Portable telephony apparatus with music tone generator Number:7,119,268 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Portable telephony apparatus with music tone generator

Abstract: A sound control apparatus is provided in a portable terminal for sounding a music tone in association with operation of the portable terminal, which is controlled by a main CPU. In the sound control apparatus, a memory memorizes music information representing a music tone and configuration information associated to a timbre of the music tone. An information acquiring section acquires the music information and the configuration information from the memory. A tone generating section is configured by the acquired configuration information to create a timbre specified by the configuration information. The tone generating section operates according to the acquired music information to generate the music tone being represented by the music information and having the specified timbre. A dedicated CPU is provided separately from the main CPU for controlling the memory, the information acquiring section and the tone generating section.

Patent Number: 7,119,268 Issued on 10/10/2006 to Futamase,   et al.

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Inventors:	Futamase; Tsuyoshi (Hamamatsu, JP), Kurakake; Yasushi (Hamamatsu, JP), Ide; Kensuke (Hamamatsu, JP), Mizuno; Shigehiko (Hamamatsu, JP), Karakawa; Shuzo (Hamamatsu, JP), Terada; Kosei (Hamamatsu, JP), Hasegawa; Yutaka (Hamamatsu, JP), Kunii; Takashi (Hamamatsu, JP)
Assignee:	Yamaha Corporation (Hamamatsu, JP)
Appl. No.:	10/411,985
Filed:	April 11, 2003

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Related U.S. Patent Documents

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	Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
	09626304	Jul., 2000	6911592

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Foreign Application Priority Data

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Jul 28, 1999 [JP]			11-214083
Nov 01, 1999 [JP]			11-310750
Nov 04, 1999 [JP]			11-314396
Jun 15, 2000 [JP]			2000-179962

Current U.S. Class:	84/622 ; 84/613; 84/619
Current International Class:	G10H 7/00 (20060101); A63H 5/00 (20060101)
Field of Search:	84/609,645,615,622,613,619 434/307A

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Other References

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Primary Examiner: Donels; Jeffrey W
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Morrison & Foerster LLP

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Parent Case Text

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This application is a division of application Ser. No. 09/626,304, filed on Jul. 26, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,911,592.

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Claims

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What is claimed is:

1. A portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a music tone in association with the first capability according to music information, the portable terminal apparatus comprising: a memory that memorizes the music information representing the music tone; a mood setting section that sets a mood of the music tone; and a mood control section that operates based on the memorized music information and controls the generating of the music tone according to the mood set by the mood setting section.

2. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tone generator of a frequency modulation type for generating the music tone.

3. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tone generator having a wave-table memory storing a waveform of the music tone for generating the music tone.

4. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tone generator of a physical modeling type for generating the music tone.

5. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tone generator constituted by a digital signal processor for executing a microprogram to generate the music tone.

6. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tone generator constituted by a central processing unit for executing a software to generate the music tone.

7. A portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a tone of a music piece represented by music data in association with the first capability, the portable terminal apparatus comprising: an input device that inputs music data representing a part of the music piece; and an automatic synthesis device that automatically synthesize the whole of the music piece according to the inputted music data.

8. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a tone generator of a frequency modulation type for generating the music tone.

9. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a tone generator having a wave-table memory storing a waveform of the music tone for generating the music tone.

10. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a tone generator of a physical modeling type for generating the music tone.

11. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a tone generator constituted by a digital signal processor for executing a microprogram to generate the music tone.

12. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a tone generator constituted by a central processing unit for executing a software to generate the music tone.

13. A portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a sequence of music tones represented by music information in association with the first capability, the portable terminal comprising: a noise detection section that detects noise; a setting section that sets a maximum noise level according to the detected noise; an acquiring section that acquires a sample tone signal having a pitch sequence; a noise canceling section that deletes portions of the acquired sample tone signal below the set maximum noise level to thereby cancel any noise which may be contained in the acquired sample tone signal; an extracting section that extracts the pitch sequence from the sample tone signal after canceling any noise; and a creating section that creates the music information according to the pitch sequence.

14. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising a tone generator of a frequency modulation type for generating the music tone.

15. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a tone generator having a wave-table memory storing a waveform of the music tone for generating the music tone.

16. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a tone generator of a physical modeling type for generating the music tone.

17. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a tone generator constituted by a digital signal processor for executing a microprogram to generate the music tone.

18. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a tone generator constituted by a central processing unit for executing a software to generate the music tone.

19. A portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a sequence of music tones represented by music information in association with the first capability, the portable terminal apparatus comprising: an acquiring section that acquires a sample tone signal having a pitch sequence; an extracting section that extracts the pitch sequence from the sample tone signal; a transposing section that transposes the extracted pitch sequence; and a creating section that creates the music information according to the transposed pitch sequence.

20. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a tone generator of a frequency modulation type for generating the music tone.

21. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a tone generator having a wave-table memory storing a waveform of the music tone for generating the music tone.

22. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a tone generator of a physical modeling type for generating the music tone.

23. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a tone generator constituted by a digital signal processor for executing a microprogram to generate the music tone.

24. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a tone generator constituted by a central processing unit for executing a software to generate the music tone.

25. A portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating music tones in association with the first capability according to music information, the portable terminal apparatus comprising: a memory section that memorizes original music information representing a sequence of music tones having a chord progression; an analyzing section that analyzes the memorized original music information to detect therefrom the chord progression; and an automatic creating section that automatically creates new music information according to the detected chord progression in matching with the original music information.

26. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a tone generator of a frequency modulation type for generating the music tone.

27. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a tone generator having a wave-table memory storing a waveform of the music tone for generating the music tone.

28. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a tone generator of a physical modeling type for generating the music tone.

29. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a tone generator constituted by a digital signal processor for executing a microprogram to generate the music tone.

30. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a tone generator constituted by a central processing unit for executing a software to generate the music tone.

31. A portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a sequence of music tones represented by music information in association with the first capability, the portable terminal apparatus comprising: a memory section that memorizes a plurality of original music information representing different sequences of music tones; and a creating section that connects the memorized different sequences of the music tones with each other in series to create new music information representing a composite sequence of the music tones.

32. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a tone generator of a frequency modulation type for generating the music tone.

33. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a tone generator having a wave-table memory storing a waveform of the music tone for generating the music tone.

34. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a tone generator of a physical modeling type for generating the music tone.

35. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a tone generator constituted by a digital signal processor for executing a microprogram to generate the music tone.

36. The portable terminal apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a tone generator constituted by a central processing unit for executing a software to generate the music tone.

37. A method of operating a portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a music tone in association with the first capability according to music information, the method comprising the steps of: operating a memory for memorizing the music information representing the music tone; setting a mood of the music tone; and generating the music tone based on the memorized music information under the set mood.

38. A method of operating a portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a tone of a music piece represented by music data in association with the first capability, the method comprising the steps of: inputting music data representing a part of the music piece; and automatically synthesizing the whole of the music piece according to the inputted music data.

39. A method of operating a portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a sequence of music tones represented by music information in association with the first capability, the method comprising the steps of: detecting noise; setting a maximum noise level according to the detected noise; acquiring a sample tone signal having a pitch sequence; deleting portions of the acquired sample tone signal below the set maximum noise level to thereby cancel any noise which may be contained in the acquired sample tone signal; extracting the pitch sequence from the sample tone signal after canceling any noise; and creating the music information according to the pitch sequence.

40. A method of operating a portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a sequence of music tones represented by music information in association with the first capability, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring a sample tone signal having a pitch sequence; extracting the pitch sequence from the sample tone signal; transposing the extracted pitch sequence; and creating the music information according to the transposed pitch sequence.

41. A method of operating a portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating music tones in association with the first capability according to music information, the method comprising the steps of: operating a memory for memorizing original music information representing a sequence of music tones having a chord progression; analyzing the memorized original music information to detect therefrom the chord progression; and automatically creating new music information according to the detected chord progression in matching with the original music information.

42. A method of operating a portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a sequence of music tones represented by music information in association with the first capability, the method comprising the steps of: operating a memory for memorizing a plurality of original music information representing different sequences of music tones; and connecting the memorized different sequences of the music tones with each other in series to create new music information representing a composite sequence of the music tones.

43. A machine readable medium for use in a portable terminal apparatus having a processor to provide a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a music tone in association with the first capability according to music information, the medium containing program instructions executable by the processor for causing the portable terminal apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: operating a memory for memorizing the music information representing the music tone; setting a mood of the music tone; and generating the music tone based on the memorized music information under the set mood.

