The Eight GarageBand Patents

Although I have GarageBand on my iMac, I've never really had the time to delve into one of Apple's little iLife gems. So I'm not sure what new features are on tap with these new patents that have been published today. For those of you who love GarageBand and wish to check out Apple's eight new patent applications in the hopes of finding something new, we've provided you with each of the patents abstract and patent number to assist you in your search. If you happen to notice anything worthwhile, then please, share it with the rest of the Mac Community in our comment area. Good hunting.

Random Illustration from Apple's Patents

1: Collectively Adjusting Tracks using a Digital Audio Workstation

A computer implemented method allows a user to collectively adjust tracks in a digital workstation. The method includes causing the display of at least one internal track and at least one external track. The method then allows the collective adjusting of the tempo, tempo and pitch, or tuning of each internal track and each external track in response to receiving a command. The adjusted tempo and/or adjusted tuning value can be displayed. For more information, see Patent Application 20110011243.

2: Adjusting a Variable Tempo of an Audio File Independent of a Global Tempo using a Digital Audio Workstation.

A computer implemented method allows a DAW to adjust a variable tempo of an audio file independent of a global tempo. The method includes causing the display of a musical arrangement having a global tempo. The musical arrangement includes an audio file having a variable tempo which is independent of the global tempo. The method includes adjusting the variable tempo of the audio file, wherein the variable tempo begins at an initial tempo and adjusts to an end tempo over a set length of time. The method can also include outputting the audio file having the variable tempo in response to a command to play the musical arrangement. For more information, see Patent Application 20110011244.

3: Time Compression/Expansion of Selected Audio Segments in an Audio File

A computer implemented method allows a user to adjust tracks in a musical arrangement. The method involves a user selecting a musical position of an audio track, which the user desires to adjust in time, either by compressing it or expanding it, by indicating with a pointing device, such as a mouse, the position in the time line of the audio track that the user wishes to alter. A first marker is then displayed at the selected musical position in the audio track. Boundary markers defining transients in the audio signal surrounding the selected musical position are then automatically generated by analysis of the audio signal, and are displayed on the audio track. The two boundary markers define an audio segment that is to be adjusted in tempo by the user moving the first marker along the time line. For more information, see Patent Application 20110011245.

4: System and Method to Generate and Manipulate String-Instrument Chord Grinds in a Digital Audio Workstation

A system and method that enables a user to generate and manipulate string-instrument chord grids in a digital audio workstation. The system and method for generating a string-instrument chord grid includes receiving first data input and second data input. The first data input can include a chord root note and/or a position for one or more fingering dots. The second data input can include an instrument type and our tuning for one or more strings. Using the received data input, a processor generates an entered string-instrument chord based and displays the entered string-instrument chord on a grid. The processor can also generate and display the musical name of the entered string-instrument chord. For more information, see Patent Application 20110011246

5: Doubling or Replacing a Recorded Sound using a Digital Audio Workstation

A computer implemented method allows a user to double or replace a recorded sound using a digital audio workstation. The method includes analyzing an audio file for transients. The method includes detecting a sound event with a corresponding timestamp in the audio file. The method then allows generating, by the processor, MIDI data associated with the corresponding timestamp of the detected sound event. The method then allows outputting the MIDI data to a MIDI instrument. Then the MIDI instrument can generate a corresponding sound at the corresponding timestamp in response to receiving the MIDI data. The detected sound event and corresponding sound can be a snare, drum kick, tom, or other percussion sound. For more information, see Patent Application 20110015767.

6: Transient Detection using a Digital Audio Workstation

A processor implements methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting transients in an audio file. The method includes dividing the audio file into segments. Transients can be detected both in a full band signal of the audio file and one or more band-pass filtered signals of the audio file. A weight value can be assigned to each transient detected in both the full band signal and band-pass filtered signals. Transients that are below a predetermined threshold value can be eliminated. The time position of each remaining transient is determined and displayed in the audio file. For more information, see Patent Application 20110015766.

7: Positioning a Virtual Sound Capturing Device in a Three Dimensional Interface

A method, system, and computer-readable product for positioning a virtual sound capturing device in a graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed. The method includes displaying a virtual sound capturing device in relation to a virtual sound producing device in a three dimensional interface and in a two dimensional graphical map. Additionally, the method includes adjusting the display of the virtual sound capturing device in relation to the virtual sound producing device in both the three dimensional interface and the two dimensional graphical map in response to commands received from an input device. For more information, see Patent Application 20110016397.

8: Displaying recently used functions in Context Sensitive Menu

A computer implemented method displays an object. The method includes causing the display of a context specific shortcut menu in response to a user command. The menu can include a set of functions relating to the context of the displayed object and a set of a predetermined number of the most recently used functions relating to the context of the displayed object. The most recently used functions can be displayed above the other functions. For more information, see Patent Application 20110016425.

All of the engineers working on GarageBand, with the exception of Robert Hunt of San Jose CA, are from Germany and all patents were originally filed in Q3 2009.

Apple's musically inclined engineers in random order include: Sapp; Markus; (Appen-Etz, DE) ; Heitmann; Kerstin; (Hamburg, DE) ; Quandt; Thorsten; (Hamburg, DE) ; Knauff; Manfred; (Hamburg, DE) ; Junghanns; Marko; (Barmstedt, DE); Gehring; Steffen; (Hamburg, DE) ; Adam; Thorsten; (Hamburg, DE), Homburg; Clemens; (Hamburg, DE); Buskies; Christoph; (Hamburg, DE) ; Scunio; Alberto E.; (Hamburg, DE); Adam; Christof; and Haydn; Michael Christoph; (Pinneberg, DE).

For additional information on any patent presented above, simply feed the individual patent number into this search engine.

Notice: Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application should be read in its entirety for further details. Patents shouldn't be digested as rumors or fast-tracked according to rumor time tables. Apple patents represent true research that could lead to future products and should be understood in that light. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments.