Machine and process for generating music from user-specified criteria

• US 7,394,011 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eric Christopher Huffman
• Original Assignee: Eric Christopher Huffman
• Inventors: Huffman, Eric Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan; Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUSSELL, CHRISTINA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US11/037,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20050223879A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,260 Days
• Field of Search: 846/12, 846/09, 846/10, 844/77.R, 846/15
• US Class Current: 84/612
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0025 Automatic or semi-automatic music composition, e.g. producing random music, applying rules from music theory or modifying a musical piece automatically producing a series of tones G10H1/26
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/111 Automatic composing, i.e. using predefined musical rules
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/151 using templates, i.e. incomplete musical sections, as a basis for composing
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/056 MIDI or other note-oriented file format

Abstract

The present invention teaches a machine and process that generates music given a set of simple user-specified criteria. The present invention enables music generation wherein a user may specify the duration and tempo of the music to be generated that may then be played or stored for retrieval and use at a later time and does not require the user to be a skilled composer of music. The present invention allows the user to generate music in a very short period of time wherein the music generated by also has beginnings and endings that occur in a manner that is esthetically appropriate. In addition, transitions within the generated music occur in a manner that is esthetically appropriate. Music generated by the present invention also has unique qualities that are desirable to users that use music in their own products or works.

Claims

1. A method for generating music of a prescribed duration and tempo, comprising the steps of:

selecting a music structure contained within a music structure library;

specifying duration by an input device utilizing a display device;

specifying tempo by the input device utilizing the display device;

displaying the music structure library on the display device by a user interface;

selecting the music structure by the input device;

generating a music structure instance using said specified duration, said tempo and said selected music structure from a music sequence generator;

generating a music sequence using said music structure instance from the music sequence generator; and

generating an output data from said generated music sequence, wherein the music structure instance is further comprised of a plurality of music section instances; and

the music section instance is further comprised of a plurality of music chunk instances; and

creating a current solution that is an empty music structure instance containing zero music section instances;

the current solution is added to a solution set for making a copy of the current solution that is then contained within the solution set;

a test is run to determine if the solution set has been sufficiently populated with music structure instances;

the test routine is repeated until the solution set has been sufficiently populated with music structure instances;

examining the current solution by a plurality of music structure instance tests and associated actions, that can modify a music structure instance to better satisfy the user-specified duration and tempo;

calculating the current solution'"'"'s duration in beats; and

calculating and setting the current solution'"'"'s tempo.

2. The method for generating music of a prescribed duration and tempo of claim 1, additionally comprising the step of searching the solution set containing a plurality of music structure instances for the music structure instance for which the tempo and duration values best fit the specified values.

3. The method for generating music of a prescribed duration and tempo of claim 2, additionally comprising the search step of selecting a satisfactory music structure instance and then generating a music sequence from said selected satisfactory music structure instance.

4. The method for generating music of a prescribed duration and tempo of claim 1 wherein three tests are run to determine if the solution set has been sufficiently populated with music structure instances comprising the following test and actions:

Test and Action A

the music structure instance test determines if the current solution contains zero music section instances, then associated action A is applied to the current solution;

associated action A results in the current solution containing one new music section instance;

Test and Action B

the music structure instance test determines if the current solution contains a non-minimal music section instance, then the associated action is applied to the current solution;

associated action B results in the non-minimal music section instance containing one new music chunk instance; and

Test and Action C

the music structure instance test determines if the current solution is a non-complete music structure instance where the non-complete music structure instance does not contain music section instances that reference music sections for each possible music section contained within the music structure, then the associated action C is applied to the current solution;

application of the associated action C results in the current solution containing one new music section instance.

5. The method for generating music of a prescribed duration and tempo of claim 4, wherein, in Test and Action A,

said new music section instance having a reference to the music section that has a priority attribute value, which is the greatest of priority attribute values for all music sections contained within the music structure;

and said new music section instance order attribute value is the same as the value of the referenced music section order attribute and the new music section instance containing zero music chunk instances.

6. The method for generating music of a prescribed duration and tempo of claim 4 wherein, in Test and Action B,

the new music chunk instance has a reference to one of the music chunks contained within the music section referenced by the non-minimal music section instance;

said reference being to the music chunk that has a priority attribute value where the priority attribute value is greater than the priority attribute value for all other music chunks referenced by the music chunk instances contained within the non-minimal music section instance; and

said new music chunk instance order attribute value being the same as the value of the referenced music chunk order attribute.

7. The method for generating music of a prescribed duration and tempo of claim 4 wherein, in Test and Action C,

the new music section instance has a reference to one of the music sections contained within the music structure referenced by the current solution;

the reference being to the music section that has a priority attribute value;

the priority attribute value is greater than the priority attribute value for all other music sections referenced by the music section instances contained within the current solution;

and the new music section instance order attribute value being the same as the value of the referenced music section order attribute.