Method and apparatus for encoding music into seven-bit characters that can be communicated in an electronic message

• US 6,291,756 B1
• Filed: 05/27/2000
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Urbanek, Scott Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Witkowski, Stanley J.
• Application Number:
  US09/580,739
• Time in Patent Office: 479 Days
• Field of Search: 844/77.R, 844/78, 434/307.A
• US Class Current: 84/477.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 15/023 Electrically operated

Abstract

A method of transmitting an electronic message with a musical attachment including encoding music into characters having a length equal to seven bits. Each character represents one of a note, a note extension or a command. Further, pitch changes and duration changes are made in a single character. The encoded music can be attached to an alphanumeric electronic message and transmitted with the attached encoded music.

Claims

1. A method of embedding musical content into an electronic message, comprising in an originating device the step of:

encoding music into characters having a length equal to seven bits, wherein the characters represent notes, note extensions, and commands, there by creating encoded music; and

transmitting an alphanumeric message embedded with the encoded music; and

further comprising in a receiving device the steps of;

decoding the alphanumeric message; and

playing the music.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the encoding step comprises the step of making pitch changes and duration changes in a single pitch character.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the encoding step comprises the step of including in each note information defining duration, octave and pitch.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the step of defining the duration to be one of a ½

note, a ¼

note, a ⅛

note or a {fraction (1/16)} note.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the step of selecting a lower octave or a higher octave.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a note extension is a character which extends a duration of a currently playing note.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the note extension is one of a dot extension or a full extension.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the dot extension extends a currently playing note by one half of the duration of the currently playing note.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the full extension extends the currently playing note by one times the duration of the currently playing note.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a command is used to cause a music engine to perform a predetermined task.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the predetermined task includes shifting active octaves, changing a tempo and stopping the music.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a user-selectable musical signature with the electronic message from the originating device to the receiving device, wherein the user-selectable musical signature is played by the receiving device when the receiving device receives the electronic message.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting the electronic message to the receiving device; and

playing the music when the message is received by the receiving device.

14. A method of transmitting an electronic message with a musical attachment, comprising the steps of:

encoding music into characters having a length equal to seven bits, wherein the characters represent notes, note extensions, and commands, thereby creating encoded music;

attaching the encoded music to an alphanumeric electronic message; and

transmitting the alphanumeric electronic message with the attached encoded music.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the encoding step comprises the step of making pitch changes and duration changes in a single character.

16. A device arranged and adapted to transmit music in an alphanumeric message, the device comprising:

a transmitter arranged to transmit an electronic message with music embedded in the electronic message; and

a processor, coupled to said transmitter, for providing the electronic message, the electronic message including characters having a length equal to seven bits, wherein the characters represent notes, note extensions, and commands.

17. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the processor is arranged to make pitch changes and duration changes in a single character.

18. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the device is one of the group consisting of a pager, a personal digital assistant and a cellular telephone.

19. A device arranged and adapted for receiving music in an alphanumeric message, the device comprising:

a receiver arranged to receive an electronic message with music encoded therein, the electronic message including characters having a length equal to seven bits, wherein the characters represent notes, note extensions, and commands; and

a processor operating to decode the electronic message and play the music.

20. The device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the processor is arranged to make pitch changes and duration changes in a single pitch character.