Systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing musical compositions

Abstract

A method for playing a song in a handheld device is disclosed. A visual representation for a plurality of musical components is provided. The visual representation includes a plurality of lanes, with each lane corresponding to one of the musical components. User input is received for one or more musical components, and musical characteristics corresponding to the musical components are modified in accordance with the user input. In order to modify musical characteristics corresponding to a particular musical component, the user selects the particular lane corresponding to the particular musical component. A first user input may be received to modify musical characteristics corresponding to a particular musical component, and the user enters a first level of the visual representation beneath the particular lane and provides user input to modify the musical characteristics corresponding to the particular musical component. A second user input may be received, and in response to the second user input, at least a second level of the visual representation is entered beneath the first level. Program instructions may be executed, and one or more music composition algorithms may be applied to song data in accordance with a song data structure to generate music output for the song. The visual representation may include an animated display synchronized with one or more of the musical components. Modifications to musical data corresponding to a particular musical component may be accompanied by a change in a visual effect corresponding to the modifications to the musical characteristics.

Claims

1. A method for playing a song in a handheld device comprising the steps of:

displaying a plurality of labels on a display device, wherein each label corresponds to a musical style, wherein a plurality of musical styles are visually presented to a user by viewing of the plurality of labels;

receiving a first user input to select a musical style associated with a song to be played;

displaying a visual representation for a plurality of musical components comprising the song, wherein the visual representation comprises a plurality of a lanes, wherein each lane corresponds to one of the musical components; and

receiving a second user input for one or more musical components, wherein musical characteristic corresponding to the musical components are modified in accordance with the second user input, wherein to modify musical characteristics corresponding to a particular musical component the user selects the particular lane corresponding to the particular musical component.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a third user input, wherein, to modify musical characteristics corresponding to the particular musical component, the user enters a first level of the visual representation beneath the particular lane and provides user input to modify the musical characteristics corresponding to the particular musical component.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of executing program instructions, wherein one or more music composition algorithms are applied to song data in accordance with a song data structure to generate music output for the song.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of executing program instructions, wherein one or more music composition algorithms are applied to music data in accordance with music rules of generate music.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein displayed graphics corresponding to the visual representation are customizable by the user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual representation comprises an animated display synchronized with one or more of the musical components.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein modifications to musical data corresponding to a particular musical component is accompanied by a change in a visual effect corresponding to the modifications to musical characteristics.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of receiving a fourth user input wherein, in response to the fourth user input, at least a second level of the visual representation is entered beneath the first level.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the song is provided to a hardware digital signal processor.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the song is saved to a memory location.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the song in memory is a file with a size of 0.5 KB or less.

12. A method for playing a song comprising the steps of:

executing program instructions, wherein one or more music composition algorithms are applied to a plurality of song data in accordance with a song data structure to generate music output for the song;

displaying a plurality of tabs on a display device, wherein each tab corresponds to song data, wherein a label associated with the song data visually appears on each tab, wherein the plurality of song data are visually presented to a user by viewing of the plurality of tabs;

receiving user input to select a particular song data;

providing initial musical data in accordance with a particular song data; and

applying music rules to a portion of the song data, wherein music output for a musical composition in accordance with the song data is generated.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein an animated visual display is present while the music output is generated.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the music output is provided to a hardware digital signal processor.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the music output is saved to a memory location.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the music output in memory is a file with a size of 0.5 KB or less.

17. A method for generating a song comprising the steps of:

executing program instructions, wherein one or more music composition algorithms are applied to music data in accordance with music rules to generate music;

displaying a plurality of tabs on a display device, wherein each tab corresponds to a musical style, wherein a label associated with a musical style visually appears on each tab, wherein a plurality of musical styles are visually presented to a user by viewing of the plurality of tabs;

receiving user input to select a particular musical style;

providing initial musical data in accordance with the particular musical style; and

applying the music rules to the initial musical data, wherein music output for a musical composition in accordance with the particular musical style is generated.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a music output data structure is saved to a removable memory location.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein an animated visual display is presented while the music output is generated.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the music output is provided to a hardware digital signal processor.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the music output in memory is a file with a size of 0.5 KB or less.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing music, and more particularly to systems and methods employing a top-down and interactive auto-composition process, where the systems/methods provide the user with a musical composition that may be modified and interacted with and played and/or stored (for later play) in order to create music that is desired by the particular user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large number of distinct musical styles have emerged over the years, as have systems and technologies for creating, storing, and playing back music in accordance with such styles. Music creation, particularly of any quality, typically has been limited to persons who have musical training or who have expended the time and energy required to learn and play one or more instruments. Systems for creating and storing quality musical compositions have tended towards technologies that utilize significant computer processing and/or data storage. More recent examples of such technologies include compact disc (CD) audio players and players of compressed files (for instance as per the MPEG-level 3 standard), etc. Finally, there exist devices incorporating a tuner, which permit reception of radio broadcasts via electromagnetic waves, such as FM or AM radio receivers.

Electronics and computer-related technologies have been increasingly applied to musical instruments over the years. Musical synthesizers and other instruments of increasing complexity and musical sophistication and quality have been developed, a "language" for conversation between such instruments has been created, which is known as the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard. While MIDI-compatible instruments and computer technologies have had a great impact on the ability to create and playback or store music, such systems still tend to require substantial musical training or experience, and tend to be complex and expensive.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music employing a top-down process, where the systems/methods provide the user with a musical composition that may be modified and interacted with and played and/or stored (for later play) in order to create music that is desired by the particular user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music that enables a user to quickly begin creating desirable music in accordance with one or a variety of musical styles, with the user modifying an auto-composed or previously created musical composition, either for a real time performance and/or for storing and subsequent playback.

It is another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music in which a graphical interface is provided to facilitate use of the system and increase user enjoyment of the system by having graphic information presented in a manner that corresponds with the music being heard or aspects of the music that are being modified or the like; it also is an object of the present invention to make such graphic information customizable by a user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music in which a graphical interface is provided that presents a representation of a plurality of musical lanes, below each of which is represented a tunnel, in which a user may modify musical parameters, samples or other attributes of the musical composition, with such modifications preferably being accompanied by a change in a visual effect.

It is another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music in which music may be represented in a form to be readily modified or used in an auto-composition algorithm or the like, and which presents reduced processing and/or storage requirements as compared to certain conventional audio storage techniques.

It is another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music in which music may be automatically composed in a variety of distinct musical styles, where a user may interact with auto-composed music to create new music of the particular musical style, where the system controls which parameters may be modified by the user, and the range in which such parameters may be changed by the user, consistent with the particular musical style.

It is another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music based on efficient song structures and ways to represent songs, which may incorporate or utilize pseudo-random/random events in the creation of musical compositions based on such song structures and ways to represent songs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music in which songs may be efficiently created, stored and/processed; preferably songs are represented in a form such that a relatively small amount of data storage is required to store the song, and thus songs may be stored using relatively little data storage capacity or a large number of songs may be stored in a given data storage capacity, and songs may be transmitted such as via the Internet using relatively little data transmission bandwidth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music in which a modified MIDI representation of music is employed, preferably, for example, in which musical rule information is embedded in MIDI pitch data, musical rules are applied in a manner that utilize relative rhythmic density and relative mobility of note pitch, and in which sound samples may be synchronized with MIDI events in a desirable and more optimum manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music in which a hardware/software system preferably includes a radio tuner so that output from the radio tuner may be mixed, for example, with auto-composed songs created by the system, which preferably includes a virtual radio mode of operation; it also is an object of the present invention to provide hardware that utilizes non-volatile storage media to store songs, song lists and configuration information, and hardware that facilitates the storing and sharing of songs and song lists and the updating of sound banks and the like that are used to create musical compositions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music that works in conjunction with a companion PC software program that enables users to utilize the resources of a companion PC and/or to easily update and/or share Play lists, components of songs, songs, samples, etc.

It is another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music in which songs may be generated, exchanged and disseminated, preferably or potentially on a royalty free basis.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and/or playing music that may be adapted to a variety of applications, systems and processes in which such music creation may be utilized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses such problems and limitations and provides systems and methods that may achieve such objects by providing hardware, software, musical composition algorithms and a user interface and the like (as hereinafter described in detail) in which users may readily create, modify, interact with and play music. In a preferred embodiment, the system is provided in a handheld form factor, much like a video or electronic game. A graphical display is provided to display status information, graphical representations of musical lanes or components, which preferably vary in shape, color or other visual attribute as musical parameters and the like are changed for particular instruments or musical components such as a microphone input, samples, etc. The system preferably operates in a variety of modes such that users may create, modify, interact with and play music of a desired style, including an electronic DJ ("e-DJ") mode, a virtual radio mode, a song/song list playback mode, sample create/playback mode and a system mode, all of which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Preferred embodiments employ a top-down process, where the system provides the user with in effect a complete musical composition, basically a song, that may be modified and interacted with and played and/or stored (for later play) in order to create music that is desired by the particular user. Utilizing an auto-composition process employing musical rules and preferably a pseudo random number generator, which may also incorporate randomness introduced by timing of user input or the like, the user may then quickly begin creating desirable music in accordance with one or a variety of musical styles, with the user modifying the auto-composed (or previously created) musical composition, either for a real time performance and/or for storing and subsequent playback.

A graphical interface preferably is provided to facilitate use of the system and increase user enjoyment of the system by having graphic information presented in a manner that corresponds with the music being heard or aspects of the music-that are being modified or the like. An LCD display preferably is used to provide the graphical user interface, although an external video monitor or other display may be used as an addition or an alternative. In preferred embodiments, such graphic information is customizable by a user, such as by way of a companion software program, which preferably runs on a PC and is coupled to the system via an interface such as a USB port. For example, the companion software program may provide templates or sample graphics that the user may select and/or modify to customize the graphics displayed on the display, which may be selected and/or modified to suit the particular user's preferences or may be selected to correspond in some manner to the style of music being played. In one embodiment, the companion software program provides one or more templates or sample graphics sets, wherein the particular template(s) or sample graphic set(s) correspond to a particular style of music. With such embodiments, the graphics may be customized to more closely correspond to the particular style of music being created or played and/or to the personal preferences of the user.

The graphical interface preferably presents, in at least one mode of operation, a visual representation of a plurality of musical lanes or paths corresponding to components (such as particular instruments, samples or microphone input, etc.). In addition to allowing the user to visualize the various components of the musical composition, through user input (such as through a joystick movement) the user may go into a particular lane, which preferably is represented visually by a representation of a tunnel. When inside of a particular tunnel, a user may modify musical parameters, samples or other attributes of the musical composition, with such modifications preferably being accompanied by a change in a visual effect that accompany the tunnel.