44. A machine readable medium for use in a portable terminal apparatus having a processor to provide a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a tone of a music piece represented by music data in association with the first capability, the medium containing program instructions executable by the processor for causing the portable terminal apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: inputting music data representing a part of the music piece; and automatically synthesizing the whole of the music piece according to the inputted music data.

45. A machine readable medium for use in a portable terminal apparatus having a processor to provide a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a sequence of music tones represented by music information in association with the first capability, the medium containing program instructions executable by the processor for causing the portable terminal apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: detecting noise; setting a maximum noise level according to the detected noise; acquiring a sample tone signal having a pitch sequence; deleting portions of the acquired sample tone signal below the set maximum noise level to thereby cancel any noise which may be contained in the acquired sample tone signal; extracting the pitch sequence from the sample tone signal after canceling any noise; and creating the music information according to the pitch sequence.

46. A machine readable medium for use in a portable terminal apparatus having a processor to provide a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a sequence of music tones represented by music information in association with the first capability, the medium containing program instructions executable by the processor for causing the portable terminal apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: acquiring a sample tone signal having a pitch sequence; extracting the pitch sequence from the sample tone signal; transposing the extracted pitch sequence; and creating the music information according to the transposed pitch sequence.

47. A machine readable medium for use in a portable terminal apparatus having a processor to provide a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating music tones in association with the first capability according to music information, the medium containing program instructions executable by the processor for causing the portable terminal apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: operating a memory for memorizing original music information representing a sequence of music tones having a chord progression; analyzing the memorized original music information to detect therefrom the chord progression; and automatically creating new music information according to the detected chord progression in matching with the original music information.

48. A machine readable medium for use in a portable terminal apparatus having a processor to provide a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a sequence of music tones represented by music information in association with the first capability, the medium containing program instructions executable by the processor for causing the portable terminal apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: operating a memory for memorizing a plurality of original music information representing different sequences of music tones; and connecting the memorized different sequences of the music tones with each other in series to create new music information representing a composite sequence of the music tones.

49. A portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a sequence of music tones represented by music information in association with the first capability, the portable terminal comprising: an acquiring section that acquires a sample tone signal having a pitch sequence; an extracting section that extracts the pitch sequence from the sample tone signal; a transposing section that operates when the extracted pitch sequence does not reach a predetermined interval, for totally transposing the extracted pitch sequence up to the predetermined interval; and a creating section that creates the music information according to the transposed pitch sequence.

50. A method of operating a portable terminal apparatus having a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a sequence of music tones represented by music information in association with the first capability, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring a sample tone signal having a pitch sequence; extracting the pitch sequence from the sample tone signal; when the extracted pitch sequence does not reach a predetermined interval, transposing the extracted pitch sequence up to the predetermined interval; and creating the music information according to the transposed pitch sequence.

51. A machine readable medium for use in a portable terminal apparatus having a processor to provide a first capability of transmitting and receiving various information, and a second capability of generating a sequence of music tones represented by music information in association with the first capability, the medium containing program instructions executable by the processor for causing the portable terminal apparatus to perform a method comprising the steps of: acquiring a sample tone signal having a pitch sequence; extracting the pitch sequence from the sample tone signal; when the extracted pitch sequence does not reach a predetermined interval, transposing the extracted pitch sequence up to the predetermined interval; and creating the music information according to the transposed pitch sequence.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a sounding control apparatus, and a portable terminal apparatus and a system that use this sounding control apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to sounding control apparatus built in a portable terminal apparatus such as a portable telephone terminal, and a base station having a database system for providing various pieces of information such as music information to this sounding control apparatus.

Recently developed portable telephone terminals have a capability of sounding a melodious ringing tone to notify call termination on them. This ringing melody is a sequence of monotones based on buzzer sound. The sound information for use in creating the melodious ringing tone can be downloaded from a base station for example.

However, melodious tone reproducing devices such as mentioned as for use in conventional portable telephone terminals can neither reproduce music that sounds two or more tones at a time nor allow various settings such as timbre and effect. Namely, the conventional melody tone reproducing devices cannot reproduce various kinds of music for user enjoyment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a main object of the present invention to provide a sounding control apparatus that facilitates the setting, editing, and creating of music tone information such as timbre and effect for producing a melody sound at call termination or background music (BGM) during talking by sounding two or more tones at a time by use of an FM tone generator for example in a portable terminal device. So constituted, the sounding control apparatus according to the invention can realize the reproduction of rich and various sounds adapted to the processing capacity of portable terminals and user preferences.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable terminal apparatus that provides various operating modes in which audio and video signals are used along with reproduced tones for user enjoyment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable terminal apparatus that can provide a Karaoke play by synchronously treating music performance and words display.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a potable terminal apparatus, a music tone information service system and a base station, in which the potable terminal apparatus is capable of mounting a detachable recording medium that can realize various kinds of music data processing capabilities such as a change in tempo, automatic composition, voice-pitch detection, chord detection, style reproduction, format conversion of music information, and trial listening of music information.

