Method of extending capability of music apparatus by networking

Abstract

A network system is constructed for operating a music apparatus having a function as an electronic musical instrument under control by a local terminal which is communicable with a host computer through a network. In the system, the host computer is installed with a capability utilized to compute data effective to extent the function of the electronic musical instrument. The local terminal is connectable to the host computer through the network to remotely control the capability of the host computer so as to compute the data prepared for the music apparatus. The local terminal downloads the computed data from the host computer into the music apparatus through the local terminal. The music apparatus operates according to the downloaded data to extend its own function as the electronic musical instrument. Further, the capability itself can be transferred from the host computer to the music apparatus through the local terminal.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of operating a music apparatus to function as an electronic musical instrument under control by a local terminal which is communicable with a host computer through a network, wherein the host computer includes a synthesizer capability utilized to compute timbre data, the method comprising the steps of: 
       connecting the local terminal to the host computer through the network to remotely control the synthesizer capability of the host computer so as to compute the timbre data prepared for the music apparatus;  
       downloading the computer timbre data from the host computer into the music apparatus through the local terminal so as to set a desired timbre of a musical tone; and  
       operating the music apparatus to function as the electronic musical instrument to generate the musical tone having the desired timbre set by the downloaded timbre data.  
     
     
       2. A method of operating a music apparatus to function as an electronic musical instrument according to song data representative of a desired song under control by a local terminal which is communicable with a host computer through a network, wherein the host computer includes a sequencer capability utilized to time-sequentially process the song data to computer automatic play data, the method comprising the steps of: 
       connecting the local terminal to the host computer through the network to remotely control the sequencer capability of the host computer while supplying thereto the song data so as to compute the automatic play data prepared for the music apparatus;  
       downloading the computed automatic play data from the host computer into the music apparatus through the local terminal; and  
       operating the music apparatus to function as the electronic musical instrument to undergo an automatic play of the desired song according to the downloaded automatic play data.  
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the step of operating further comprises manually operating the music apparatus to play the desired song along an accompaniment of the automatic play. 
     
     
       4. A method of operating a music apparatus to function as an electronic musical instrument under control by a local terminal which is communicable with a host computer through a network, wherein the host computer includes an emulator capability utilized to emulate an operation of the electronic musical instrument, the method comprising the steps of: 
       connecting the local terminal to the host computer through the network to remotely control the emulator capability of the host computer so as to compute operation data indicative of the operation of the electronic musical instrument upon emulation thereof;  
       downloading the computer operation data from the host computer into the music apparatus through the local terminal; and  
       virtually operating the music apparatus to function as the electronic musical instrument to investigate performance thereof according to the downloaded operation data without actually operating the music apparatus.  
     
     
       5. A method of extending a desired capability of a music apparatus having a function of an electronic musical instrument under control by a local terminal which is communicable with a host computer through a network, wherein the host computer includes a program composed of a function module which is executable to provide the desired capability, a first interface module which interfaces the function module with the local terminal through the network when the local terminal remotely executes the function module installed in the host computer, and a second interface module which is specifically designed to adapt the function module to the music apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: 
       connecting the local terminal to the host computer through the network to download a set of the function module and the second interface module into the music apparatus by means of the local terminal; and  
       allowing the music apparatus to internally execute the downloaded function module through the downloaded second interface module to thereby extend the desired capability as the electronic musical instrument.  
     
     
       6. A system for operating a music apparatus having a function as an electronic musical instrument under control by a local terminal which is communicable with a host computer through a network, wherein the system comprises: 
       the host computer installed with a capability utilized to compute data effective to extend the function of the electronic musical instrument;  
       the local terminal connectable to the host computer through the network to remotely control the capability of the host computer so as to compute the data prepared for the music apparatus, the local terminal downloading the computed data from the host computer into the music apparatus through the local terminal; and  
       the music apparatus operative according to the downloaded data to extend its own function as the electronic musical instrument.  
     