In accordance with preferred embodiments, music may be automatically composed in a variety of distinct musical styles. The user preferably is presented with a variety of pre-set musical styles, which the user may select. As a particular example, in e-DJ mode, the user may select a particular style from a collection of styles (as will be explained hereinafter, styles may be arranged as "style mixes" and within a particular style mix one or more particular styles, and optionally substyles or "microstyles." After selection of a particular style or substyle, with a preferably single button push (e.g., play) the system begins automatically composing music in accordance with the particular selected style or substyle. Thereafter, the user may interact with the auto-composed music of the selected style/substyle to modify parameters of the particular music (such as via entering a tunnel for a particular component of the music), and via such modifications create new music of the particular musical style/substyle. In order to facilitate the creation of music of a desirable quality consistent with the selected style/substyle, the system preferably controls which parameters may be modified by the user, and the range over which such parameters may be changed by the user, consistent with the particular musical style/substyle. The system preferably accomplishes this via music that may be represented in a form to be readily modified or used in an auto-composition algorithm or the like. The musical data representation, and accompanying rules for processing the musical data, enable music to be auto-composed and interacted with in a manner that presents reduced processing and/or storage requirements as compared to certain conventional audio storage techniques (such as CD audio, MP3 files, WAV files, etc.).

In accordance with certain embodiments, the system operates based on efficient song structures and ways to represent songs, which may incorporate or utilize pseudo-random/random events in the creation of musical compositions based on such song structures and ways to represent songs. Songs may be efficiently created, stored and/processed, and preferably songs are represented in a form such that a relatively small amount of data storage is required to store the song. Songs may be stored using relatively little data storage capacity or a large number of songs may be stored in a given data storage capacity, and songs may be transmitted such as via the Internet using relatively little data transmission bandwidth. In preferred embodiments, a modified MIDI representation of music is employed, preferably, for example, in which musical rule information is embedded in MIDI pitch data, and in which sound samples may be synchronized with MIDI events in a desirable and more optimum manner.

The system architecture of preferred embodiments includes a microprocessor or microcontroller for controlling the overall system operation. A synthesizer/DSP is provided in certain embodiments in order to generate audio streams (music and audio samples, etc.). Non-volatile memory preferably is provided for storing sound banks. Preferably removable non-volatile storage/memory preferably is provided to store configuration files, song lists and samples, and in certain embodiments sound bank optimization or sound bank data. A codec preferably is provided for receiving microphone input and for providing audio output. A radio tuner preferably is provided so that output from the radio tuner may be mixed, for example, with auto-composed songs created by the system, which preferably includes a virtual radio mode of operation. The system also preferably includes hardware and associated software that facilitates the storing and sharing of songs and song lists and the updating of sound banks and the like that are used to create musical compositions.

In alternative embodiments, the hardware, software, musical data structures and/or user interface attributes are adapted to, and employed in, a variety of applications, systems and processes in which such music creation may be utilized.

Such aspects of the present invention will be understood based on the detailed description to follow hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary preferred embodiment of a "Player" in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate exemplary preferred function and mode keys in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 4-13 illustrate exemplary preferred screens of the graphical user interface in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a table illustrating exemplary configuration parameters used in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates the song structure used in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary preferred musical generation flow utilized in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a table illustrating exemplary virtual notes/controllers utilized in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating Tessitura principles utilized in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates principles of encoding musical key changes preferably as offsets, which is utilized in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates a mode application musical rule that preferably is part of the overall process in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary preferred virtual pattern to real pattern flow utilized in preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 22 illustrates principles of relative rhythmic density utilized in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 23 illustrates principles of the relative mobility of note pitch utilized in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 24 illustrates a pattern structure creation example in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 25 illustrates a block structure creation example in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 26-27 illustrate Pseudo-Random Number generation examples utilized in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 28 illustrates attributes of simple data structures utilized in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary simple data structure flow in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 30 illustrates attributes of complex data structures utilized in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 31 illustrates an exemplary complex data structure flow in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 32-34 illustrate exemplary hardware configurations of certain preferred embodiments of the player and a docking station in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 35 illustrates an exemplary address map for the microprocessor utilized in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 36 illustrates an exemplary address map for the synthesizer/DSP utilized in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 37-38 illustrate the use of a DSP bootstrap/addressing technique utilized in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 39 illustrates a simplified logical arrangement of MIDI and audio streams in the music generation process for purposes of understanding preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 40 illustrates a simplified MIDI and audio stream timeline for purposes of understanding preferred embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 41-42 illustrate the use of Non-Registered Parameter Number for purposes of synchronizing MIDA events and audio samples in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to certain preferred and certain other embodiments, which may serve to further the understanding of preferred embodiments of the present invention. As described elsewhere herein, various refinements and substitutions of the various elements of the various embodiments are possible based on the principles and teachings herein.

In accordance with the present invention, music may be created (including by auto-composition), interacted with, played and implemented in a variety of novel ways as will be hereinafter described via numerous exemplary preferred and alternative embodiments. Included in such embodiments are what may be considered as top-down approaches to musical creation. Top-down as used herein generally means that a complete song structure for quality music is created for the end user as a starting point. This enables the user to immediately be in position to create quality music, with the user then having the ability to alter, and thereby create new music, based on the starting point provided by the system. Where a particular user takes the music creation process is up to them. More conventional musical creation processes involve a bottom-up approach, wherein the rudiments of each instrument and musical Style are learned, and then individual notes are put together, etc. This conventional approach generally has the side-effect of limiting the musical creation to a small group of trained people, and has, in effect, barred the wider population from experiencing the creative process with music.

A useful analogy for purposes of understanding embodiments of the present invention is that of building a house. In the conventional means of house-building, the user is given a bunch of bricks, nails, wood, and paint. If you want a house, you need to either learn all the intricacies of how to work with each of these materials, as well as electrical wiring, plumbing, engineering, etc., or you need to find people who are trained in these areas. Similarly, in musical creation, if you want a song (that is pleasing), you need to learn all about various types of musical instruments (and each of their unique specialties or constraints), as well as a decent amount of music theory, and acquire a familiarity with specific techniques and characteristics in a given Style of music (such as techno, jazz, hip-hop, etc.).

It would, of course, be far more convenient if, when someone wanted a house, they were given a complete house that they could then easily modify (with the press of a button). For example, they could walk into the kitchen and instantly change it to be larger, or a different color, or with additional windows. And they could walk into the bathroom and raise the ceiling, put in a hot tub, etc. They could walk into the living room and try different paint schemes, or different furniture Styles, etc. Similarly, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the user desirably is provided with a complete song to begin with, they can then easily modify, at various levels from general to specific, to create a song that is unique and in accordance with the user's desires, tastes and preferences.

In accordance with the present invention, the general population of people readily may be provided with an easy approach to musical creation. It allows them the immediate gratification of a complete song, while still allowing them to compose original music. This top down approach to musical creation opens the world of musical creativity to a larger group of people by reducing the barriers to creating pleasurable music.

In accordance with the present invention, various systems and methods are provided that enable users to create music. Such systems and methods desirably utilize intuitive and easy to learn and use user interfaces that facilitate the creation of, and interaction with, music that is being created, or was created previously. Various aspects of one example of a preferred embodiment for a user interface in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described.

In accordance with such preferred embodiments of the present invention, user interface features are provided that desirably facilitate the interactive generation of music. The discussion of such preferred embodiments to be herein after provided are primarily focused on one example of a handheld, entry-level type of device, herein called 'Player'. However, many of the novel and inventive features discussed in connection with such a Player relate to the visual enhancement of the control and architecture of the music generation process; accordingly they can apply to other types of devices, such as computing devices, web server/websites, kiosks, video, or other electronic games and other entertainment devices that allow music creation and interaction, and thus also may benefit from such aspects of the present invention. A discussion of certain of the other types of devices is provided hereinafter. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, various features of the user interface of the Player can be understood to apply to such a broader range of devices.

Generally, the goal of the user interface is to allow intuitive, simple operation of the system and interaction with various parameters with a minimum number of buttons, while at the same time preserving the power of the system. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system configuration for Player 10. Display 20 provides visual information to the user, as will hereinafter be described. Various mode keys 16 provide buttons that enable a user to directly access, or initiation, modes of operation of the system as will be hereinafter described. Joystick is provided to enable the user to select or interact with various musical or system parameters or the like, as will be hereinafter described. Save/edit key 17 preferably is provided to save songs or parameter changes, etc., that a user may have created or made using the system, and also to initiate editing of parameters, Play lists, samples, etc., such as will be described hereinafter. Volume key(s) 14 is/are provided, either in dual button up/down form or a single knob or dial to enable the output volume level to be adjusted. Function keys 11 preferably are provided to enable player functions such as play (ok), stop (cancel), forward (insert/create), reverse (delete) and record, exemplary uses of which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. FX key 12 preferably is provided to enable a user to easily and intuitively adjust one or more audio effects (e.g., doppler, reverb, wobbler, custom, etc.) of a part of the music (e.g., a particular sample sound); one preferred way to enable an intuitive sound effect selection by the user is to enable to FX key 12 to be used in combination with the Joystick 15 left and right controls, a corresponding preferred way to enable intuitive sound effect adjustment (e.g., increase or decrease the effect of the selected sound effect) is to enable to the FX Key 12 to be used in combination with the Joystick 15 up and down controls. Pitch/tempo key 13 preferably is provided to enable single button activation for pitch/tempo changes (preferably along with joystick movements), as will be hereinafter described in greater detail. On/off button 18 preferably is provided to turn on or off the player, and preferably a brief depression/toggle can be used to turn on/off an LCD backlight, although, for example, other turn off modes may be used as well (such as a time out turn off, when the player is not playing and there has been no activity detected for a predetermined time out period, etc. Exemplary desirable uses of such buttons and keys provided in the illustrative Player 10 embodiment will become more apparent based on the discussion to follow.

In accordance with preferred embodiments, a Home mode is provided. Home mode is a default mode that can be automatically entered when Player 10 is turned on. As the example of FIG. 4 shows, Home mode preferably displays an animated screen prompting the user to select a mode by pressing a direct access mode key 16 or entering help mode by pressing the joystick (FIG. 4 depicts the moment of the animation that prompts for the Radio direct access key). In preferred embodiments, a user can define the graphics displayed on the display 20 using, for example, a companion PC software program (discussed in greater detail below) to select graphics (animated or otherwise) to be automatically substituted (if available) for the default graphics during the different modes of operation. In this example of custom screens, data files corresponding to the customized screen graphics for each section of a song, and/or each mode of operation, preferably can be stored as part of the song data structure (discussed below) in a storage location of a removable memory means such as the Flash memory in a Smart Media Card (SMC). In preferred embodiments, in Home mode the screen scrolls through various modes that are available in the system, such as modes associated with mode/direct access keys 16 (see, again, FIG. 1). Additionally, Player 10 preferably is configured to return to Home mode from the main menu of any other mode (i.e., from the user pressing the Stop key). When the joystick is pressed in Home mode, preferably a help screen is displayed prompting the user to press any key for help. An example help screen is shown in FIG. 5. In accordance with this example, when a key is pressed while Player 10 is displaying this screen, helpful text relating to that key is displayed.

