Graphical Interface Grid Matrix for Music Sequence Programming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users, especially novice users, face challenges in creating musically pleasing musical sequences due to the requirement of in-depth expertise in MIDI and audio editing, making it difficult for them to program complex drum patterns or other musical sequences without extensive knowledge of rhythms and editing skills.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface system that allows users to arrange icons within a grid to program musical sequences, where each grid position is associated with predefined sound characteristics such as complexity and intensity, enabling users to drag and place icons to create and modify musical patterns intuitively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If MIDI programming and audio loop arranging are used to create complex drum patterns, then musical sequence quality is improved, but user expertise requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a graphical user interface with a grid matrix as an intermediary between the user and the complex MIDI programming processes. This interface allows users to place icons on grid positions that automatically map to musical notes, rhythms, and patterns, eliminating the need for users to directly program MIDI data while maintaining high musical sequence quality through pre-configured mappings and intelligent defaults.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses icon representations that copy or represent complex MIDI patterns and audio loops in a simplified visual form. Each icon placed on the grid corresponds to a pre-defined musical element, allowing users to work with visual copies rather than raw data, thereby reducing expertise requirements while preserving musical quality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If detailed MIDI programming is used to achieve musically pleasing results, then sequence coherence is improved, but programming time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the grid matrix with coordinate systems that map to musical scales, time signatures, and rhythmic patterns. Object data files associated with each grid position contain pre-processed MIDI and audio information, allowing users to achieve coherent musical sequences by simply placing icons without performing detailed programming tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms complex MIDI programming parameters into simplified grid coordinates. By changing the parameter space from detailed note-by-note MIDI data to coarse grid positions, the system maintains sequence coherence through the underlying mathematical relationships embedded in the grid structure while dramatically reducing programming time.
Data Source
AI summary
An example graphical programming interface system includes a processor. A grid matrix defined by a plurality of coordinate axes, having selectable matrix positions is displayed on a display device. Multiple movable object icons, each representing an object having a predefined output sound are also displayed on the display device. In one aspect, a single object data file is associated with each matrix position on said grid matrix. In this aspect, once a user places an object icon on a matrix position, the processor causes the predefined output sound associated with the object icon in accordance with the object data file associated with the matrix position at which the object icon is placed, and outputs the processed sound to an output device. This allows a user to program musical sequences by placing one or more object icons each on the selectable matrix positions.