     
       7. The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the host computer is installed with a synthesizer capability utilized to compute timbre data effective to set a desired timbre of a musical tone so that the music apparatus operates to function as the electronic musical instrument to generate the musical tone having the desired timbre set by the downloaded timbre data. 
     
     
       8. The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the host computer is installed with a sequencer capability utilized to compute automatic play data by time-sequentially processing song data which is provided from the local terminal and which indicates a desired song so that the music apparatus operates to function as the electronic musical instrument to undergo an automatic play of the desired song according to the downloaded automatic play data. 
     
     
       9. The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the host computer is installed with an emulator capability utilized to emulate an operation of the electronic musical instrument so as to compute operation data indicative of the operation of the electronic musical instrument upon emulation thereof so that the music apparatus is virtually operated to function as the electronic musical instrument to investigate performance thereof according to the downloaded operation data without actually operating the music apparatus. 
     
     
       10. A system for extending a desired capability of a music apparatus having a function of an electronic musical instrument under control by a local terminal which is communicable with a host computer through a network, wherein the system comprises: 
       the host computer installed with a program composed of a function module which is executable to provide the desired capability and a first interface module which interfaces the function module with the local terminal through the network when the local terminal remotely executes the function module installed in the host computer, the host computer further being installed with a second interface module which is specifically prepared to adapt the function module to the music apparatus;  
       the local terminal connected to the host computer through the network to download a set of the function module and the second interface module from the host computer; and  
       the music apparatus equipped in the local terminal and having a memory for storing the set of the function module and the second interface module downloaded by the local terminal, the music apparatus internally executing the stored function module through the stored second interface module to thereby extend the desired capability as the electronic musical instrument.  
     
     
       11. A local terminal communicable with a host computer through a network for operating a music apparatus which is equipped in the local terminal and which has a function as an electronic musical instrument, the host computer being installed with a capability utilized to compute data effective to extent the function of the electronic musical instrument, the local terminal comprising: 
       means for communicating with the host computer through the network to remotely control the capability of the host computer so as to compute the data prepared for the music apparatus;  
       means for downloading the computed data from the host computer into the music apparatus through the network; and  
       means for allowing the music apparatus to operate according to the downloaded data to extend its own function as the electronic musical instrument.  
     
     
       12. A local terminal communicable with a host computer through a network for extending a desired capability of a music apparatus which is equipped in the local terminal and which has a function of an electronic musical instrument, the host computer being installed with a program composed of a function module which is executable to provide the desired capability and a first interface module which interfaces the function module with the local terminal through the network when the local terminal remotely executes the function module installed in the host computer, the host computer further being installed with a second interface module which is specifically prepared to adapt the function module to the music apparatus, the local terminal comprising: 
       means for communicating with the host computer through the network to download a set of the function module and the second interface module from the host computer;  
       means for storing the set of the function module and the second interface module downloaded by the local terminal into a memory provided in the music apparatus; and  
       means for allowing the music apparatus to internally execute the stored function module through the stored second interface module to thereby extend the desired capability as the electronic musical instrument.  
     
     
       13. A music apparatus attachable to a local terminal which is communicable with a host computer through a network for extending a desired capability of the music apparatus having a function of an electronic musical instrument, the host computer being installed with a program composed of a function module which is executable to provide the desired capability and a first interface module which interfaces the function module with the local terminal through the network when the local terminal remotely executes the function module installed in the host computer, the host computer further being installed with a second interface module which is specifically prepared to adapt the function module to the music apparatus, the music apparatus comprising: 
       means for commanding the local terminal to communicate with the host computer through the network to download a set of the function module and the second interface module from the host computer;  
       means for storing the set of the function module and the second interface module downloaded by the local terminal; and  
       means for internally executing the stored function module through the stored second interface module to thereby extend the desired capability as the electronic musical instrument.  
     
