Compact Song Sheet Generation via Song Map Data Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing song sheet formats, such as full scores, lead sheets, and ChordPro, are limited by their complexity, portability issues, and lack of clarity, making them cumbersome for musicians to use during live performances.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating a compact, user-friendly song sheet using a song map data structure displayed through a graphical user interface, which efficiently stores and displays metadata, chord sequences, song sections, and lyrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If full scores are used to provide detailed notation of rhythm and pitch, then transcription completeness is improved, but portability and ease of use deteriorate due to multi-page format and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential musical elements needed for performance (chords, lyrics, basic structure) from the complete transcription, discarding redundant detailed notation. This creates a condensed format that maintains functional completeness while improving portability and ease of use during performances.
Solution Approach 2:
The song sheet is segmented into distinct functional sections (chord notations, lyrics, structural markers) that can be independently optimized. Each section is formatted to fit within compact boundaries while maintaining readability, allowing the overall document to be condensed to one page without losing essential information.
2Ease of operation
If lead sheets are used to condense notation to critical elements, then portability is improved, but ability to notate multiple voices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal notation system that can represent multiple types of musical information (single voice, multiple voices, chords, lyrics, structural elements) within a unified compact format. The system adapts its notation density based on the complexity of the musical content while maintaining portability.
3Ease of operation
If ChordPro format is used to simplify notation focusing on chords and lyrics, then ease of reading is improved, but rhythm notation and visual structure clarity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different notation densities and styles to different sections of the song sheet based on local requirements. Chord sections use compact notation, lyrics use readable formatting, and rhythmic elements are notated with appropriate detail. This local optimization maintains overall compactness while preserving essential information in each section.
4Loss of information
If existing formats extend over multiple pages to provide complete information, then information completeness is improved, but portability and case of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pieces of information (chords, lyrics, structural markers, rhythmic indicators) that traditionally required separate pages into a single integrated compact format. Through efficient spatial arrangement and optimized notation density, all essential elements are combined into one-page song sheets that maintain completeness while improving portability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method generate a data structure comprising a song map. The system receives a song specification comprising metadata, chord sequences, song sections, and lyrics. The specification is parsed to identify these elements, which are then mapped to corresponding sections. A song map is generated, and a graphical user interface may display information associated with the song map to display the song sections, chord sequences, and lyrics and highlight a particular song section, chord sequence, and lyrics in realtime during playback of the particular song. The system includes a user interface, a parser, a mapping module, and a rendering module. The system performs these functions and can export the output in various formats, including PDF, HTML, and SVG.