IES83829Y1 - Multimedia apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT An interactive multimedia apparatus is usable in combination with a software suite of programmes installed in a computing means with a display component and a suitable input connection port to connect to the apparatus. The apparatus includes a dynamic intervention means to modify, refine, adjust, vary and/or change characteristics,parameters and special effects of individual audio or video tracks and/or characteristics and parameters and special effects of a composite audio mix during the mixing cycle in real time.

Description

MULTIMEDIA APPARATUS The present invention relates to a multimedia apparatus and in particular to an interactive multimedia apparatus.

Electronic mixing software for the PC and computer based products is known and there are packages available both commercially and as freeware over the internet. These packages allow users create tracks which contain loops, riffs, beats, one shots or the contents of a CD, track, microphone inputs, video files etc and to mix them together to produce their desired sound output compilation. The user places the selected loop, riff, one shot, video clip, CD output, microphone input etc. in selected track positions along the time axis ruler bar so that they are mixed at that time in the play cycle. The content, which can be WAV, MP3, WMA or any other digital media format being mixed, has been prepared at a recorded tempo and is of a fixed length of time. The desired mix will usually contain multiple tracks of differing beats, loops, riffs, one shots, voices, video etc.

When the mixing process commences a play-bar indicator moves across the time axis ruler over each track to indicate the position within each track where the mix is occurring.

Most digital mixing software packages allow the user to set up a series of controls and effects for each channel in advance of the mixing process occurring and will also allow some limited global control of the composite mix output. The control and effects are usually applied in advance of the mixing process occurring, but some limited control is allowed during the mixing cycle. Some of the individual track parameters, which are allowed to be altered during the mixing process, would include volume, mute, tempo and tone. Special effects are not normally allowed during the mixing process.

There are a very limited number of mixing packages that allow users to connect a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) device like a keyboard or guitar to interface with their mixing package. These MIDI devices are expensive and usually require additional hardware or software to allow them to connect to a PC or other programmable computing devices. These software mixing packages with a MIDI peripheral interface allow the user to assign a loop, beat, riff or one shot to a key on the piano keyboard, which when depressed will trigger the software to play the pre—selected content assigned to that key for the duration of the key-press, which will then be mixed at the time of the key depression in the mixing cycle. The experience and effect is similar to assigning an on/off function to a key on a standard PC keyboard. In some software mixing packages a graphic of a piano keyboard is presented to the user on the screen, where the user can assign an individual key, which when selected by the mouse or keyboard button will trigger an event or a mix track to play at that time in the mix cycle.

There are many digital software music-editing packages available on the market both commercially and as freeware over the net. These packages allow the user to edit riffs, loops, beats, one shots, CD outputs and other media context by cut, paste, copy and other known techniques for editing digital content. The editing process requires the user to select a portion of the waveform and reposition or alter the characteristics and parameters of the waveform. The user can change the characteristics of the waveform, add effects, move it or reposition it with the same track, cut and paste it or copy it to a newly created track. The editing process is accomplished by using either a mouse or a keyboard or a combination of both. If the user wishes to use only a segment of a loop, beat, riff, one shot, video clip, microphone input etc they must firstly pre-edit it and then insert it in a track in its play position along the time axis ruler to be mixed at that predefined time in the mix cycle.

The existing digital mixing and editing software packages provide a two dimensional experience, where the track components are placed on the screen in fixed positions along the time axis ruler with pre-assigned effects parameters.

The invention provides a multimedia apparatus, which when used in combination with a software suite of programmes installed in a computing device with a display component and a suitable input connection port to connect to the apparatus, will allow users in real time to dynamically intervene in order to modify, refine, adjust, vary and change characteristics, parameters and special effects of individual tracks and/ or characteristics and parameters and special effects of the composite mix during the mixing cycle in real time.

Further. the user by the activation of a control member on the interactive multimedia apparatus, can trigger a segment of a Waveform component and dynamically mix that segment during the mix cycle, thereby avoiding the tediurn involved in a manual editing process.