     
       14. A machine readable medium for use in a local terminal which has a CPU and which is communicable with a host computer through a network, the host computer being installed with a synthesizer capability utilized to compute timbre data, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the local terminal to operate a music apparatus equipped therein to function as an electronic musical instrument by the steps of: 
       connecting the local terminal to the host computer through the network to remotely control the synthesizer capability of the host computer so as to compute the timbre data prepared for the music apparatus;  
       downloading the computed timbre data from the host computer into the music apparatus through the local terminal so as to set a desired timbre of a musical tone; and  
       operating the music apparatus to function as the electronic musical instrument to generate the musical tone having the desired timbre set by the downloaded timbre data.  
     
     
       15. A machine readable medium for use in a local terminal which has a CPU and which is communicable with a host computer through a network, the host computer being installed with a sequencer capability utilized to time-sequentially process song data representative of a desired song to compute automatic play data, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the local terminal to operate a music apparatus equipped therein to function as an electronic musical instrument by the steps of: 
       connecting the local terminal to the host computer through the network to remotely control the sequencer capability of the host computer while supplying thereto the song data so as to compute the automatic play data prepared for the music apparatus;  
       downloading the computed automatic play data from the host computer into the music apparatus through the local terminal; and  
       operating the music apparatus to function as the electronic musical instrument to undergo an automatic play of the desired song according to the downloaded automatic play data.  
     
     
       16. A machine readable medium for use in a local terminal which has a CPU and which is communicable with a host computer through a network, the host computer being installed with an emulator capability utilized to emulate an operation of an electronic musical instrument, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the local terminal to operate a music apparatus equipped therein to function as the electronic musical instrument by the steps of: connecting the local terminal to the host computer through the network to remotely control the emulator capability of the host computer so as to compute operation data indicative of the operation of the electronic musical instrument upon emulation thereof; 
       downloading the computed operation data from the host computer into the music apparatus through the local terminal; and  
       virtually operating the music apparatus to function as the electronic musical instrument to investigate performance thereof according to the downloaded operation data without actually operating the music apparatus.  
     
     
       17. A machine readable medium for use in a local terminal which has a CPU and which is communicable with a host computer through a network, the host computer being installed with a capability utilized to compute data effective to extend a function of an electronic musical instrument, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the local terminal to operate a music apparatus equipped therein to function as the electronic musical instrument by the steps of: 
       communicating with the host computer through the network to remotely control the capability of the host computer so as to compute the data prepared for the music apparatus;  
       downloading the computed data from the host computer into the music apparatus through the network; and  
       allowing the music apparatus to operate according to the downloaded data to extend its own function as the electronic musical instrument.  
     
     
       18. A machine readable medium for use in a local terminal which has a CPU and which is communicable with a host computer through a network for extending a desired capability of a music apparatus which is equipped in the local terminal and which has a function of an electronic musical instrument, the host computer being installed with a program composed of a function module which is executable to provide the desired capability and a first interface module which interfaces the function module with the local terminal through the network when the local terminal remotely executes the function module installed in the host computer, the host computer further being installed with a second interface module which is specifically prepared to adapt the function module to the music apparatus, the machine readable medium containing instructions processed by the CPU for causing the local terminal to operate the music apparatus by the steps of: 
       communicating with the host computer through the network to download a set of the function module and the second interface module from the host computer;  
       storing the set of the function module and the second interface module downloaded by the local terminal into a memory provided in the music apparatus; and  
       allowing the music apparatus to internally execute the stored function module through the stored second interface module to thereby extend the desired capability as the electronic musical instrument.  
     
