In May 2016 Apple introduced an update to GarageBand that introduced the virtual Chinese instrument called a Guzheng, a 21 stringed instrument as presented in our cover graphic. Later Apple published a support page titled "GarageBand for iOS (iPad): Play the Guzheng." Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published the patent application behind the virtual Guzheng instrument introduced on GarageBand. 

Apple's invention relates to devices, computer-readable medium, user interfaces, and methods for implementing user interfaces and user interface elements for interacting with a virtual instrument.

Apple's invention includes user interfaces of the virtual instruments for playing notes and/or music (e.g., electronic audio files) with the virtual instruments. The virtual instruments may be generally designed to give the look and feel of an actual instrument, and may be intended to sound like the actual instrument. Virtual instruments can be designed to mimic nearly any musical instrument, with examples including, but not limited to, string instruments, brass/horns, woodwinds, various keyboards, and the like.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below is a simplified block diagram illustrating an example flow for providing audio output for a virtual instrument (e.g., a Guzheng); FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram illustrating another example user interface for a virtual instrument (e.g., a Guzheng) that depicts a number of pressure measurements.

Apple's patent application 20190129611that was published today by the U.S. Patent Office was originally filed back in February 2018. The history of the invention dates back to November 2017 which was likely written earlier. In this case, this invention is already in the market under GarageBand and considered a patent fulfilled.

Tim Cook & JJ Lin Playing the Guzheng

About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.