In carrying out the invention and according to a first aspect thereof, there is provided a sounding control apparatus for use in a portable terminal apparatus capable of sounding a music tone, comprising: an information acquiring means or section for acquiring performance information and timbre-associated configuration information and effect-associated configuration information; given a timbre set on the basis of the timbre-associated configuration information, a tone generating means or section for generating a tone signal corresponding to the performance information; an effect imparting means or effector section for imparting an effect set on the basis of the effect-associated configuration information to the generated tone signal, and an output means or section for outputting the tone signal imparted with the effect.

In carrying out the invention and according to a second aspect thereof, there is provided a sounding control apparatus for use in a portable terminal apparatus capable of sounding a tone, comprising: a storage means or memory section for storing music tone information; a tone generating means for generating, on the basis of the music tone information stored in the storage means, a tone signal having a predetermined timbre and imparted with a predetermined effect; and a control means for controlling the storage means and the tone generating means independently of the portable terminal apparatus.

In carrying out the invention and according to a third aspect thereof, there is provided a portable terminal apparatus comprising: a storage means for storing music tone information, audio information, and video information; a sounding control apparatus for generating, on the basis of the music tone information stored in the storage means, a tone signal given with a predetermined timbre and/or a predetermined effect corresponding to configuration information included in the music tone information; and a means for generating, on the basis of the audio information and the video information stored in the storage means, an audio signal and a video signal. The music tone information stored in the storage means is presented in a format which is downsized as compared with a general-purpose music tone information format in correspondence with a storage size of the storage means.

In carrying out the invention and according to a fourth aspect thereof, there is provided a music tone information service system composed of a portable terminal apparatus capable of sounding a tone and a base station having a music tone information source, comprising: an information selecting means or section for selecting, according to selecting information sent from the portable terminal apparatus, corresponding music tone information from the music tone information source; configuration information attaching means or section for attaching, to the selected music tone information, configuration information indicative of a timbre and an effect to be given to the tone sounded in the portable terminal apparatus; and a sounding control apparatus for generating, on the basis of the music tone information attached with the configuration information, a tone signal given with a predetermined timbre and/or a predetermined effect. This music tone information service system further comprising: a charging means or section for executing a charging operation on the portable terminal apparatus which sent the selecting information.

In carrying out the invention and according to a fifth aspect thereof, there is provided a music tone information service system composed of a portable terminal apparatus capable of sounding a tone and a music tone information processing apparatus capable of creating or editing music tone information, comprising: an information compressing means or section for compressing the created or edited music tone information; and a sounding control apparatus for generating, on the basis of the compressed music tone information, a tone signal given with a predetermined timbre and/or a predetermined effect.

In carrying out the invention and according to a sixth aspect thereof, there is provided a music tone information service system composed of a portable terminal apparatus capable of sounding a tone and a music tone information source which stores music tone information, comprising: an information acquiring or capturing means or section for acquiring or capturing the music tone information stored in the music tone information source into the portable terminal apparatus; an information editing means or section for editing the captured music tone information; and a sounding control apparatus for generating, on the basis of the edited music tone information, a tone signal given with a predetermined timbre and/or a predetermined effect.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable terminal apparatus comprising a memory means for memorizing performance information and words information corresponding to progression of a performance, a tone generation control device operative based on the memorized performance information for sequentially generating a music tone signal, and a display means operative based on the memorized words information for generating a words display signal corresponding to the generated music tone signal. Further, there is provided a portable terminal apparatus comprising a memory means for memorizing first performance information, second performance information, and words information corresponding to performance progression of the second performance information, a tone generation control device operative based on the first performance information and the second performance information for generating a first music tone signal and a second music tone signal, respectively, a display means operative based on the words information for generating a words display signal corresponding to the second music tone signal, and a control means for controlling the tone generation control device to generate the first music tone signal in precedence to generation of the second music tone signal.