Play can be used when in Home mode to enter a particularly important visual interface mode referred to herein as the I-Way mode (discussed in greater detail below). As shown in the example of FIG. 6, the preferably LCD screen can display a message regarding other possible modes, such as "e.DJ Style", in the status line and propose a selection of music Styles/SubStyles (e.g.; Techno Mix, House, Garage, etc.). At this type of screen, to select a desired Style, a user can press Up or Down. In this example, Styles in uppercase preferably denote a category of SubStyles that are randomly chosen for each song, and SubStyles preferably are indicated by lowercase Styles proceeding each uppercase Style. Once the user selects a Style, to enter I-Way mode with the selected Style, the user can press Play. Once the I-Way mode is entered, preferably Player 10 automatically creates, and starts playing, a song in the chosen Style. Exemplary Styles/SubStyles that preferably are provided in accordance with certain preferred embodiments include: Coolmix (SubStyles ballad, bossa, new age); Hip Hop Mix (SubStyles hip hop, rap, R&B, downbeat, ragga); Kitsch; Techno Mix (SubStyles house, garage, trance, jungle); etc. What is important to note is that, in accordance with preferred embodiments, distinct music Styles are determined, at least some of the musical Styles including distinct SubStyles, wherein characteristics of the particular Style and/or SubStyle result in different musical rules being applied to the automatic creation of music in accordance with the particular Style/SubStyle (the use of musical rules and other algorithmic and other details of the preferred music generation process is discussed in greater detail elsewhere herein), with an intuitive and easy to use interface provided to enable the ready creation and user modification of music in accordance with the particular Style/SubStyle, etc. In additional embodiments the use of an even finer gradation of musical aesthetic is available to the user in the form of a MicroStyle. For example, a plurality of MicroStyles are provided that all generally conform to a particular SubStyle, while the SubStyle is accompanied by one or more other SubStyles that together generally conform to a particular Style. This third tier of musical granularity preferably gives the discerning user even finer control over the musical output of the algorithmic music. Such MicroStyles preferably provide more consistent music, while perhaps losing some of the flexibility of Styles/SubStyles. What is important is that the user is provided with a plurality of levels of musical style categorizations, where basically at each descending level the range of musical parameters that may be varied by the user and/or the auto-composition algorithm and the like are progressively more constrained, consistent with the particular Style, SubStyle or MicroStyle that is selected, etc.

An important feature of Home mode is the ability to configure Player 10 to start playing music quickly and easily. This is because, although Player 10 is configured to be interactive, and many professional-grade features are available to adjust various aspects of the Style and sound, it is desirable to have a quick and easy way for users to use the Player in a 'press-it-and-forget-it' mode. Thus, with only very few button pushes, a user with little or no musical experience, or little or no experience with Player 10, may easily begin composing original music with Player 10 of a desired Style or SubStyle. An additional preferred way to provide an auto-play type of capability is to use a removable storage memory medium (e.g., Smart Media Card) to store a Play list, such as a file containing a list of song data structures that are present on the removable memory. Following this example, when the user inserts the removable memory, or when the system is powered on with a removable memory already inserted, preferably the system will scan the removable memory to look for such a file containing a Play list and begin to play the song data structures that are listed in the system file. Preferably, this arrangement can be configured such that the Auto-Play mode is selectable (such as via a configuration setting in the system file), and that the system will wait a short duration before beginning Auto-Play, to allow the user an opportunity to enter a different mode on the system if so desired.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, an exemplary, preferred screen for an I-Way mode depicts the front view of the user driving or moving down a visual representation of a highway or multi-lane road or path. Along the very top of the screen preferably is a status message that displays the current section or status of the ongoing eDJ session (for example: part 1, filtering drums, chorus, Part 2, <<sample name>>, etc.). Preferably, other ways of displaying messages to the user to more prominently indicate a status message can be used; for example, the system can momentarily flash a large visual indicator that takes up almost the entire screen. Preferably, directly in front of the field of view is a visual representation of a speaker that preferably is pulsing in time with the music being played. Preferably, each lane of the I-Way represents various types of elements of a song; such as instrument lanes (drums, bass, riff, lead), one or more sample lanes (to interact with pre-stored samples of voices, sounds, etc), and one or more microphone lanes which manage the microphone input in real-time. Other categories for lanes can be envisioned that are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. What is important to this aspect of the present invention that the user be presented with a multi-lane visual representation that includes a plurality of lanes, each of which corresponds to a constituent component or effect, etc., of the music that is being composed or played. The user preferably uses joystick 15 (for example, a circular button that can depress in 4 areas: top, bottom, left and right, such as illustrated in FIG. 1) to move the center of view around. Generally, each directional depression of joystick 15 causes the center of view to shift in the corresponding direction. For example, when in the left lane and the right joystick button is pressed, the center of view moves over one lane to the right. In alternative embodiments, additional layers of interactivity can be presented with additional horizontal layers of the I-Way. For example, when at the lane of the I-Way for the drums (an instrument with distinct instrument components, such as snare, bass, floor tom, high hat, crash cymbal, ping-ride cymbal, roto-toms, etc.; orchestral percussion, such as tympani, gong, triangle, etc.), the user could press the down key to go down to another I-Way for the drums or other multiple component instrument, with a lane for each drum or component, and/or for different aspects of the drum or instrument sound. This concept of multiple I-Way interfaces can be selectively used for only the instruments that benefit from such an approach, such as the drums or other multiple component instrument (while other instruments maintain a single I-Way interface, etc.). The use of additional I-Way lanes is not necessary to enjoy all the benefits of the present invention, but is a desirable feature for certain uses of the invention, such as products geared for more professional uses, or for music Styles where additional user interface and instrument control complexity is desirable, such as classical music, or jazz.

While in I-Way mode, the screen preferably is animated with sound waves or pulses synchronized with music beats. In the example of FIG. 7, a visual representation of a round speaker is graphically represented in the center to symbolize the relative volume of the current lane. This graphic item preferably is configured to disappear, or be otherwise altered, when the lane is muted. It also can be configured to become bigger and smaller as the relative volume of that particular lane/section is adjusted (for example, by using a function key in combination with the joystick up and down buttons). Other simple variations are within the scope of the present invention, such as volume indicators visible in each lane at the same time, mute indications for each lane visible at the same time, graphic items in each lane visually reminiscent of the instrument represented by that lane, etc.

In an auto composition mode such as the I-Way mode it is Player 10 itself preferably that decides about a song progression in that it can automatically add/remove instruments, do music breaks, drums progressions, chord progressions, filtering, modulation, play samples in sync with the music, select samples to play based on rules, etc., to end up sounding like in a real song on a CD or from the radio. After a few minutes, if nothing is done by the user, Player 10 preferably is configured to end the song, preferably with an automatic fade out of volume, and automatically compose and play a new song in the same Style, or alternatively a different Style. It also should be understood that I-Way mode also is applicable in preferred embodiments for music that is not auto-composed, such as a song that the user created/modified using Player 10 (which may have been created in part using auto-composition) and stored in Player 10 for subsequent playback, etc.

In certain embodiments, newly composed patterns are numbered from 1 to n. This number can be displayed in the status line to help the user remember a music pattern he/she likes and come back to it after having tried a few other ones. In certain embodiments, this number might only be valid inside a given song and for the current interactive session. In other words, for example, the Riff pattern number 5 for the current song being composed would not sound like the Riff pattern number 5 composed in another song. However, if this song is saved as a user song, although the Riff music will be the same when replayed later, the number associated to it could be different.

In one exemplary embodiment, Player 10 "remembers" up to 16 patterns previously composed during the current interactive session. This means, for example, that if the current pattern number displayed is 25, the user can listen to patterns from number 10 to 25 by browsing forward through the previously composed patterns (patterns 1-9, in this embodiment, having been overwritten or otherwise discarded). If the User wants to skip a given composed pattern that is currently being played, he/she can, and the pattern number will not be incremented, meaning that currently played pattern will be lost. This feature can be used to store only specific patterns in the stack of previously played patterns, as desired by the user. What is important is that the user can create musical patterns, and selectively store (up to some predetermined number of musical patterns), with the stored patterns used to compose music that is determined by the user based on the user's particular tastes or desires, etc. The views presented by I-Way mode desirably facilitate this user creation and interaction with, and modification of, the music that is be created/played by Player 10.

In certain preferred embodiments, if desired by a user, additional music parameters of an instrument associated with a particular lane in the I-Way mode may be "viewed" and interacted with by the user. For example, if a Down is pressed (such as by way of joystick 15) while in I-Way mode, the center of view is taken "underground," to the "inside" of a particular lane. This transition to Underground mode preferably is made visually appealing by configuring a screen animation depicting the movement of the point of view down through the floor or bottom of the I-Way lane, into what appears to be a visual representation of a tunnel below a particular lane that corresponds to the musical component represented by that lane. When inside the tunnel beneath a particular lane, a pulse indication (similar to the speaker pulse) preferably occurs in time with the tempo of the I-Way session. Furthermore, the left and right walls of the tunnel can be used to indicate the wave shape of the left and right sound channel outputs.

The far end of the tunnel preferably is comprised of a shape (for example, a rectangle or other geometric) that can change in correlation to the value of one or more of the parameters affecting the sound of that particular lane. By way of example, in the case of drums, a filter parameter can be changed by depressing the function or Fx button (see, again FIG. 1), plus the joystick up or down button; at this time the shape comprising the end of the tunnel either changes shape or visually appears to get farther away or nearer. In another example, the pitch of a guitar can be adjusted by pressing the pitch key along with the left or right joystick button; at the same time, the shape can become more or less slanted as the pitch parameter is incremented or decremented in value, or alternatively a visual representation of the tunnel going up hill or down hill can be provided to visually represent an increase or decrease in pitch. In other examples, to change a right/left or stereo balance type of effect, the function or Fx button could be depressed to put the system in a mode to change the parameter along with left/right or up/down joystick button; such inputs could, for example, result in the sound balance going more towards the right channel than the left channel (and be accompanied by a visual representation of the tunnel turning to the right, or vice versa for the balance shifting towards the left channel), or the tunnel opening becoming larger in width or smaller in width if a wider or narrower stereo effect is desired. These are but several examples of how the shape or other visual effect can be modulated in correlation to the user input to one or more parameters effecting the sound. What is important is that, when the user "tunnels" into a particular instrument lane, various parameters associated with the instrument are changeable by the user, with at least certain of the changes in parameter being accompanied by a change in the visual representations provided to the user, such as the shape, size, color (for color display embodiments) or motions of the displayed visual representations.

While in Underground mode, Player 10 preferably is configured to continue looping with the same musical sequence while the user is able to interact with and modify the specific element (e.g., the drums) using the joystick and other buttons of Player 10. Also, while down in a lane corresponding to a particular component, preferably the left and right buttons of the joystick can be used to move from one component parameter to another. Alternatively, side to side joystick movements, for example, may enable the user to step through a series of preset characteristics or parameters (i.e., with simple joystick type user input, the user may change various parameters of the particular component, hear the music effect(s) associated with such parameter changes, and determine desirable characteristics for the particular music desired by the user at the particular point in time, etc.). In yet another alternative, side to side joystick movements, for example, may cause the view to shift from one tunnel to an adjacent tunnel, etc. All such alternatives are within the scope of the present invention.

