Musical Notation Generation With MIDI-Compatible Performance Contexts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing musical notation applications face limitations in accurately representing performance techniques and instrument variations due to the lack of flexibility in MIDI protocols, leading to inconsistent and sub-optimal playback across different samplers and instruments.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system for generating musical notations that utilize a flexible and comprehensive approach, incorporating parameters such as pitch, duration, articulations, and expression contexts to create accurate and versatile notations that can be translated into a universal notation format, enabling precise musical score playback across various platforms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If MIDI protocol is used for musical notation transmission, then compatibility with existing instruments is improved, but the ability to represent performance techniques and articulations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with existing instrumentsVSAvoidrepresentation of performance techniques
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the musical notation data into distinct components: basic note information (pitch, duration) transmitted via MIDI, and additional performance technique parameters (articulations, expression marks, performance techniques) transmitted as separate data structures. This segmentation allows MIDI compatibility while preserving detailed performance information that would otherwise be lost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary data structure that sits between the notation application and the sampler/instrument. This intermediary layer translates and enriches basic MIDI messages with additional performance technique parameters, acting as a mediator that maintains MIDI compatibility while adding expressive capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If dedicated support is built for each orchestral sampler, then playback accuracy for specific instruments is improved, but system complexity and maintenance burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal notation data structure that can represent multiple performance techniques and articulations in a standardized format. This universal structure can be applied across different instrument types and samplers, eliminating the need for dedicated support code for each instrument while maintaining high playback accuracy through the comprehensive parameter set.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from instrument-specific parameter mappings to a unified parameter-based system. By defining performance techniques as standardized parameters (articulation types, expression marks, performance techniques) that can be applied universally, the system achieves instrument-agnostic compatibility while maintaining precision through detailed parameter specification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If General MIDI specification with fixed instrument definitions is used, then backward compatibility is improved, but support for modern instruments and variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackward compatibilityVSAvoidsupport for instrument variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by extending the MIDI protocol with additional data structures and parameters before transmission. By pre-packaging performance technique information and instrument variation data in the notation output, the system ensures backward compatibility with standard MIDI receivers while providing enhanced capabilities for modern instruments that can interpret the extended data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds another dimension to the traditional MIDI data structure by incorporating hierarchical instrument definitions that include base instrument types, variations, and sections. This dimensional extension allows the system to maintain the original MIDI framework while adding layers of complexity for instrument variations without breaking backward compatibility.

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

4Stability of the object's composition

If conventional notation applications use fixed articulation definitions, then consistency across applications is improved, but flexibility to represent historical and cultural variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconsistencyVSAvoidflexibility for historical variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic articulation definitions that can be adjusted based on historical period, cultural context, and instrument type. Rather than fixed definitions, the system allows articulation parameters to be dynamically selected and modified, enabling consistent representation of performance techniques across different musical eras and traditions while maintaining adaptability to specific contextual requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4375986B1Method and system for generating musical notations
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 MUSESCORE LTD
  • EP4375986B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4375986B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4375986B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed is a computer-implemented method and system for generating musical notations. The method comprises receiving, via a first input module of a user interface, a musical note, receiving, via a second input module of the user interface, one or more parameters to be associated with the musical note, wherein the one or more parameters comprise at least one of an arrangement context providing information about an event for the musical note, a pitch context providing information about a pitch for the musical note, and an expression context providing information about one or more articulations for the musical note, and generating a notation output based on the entered musical note and the added one or more parameters associated therewith.