According to the first aspect of the invention, a portable terminal apparatus capable of sounding tones has a sounding control apparatus that is given a timbre to be set on the basis of timbre-associated configuration information to generate a tone signal corresponding to performance information and to impart an effect to be set on the basis of effect-associated configuration information to the generated tone signal. Consequently, two or more tones can be sounded at a time by use of an FM tone generator for example, thereby providing rich and various ringing melodies, BGM during talking, and music at any time desired.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the control means (CPU), which operates independently of the portable terminal apparatus, is used to generate a tone signal having a predetermined timbre and imparted with a predetermined effect. Consequently, tone signal generation processing can be executed with relatively high degree of freedom without being restricted by the control of the portable terminal apparatus main.

According to the third aspect of the invention, a tone signal imparted with a predetermined timbre and/or effect corresponding to configuration information included in music tone information is generated on the basis of the music tone information and, at the same time, an audio signal and a video signal are generated on the basis of audio information and video information. Consequently, the user can enjoy the reproduced tone in various modes supported by the audio and video signals. In addition, according to the storage size of the storage means used, tone signals are generated by use of music tone information presented in a format which is downsized as compared with a general-purpose music tone information format. Consequently, quality tones can be reproduced within the maximum allowable range of the data processing and storage capacities of the portable terminal apparatus without weighing upon the memory of the apparatus.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, a music tone information service system is formed by portable terminal apparatuses and the base station (server) having a music tone information source. According to the selection information sent from any of the portable terminal apparatus, the base station selects corresponding music tone information from the music tone information source. The base station creates configuration information indicative of a timbre and/or an effect to be imparted to a tone which is sounded in the portable terminal apparatus. On the basis of the music tone information attached with the created configuration information, the portable terminal apparatus generates a tone signal imparted with the predetermined timbre and/or effect. Consequently, rich and divergent tones can be provided by effective use of the server database. In addition, the charging processing is executed to the portable terminal apparatus that sent the selection information, thereby providing appropriate services to the users of particular portable terminal apparatus.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, music tone information is shared by a music tone information processing apparatus based on a personal computer or an intelligent electronic musical instrument. Music tone information of a desired format is created or edited in the music tone information processing apparatus to compress the created or edited music tone information into a size suitable for the portable terminal apparatus. Therefore, the novel constitution facilitates the setting, editing, and creation of timbres and effect of the music tone information suitable for the capacity of the portable terminal apparatus.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, music tone information stored in music tone information sources such as external recording media and telephone terminals is captured in the portable terminal apparatus for editing. Consequently, music tone information of various forms can be processed into the music tone information suitable for the capacity of the portable terminal apparatus or user preferences.

To sum up, according to the present invention, a tone generator capable of sounding two or more tones at a time is arranged in a sounding control apparatus in a portable terminal apparatus to impart a timbre and an effect for example to a generated tone on the basis of configuration information associated with tone sounding. This novel constitution reproduces music, which is various in kind and rich in musicality as ringing melodies, BGM sounded during talking, and music, which entertains the user as desired. In the present invention, each piece of information including music tone information can be captured any time from external information sources such as base station, personal computer, other telephone terminals, and small-size or compact storage media, which enhances system extensibility, thereby reproducing a wide range of a variety of music as ringing melodies and BGM for example.

In addition, according to the present invention, the music information to be captured in the portable terminal apparatus is attached with configuration information associated with tone sounding, compressed by deleting unnecessary information so as to fit the storage size of the terminal apparatus, and format-converted so as to match in the own model of the terminal apparatus concerned, thereby enhancing system extensibility still further. Besides, use of an editing means facilitates the acquisition of the music tone information attached with configuration information while downsizing the amount of the information.

According to the seventh feature of the invention, the performance information and the words information corresponding to progression of the music performance are memorized. The music tone signal is sequentially generated according to the performance information, while the words display signal corresponding to the generated music tone signal is generated according to the words information. Thus, the portable terminal apparatus such as a portable telephone can provide a Karaoke play. The inventive apparatus can be efficiently used for Karaoke training by displaying and memorizing Karaoke words in a spare time. According to this feature, there are treated first performance information, second performance information and words information corresponding to the performance progression of the second performance information. A second music tone signal is generated according to the second performance information, and a words display signal corresponding to the second music tone signal is generated according to the words information, thereby enabling Karaoke play. Further, the first music tone signal is generated according to the first performance information in precedence to the Karaoke play, thereby enabling automatic switch from the Karaoke play to the reproduction of a ringing melody according to the first music tone signal, while the words display may not disturb telephone conversation.