In addition to other similar variations, the user can mute a particular lane in the I-Way mode preferably by use of Stop key (shown in FIG. 2). In this example, while the lane is muted, "Muted" can be displayed in the status bar and the round speaker can disappear. Preferably in accordance with such embodiments, the user can un-mute the instrument by again pressing the Stop key.

An additional desirable variation of the user interface preferably involves animating a change to the visual appearance, corresponding to a new song part. For example, if in the Underground mode shown in FIG. 8, or in the I-Way mode shown in FIG. 7, the movement to a chorus section is accompanied by a movement through an opening doorway. The graphic animation corresponding to a given section of the song (e.g., chorus, intro, bridge, ending, etc.) can be used each time that section is played during the song. Examples of transitions are: having the user go through a door from a tunnel with one set of visual characteristics, to a tunnel with a second set of visual characteristics. Another example is to have the user move through a transition doorway from a tunnel to a wider tunnel, or even an open area. The preferable feature of this aspect of the present invention is to provide an engaging experience for the user by coordinating an animation transition that is closely linked to a musical transition between song parts.

Alternatives to the I-Way and Underground concepts can also be advantageously used with the present invention. For example, a user interface that visually depicts the instruments that are in the current song, and allows the user to select one to go into a tunnel or level where parameters of the particular instrument may be adjusted. In this example, while the music is playing, the user interface provides visual representations of the instruments in the current song, with the active instruments preferably emitting a visual pulse in time with the music. FIG. 13 is an example of such a user interface. In accordance with such embodiments, the user can select a particular visual picture of an instrument (for example, such as with joystick 15 or function keys 11) and go into that instrument. For example, by selecting the vibrating drumset 25, the user can go into another level, such as corresponding to the Underground mode discussed above with reference to FIG. 12, that has each drum shown that is currently being played. Then, the user can select and change different aspects of the drums, as well as the sound effects, and drum tracks. If the user selected another instrument such as are shown in FIG. 13, they would access a screen that allows them to similarly alter the parameters of that particular instrument track. Accordingly, the use of alternative themes for the user interface can be advantageously employed with the present invention, especially a theme where the actual instruments are depicted, as if on a stage. In certain embodiments, both or multiple types of user interfaces are provided, and the user may select an I-Way type of user interface, such as shown in FIG. 7, or instrument group or other type of interface. What is important is that the user interface in preferred embodiments preferably provide an intuitive and easy to use way for users, who may have little experience in creating music, to visually appreciate the instruments used to create the music, and then have a visual way to access a mode in which parameters and effects associated with particular instruments may be modified by the user, which is preferably accompanied by a visual change that corresponds to the modified parameters/effects, etc.

Additionally, in certain preferred embodiments, the use of an external video display device (e.g., computer monitor, television, video projector, etc.) is used to display a more elaborate visual accompaniment to the music being played. In such cases the I-Way graphical display preferably is a more detailed rendition of the I-Way shown in FIG. 7 (e.g., a higher resolution image in terms of color depth and/or dots per inch).

In certain preferred embodiments, pressing Play preferably causes the lane instrument to enter Forced mode. This can be implemented to force Player 10 to play this instrument pattern at all times until Forced mode is exited by pressing Play again when the lane of that instrument is active. In this case, if the instrument was not playing at the time Forced mode is selected, Player 10 can be configured to automatically compose the instrument pattern and play it starting at the end of the current sequence (e.g., 2 bars). In addition, pressing Play for a relatively long period (e.g., a second or more) can pause the music, at which time a "paused" message can flash in the status line.

In other preferred embodiments, where such a Forced mode may not be desired (e.g., for simplicity, and/or because it may not be needed for a particular type of music), pressing Play briefly preferably causes a Pause to occur. Such a pause preferably would have a 'Paused' message appear on the Display 20, and preferably can be rhythmically quantized such that it begins and ends in musical time with the song (e.g., rhythmically rounded up or down to the nearest quarter note).

Solos

In Solo mode, all other instruments are muted (except for those that may already be in Solo mode) and only this instrument is playing. Solo mode preferably is enabled by entering a tunnel or other level for a particular instrument, and, if the instrument is already playing entering Solo mode upon pressing of Play (e.g., the instrument is in Forced play and subsequent pressing of Play in Underground mode initiates Solo mode for that instrument; the particular key entry into Solo mode being exemplary). An instrument preferably remains soloed when leaving the corresponding tunnel and going back to the music I-Way. The user also preferably must re-enter the corresponding tunnel to exit Solo mode. Also, in certain embodiments multiple levels of Solo mode are possible in that you can solo several tracks, one at a time or at the same time, by going into different tunnels and enabling Solo mode. In addition, in certain embodiments the user preferably can enable/disable Solo mode from the I-Way by, for example, pressing Play for a long time (e.g., 2 seconds) while in a lane. Following this example, upon disabling Solo mode, any lanes that had previously been manually muted (before Solo mode was invoked) preferably will remain muted.

Preferably, from a Sample menu different sample parameters can be edited. From the Samples menu, the user can record, play and change effects on voice, music or sound samples. This menu also preferably permits the creation and edition of sample lists. The LCD preferably displays "e.Samples" in the status line and a list of available samples or sample lists in the storage media (for example, the SmartMedia card, discussed in connection with FIG. 32) to choose from.

When playing back a sample, the LCD preferably displays the play sample screen. The name of the sample preferably scrolls in a banner in the center right part of the LCD while the audio output level is indicated by a sizable frame around the name. The status line preferably shows the current effect.

Sample sets or lists preferably are used by the e.DJ, for user songs, as well as MIDI files. In the case of MIDI files, preferably a companion PC software program (e.g., a standard MIDI editing software program such as Cakewalk) is used to enable the user to edit their own MDI files (if desired), and use MIDI non-registered parameter numbers (NRPNs are discussed below in more detail) to effectuate the playing of samples at a specific timing point. Following this example, the companion PC software program can be enabled to allow the user to insert samples into the MIDI data, using NRPNs. When a new e.DJ song is created, Player 10 preferably picks one of the existing sample lists (sample sets preferably being associated with the particular Style/SubStyle of music) and then plays samples in this list at appropriate times (determined by an algorithm, preferably based on pseudo random number generation, as hereinafter described) in the song. When creating or editing a user song, the user preferably can associate a sample list to this user song. Then, samples in this list will be inserted automatically in the song at appropriate times. Each sample list can be associated with an e.DJ music Style/SubStyle. For instance, a list associated with the Techno Style can only be used by a Techno user song or by the e.DJ when playing Techno Style. In additional variations, the user preferably can specify specific timing for when a particular sample is played in a song, by way of NRPNs discussed below. This specification of the timing of a particular sample preferably can be indicated by the user through the use of a companion PC software program (e.g., a standard MIDI editing software program such as Cakewalk), and/or through a text interface menu on the Player 10 itself.

New Sample lists preferably are created with a default name (e.g., SampleList001). The list preferably can be renamed in the System-files menu. When the selected item is a sample, the current effect preferably is displayed in the status line. When the selected item is a sample list, "List" preferably is displayed in the status line.

Playback of preferably compressed audio, MIDI, Karaoke, and User songs (e.g., e.DJ songs that have been saved) preferably is accessible via the "Songs" mode. Songs can be grouped in so-called Play lists to play programs (series) of songs in sequence. The LCD will display "e.Songs" in the status line and a list of available songs or Play lists on the SmartMedia card to choose from.

Depending on the type of the song (for example, user song, MIDI or WMA), different parameters can be edited. The type of the current selection preferably is indicated in the status bar: WMA (for WMA compressed audio), MID (for MIDI songs), KAR (for MIDI karaoke songs), MAD x (for user songs {x=T for Techno Style, x=H for Hip-Hop, x=K for Cool, etc.}), and List (for Play lists).

The name of the song preferably scrolls in a banner in the center right part of the LCD while the audio output level is indicated by a sizable frame around the name. If the song is a karaoke song, the lyrics preferably are displayed on two (or other number) lines at the bottom of the LCD. The animated frame preferably is not displayed. If the song is a user song (i.e., composed by the e.DJ and saved using the Save/Edit button), the music I-Way mode is entered instead of the play song mode.

The edit screen preferably is then displayed, showing two columns; the left column lists the editable parameters or objects in the item, the right column shows the current values of these parameters. For example, a Play list edit screen preferably will display slot numbers on the left side and song names on the right side. The current object preferably is highlighted in reverse video.

Play lists are used to create song programs. New Play lists are preferably created with a default name (e.g., PlayList001), and preferably can be renamed by the user. When a list is selected and played in the song select screen, the first song on the list will begin playing. At the end of the song, the next song preferably will start and so on until the end of the list is reached. Then, if the terminating instruction in the list is End List, the program preferably stops and Player 10 returns to the song select screen. If the terminating instruction is Loop List, the first song preferably will start again and the program will loop until the user interrupts the song playing, such as by pressing the stop button.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the features of a conventional radio are effectively integrated into the user interface of the present invention (see, e.g., the FM receiver 50 of FIG. 32). For example, when playing a station in Radio mode, the LCD preferably will display a radio screen. The LCD preferably will display "Radio" in the status line as well as a list of available station presets to choose from. If no preset has been preset, only the currently tuned frequency might be displayed. The name of the radio station (or frequency if it is not a stored preset) can scroll in a banner in the center right part of the LCD. An animation representing radio waves can also be displayed. The status line preferably shows the tuned frequency. In such embodiments Player 10 is enabled to operate as a conventional radio device.

In preferred embodiments, radio-type functionality involves the use of the same type of Radio interface, with virtual stations of different Styles. Each virtual station preferably will generate continuous musical pieces of one or more of a particular Style or SubStyle. In this v.Radio mode, the user can "tune-in" to a station and hear continuous music, without the use of an actual radio. Such an arrangement can provide the experience of listening to a variety of music, without the burden of hearing advertising, etc., and allows the user to have more control over the Style of music that is played. In such embodiments, a user will enter v.Radio mode and be presented with a list of v.Radio stations, each preferably playing a particular Style or SubStyle of music. The user then preferably "tunes" to a v.Radio channel by selecting a channel and pressing play, for example (see, e.g., FIG. 10), which causes Player 10 to begin auto-composing and playing songs in accordance with the particular v.Radio channel. In certain embodiments, the v.Radio may be controlled to play user songs of the particular Style or SubStyle associated with the particular v.Radio channel, which may be intermixed with auto-composed songs of the particular type of SubStyle. In yet other embodiments, one or more v.Radio channels may be provided that play songs of more than a single Style or SubStyle, which also may be intermixed with user songs of various Styles or SubStyles. With such embodiments, the user is provided options to select the particular type of v.Radio channel that Player 10 "tunes" in. Additionally, in certain embodiments the v.Radio mode preferably can be used to play a variety of different song formats (e.g., MP3, WAV, WMA, eDJ, etc.).

