perform the additional steps of determining a characteristic of the input signal received from the data input device; and varying a volume level based on the characteristic of the input signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer system of claim 23, wherein said sequence of instructions cause said processor to perform the additional step of determining which key of the data input device was tapped by a user.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
151 words
A computer system configured to permit a user to control a tempo of a MIDI file having a plurality of MIDI instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein a sequence of instructions which, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to perform the steps of: incrementing a counter at a first rate; transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to a general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate; receiving an input signal from a data input device; determining a first count value of the counter when the input signal is received; and transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate when the first count value has a predetermined logical relationship to a second count value associated with a lyric instruction to be executed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
151 words
A computer system configured to permit a user to control a tempo of a MIDI file having a plurality of MIDI instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein a sequence of instructions which, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to perform the steps of: incrementing a counter at a first rate; transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to a general MIDI-compatible device at the first rate; receiving an input signal from a data input device; determining a first count value of the counter when the input signal is received; and transferring one or more of the MIDI instructions to the general MIDI-compatible device at a second rate when the first count value has a predetermined logical relationship to a second count value associated with a lyric instruction to be executed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
63 words
The computer system of claim 25, wherein said sequence of instructions cause said processor to perform the additional steps of: highlighting one or more text characters displayed on a display monitor at the first rate; and highlighting one or more of the text characters at the second rate when the first count value has a predetermined logical relationship to the second count value.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer system of claim 25, wherein said sequence of instructions cause said processor to perform the additional steps of determining a characteristic of the input signal received from the data input device; and varying a volume level based on the characteristic of the input signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer system of claim 27, wherein said sequence of instructions cause said processor to perform the additional step of determining which key of the data input device was tapped by a user.
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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) | 2001-08-10 | 2002-02-09 | 2002-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-10 | 2006-02-09 | 2006-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-10 | 2010-02-09 | 2010-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |