Networks of portable electronic devices that collectively generate sound

• US 9,401,132 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2014
• Issued: 07/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven M. Gottlieb
• Original Assignee: Steven M. Gottlieb
• Inventors: Gottlieb, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fletcher, Marlon
• Application Number:
  US14/278,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20140301574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0033 Recording/reproducing or transmission of music for electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0058 Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system G10H1/0083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/365 the accompaniment information being stored on a host computer and transmitted to a reproducing terminal by means of a network, e.g. public telephone lines
• 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, analogue or digital, e.g. DECT, GSM, UMTS

Abstract

Systems and methods for collectively generating sound are provided. A sound composition can include multiple component pieces and those component pieces can be divided amongst devices so that the devices can collectively generate the sound composition. For example, each component piece may be assigned to a different device and the each device may provide its assigned component pieces in a synchronized manner so that the overall sound composition is collectively generated. By generating a sound composition in this manner, the network may create new and exciting spatial effects.

Claims

1. A method for collectively generating a sound composition that includes multiple component pieces, the method comprising:

assigning a first component piece to a first device in a network;

assigning a second component piece to a second device in the network;

transmitting first data representing at least the first component piece to the first device;

transmitting second data representing at least the second component piece to the second device; and

generating the sound composition using at least the first and second devices, wherein the first device generates a first blend of the first component piece and the sound composition, wherein the first blend is based at least in part on a proximity of the first device to the second device and the second device generates a second blend of the second component piece and the sound composition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting data comprises:

transmitting, in accordance with a MIDI protocol, data representing the first component piece to the first device; and

transmitting, in accordance with a MIDI protocol, data representing the second component piece to the second device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first blend is based at least partially on the number of devices collectively generating sound.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first blend is based at least partially on collective movement of the first and second devices.

5. A system for collectively generating a sound composition, the system comprising;

a first device;

a second device; and

a network, wherein both the first device and the second device are in the network, and the network is operable to;

assign a first component piece to the first device;

assign a second component piece to the second device;

transmit first data representing at least the first component piece to the first device;

transmit second data representing at least the second component piece to the second device; and

generate the sound composition using at least the first device and the second device, wherein the first device generates a first blend of the first component piece and the sound composition, wherein the first blend is based at least in part on a proximity of the first device to the second device, and the second device generates a second blend of the second component piece and the sound composition.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the network is further operable to:

transmit data, in accordance with a MIDI Protocol, representing the first component piece to the first device; and

transmit data, in accordance with the MIDI Protocol, representing the second component piece to the second device.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the first blend is based, at least partially, on the number of devices collectively generating sound.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the first blend is based, at least partially, on collective movement of the first and second devices.