In accordance with certain embodiments, another variation of the Radio feature integrates some aspects of the v.Radio with other aspects of the Radio. As one example, a user could listen to a Radio station, and when a commercial break comes on, Player 10 switches to the v.Radio. Then, when the real music comes back on, the device can switch back to a Radio. Another integration is to have news information from the Radio come in between v.Radio music, according to selectable intervals. For example, most public radio stations in the USA have news, weather, and traffic information every ten minutes during mornings and afternoons. The v.Radio can be configured to operate as a virtual radio, and at the properly selected interval, switch to a public station to play the news. Then it can switch back to the v.Radio mode. These variations provide the capability for a new listening experience, in that the user can have more control over the radio, yet still be passively listening. It is considered that such an arrangement would have substantial use for commercial applications, as discussed elsewhere in this disclosure.

Special functions can preferably be accessed from the System menu. These functions preferably include: file management on the SmartMedia card (rename, delete, copy, list, change attributes) (the use of such SmartMedia or other Flash/memory/hard disk type of storage medium is discussed, for example, in connection with FIG. 32), Player configuration (auto-play, power off, delay, keypad auto-repeat, language, etc.), firmware upgrade, SmartMedia card formatting, microphone settings, and equalizer user presets. The Player can preferably modify various attributes of a file stored on the SmartMedia card. As a precaution, by default, all system files preferably can be set as read only.

In certain embodiments a User Configuration interface preferably enables the user to enter a name to be stored with the song data on the removable memory storage (e.g., SMC), and/or to enable the user to define custom equalization settings, and/or sound effects. As an example of EQ settings, it is preferable to enable the user to select from a group of factory preset equalizer settings, such as flat (e.g., no EQ effect), standard (e.g., slight boost of lower and higher frequencies), woof (e.g., bass frequency boost), and hitech (e.g., high frequency boost). In addition to such preset EQ settings, it is preferable to enable the user to define their own desired settings for the EQ (as an example, a 4 band EQ with the ability to adjust each of the 4 bands by way of the joystick). Additionally, in certain embodiments it is preferable to enable the user to similarly customize sound effects to be used for particular samples. Following this example, in addition to a set of standard factory preset sound effects such as Lowvoice (e.g., plays the song with a slower speed and lower pitch to enable the user to sing along with a lower voice), reverb, Highvoice (e.g., plays the song with a faster speed and higher pitch), Doppler (e.g., varying the sound from Highvoice to Lowvoice), and Wobbler (e.g., simulating several voices with effects), it is preferable to make a customized effect capability available to the user that can incorporate various combinations of standard effects, and in varying levels and/or with varying parameter values.

When the user saves a song that is being played in e-DJ mode, the song is preferably created with a default name (e.g. TECHNO001). The song can preferably be renamed in the System-files menu. When entering the Files menu, files present on the SmartMedia card and the free memory size are preferably listed in an edit screen format. The status line preferably indicates the number of files and the amount of used memory. The file management menu preferably offers a choice of actions to perform on the selected file: delete, rename, copy, change attributes, etc. The name of the current file preferably is displayed in the status line. Additionally, in certain embodiments it is preferable to enable the use of System parameter files that contain, for example, settings for radio presets (e.g., radio station names and frequencies), settings for certain parameters (e.g., pitch, tempo, volume, reverb, etc.) associated with music files such as WAV, WMA, MP3, MIDI, Karaoke, etc. In these embodiments it is preferable for the parameter setting to apply to the entire file.

When entering the Configuration menu, an edit screen preferably is displayed showing various configurable parameters. FIG. 14 describes some of the parameters that are preferably configurable by the Configuration menu, along with possible values. When modifying a selected character in a file name, Forward preferably can be used to insert a character after the highlighted one, and Backward preferably to delete the highlighted character. To save the edits and go back to file menu, Play preferably can be used.

When selecting copy, a screen proposing a name for the destination file in a large font preferably is displayed. This name preferably is proposed automatically based on the type of the source file. For instance if the source file is a Hiphop user song, the proposed name for the destination file could be HIPHOP001 (alternatively, the user preferably can use the rename procedure described above to enter the name of the destination file).

The Firmware Upgrade menu preferably permits the upgrade of the Player firmware (embedded software) from a file stored on the SmartMedia card. Preferably, it is not possible to enter the Upgrade firmware menu if no firmware file is available on the SmartMedia card. In this case a warning message is displayed and the Player preferably returns to Systems menu. In additional embodiments, the use of a bootstrap program preferably is enabled to allow the firmware to be updated from a removable memory location (e.g., SMC). Such a bootstrap program preferably can alternatively be used for upgrading the DSP 42 soundbank located in Flash 49.

The Player function keys, identified in FIG. 2, preferably are comprised of the standard buttons found on CD-players or VCRs, and are used to control the playback of songs (e.g.; Player-proprietary, MIDI, WMA, MP3, etc). The Record key controls recording (e.g.; samples). When used in editing or selection menus the player keys also have the following actions: Play preferably is used to select a sub menu or validate a change, Stop preferably is used to go back to previous menu, cancel an action or discard a change, Forward preferably is used to insert an item in a list, and REVERSE preferably is used to delete an item in a list. This is one example of how to use a minimum of keys in a device, while retaining a relatively large set of features, while also keeping the user interface relatively intuitive for a variety of users.

When a list is selected in the song select screen, pressing Play preferably will start playing the first song in the list. While the sample lane is selected, Play preferably can be configured to start playing the selected sample. While in an instrument lane, Play preferably can be configured to enter solo mode for the current instrument, or Forced mode.

To create a song/sample list, Forward preferably can be used while in the song or sample select screen.

To leave an edit screen, Stop preferably can be used to discard the edits and exit. For example, in the sample selection screen press Stop to go back to the Home screen. Additionally, for any given instrument during playback, Stop preferably can be used as a toggle to mute/unmute the instrument.

Record preferably can be pressed once to start recording a sample (recording samples preferably is possible in almost any operating mode of the Player). Record preferably can be pressed again to end the recording (recording preferably is stopped automatically if the size of the stored sample file exceeds a set size, such as 500 Kbytes). The record source preferably is chosen automatically depending on the operating mode. If no music is playing, the record source preferably is the active microphone (local or docking station). If music is playing songs, e.DJ or radio, the record source preferably is a mix of the music and the microphone input if not muted. Further, it is possible to use different sample recording formats that together provide a range of size/performance options. For example, very high quality sample encoding format may take more space on the storage medium, while a relatively low quality encoding format may take less space. Also, different formats may be more suited for a particular musical Style, etc.

In v-Radio mode, to listen to the selected station, Play preferably can be used. Press Play to mute the radio. Press Stop to go back to station preset selection screen. To launch an automatic search of the next station up the band, press Forward until the search starts. To launch an automatic search of the next station down the band, press Backward until the search starts. Press Forward/Backward briefly to fine-tune up/down by 50 kHz steps.

In eDJ Mode, while in Sample lane, Play preferably can be pressed to play a selected sample. If sample playback had previously been disabled, the first press on Play preferably will re-enable it. Subsequent presses preferably will play the selected sample. If a sample if playing, Stop preferably will stop it. If no sample is playing, pressing Stop preferably will mute the samples (i.e. disable the automatic playback of samples by the e-DJ when returning to I-Way mode). When muted, "Muted" preferably is displayed in the status bar and the round speaker preferably disappears on the I-Way sample lane.

In Song mode, to start the playback of selected song or Play list, preferably press Play and the LCD will preferably display the play song screen. In Song mode, Stop preferably can be pressed to stop the music and preferably go back to song selection screen. Preferably press Forward briefly to go to next song (if playing a Play list, this preferably will go to the next song in the list; otherwise, this preferably will go to the next song on the SmartMedia). Preferably press Forward continuously to fast forward the song. Preferably press Backward briefly to go to the beginning of the song and a second press preferably takes you to the previous song (if playing a Play list, this preferably will go to the previous song in the list; otherwise, this preferably will go to the previous song on the SmartMedia). Preferably press Backward continuously to quickly go backward in the song.

Pressing Stop can be a way to toggle the muting of an instrument/lane. For example, when on a Drums lane, pressing Stop briefly preferably can mute the drums, and pressing it again briefly preferably can un-mute the drums. Additionally, pressing Stop for relatively long period (e.g., a second or so) preferably can be configured to stop the music and go back to Style selection screen.

Forward preferably can be configured to start a new song. Backward preferably can be used to restart the current song.

Forward or Backward preferably can be used to keep the same pattern but change the instrument playing (preferably only "compatible" instruments will be picked and played by the Player).

Preferably press Stop to mute microphone. Preferably press Play to un-mute the microphone.

To start the playback of the selected sample, preferably press Play. Preferably press Stop to stop the sample and go back to sample selection screen.

In Song mode, preferably press Play to pause the music. Preferably press Play again to resume playback. Pressing Forward key in the song select screen preferably will create a new Play list. In the song selection screen, preferably press Stop to go back to the Home screen.

In the Style selection screen preferably press Stop to go back to the Home screen.

To enter the file management menu for the highlighted file, preferably press Play.

While browsing the file management list, preferably press Forward to scroll down to next page. Press Backward preferably to scroll up to previous page.

In the file management menu, to start a selected action, preferably press Play.

When selecting Delete, preferably a confirmation screen is displayed.

When selecting Rename, preferably a screen showing the name of the file in big font is displayed and the first character is preferably selected and blinking.

When copying a file, preferably press Play to validate the copy. If a file of the same type as the source file exists with the same name, preferably a confirmation screen asks if the file should be overwritten. Select YES or No and preferably press Play to validate. Press Stop to abort the copy and preferably return to file menu. It is a preferable feature of this embodiment to allow files to be copied from one removable memory storage location (e.g., SMC) to another by use of MP 36 RAM. In this example, it is a desirable to enable the copying of individual song or system files from one SMC to another without using a companion PC software program, however, in the case where an entire removable memory storage volume (e.g., all the contents of a particular SMC) is to be copied, it is desirable to use a companion PC software program to allow larger groups of data to be temporarily buffered (using the PC resources) by way of the USB connection to the PC. Such a feature may not be possible in certain embodiments without the PC system (e.g., using the MP 36 internal RAM) because it likely would involve the user repeatedly swapping the SMC target and source volumes.

The e-DJ, v-Radio, Songs, Samples and System direct access keys detailed in FIG. 3 preferably permit the user to directly enter the desired mode from within any other mode. These keys preferably can also be used to stop any mode, including the current mode. This can be faster than the Stop key, because in some cases, such as while in eDJ Mode inside a lane, the Stop key preferably may be used to mute the lane, rather than stop the eDJ Mode.

The audio output control is identified in FIG. 1 as Vol. Up/Down. Audio output control keys preferably are also used to control the microphone input when used in combination with prefix keys.

The Up/Down/Left/Right keys preferably comprise a joystick that can be used for: menu navigation, song or music Style selection, and real time interaction with playing music. Additionally, Up/Down preferably can be used for moving between modes such as the Underground & I-Way modes in an intuitive manner.

When editing a list, objects preferably can be inserted or deleted by pressing Forward to insert an object after the highlighted one or pressing Backward to delete the highlighted object.

To browse the list or select parameters, preferably use Up/Down. To edit the highlighted object preferably press Right. Press Left preferably to go directly to first item in the list.