In addition, according to a specific aspect of the invention, being associated with editing performance information, there is provided a potable terminal apparatus that comprises a storage means for storing performance information, a means for displaying parameters in the performance information stored in the storage means, and a means for editing the parameters displayed. The portable terminal apparatus can display one of parameters in the stored performance information which the user wishes to edit, so that the user can operate ten keys for telephone number entry to input a parameter value, thus editing the performance information.

In carrying out the invention and according to an aspect of changing the tempo of music information, there is provided a portable terminal apparatus that comprises a storage means for storing music information, a tempo specifying means or section for specifying a tempo, and a control means for controlling, according to the tempo specified by the tempo specifying means, the tempo of a tone to be sounded on the basis of the music information stored in the storage means. The portable terminal apparatus allows the user to specify a tempo by use of at least one of parameters. The parameters include an absolute value of the tempo (a numerical value), a word indicative of the tempo (such as "allegro" and "moderato"), a rate of change from a reference tempo (% or .+-.), and an intuitive word ("quick", "slow" or "moderate"). Thus, the user can use an operator of the portable terminal apparatus (main unit) to specify a tempo so as to control the performance tempo of sounding music such as a ringing melody or BGM.

In carrying out the invention and according to an aspect of automatic composition, there are provided a potable terminal apparatus that comprises a means for setting an atmosphere of music, and a means for automatically creating music information according to the set atmosphere, and another portable terminal apparatus that comprises a means for inputting a part of music data, and a means for automatically creating a whole of music information for a complete piece of music from the part of music data. The former terminal apparatus allows the user to use an operator to selectively set an atmosphere of music so as to automatically create music information. The latter terminal apparatus allows the user to input the part of music data so as to automatically create music information for a piece of music from the partial data.

In carrying out the invention and according to an aspect of pitch detection, there are provided a portable terminal apparatus that comprises a means for selectively acquiring either tone signals input from a microphone or tone signals received at a transmitting/receiving circuit, a means for extracting a pitch sequence from the acquired tone signals, and a means for creating music information on the basis of the pitch sequence extracted, and another portable terminal apparatus that comprises a means for acquiring a tone signal, and a means for extracting a pitch sequence from the acquired tone signals, a means for transposing the pitch sequence extracted, and a means for creating music information on the basis of the pitch sequence transposed. In these portable terminal apparatuses, when a pitch sequence is extracted from an input tone, the former terminal apparatus can arbitrarily select either a tone input from a microphone or a tone input during talking, while the latter terminal apparatus can transpose the detected pitch sequence as required.

In carrying out the invention and according to an aspect of chord detection, there is provided a portable terminal apparatus that comprises a storage means for storing music information, a music analyzing means for analyzing the music information stored in the storage means, and a means for automatically creating, on the basis of the analysis result by the music analyzing means, performance information associated with a chord fitting the music information. The portable terminal apparatus can automatically create performance information associated with the chord fitting the music information.

In carrying out the invention and according to an aspect of style reproduction, there is provided a portable terminal apparatus that comprises a storage means for storing plural kinds of style information, and a means for joining the style information stored in the storage means to create music information. The portable terminal apparatus can store plural kinds of style information and performance information and join them to reproduce a piece of music.

In carrying out the invention and according to an aspect of format conversion, there are provided a music information service system, composed of a potable terminal apparatus that performs a tone process using music information of a first format and a base station having a music tone information source, wherein the base station comprises a format converting means for converting music information of a format different from the first format into music information of the first format, and a base station capable of distributing music information from a music information source to a potable terminal apparatus that performs the tone process using music information of a first format, which comprises a format converting means for converting music information of a format different from the first format into music information of the first format. The music information service system and the base station can convert music information for other models or general-purpose music information incompatible with the first format into music information of the first format for its own model.

