Playing music with mobile phones

• US 20040176025A1
• Filed: 02/07/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Holm, Jukka, Laine, Pauli
• Application Number:
  US10/360,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20040176025A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/3.06
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0066 using a MIDI interface
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2230/015 PDA [personal digital assistant] or palmtop computing devices used for musical purposes, e.g. portable music players, tablet computers, e-readers or smart phones in which mobile telephony functions need not be used touch-screen interfaces G10H2220/096
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/175 for jam sessions or musical collaboration through a network, e.g. for composition, ensemble playing or repeating; Compensation of network or internet delays therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/251 Mobile telephone transmission, i.e. transmitting, accessing or controlling music data wirelessly via a wireless or mobile telephone receiver, analog or digital, e.g. DECT GSM, UMTS smartphone, PDA or palmtop used for musical purposes G10H2230/015; mobile ringtone G10H2230/021
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/05 Mobile studios

Abstract

Mobile telephones, personal digital assistants or other small portable computing devices are used to play music either transmitted from a content provider or stored in the device. A number of options are provided that enable the user, even with limited musical ability, to modify the music, both in a solo playing mode and in an ensemble jamming mode. A Master Computer runs a program to play the music and synchronizing the playing. The program may also assign parts to the members of the group.

Claims

1. A method of playing by a group of users using a group of electronic computer devices a modified musical composition by a group of at least two users comprising the steps of:

initiating by a first user using a Master computer device a group playing program;

selecting an instrumental set of instrumental voices for playing;

selecting a set of player computer devices for playing said set of instrumental voices;

assigning the status of Slave computer to at least one of said set of player computer devices;

connecting said Master computer devices and said Slave computer devices by an electronic link;

assigning said set of instrumental voices to said set of player computer devices;

initiating playing; and

sending synchronizing signals from said Master computer device over said electronic link to said set of player computer devices during play.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which at least one of said Master and player computer devices has the capability of modifying the music played therein.

3. A method according to claim 2, in which said capability of modifying the music played therein comprises at least one of:

switching a musical effect on or off;

substituting one instrumental voice for another; and

generating musical sounds in response to manual manipulation by a user.

4. A method according to claim 2, in which at least one of said player computer devices has the capability of playing independently of said Master computer device.

5. A method according to claim 2, in which at least one of said player computer devices has at least one percussion sound stored therein and has the capability of playing said percussion sound in response to manual manipulation by a user.

6. A method according to claim 2, in which said capability of modifying the music played therein includes selecting one of at least two stored rhythm data, whereby the user may vary the rhythm of the music.

7. A method according to claim 2, in which said capability of modifying the music played therein includes selecting one of at least two stored melody data, whereby the user may vary the melody being of the music being played.

8. A method according to claim 1, in which at least one of said electronic computer devices is a mobile telephone apparatus.

9. A method according to claim 8, in which at least one of said electronic computer devices is a mobile telephone apparatus containing a first radio frequency transceiver for performing telephonic operations and a second radio frequency transceiver for exchanging messages with other computer devices.

10. A method of playing by a group of users using a group of electronic computer devices a modified musical composition requiring N instrumental voices by a group of at least two users, comprising the steps of:

a) initiating by a first user using a Master computer device a group playing program;

b) selecting a first instrumental voice for playing;

c) assigning the status of Master, Slave or Independent to said first instrumental voice;

d) repeating said steps b) and c) until all N instrumental voices required by said musical composition have been selected;

e) selecting a set of player computer devices for playing said set of instrumental voices;

f) initiating playing; and

g) sending synchronizing signals from said Master computer device over said electronic link to said set of player computer devices during play.

11. A method according to claim 10, in which at least one of said Master and player computer devices has the capability of modifying the music played therein.

12. A method according to claim 11, in which said capability of modifying the music played therein comprises at least one of:

switching a musical effect on or off;

substituting one instrumental voice for another;

generating musical sounds in response to manual manipulation by a user.

13. A method according to claim 11, in which at least one of said player computer devices has the capability of playing independently of said Master computer device.

14. A method according to claim 11, in which at least one of said player computer devices has at least one percussion sound stored therein and has the capability of playing said percussion sound in response to manual manipulation by a user.

15. A method according to claim 11, in which said capability of modifying the music played therein includes selecting one of at least two stored rhythm data, whereby the user may vary the rhythm of the music.

16. A method according to claim 11, in which said capability of modifying the music played therein includes selecting one of at least two stored melody data, whereby the user may vary the melody being of the music being played.

17. A method according to claim 10, in which at least one of said electronic computer devices is a mobile telephone apparatus.

18. A method according to claim 17, in which at least one of said electronic computer devices is a mobile telephone apparatus containing a first radio frequency transceiver for performing telephonic operations and a second radio frequency transceiver for exchanging messages with other computer devices.

19. A method of playing by a group of users using a group of electronic computer devices a modified musical composition requiring N instrumental voices by a group of at least two users, comprising the steps of:

a) initiating by a first user using a Master computer device a group playing program;

b) selecting a first instrumental voice for playing;

c) assigning the status of Master, Slave or Independent to said first instrumental voice;

d) repeating said steps b) and c) until all N instrumental voices required by said musical composition have been selected;

e) posting in a service computer an invitation to apply to play and the specifications of said instrumental voices to be played;

accessing by at least one potential player said service computer;

f) applying by at least one potential player to play said musical composition;

g) selecting by said first user a set of player computer devices and associated potential players for playing said set of instrumental voices;

h) initiating playing; and

i) sending synchronizing signals from said Master computer device over said electronic link to said set of player computer devices during play.

20. A method according to claim 19, in which at least one of said Master and player computer devices has the capability of modifying the music played therein.

21. A method according to claim 20, in which said capability of modifying the music played therein comprises at least one of:

switching a musical effect on or off;

substituting one instrumental voice for another;

generating musical sounds in response to manual manipulation by a user.

22. A method according to claim 20, in which at least one of said player computer devices has the capability of playing independently of said Master computer device.

23. A method according to claim 20, in which at least one of said player computer devices has at least one percussion sound stored therein and has the capability of playing said percussion sound in response to manual manipulation by a user.

24. A method according to claim 20, in which said capability of modifying the music played therein includes selecting one of at least two stored rhythm data, whereby the user may vary the rhythm of the music.

25. A method according to claim 20, in which said capability of modifying the music played therein includes selecting one of at least two stored melody data, whereby the user may vary the melody being of the music being played.

26. A method according to claim 19, in which at least one of said electronic computer devices is a mobile telephone apparatus.

27. A method according to claim 25, in which at least one of said electronic computer devices is a mobile telephone apparatus containing a first radio frequency transceiver for performing telephonic operations and a second radio frequency transceiver for exchanging messages with other computer devices.