In instrument tunnels (i.e.; Drums, Bass, Riff and Lead), Right preferably can be configured to compose a new music pattern. Similarly, Left preferably can be used to return to previous patterns (see note below on music patterns). The new pattern preferably will be synchronized with the music and can start playing at the end of the current music sequence (e.g., 2 bars). In the mean time, preferably a "Composing . . . " message can be configured to appear on the status line. Additionally, Down preferably can be used to compose a new music pattern without incrementing the pattern number. This preferably has the same effect as Right (compose and play another pattern), except that the pattern number preferably won't be incremented.

One benefit of these composition features is that they enable the user to change between patterns during a live performance. As can be appreciated, another reason for implementing this feature is that the user preferably can assemble a series of patterns that can be easily alternated. After pressing Right only to find that the newly composed pattern is not as desirable as the others, the user preferably can subsequently select Down to discard that pattern and compose another. Upon discovering a pattern that is desirable, the user preferably can thereafter use Right and Left to go back and forth between the desirable patterns. Additionally, this feature preferably allows the system to make optimum use of available memory for saving patterns. By allowing the user to discard patterns that are less desirable, the available resources preferably can be used to store more desirable patterns.

In the file management menu, to select a desired action, preferably use Up/Down. When renaming files, the user preferably can use Left/Right to select the character to be modified, and Up/Down to modify the selected character. Pressing Right when the last character is selected preferably will append a new character. The user preferably can also use the Forward/Backward player function keys at these times to insert/delete characters.

In the microphone tunnel, Left/Right preferably can be configured to change microphone input left/right balance. In the sample tunnel, Left/Right preferably can be used to select a sample. Pressing Forward in the sample select screen preferably will create a new sample list.

Down is an example of an intuitive way to enter the Underground mode for the current I-Way mode lane. In this mode, the user preferably can change the pattern played by the selected instrument (drums, bass, riff or lead) and preferably apply digital effects to it. Similarly, Up preferably can be configured to go back to music I-Way from the Underground mode.

In v-Radio mode, to select the desired station preset, preferably use Up/Down. Preferably use Up/Down to go to previous/next station in the preset list and preferably press Save/Edit while a station is playing to store it in the preset list.

The Save/Edit key preferably can be used to save the current song as a User song that can be played back later. Such a song preferably could be saved to a secondary memory location, such as the SmartMedia card. In the case of certain Player embodiments, this preferably can be done at any time while the e-DJ song is playing, as only the "seeds" that generated the song preferably are stored in order to be able to re-generate the same song when played back as a User song. In certain embodiments it is preferable to incorporate a save routine that automatically saves revised files as a new file (e.g., with the same name but a different suffix). Such a feature can be used to automatically keep earlier versions of a file.

While the use of seeds is discussed elsewhere in this disclosure, it may be helpful at this point to make an analogy on the use of the Save/Edit 17 key. This key is used to save the basic parameters of the song in a very compact manner, similar to the way a DNA sequence contains the parameters of a living organism. The seeds occupy very little space compared to the information in a completed song, but they are determinative of the final song. Given the same set of saved seeds, the Player algorithm of the present invention preferably can generate the exact same sequence of music. So, while the actual music preferably is not stored in this example (upon the use of the Save/Edit 17 key), the fundamental building blocks of the music is stored very efficiently. The desirability of such an approach can be appreciated in a system with relatively limited resources, such as a system with a relatively low-cost/low performance processor and limited memory. The desirability of such a repeatable, yet extremely compact method of storing music can also be contemplated in certain alternative embodiments, such as those involving the communication with other systems over a relatively narrow band transmission medium, such as a 56 kbps modem link to the internet, or an iRDA/bluetooth type of link to another device. Clearly this feature can be advantageously employed using other relatively low bandwidth connections between systems as well. Additionally, this feature allows the user to store many more data files (e.g., songs) in a given amount of storage, and among other advantages, this efficiency enhances other preferable features, such as the automatic saving of revised files as new files (as discussed above).

In certain embodiments, it is desirable to check the resources available to a removable memory interface (e.g., the SMC interface associated with SMC 40) to safeguard the user song in instances where a removable memory volume is not inserted; and/or there is not enough available storage on an inserted removable memory volume. In these cases, when the user saves a song (e.g., pushes the Save/Edit key 17 button) it is advantageous to prompt the user to insert an additional removable memory volume.

The name of the song preferably can be temporarily displayed in the status line, in order to be able to select this song (as a file) later on for playback. Of course the song file name preferably can be changed later on if the User wishes to do so. Once an item has been created, it preferably can be edited by selecting it in the song or sample selection screens and pressing Save/Edit. Pressing Save/Edit again will preferably save the edited item and exit. When the On/Off key is pressed for more than 2 seconds, the Player preferably can be configured to turn on or off, yet when this combination is pressed only briefly, the On/Off key can alternatively preferably be configured to turn the LCD backlight on or off.

When Pitch/Tempo is pressed simultaneously with Left or Right, it preferably can be used as a combination to control the tempo of the music. When Pitch/Tempo is pressed simultaneously with Up/Down, it preferably can control the pitch of the microphone input, the music, etc.

When Effects/Filters is pressed simultaneously with Left/Right or Up/Down, it preferably can control the effect (for example, cutoff frequency or resonance) and/or volume (perhaps including mute) applied on a given instrument, microphone input, or sample.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, other related combinations can be employed along these lines to provide additional features without detracting from the usability of the device, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Various examples of preferred embodiments for the structuring of a song of the present invention will now be described. Preferably for a new song, the only user input needs to be an input Style. Preferably even this is not required when an auto-play feature is enabled that causes the Style itself to be pseudo-randomly selected. But assuming the user would like to select a particular Style, that is the only input preferably needed for the present embodiment to begin song generation.

Before moving into the actual generation process itself, it is important to note that preferably implicit in the user's Style selection can be a Style and a SubStyle. That is, in certain embodiments of the present invention, a Style is a category made up of similar SubStyles. In these cases, when the user selects a Style, the present embodiment will preferably pseudo-randomly select from an assortment of SubStyles. Additionally, it is preferably possible for the user to select the specific SubStyle instead, for greater control. In these particular embodiments, preferably whether the user selects a Style or a SubStyle, the result preferably is that both a Style and a SubStyle can be used as inputs to the song generation routines. When the user selects a SubStyle, the Style preferably is implicitly available. When the user selects a Style, the SubStyle preferably is pseudo-randomly selected. In these cases, both parameters are available to be used during the song generation process to allow additional variations in the final song.

As shown in FIG. 15, the Song is preferably comprised of a series of Parts. Each part preferably might be an intro, theme, chorus, bridge, ending, etc.; and different parts preferably can be repeated or returned to later in a song. For example, one series of parts might be: intro, theme, chorus, theme, chorus, theme, chorus, end. Certain Styles preferably may have special types of parts, and other Styles preferably may only use a subset of the available parts. This depends on the desired characteristics for a particular Style or SubStyle. For example, a 'cool' Style may not use a bridge part. Additionally, certain Styles that have a generally faster tempo preferably can use a virtually-doubled part size by simply doubling each part (i.e., intro, theme, theme, chorus, chorus, theme, theme, chorus, chorus, etc.).

Also, in certain cases, the user experience preferably may benefit from having the display updated for a particular Part. For example, an indication of the current position within the overall length of the song may be helpful to a user. Another example is to alert the user during the ending part that the song is about to end. Such an alert preferably might involve flashing a message (i.e., 'Ending') on some part of the display, and preferably will remind the user that they need to save the song now if they want it saved.

Another optimization at this level is preferably to allow changes made by the user during the interactive generation of a song to be saved on a part-by-part basis. This would allow the user to make a change to an instrument type, effect, volume, or filter, etc., and have that revised characteristic preferably be used every time that part is used. As an example, this would mean that once a user made some change(s) to a chorus, every subsequent occurrence of the chorus would contain that modified characteristic. Following this particular example, the other parts of the song would contain a default characteristic. Alternatively, the characteristic modifications preferably could either be applied to multiple parts, or preferably be saved in real time throughout the length of the song, as discussed further below.

Each Part preferably can be a different length, and preferably can be comprised of a series of SubParts. One aspect of a preferred embodiment involves the SubPart level disclosed in FIG. 15, but the use of the SubPart level is optional, in that the Part structure can be comprised directly by Sequences without the intervening SubPart level.

In certain embodiments, where a SubPart layer is implemented, each SubPart preferably can be of a different size. Such an approach can enhance the feel of the resulting musical composition, as it affords a degree of variety to the Parts.

Each SubPart preferably is comprised of a series of Sequences (SEQs). In keeping with the previous comment regarding the relationship between consistent sizing and flexibility of rule applications, each SEQ preferably can be the same length and time signature. In the example of FIG. 15, each SEQ is two bars long with a 4/4 time signature. Of course, these can be adjusted in certain variations of the invention, but in this example, this arrangement works well, because it allows us to illustrate how we can hold notes across a measure boundary. Typically, it might be advantageous to lengthen the size of the SEQs (as well as the RPs to be discussed hereinafter) to allow greater diversity in the musical outcome. Such a variation is certainly within the scope of the present discussion, as well as FIG. 15.

Following the example of FIG. 15, each SEQ preferably consist of multiple Real Patterns (RPs) in parallel. Generally, it is useful to have 1 RP for each type of instrument. In this case, a type of instrument preferably corresponds to a single lane of the I-Way user interface (i.e., drums, bass, riff, etc.). RP data preferably is actual note data; generally, information at this level preferably would not be transposed unless through user interaction, and even then such interaction preferably would likely apply to multiple instruments. Of course this is a user interface decision, and is not a limitation to the embodiments discussed here.

In this case, the multiple RPs preferably are merged together to comprise the SEQ. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, this is analogous to the way a state-of-the-art MIDI sequencer merges multiple sets of MIDI Type 1 information into MIDI Type 0 file.

Further background detail on this can be found in the "General MIDI Level 2 Specification" (available from the MIDI Manufacturer's Association) which is hereby incorporated by reference.

One reason for allowing multiple RPs in parallel to define a SEQ, is that at certain times, certain lanes on the I-Way may benefit from the use of multiple RPs. This is because it may be desirable to vary the characteristics of a particular piece of the music at different times during a song. For example, the lead preferably may be different during the chorus and the solo. In this case it may be desirable to vary the instrument type, group, filtering, reverb, volume, etc., and such variations can be enacted through the use of multiple RPs. Additionally, this method can be used to add/remove instruments in the course of play. Of course, this is not the only way to implement such variations, and it is not the only use for multiple RPs.

Following the example of FIG. 15, each RP preferably is comprised of two bars, labeled RPx and RPy. Such a two bar structure is useful because it preferably allows some variations in MIDI information (chord changes, sustain, etc.) across the internal bar boundary. Such variation can provide the effect of musical variation without adding the complexity of having chordal changes occur inside a bar, or having notes sustained among multiple RPs.

Generally, it is cumbersome to allow notes to be held over multiple RPs. This is partly because of the characteristics of MIDI, in that to hold a note you need to mask out the Note Off command at the end of a pattern, and then mask out the Note On command at the beginning of the next pattern. Also, maintaining the same note across pattern boundaries is a concern when you switch chords, because the end of a pattern preferably is an opportunity to cycle through the chord progression, and you need to make sure that the old note being sustained is compatible with the new chord. The generation and merging of chord progression information preferably occurs in parallel with the activities of the present discussion, and shall be discussed below in more detail. While is considered undesirable to hold notes across patterns, there are exceptions.

One example of a potentially useful time to have open notes across multiple patterns is during Techno Styles when a long MIDI event is filtered over several patterns, herein called a 'pad'. One way to handle this example, is to use a pad sequence indicator flag to check if the current SEQ is the beginning, in the middle, or the end of a pad. Then the MIDI events in the pad track can be modified accordingly so that there will be no MIDI Note Offs for a pad at the beginning, no MIDI Note Ons at the beginning of subsequent RPs, and the proper MIDI Note Offs at the end.

Continuing our discussion of FIG. 15, RPs preferably are comprised of Virtual Patterns (VPs) that have had musical rules applied to them. Musical rules are part of the generation and merging of chord progression information that will be discussed in more detail below. A VP can be generally thought of as the rhythm of a corresponding RP; along with some general pitch information. Preferably, musical rules are applied to the VP, and the result is the RP. Musical rules are discussed in more detail below.

A VP preferably can be considered as a series of Blocks. In the example of FIG. 15, each Block has two dimensions: Blockd and Blockfx, but this is but one possible variation. In this example, Blockd corresponds to the data of the block, and Blockfx corresponds to effects that are applied to the data (i.e., volume, filtering, etc.). In this example, the Blockd information can be thought of as individual rhythmic pattern information blocks selected from a variety of possible rhythmic blocks (certain desirable approaches to create such a variety of possible rhythmic blocks, and the corresponding selection thereof in creating a VP, is discussed in greater detail later in this disclosure, with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23).

The Blockfx dimension described in FIG. 15 is an optional way to add certain preferably characteristics to the Blockd information. For example, in addition to volume or filtering information mentioned above, the Blockd dimension preferably can be used for allocation or distribution of musical information predictors, discussed in more detail below as Virtual Note/Controller (VNC) information. However, the Blockfx dimension is optional, and the Blockd information can be processed independently of such volume or filtering information, to great success.

Assuming the example presented earlier wherein the time signature is 4/4 and the RP is two bars, all Blocks in a pattern preferably must add up to 8 quarter notes in duration. In this example, assuming n Blocks in a particular RP, the duration in quarter notes of each Block in the corresponding VP would be between 1 and (8-{n-1}). While this example describes 4/4 time with a quarter note being the basic unit of length for a Block, simple variations to this example preferably would include alternate time signatures, and alternate basic units for the Block (i.e., 13/16 time signature and 32^nd note, respectively, etc.).

Getting at the bottom of FIG. 15 we see an optional implementation of SubBlocks (SBs). Such an implementation could preferably be used, for example, for the drum lane of the I-Way during certain Styles, where it might be desirable to have separate SBs for the bass drum, cymbal, snare, etc. A further optimization of this implementation of the present embodiment would be to have the SB level of the drum lane preferably comprise directly the VP of the drum lane. Such an arrangement preferably would effectively remove the complexity of having a separate Blockfx for each individual SB of the drum lane. An example of where such an optimization might be useful when implementing the present invention is in an environment with limited resources, or an environment where having separate effects for separate parts of the drums (snare, bass drum, etc.) is not otherwise desirable.

Additionally, in some applications of the present invention, it may be desirable to enable certain levels in FIG. 15 to be bypassed. In such cases, this would preferably allow a user to input real pattern data in the form of actual note events (e.g., in real time during a song via a MIDI instrument as an input). Further, with the use of a companion PC software application (and a connection to the PC), in certain embodiments it is preferable to allow users to input their own MIDI patterns for use as Block data.

Various examples of preferred embodiments of the Music Rules used in the creation of a Song of the present invention will now be described.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram depicting a general overview of a preferred approach to generating music in the context of the present invention. Starting at step 1, a style of music and a selected instrument are defined or loaded. Once the style of music and the type of instrument are known, the algorithm can apply Block rules to develop individual virtual pattern sub-blocks (e.g., those shown in FIG. 22). In certain alternative embodiments, the individual virtual pattern sub-blocks preferably are selected from a list or other data structure. Once the sub-blocks are available (e.g., from a list or from a block rule algorithm) they are processed into a Virtual Pattern (VP) at step 2. At this point in this example, a VP preferably is not music, although it does contain rhythmic information, and certain other embedded musical characteristics. At step 3, using the embedded musical characteristics of the VP data structure, musical rules preferably are applied to the VP to add more musicality to the pattern, and the result preferably contains both the rhythmic information of the VP, as well as actual musical information. At step 4 a tonic is preferably applied to the output from step 3, in that each measure preferably is musically transposed according to a tonic algorithm to impart a chordal progression to the data structures. Then at step 5, a mode preferably is applied that makes subtle changes to the musical information to output music information preferably set to a particular musical mode. Then, at step 6, a key preferably is applied to the data structure to allow key changes, and/or key consistency among various song components. Finally, at step 7, a global pitch adjustment preferably can be applied to the data structure, along with the rest of the song components, to allow real time pitch/tempo shifting during song play.

This process of applying various musical rules to generate a RP preferably can be a part of the overall song generation process mentioned above in connection with FIG. 15. Before going through the steps described in FIG. 16 in more detail, a discussion of the embedded characteristics mentioned above, as well as some mention of tonic and key theory will be helpful.

Bearing in mind that the MIDI Specification offers a concise way to digitally represent music, and that one significant destination of the output data from the presently discussed musical rules is the MIDI digital signal processor, we have found it advantageous to use a data format that has some similarities with the MIDI language. In the discussion that follows, we go through the steps of FIG. 16 in detail, with some examples of the data that can be used at each step. While the described data format is similar to MIDI, it is important to understand the differences. Basically, the present discussion describes how we embed additional context-specific meaning in an otherwise MIDI compliant data stream. During processing at each of the steps in FIG. 16, elements of this embedded meaning preferably is extracted, and the stream preferably is modified in some musical way accordingly. Thus, one way to consider this process is that at each step, our stream becomes closer to the actual MIDI stream that is played by the MIDI DSP (this aspect is addressed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 21).

In the present example it is considered advantageous to break down the rhythmic and musical information involved in the music into Virtual Notes and/or Controllers (VNC). In the example of FIG. 17, we have provided several examples of VNCs that we have found to be useful. Basically, these VNCs represent our way of breaking down the musical rules of a particular genre into simplified mechanisms that can be used by an algorithm preferably along with a certain random aspect to generate new music that mimic the characteristics and variety of other original music in the genre. Depending on the Style of music, different types of VNCs will be useful. The list in FIG. 17 is simply to provide a few examples that will be discussed later in more detail.

In an important feature of this aspect of the present invention is that we have embedded control information for the music generation algorithm into the basic blocks of rhythmic data drawn upon by the algorithm. We have done this in a preferably very efficient manner that allows variety, upgradeability, and complexity in both the algorithm and the final musical output. A key aspect of this is that we preferably use a MIDI-type format to represent the basic blocks of rhythmic data, thus enabling duration, volume, timing, etc. Furthermore, we preferably can use the otherwise moot portions of the MIDI-type format of these basic blocks to embed the VNC data that informs the algorithm how to go about creating a part of the music. As an example, we preferably can use the pitch of each MIDI-type event in these basic sub-blocks of rhythmic data to indicate to the algorithm what VNC to invoke in association with that MIDI-type event. Thus, as this rhythmic data is accessed by the algorithm, the pitch-type data preferably is recognized as a particular VNC, and replaced by actual pitch information corresponding to the VNC function. FIG. 17 shows, in the first column, examples of such embedded values, and in the second and third columns, examples of recognized VNC nomenclature, and potential pitch information associated therewith.

In the example of FIG. 17, the fundamental type of VNC preferably is the Base Note. This can be considered in certain musical styles as the cornerstone of the melody, except, for example, when these notes are relatively short notes in a run. This is why rhythm exists in a VP to provide context to the VNCs. Example values of the Base Note are C, E, G or B. Which value is finally used preferably depends on a pseudo-random seed as part of an algorithm. We find that in these examples, these values provide pretty good music for the genres we have studied so far. The Magic Notes preferably can have the values indicated in FIG. 17 (assuming a diatonic scale is used), and these values are preferably relative to the preceding Base Note. Unlike a Base Note, Magic Notes preferably are useful at providing a note that does not strongly impact the melody. For example, the algorithm will see that the next note to be generated is a Magic Note 1, and it will use the Pseudo Random Number Seed to predictably select one of the possible values: +1, -1, +2, -2. The predictably-selected value preferably will be used to mathematically adjust the value from the preceding Base Note to preferably result in a note value. Following this example, if the preceding Base Note was a C2, and the result of the algorithm is to select a +1, then the Magic Note value is a D2. Note that preferably the only difference between Magic Note 0 and 1 is that Magic Note 0 can have a value of 0. Thus, the use of Magic Note 0 will occasionally result in a note that is the same value as the preceding Base Note. This is an example of a way to influence the sound of a particular Style in relatively subtle ways.

In the discussion above, by 'predictably-selected' we refer to the process of pseudo-randomly selecting a result based on a seed value. If the seed value is the same, then the result preferably will be the same. This is one way (though not the only way) to enable reproducibility. Further discussion of these pseudo random and seed issues is provided elsewhere in the present specification.

Continuing with FIG. 17, a High Note preferably simply adds an octave to the preceding Base Note, and is useful to make a big change in the melody. What is interesting here is that multiple VNCs preferably can occur in between the previous Base Note and the High Note, and this is a way to allow a musical phrase run to a tonic note, corresponding to an earlier Base Note. Obviously, this VNC is very useful, as it again preferably enables the structure of music to exist before the actual music itself is written. The algorithm preferably does not know what the final key, or mode will be at this point, but the octave and tonic preferably are available.

Similar to the Magic Note, the Harmonic Note VNC preferably allows the algorithm to pseudo-randomly select a harmonic from a set of possible harmonics. This capability is useful when there are multiple notes sounding at the same time in a chord. When this VNC is used, it preferably can result in any of the relative harmonics described in FIG. 17. These values are only examples of possible values, and ones that we find particularly useful for the types of music we have addressed.

Last Note is a VNC that is very similar to the Base Note, except that it preferably only contains a subset of the possible values. This is because, as we understand musical phrasing for the types of music we address, the final note preferably is particularly important, and generally sounds best when it has a relative value of C or G (bearing in mind that in this example, all the notes preferably can subsequently be transposed up or down through additional steps). As with all the VNCs, the precise note that might be played for this value preferably depends on the Mode and Key applied subsequently, as well as general pitch shifting available to the user. However, in the music we address, we find this to be a useful way to add subtlety to the music, that provides a variety of possible outcomes.

One Before Last Note is a VNC that preferably immediately precedes the Last Note. Again, this is because we have found that the last two notes, and the harmonic interval between them, are important to the final effect of a piece, and accordingly, we find it advantageous with the Final Notes of C and G to use One Before Last Notes of E, G, or B. These values can be adapted for other Styles of music, and only represent an example of how the VNC structure can be effectively utilized.

The last example VNC in FIG. 17 is the ALC controller. This is one example of how certain musical non-pitch concepts can preferably be employed using a MIDI controller. In this example, the ALC controller can be thought of as a prefix which modifies the meaning of immediately following notes. The ALC controller can be used to indicate that the next note is to be treated in a special manner, for example, to setup a chord. In this example, you can use a particular predefined value for the ALC controller to precede a sequence of a fixed note with additional harmonic notes. Similar to the Magic Note VNC discussed above, the Harmonic Notes following a ALC controller preferably allow the algorithm to pseudo-randomly select a harmonic from a set of possible harmonics. This capability is useful when there are multiple notes sounding at the same time in a chord. When this VNC is used, it preferably can result in any of the relative harmonics described in FIG. 17. These values are only examples of possible values, and ones that have been found particularly useful for the types of music addressed up to the time hereof. Another example use of the ALC controller is to setup fixed notes. In this case, preferably one follows the appropriate ALC controller with Fixed Note values for any desired actual note value. This approach is useful in many instances to have a more carefully limited song output where a particular interval between notes in the desired music can be achieved. Additionally, playing well-known phrases or sequences preferably is possible with this use of the ALC controller. One preferably could encode portions of an entire song this way to have a piece that closely resembles an existing musical piece. In this example, one preferably could have certain parts of the music still interactively generated to enable a song to sound just like an existing song (in melody, for example), yet preferably still allow other parts to be different (like, bass or drums, for example).

In this manner, you can setup the resulting chord because the ALC value preferably will alert the software routine that is processing all of the VNCs to let it know that the following note is to be the basis of a chord, and that the next number of harmonic notes will be played at the same as the basis note, resulting in a chord being played at once. This example shows one way that this can be done effectively. Other values of VNC controllers preferably can be used to perform similar musical functions.

It is important to note that an additional variation can preferably be implemented that addresses the natural range, or Tessitura, of a particular instrument type. While the software algorithm preferably is taking the VNCs mentioned above and selecting real values, the real pitch value preferably can be compared to the real natural range of the instrument type, and the value of subsequent VNC outcomes preferably can be inverted accordingly. For example, if the Base Note of a given pattern is near the top of the range for a bass instrument Tessitura, any subsequent Magic Notes that end up returning a positive number can be inverted to shift the note to be below the preceding Base Note. This is a particular optimization that adds subtlety and depth to the outcome, as it preferably incorporates the natural range limitations of particular instrument types.

As a simplified example of Tessitura, FIG. 18 depicts the relative optimal ranges of particular instrument types. In the present context, the Tessitura of an instrument preferably is the range at which it sounds optimal. Certain sounds in the MIDI sound bank preferably are optimized for particular ranges. If you select a bass guitar sound and play very high pitched notes, the result may not be very good. For higher pitches, a guitar or violin sound may work better. Accordingly, when the musical rule algorithm is processing VNCs, the Tessitura of the selected instrument type preferably can play a role in the outcome of the real note value generated. If the selected instrument is approaching the top edge of its' Tessitura, and the musical rule routine comes across a High Note VNC, then the algorithm preferably can be designed to bump the generated pitch down an octave or two. Similarly, other VNCs can be processed with deference to the Tessitura of the selected instrument.

FIG. 19 describes another aspect of this musical process. Musical Key changes preferably can be encoded as offsets. By this we mean that given a Key of X, the Key can be shifted up or down by inserting an offset. Such an offset preferably will transpose everything by the exact value to result in a musical phrase that is exactly as it was, but now in a different Key. FIG. 19 has as examples the Keys of A, C, D, and G. A Key of C preferably would have an offset of 0, A an offset of -3, D an offset of +2, and G an offset of +8. As will be appreciated by a student of Musical Theory, the offset preferably corresponds closely with a number of half steps in an interval. The interval between C and G is 8 half steps. Other Keys can be similarly achieved.

The use of halfsteps for encoding Keys is advantageous because, as mentioned previously, the MIDI language format uses whole numbers to delineate musical pitches, with each whole number value incrementally corresponding to a half step pitch value. Other means of providing an offset value to indicate Keys can be applied, but in our experience, the use of half steps is particularly useful in this implementation because of we are preferably using a MIDI DSP, and so the output of the Musical Rules preferably will be at least partly MIDI based.

FIG. 20 describes another Musical Rule that preferably is part of the overall process: Mode application. As can be appreciated by a student of Musical Theory, assuming the mode is described in terms of sharps (as opposed to flats) the particular placement of sharps is a large part of what gives each musical phrase its own identity. In FIG. 20 we give the example of a Lydian Mode, with Ascending or Descending versions preferably available. Other well established musical modes exist (Ionian, Dorian, Hypodorian, Phrygian, Hypophrygian, Hypolydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian, etc.) and we only use Lydian here in the interests of space. Clearly, the present invention can involve other modes, with corresponding values as those in FIG. 20. In cases where a mode is desired that is not a conventional western mode, it is preferable to upgrade or alter the soundbank (e.g., located in Flash 49) so that other musical intervals are possible.

FIG. 20 begins with a list of all preferably available notes in the genre of music that we are addressing. That is followed by the corresponding preferably natural note values that we term Natural Mode. The values of notes in the Natural Mode preferably correspond to the All Notes row of notes without the sharps (again assuming that in the present discussion we are defining our modes in terms of sharps, and not flats). Then the Lydian mode preferably is listed, which does not allow F naturals. In order to decide whether an F natural is to be raised to the next available pitch of F sharp, or lowered to the next available pitch of E, an algorithm preferably will decide between an ascending or descending transposition. Accordingly, a descendingly transposed F natural preferably will be changed to an E, and an ascendingly transposed F natural preferably will be transposed to a F sharp. Given that sharps vary from the Natural Mode, the use of an ascending Lydian Mode results in music that has more F sharps, and is thus more aggressively Lydian. This general concept is evident in other Modes as well, with ascending transpositions typically being more aggressive than descending transpositions.

At this point we will go through a detailed example of the Musical Rule portion of the algorithm, using FIG. 21 as the example. This discussion will incorporate the earlier discussions of the preceding figures, to demonstrate how a preferred embodiment of the present invention preferably incorporates them.

FIG. 21 depicts the data as it preferably exists between each of the numbered steps 2-6 in FIG. 16. The Musical Notation is represented to clarify the overall concept, as well as to indicate a simplified example of the preferable format the data can take in the software routine.

Beginning at the top row, there is a collection of predefined VP Sub-Blocks that preferably can advantageously be indexed by music Style and/or length. These blocks preferably are of variable sizes and preferably are stored in a hexadecimal format corresponding to the notation of pitch (recognizing that in certain embodiments the pitch information of a VP does not represent actual pitch characteristics, but VNC data as discussed above), velocity, and duration of a MIDI file (the preferable collection of predefined VP-Sub-Blocks is discussed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 22-23). As shown in the top row of FIG. 21, Rests preferably are also available in this collection of available patterns. This collection of indexed Sub-Blocks preferably is used by a software routine to construct Virtual Patterns (VPs). As mentioned earlier, certain alternative embodiments preferably involve using algorithmic block rules to generate the collection of Sub-Blocks. Such algorithmic rules preferably are configured to accept the music style and instrument type as inputs to then output a collection of Sub-Blocks that are appropriate for that style/instrument combination. Whether the Sub-Blocks are selected from predefined collection, or generated on the fly with an algorithm, they preferably are organized into a VP. VPs preferably are a collection of Sub-Blocks that have been assembled by the routine into preferably consistently-sized groupings.

After step 2 of FIG. 16 is applied, we preferably have a VP. The second row of FIG. 21 (VP) depicts an example VP that is 2 bars long, and composed of the following sequence: Base Note, Magic Note 1, Magic Note 0, High Note, and another Base Note. Note that at this time the rhythm of the part preferably is in place, and the value of each note is conceptually the embedded VNC information. If the VP is played at this point, the output would likely not be pleasing. The right column of row 2 depicts the format that this data preferably is stored in; as is discussed elsewhere in this disclosure, this format is remarkable similar to MIDI format data, with one exception being that the VNC information preferably is implicitly embedded in the data stream.

The third row (NCP) depicts the same data after step 3 of FIG. 16 is applied. The VNCs embedded in the VP from row 2 preferably have been interpreted by the routine with the help of pseudo-random selections from the possible VNC values. Thus, for the first Base Note in row 2, we have a real note value of E in row 3, and for the Magic Note Type 1 of row 2 we have decremented the previous Base Note two half steps to a D in row 3. For the Magic Note Type 0 we have adjusted the previous value by 0, resulting in another D. This goes on through the VP, and the result is clear in row 3. At this point, we preferably have the basic musical information that will end up in the song, except that the Chord and Mode transpositions preferably have not yet been made.

The fourth row in FIG. 21 (PwT) depicts the data stream after step 4 of FIG. 16 is applied. As can be seen, the NCP of row 3 has been transposed down. This is to allow the particular pattern being constructed to preferably conform to a particular Tonic note, thus placing it into a suitable chord preferably to match the other elements of the musical piece. This feature allows different portions of the melody preferably to conform to different tonic notes, thus preferably proceeding through a chord progression, while ensuring that all instruments preferably conform to the same chord progression.

Row 5 of FIG. 21 (PwTM) takes the pattern of notes and preferably conforms it to a particular Mode (e.g., Ionian, Dorian, Hypodorian, Phrygian, Hypophrygian, Lydian, Hypolydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian, etc.) preferably as well as a particular Mode type (like descending, ascending, etc.). A more complete list of musical modes and mode types has been prepared by Manuel Op de Coul (available on the world wide web at: www.xs4all.nl/˜huygensf/doc/modename.html) and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The conformation of the pattern of notes to a particular Mode preferably is done in a manner consistent with FIG. 20, discussed above. In the example of FIG. 21, the resulting musical phrase is very similar to that of Row 4, except the notable difference of the C sharp being reduced to a C. This is because there is no such C sharp in the Lydian mode, and so it's removal is preferably required at this step. If the Modal adjustment were using the Lydian ascending mode, which is more aggressively ascending because there are more sharps, this C sharp would have preferably 'rounded up' to the next Lydian note of D. But, since in this example we are using a Lydian descending mode, the C sharp is preferably 'rounded-down' to a C.

The final row of FIG. 21 (RP) indicates the point when the musical phrase preferably can be globally transposed up or down the scale. This is advantageous in the case where a global pitch adjustment feature is desired to preferably allow the user to quickly and easily shift the pitch of a song up or down (such as is discussed in an earlier example of the Pitch/Tempo key used in combination with the Up/Down keys). The example of Row 6 shows a transposition of 2 half steps. As with all the rows of this figure, this can be seen in the musical notation, as well as the software notation, where the third pair of numbers can be seen to increment by a value of two, for each line.

There are instances where certain elements of the music preferably do not need the musical rules discussed above to be invoked. For example, drum tracks preferably do not typically relate to Mode or Key, and thus preferably do not need to be transposed. Additionally, many instrument types such as drums, and MIDI effects, preferably are not arranged in the MI