# US 9,040,803 B2 · Music and sound that varies from one playback to another playback > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,040,803 B2 - Document ID: US9040803B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/941,618 - Filed: 2013-07-15 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2001-11-06 - Applicants: James W. Wieder - Inventors: James W. Wieder - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9040803B2 ## CPC - G10H 1/0066: {using a MIDI interface} - G10H 1/0025: {Automatic or semi-automatic music composition, e.g. producing random music, applying rules from music theory or modifying a musical piece (automatically producing a series of tones G10H1/26)} - G10H 1/0041: {in coded form} - G10H 7/00: Instruments in which the tones are synthesised from a data store, e.g. computer organs - G10H 2210/115: using a random process to generate a musical note, phrase, sequence or structure - G10H 2210/141: Riff, i.e. improvisation, e.g. repeated motif or phrase, automatically added to a piece, e.g. in real time - G10H 2240/131: Library retrieval, i.e. searching a database or selecting a specific musical piece, segment, pattern, rule or parameter set - H04R 5/04: Circuit arrangements, {e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments (combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S)} - G10H: ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A method and apparatus for the creation and playback of music and/or sound, so that sound sequences are generated that vary from one playback to another playback. In one embodiment, during composition creation, artist(s) may define how the composition may vary from playback to playback using visually interactive display(s). The artist's definition may be embedded into a composition dataset. During playback, a composition data set may be processed by a playback device and/or a playback program, so that each time the composition is played-back a unique version may be generated. Variability during playback may include: the variable selection of alternative sound segment(s); variable editing of sound segment(s) during playback processing; variable placement of sound segment(s) during playback processing; the spawning of group(s) of alternative sound segments from initiating sound segment(s); and the combining and/or mixing of alternative sound segments in one or more sound channels. MIDI-like variable compositions and the variable use of sound segments comprised of a timed sequence of MIDI-like commands are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for generating music or sound, comprising: a memory or memories that store; a variable playback composition that includes at least a plurality of groups of sound segments, including a first group and a second group; wherein each group is associated with a plurality of alternative sound segments; wherein at least; said first group and said second group, include a plurality of alternative sound segments that include human voices; a processor or processors that process said variable composition by: variably selecting, at least one sound segment from said first group and at least one sound segment from said second group; wherein at least one sound segment selected from said first group at least partially overlaps at least one sound segment selected from said second group; wherein different sound segments are selected from one playback to another playback of said variable playback composition; combining said selected sound segments to generate a sound sequence; wherein said selected sound segments that overlap in time are combined together; and wherein said sound sequence varies from one playback to another playback of said variable playback composition. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein, during playback, two or more sound segments are selected from one of said groups of sound segments. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein, during playback, two or more sound segments are selected from each one, of two or more of said groups of sound segments. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said sound segments in said first group represent one part of a vocal harmony, and said sound segments in said second group represent another part of said vocal harmony. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein there are two or more vocal harmony groups; and wherein each vocal harmony group contains alternatives for one part of a two or more part vocal harmony. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein a number of sound segments selected from one of said groups varies from one playback to another playback. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein a number of sound segments variably selected from one group is unique from another group or groups, and said number varies from one playback to another playback. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein, for each of two or more said groups, a different number of sound segments is selected from each group, wherein the number of sound segments selected varies from one playback to another playback. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein parts of said sound segments that overlap in time are added or mixed together. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one or more of said groups are initiated by one or more initiating sound segments. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one or more of said sound segments selected from said first or second group, at least partially overlap with an initiating sound segment, and are combined with said initiating sound segment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 further including a rate-buffer wherein said processor provides digital samples to an input side of said rate-buffer at a non-uniform rate, while an output side of said rate-buffer provides digital samples to an output sound channel at a substantially uniform rate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein a given selected sound segments is utilized at a defined placement location in time. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first group includes alternative sound segments for one voice part; and wherein said second group includes alternative sound segments for a second voice part. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein at least one selected sound segment overlaps with and is combined with: a foundation sound segment or a baseline sound segment. ### Claim 16 A method for generating music or sound, comprising: storing, in a memory or memories, a variable playback composition that includes at least a plurality of groups of sound segments, including a first group and a second group; wherein each group is associated with a plurality of alternative sound segments; wherein at least; said first group and said second group, include a plurality of alternative sound segments that include human voices; selecting, by processor or processors, at least one sound segment from said first group; variably selecting, by processor or processors, at least one sound segment from said second group; wherein at least one sound segment selected from said first group at least partially overlaps at least one sound segment selected from said second group; wherein different sound segments are selected from one playback to another playback of said variable playback composition; combining, by processor or processors, said selected sound segments to generate a sound sequence; wherein said selected sound segments that overlap in time are combined together; and wherein said sound sequence varies from one playback to another playback of said variable playback composition. ### Claim 17 One or more non-transitory computer-readable memories or storage media, not including carrier-waves, having computer-readable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more processing devices, implement a method for generating music or sound, the method comprising: storing, in a memory or memories, a variable playback composition that includes at least a plurality of groups of sound segments, including a first group and a second group; wherein each group is associated with a plurality of alternative sound segments; wherein at least; said first group and said second group, include a plurality of alternative sound segments that include human voices; variably selecting at least one sound segment from said first group; wherein different sound segments are selected from one playback to another playback of said variable playback composition variably selecting at least one sound segment from said second group; wherein at least one sound segment selected from said first group at least partially overlaps at least one sound segment selected from said second group; wherein different sound segments are selected from one playback to another playback of said variable playback composition; combining said selected sound segments to generate a sound sequence; wherein said selected sound segments that overlap in time are combined together; and wherein said sound sequence varies from one playback to another playback of said variable playback composition. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said sound sequence includes a harmony of human voices that varies from one playback to another playback. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein no action by a user is needed to cause different alternative segments to be selected from said groups, from one playback to another playback of said variable playback composition. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein no action by a user is needed to cause said sound sequence to vary from one playback to another playback of said variable playback composition. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein two or more of said sound segments each include different sound recordings. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein some of said alternative sound segments are sound recordings of alternative human voices. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein some of said alternative sound segments were: recorded substantially simultaneously, with an audio playback of a previously recorded sound segment. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein at least some of said alternative sound segments were created by mixing together tracks, and wherein some of said tracks were recorded substantially simultaneously with creating or listening to other tracks or sound segments. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein one or more groups of sound segments include alternative recorded sound segments of one or more musical instrument part(s).