     
       19. A machine readable medium for use in a music apparatus which has a CPU and which is attachable to a local terminal communicable with a host computer through a network for extending a desired capability of the music apparatus having a function of an electronic musical instrument, the host computer being installed with a program composed of a function module which is executable to provide the desired capability and a first interface module which interfaces the function module with the local terminal through the network when the local terminal remotely executes the function module installed in the host computer, the host computer further being installed with a second interface module which is specifically prepared to adapt the function module to the music apparatus, the medium containing instructions processed by the CPU for causing the music apparatus to perform the steps of: 
       commanding the local terminal to communicate with the host computer through the network to download a set of the function module and the second interface module from the host computer;  
       storing the set of the function module and the second interface module downloaded by the local terminal; and  
       internally executing the stored function module through the stored second interface module to thereby extend the desired capability as the electronic musical instrument.  
     
     
       20. A method of operating a host apparatus having a capability of preparing data or function modules effective to extend a function of a music apparatus as an electronic musical instrument under control by a terminal apparatus which is communicable with the host apparatus through a network, the method comprising the steps of: 
       
         remotely controlling the capability of the host apparatus through the network by using the terminal apparatus so as to prepare the data or function modules for the music apparatus;  
       
       
         requesting the host apparatus to download the prepared data or function modules to the music apparatus through the terminal apparatus; and  
       
       
         installing the downloaded data or function modules into the music apparatus to extend the function of the music apparatus as the electronic musical instrument. 
       
     
     
       21. The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the remotely controlling step remotely controls the host apparatus having a synthesizer capability utilized to provide timbre data effective to set a desired timbre of a musical tone so that the music apparatus operates to function as the electronic musical instrument to generate the musical tone having the desired timbre set by the downloaded timbre data. 
     
     
       22. The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the remotely controlling step remotely controls the host apparatus having a sequencer capability utilized to provide automatic play data by time- sequentially processing song data which is provided from the terminal apparatus and which indicates a desired song so that the music apparatus operates to function as the electronic musical instrument to undergo an automatic play of the desired song according to the downloaded automatic play data.   
     
     
       23. The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the remotely controlling step remotely controls the host apparatus having an emulator capability utilized to emulate an operation of the electronic musical instrument so as to provide operation data indicative of the operation of the electronic musical instrument upon emulation thereof so that the music apparatus is virtually operated to function as the electronic musical instrument to investigate performance thereof according to the downloaded operation data without actually operating the music apparatus. 
     
     
       24. A method of operating a terminal apparatus for controlling a music apparatus having a function as an electronic musical instrument while communicating through a network with a host apparatus having a capability utilized to provide data or function modules effective to extend the function of the electronic musical instrument, the method comprising the steps of: 
       
         connecting the terminal apparatus to the host apparatus through the network to remotely control the capability of the host apparatus so as to provide the data or function modules prepared for the music apparatus; and  
       
       
         downloading the provided data or function modules from the host apparatus into the music apparatus through the terminal apparatus, thereby enabling the music apparatus to extend its own function as the electronic musical instrument according to the downloaded data or function modules. 
       
     
     
       25. The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the step of downloading downloads the provided data in the form of timbre data for setting a desired timbre of a musical tone generated by the music apparatus. 
     
     
       26. The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the step of downloading downloads the provided data in the form of automatic play data for executing an automatic play of a desired song in the music apparatus, the automatic play data being computed prior to the step of downloading by time- sequentially processing song data representing the desired song.   
     
     
       27. The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the music apparatus can be manually operated to play the desired song along an accompaniment of the automatic play. 
     
     
       28. The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the step of downloading downloads the provided data in the form of operation data for virtually operating the music apparatus to function as the electronic musical instrument to investigate performance thereof according to the operation data without actually operating the music apparatus, the operation data being computed prior to the step of downloading by emulating the operation of an electronic musical instrument on the host apparatus. 
     
     
       29. A host apparatus having a desired capability to extend a function of a music apparatus as an electronic musical instrument under control by a terminal apparatus which is communicable with the host apparatus through a network, the host apparatus comprising: 
       
         an interface section connectable to the terminal apparatus through the network to enable the terminal apparatus to remotely control the capability of the host apparatus so as to provide data or function modules prepared for the music apparatus; and  
       
       
         a downloading section that downloads the provided data or function modules to the music apparatus through the terminal apparatus, thereby enabling the music apparatus to extend its own function as the electronic musical instrument according to the downloaded data or function modules. 
       