Further, the invention allows users to record all the controls, parameters and special effects details of the composite mix including the dynamically applied controls, parameters and effects initiated by the activation of the control members of the interactive multimedia device, which have been affected during the mix cycle. Moreover, the invention provides the user with a visual representation in the form of a pictogram of each track in the mix displayed on a visual display unit and the exact position in time that the intervention occurred in the mix cycle, with highlighted blocks which shows where additional, deletion or modifications, control changes, parameter changes and/or special effects have been applied as a result of the user’s intervention by the activation of a control member of the interactive multimedia device. The representation of the pictogram represented on the visual display unit will also illustrate the control changes, parameter changes and special effects applied to the composite mix characteristics with the exact position in time where these events occurred.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, a number of embodiments of a multimedia apparatus according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure l is a series of views illustrating a first embodiment of an operating device which is used as part of the multimedia apparatus; Figure 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of the operating device; Figures 3 to 9 are a series of computer screen shots illustrating the operating and functioning of the multimedia apparatus; and Figure 10 is a series of views illustrating a second embodiment of a multimedia apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, an interactive multimedia apparatus (Fig. 1) comprises a device having activation means operable by a user to generate electrical signals in response to the users’ activation and selection. The apparatus has a processor U1 (Fig. 2), 11 control members SW1 -— SW11 (Fig. 2), an opto coupled rotatable control member SW12 (Fig. 2), an output USB chip U2 (Fig. 2), a 24MHz crystal A (Fig. 2) and a plurality of resistors and capacitators. The central control unit of the multimedia apparatus U1 (Fig. 1) contains firmware, which detects the activation of the control members Sl—S12 (Fig. 2) by the users, converts the control members’ activations into electrical signals, which are sent to the control unit (PC or other programmable device) for processing by its software to perform the function assigned to the control member by the user using the software packages’ functions described hereafter. The interactive multimedia apparatus (Fig. 1) in this embodiment is using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection to the control unit. The output connection from the interactive multimedia apparatus could be bluetooth, serial, parallel or any other connection method suitable for the purpose of data transfer. The processor chosen for this embodiment contains RAM and ROM for programme storage and processor workspace. The processor shown (U1 Fig. 2) is from ST Microelectronics, but other manufacturers’ products of similar functionality and specification could easily be substituted.

The interactive multimedia device (see Figure 2) is a USB low speed (1.5 Mhz) BUS POWERED device.

It has 11 pushbutton switches, 1 optocoupled wheel and 1 LED.

It is connected to the PC via a 3m 4core screened cable.

Schematic Description Power The interactive multimedia device (Figure 2) receives its +5 volts power from the PC via USB connector CNI.

Hardware reset When power is first applied the CPU will be reset by the capacitors resistor combination C2,R2 and C3 Suspend Mode All USB devices must support suspend mode.

Suspend mode enables the device to enter a low power mode if no activity is detected for more than 3mS.

Any bus activity will keep the device out of the suspend state When the device is in suspend mode it must draw less than 500uA.

CPU Ports A and C are configured as outputs when entering suspend mode because as inputs each pin of ports A and C will draw 50uA due to the internal pullup resistors on these ports.

CPU Port B does not contain any internal pullup resistors but external pullup resistors are implemented in hardware at the optocoupler photo transistor outputs.

Thus these port B CPU pins should be configured as outputs and SV applied before entering Suspend mode.

Exiting suspend mode The product can be woken up from suspend mode by switching the bus state to the resume state, by normal bus activity, by signalling a reset or by an external interrupt.

During suspend mode the internal CPU oscillator is turned off.

In this state the CPU will not be able to detect key presses or wheel movement.

Thus suspend mode must be exited periodically to check if a button has been pressed or the wheel has been moved.

The purpose of resistor R1 and capacitor C1 Resistor R1 and capacitor C1 periodically awaken the CPU during suspend mode.

Capacitor C1 will charge via resistor R1 when in Suspend mode.

Cl is connected to the PBS external interrupt pin of the CPU.

As soon as the capacitor voltage reaches the low to high trigger the CPU is woken up or excited and checks if the wheel has moved or a button pressed (the application performs a remote Wake up sequence).

If nothing has happened the application discharges the capacitor and re-enters suspend mode.

The R1 C1 time period sets the average current drawn by the product.

The average current must be less than 500uA to be USB compliant.

With R1 = 1 Mohm and C= 0.33 uF the suspend period time will be 306mS Formula for calculating a different R1 C1 time constant is Average current drawn by the product = {I max x 800uS + ( 250uA X [period - 800uS] ) } /period lmax is the current the product draws when fully active.

The average current should be selected to be 450uA and the period calculated.

CPU (U1) The CPU (U1) is a ST7263 manufactured by ST Microelectronics.

The windowed EPROM CPU version is called ST72E63 lK4D0 The CPU clock is set by a 24 Mhz crystal (A) Further there is provided a suite of software, which provides inter aha; — Driver software to interface with the interactive multimedia apparatus - Software to interpret the electrical signals generated as a result of the users activation actions of the control members - Mixing and editing software to allow users create controls, modify and adjust the components of their mix and the overall mix composition parameter during the mixing cycle by the operation of the interactive multimedia apparatus control members.

— —Configuration and assignment of the control members for differing functionality, controls and effects.

- Configuration and assignment of a plurality of similar or dissimilar interactive multimedia apparatus.

— Mixing and editing software to allow users to configure, define and place their loops, riffs, beats, one shots, video-clips, microphone inputs etc. in tracks along the time axis ruler to be mixed at that time in the mixing cycle.

Further, the user by the activation of a control member on the interactive multimedia apparatus, can trigger a segment of a waveform component and dynamically mix that segment during the mix cycle, thereby avoiding the tedium involved in a manual editing process.

Further, the invention allows users to record all the controls, parameters and special effects details of the composite mix including the dynamically applied controls, parameters and effects initiated by the activation of the control members of the interactive multimedia device, which have been affected during the mix cycle. Moreover, the invention provides the user with a visual representation in the form of a pictogram of each track in the mix displayed on a visual display unit and the exact position in time that the intervention occurred in the mix cycle, with highlighted blocks which show where additional, deletion or modifications, control changes, parameter changes and/or special effects have been applied as a result of the user’s intervention by the activation of a control member of the interactive multimedia device.