In carrying out the invention and according to another aspect of format conversion, there is provided a music tone information service system, composed of a potable terminal apparatus that performs a tone process using music information of predetermined format and a base station having a music tone information source, wherein the base station comprises a means for receiving identification information associated with the terminal apparatus from the potable terminal apparatus, and a means for creating, on the basis of the identification information received, the predetermined format of music information from the music tone information source, and a base station, capable of distributing music information from a music tone information source to a potable terminal apparatus that performs the tone process using music information of a predetermined format, which comprises a means for receiving identification information associated with the terminal apparatus from the potable terminal apparatus, and a means for creating music information of the predetermined format from the music tone information source on the basis of the received identification information. Upon transmission of the information associated with the terminal (identification information) from the terminal to the base station (server), the music tone information service system and the base station can perform format conversion at the base station on the basis of the information concerned.

In carrying out the invention and according to still another aspect of format conversion, there is provided a potable terminal apparatus that performs a tone process using music information of a predetermined format, the potable terminal apparatus comprising a format converting means for converting music information of a format into music information of a first format different from that before conversion. Th portable terminal apparatus can perform format conversion in its own terminal apparatus from music information for other models or general-purpose music information incompatible with the first format into music information of the first format for its own model.

In carrying out the invention and according to an aspect of trial listening, there are provided a music tone information service system, composed of a potable terminal apparatus capable of sounding a tone and a base station having a music tone information source, wherein the base station comprises a means for transmitting information from the music tone information source as streaming data, and the potable terminal apparatus comprises a means for performing real-time reproduction of the music information on the basis of the streaming data from the base station, and a base station, capable of distributing music tone information from a music tone information source to a potable terminal apparatus capable of sounding a tone, which comprises a means for transmitting information from the music tone information source to the potable terminal apparatus as streaming data. The music tone information service system and the base station can perform streaming transmission of information from the base station (server) to realize real-time trial listening on the portable terminal apparatus side.

In carrying out the invention and according to an aspect thereof related to a detachable recording medium, there are provided a potable terminal apparatus, capable of mounting a detachable small-size or compact recording medium, which comprises a means for retrieving music information stored in the detachable small-size recording medium, and a means for processing the retrieved music information, and another potable terminal apparatus, capable of mounting a detachable small-size recording medium, which comprises a means for processing music information, and a means for writing the processed music information into the detachable small-size recording medium. Of these portable terminal apparatuses capable of mounting a detachable small-size recording medium, the former terminal apparatus can retrieve or load music information from the recording medium into the terminal system, while the latter terminal apparatus can write music information from various information sources into the recording medium.

The portable terminal apparatuses according to the invention may have sound sources of an FM type, a waveform memory type, or a physical model type. The sound source circuit may be composed by DPS including a microprogram or composed by a CPU including software. It should be noted that "music tone information" and "performance information" may be interchangeably used in the specification if there is no need to discriminate therebetween. Further, "music information" may be used to cover both of "music tone information" and "performance information" as in the specification and the pending claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a portable telephone terminal to which a sounding control apparatus practiced as one embodiment of the invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detail configuration of a sounding controller practiced as one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detail configuration of a sounding controller practiced as another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of an environment in which the above-mentioned portable telephone terminal is used.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one example of an information format of own model in the above-mentioned portable telephone terminal.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating one example of a conventional information format of another model in a portable telephone terminal of another model.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a general-purpose music tone information format conventionally used in electronic musical instruments for example.

FIG. 8 is a part of a functional block diagram illustrating an information transfer relationship in a first system composed of the above-mentioned portable telephone terminal and a base station practiced as one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is another part of the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating an information transfer relationship in a second system composed of the above-mentioned portable telephone terminal and a personal computer practiced as one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating an information transfer relationship in a third system composed of the above-mentioned portable telephone terminal and a recording medium and another telephone terminal.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart indicative of one example of own terminal processing in the above-mentioned portable telephone terminal.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart indicative of one example of server processing in the above-mentioned base station.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart indicative of one example of PC terminal processing in the above-mentioned personal computer terminal.

FIG. 15 is an example of a music information format usable in the karaoke mode in the portable terminal apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram illustrating synchronization between music performance and words display in the terminal system practiced as one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of "receive processing 1" which is an example of the receive processing in the terminal system according to the invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of "other processing 1" which is an example of the other processing in the terminal system according to the invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of "selection/setting processing 1" which is an example of the receive processing in the terminal system according to the invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of "interrupt processing 1" which is an example of the interrupt processing in the terminal system according to the invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of "selection/setting processing 2" which is another example of the selection/setting processing in the terminal system according to the invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of "edit processing 1" which is an example of the edit processing in the terminal system according to the invention.

FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram illustrating the voice composing capability of the terminal system according to one embodime