     
     
       30. A host apparatus to be attached to a system for extending a desired capability of a music apparatus having a function of an electronic musical instrument under control by a terminal apparatus which is communicable with the host apparatus through a network, the host apparatus comprising: 
       
         a program constituting a function module executable to provide the desired capability;  
       
       
         a first interface module which interfaces the function module with the terminal apparatus through the network when the terminal apparatus remotely executes the function module installed in the host apparatus;  
       
       
         a second interface module which is specifically designed to adapt the function module to the music apparatus; and  
       
       
         a device for communication with the terminal apparatus through the network to download a set of the function module and the second interface module into the music apparatus by means of the terminal apparatus, thereby allowing the music apparatus to internally execute the downloaded function module through the downloaded second interface module to thereby extend the desired capability as the electronic musical instrument. 
       
     
     
       31. A music apparatus performing a function as an electronic musical instrument under control by a terminal apparatus which is communicable through a network with a host apparatus having a capability utilized to provide data or function modules effective to extend the function of the music apparatus, the music apparatus comprising: 
       
         a section that requests the terminal apparatus for remotely controlling the capability of the host apparatus so as to provide the data or function modules prepared for the music apparatus;  
       
       
         a receiving section that receives the data or function modules provided from the host apparatus through the terminal apparatus: and  
       
       
         an operating section operative according to the received data or function modules to extend its own function as the electronic musical instrument. 
       
     
     
       32. A machine readable medium for use in a host apparatus which has a CPU with a capability of preparing data or function modules effective to extend a function of a music apparatus as an electronic musical instrument under control by a terminal apparatus which is communicable with the host apparatus through a network, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the host apparatus to perform a process by the steps of: 
       
         controlling the capability of the host apparatus through the network by using the terminal apparatus so as to prepare the data or function modules for the music apparatus;  
       
       
         operating the host apparatus to download the prepared data or function modules to the music apparatus through the terminal apparatus; and  
       
       
         installing the downloaded data or function modules into the music apparatus to extend the function of the music apparatus as the electronic musical instrument. 
       
     
     
       33. A machine readable medium for use in a host apparatus which has a CPU and which is communicable with a terminal apparatus through a network, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the host apparatus to extend a capability of a music apparatus having a function of an electronic musical instrument under control of the terminal apparatus, by the steps of: 
       
         installing the host apparatus with a program composed of a function module which is executable to provide the capability and a first interface module which interfaces the function module with the terminal apparatus through the network when the terminal apparatus remotely executes the function module installed in the host apparatus;  
       
       
         preparing in the host apparatus a second interface module which is specifically designed to adapt the function module to the music apparatus; and  
       
       
         connecting the host apparatus to the terminal apparatus through the network to download a set of the function module and the second interface module into the music apparatus by means of the terminal apparatus, thereby allowing the music apparatus to internally execute the downloaded function module through the downloaded second interface module to thereby extend the capability of the music apparatus as the electronic musical instrument. 
       
     
     
       34. A machine readable medium for use in a music apparatus having a CPU and performing a function as an electronic musical instrument under control by a terminal apparatus which is communicable through a network with a host apparatus having a capability utilized to provide data or function modules effective to extend the function of the music apparatus, the medium containing program instructions executable by the CPU for causing the music apparatus to perform a process by the steps of: 
       
         requesting the terminal apparatus for remotely controlling the capability of the host apparatus so as to provide the data or function modules prepared for the music apparatus;  
       
       
         receiving the data or function modules provided from the host apparatus through the terminal apparatus; and  
       
       
         operating the music apparatus according to the received data or function modules to extend the function of the music apparatus as the electronic musical instrument.