Dynamic Music Authoring Grid Interface for Timing Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current music authoring software is difficult to use and requires specific expertise, making it challenging for users to combine music segments into a coherent musical product.

Innovation Solution

A computing device is configured with a graphical user interface that presents a grid of music cells, allowing users to select and playback music segments, apply effects, and record sequences, with features like time snap and audio effects, providing a simplified and intuitive environment for music creation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional music authoring software is used to combine music segments, then music creation functionality is achieved, but the software becomes difficult to use and requires specific expertise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidsoftware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The software divides music creation into discrete, manageable cells in a grid interface. Each cell represents a single musical action (play, stop, record, apply effect) that users can independently control. This segmentation simplifies the complex task of music authoring into basic, intuitive units that don't require expert knowledge of audio production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the traditional linear or hierarchical music editing interface into a two-dimensional grid layout. This dimensional change allows users to visualize and control multiple musical parameters simultaneously across rows and columns, making the software more intuitive and easier to navigate without requiring specialized training.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If traditional music authoring software is used to combine music segments, then music creation functionality is achieved, but the user experience becomes challenging and less enjoyable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs complex audio processing tasks without requiring user intervention. When users select cells in the grid, the software automatically handles timing synchronization, waveform alignment, and transition smoothing. This self-service capability eliminates the need for users to manually adjust complex parameters, making the experience enjoyable rather than challenging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The software pre-configures cells with standard musical actions and effects that are ready to use immediately. Users can begin creating music by simply selecting cells without needing to first configure complex audio settings. This preliminary preparation of musical building blocks allows users to focus on creativity rather than technical setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If music segments are combined using traditional methods, then musical products can be created, but timing errors and coherence issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming precisionVSAvoidsynchronization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the playback state of each cell and automatically adjusts timing to maintain synchronization. When a user selects multiple cells, the software provides real-time feedback on timing relationships and automatically corrects drift or misalignment. This closed-loop control ensures precise timing without requiring users to manually synchronize segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The software dynamically adjusts the playback parameters of each cell based on the current selection and context. Timing, tempo, and synchronization are not fixed but adapt in real-time as users interact with the grid. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains coherence across music segments while allowing flexible user input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10224012B2Dynamic music authoring
Publication Date: 2019.03.05 APPLE INC
  • US10224012B2 patent drawing
  • US10224012B2 patent drawing
  • US10224012B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method to author music. The method includes presenting, on a display by a computing device, an audio effect menu, receiving, by the computing device, a first user input selecting a first audio effect from the audio effect menu, generating, in response to receiving the first user input, a first modified audio stream based on a particular audio stream and the first audio effect, receiving, by the computing device while receiving the first user input, a second user input selecting a second audio effect from the audio effect menu, generating, in response to receiving the second user input, a second modified audio stream based on the first modified audio stream and the second audio effect, detecting cessation of the first user input, and continuing, in response to detecting the cessation, generating the second modified audio stream based on the first modified audio stream and the second audio effect.