The representation of the pictogram represented on the visual display unit will also illustrate the control changes, parameter changes and special effects applied to the composite mix characteristics with the exact position in time where these events occurred.

The relationship between the application and the interactive multimedia apparatus is fundamental to the novelty of this invention. There are many digital mixing and editing software packages available today and many of the features for manually operated mixing and editing included in this application software package are to be found in packages available to the public. What is unique and novel in this invention is that the user, by the operation of the control members of the interactive multimedia apparatus (Fig. 1), can dynamically change the characteristics, parameters and effects of individual tracks or the characteristics, parameters or effects of the composite mix in real time during the course of the mixing cycle. The software application must allow for the assignment of effects and control parameters to the individual control members of a single interactive multimedia apparatus or a plurality of apparatus, interpret the action performed by the user’s activation of the control members and perform the function assigned to the control member or members within the mixing cycle in real time.

Reference to the application interface visual display areas and to the control member assignment process should clearly demonstrate the associations between the software and apparatus set up, configuration and assignment of parameters.

Figure 3 shows the basic screen layout with some elements of the status bar shown at the top (Label B). The track control panel is shown for two tracks (Label C). The envelope window, which displays the waveform of the loop, riff, beat, one shot etc. is shown for both tracks (Figure 3, Label A).

Figure 4 illustrates the standard track controls within the track control—panel (Label C, Fig. 4) and these are inter alia; Stop (D), Play (E), Loop (F), Load (G), Effects (H), Tempo adjustment display (J), Mute (K), Volume (L), Pan (M), Time—marker (N), Progress-marker (P), Title—bar (Q), Waveform Resolution adjustment(R), Interactive multimedia apparatus control (S), lnteractive multimedia apparatus configuration (T), Track length (V).

Figure 5 shows a box (Label S), which when selected will assign controls to the When this box (Label S) is selected, the activation of the track controls, parameters, effects configuration and track interactive multimedia apparatus for the selected tracks. selection are assigned to selected control members of the interactive multimedia apparatus, as described later in the application.

Figure 5 illustrates icon labelled T, which when selected, will present to the user assignment set-up screens for the control members of the interactive multimedia apparatus as described later in the application.

Figure 6 shows the apparatus configuration screen, which will appear when icon T (as shown in Fig. 5) is selected. The user will select the desired apparatus to be configured from a choice of options presented. The physical representation of the apparatus (as shown for example in Figure 6, Label 10) will be presented to the user with the control members clearly identified and labelled. A window (Label 4) illustrated in Figure 6 shows the track numbers associated with the mix and also includes a composite track identifier.

The user can select a track from the window labelled 4, shown in Figure 6 and then select controls from the selection windows labelled 1, 2 and 3 (Figure 6), which are only shown as a limited number of examples and would include inter alia all the controls shown in the track control panel in Figure 4. Each of the controls in the configuration panel Figure 6 has individual parameters ranges assignable by the user. For example, the user may select Volume (label 1, Fig. 6) to be adjustable dynamically by a control member. The application will allow the user to pre-determine a maximum or minimum threshold or allow a graduation in pre- defined steps by any selected control member or by the rotatable control member. Similarly with the tempo selection (Label 2 Fig. 6) the user may select a fine or coarse adjustment to be applied by the application to the selected track or to the composite mix when the associated control member is activated. If the user desires to add some effects to a track or to the composite mix, the user can select window labelled 3 (Fig. 6), which will present a menu of effect options, labelled 7 (Fig. 6), from which to select. The effect selected will be applied by the application to the track when the associated control member is activated.

The user must then assign the selected controls and effects to a control member of their choice. A button assignment label 8 (Fig. 6) will display a selection of the control members available on the selected interactive multimedia apparatus. When the user makes the button assignment choice, the attributes selected for controls, parameters and effects will be applied to the individual track or group of tracks or to the composite mix by the application programme detecting the activation of this control member.

The user can select the method of response to the activation of the control members by selecting the trigger type menu, label 5 and label 6 in Figure 7. As an example only, two options are shown. The user may request that the control and effects be triggered on the button press or on button release. There will be a range of trigger options, inter alia; sustain, play from start, stop, scratch, replay, repeat etc.

In figure 6, label 9 will show the user the parameters assigned to the control members.

The user selects the control member A-K, as shown in the visual of the physical device (Label 10) in Figure 6 and the software will display the controls, parameters and effects assigned to that control member.

Figure 9 displays on the left-hand side of the screen Label A, a scan display view window, displays directories, folders and content files resulting from the software scanning the storage devices for user selected media types. The user may Wish to display a listing of all the WAV, MP3, AVI etc. files or for WAV files only on the storage devices for ease of loading and selection. The scan process is initiated by selection of the icon label D (Figure 9) on the toolbar.

The scanning process of the storage areas for the user selected media type can be carried out in real time. The user by selection of any of the icons labelled E in Figure 9 will be presented with the individual media component contained in their folders and/or directories. The user can drag the desired media component and place it in the waveform display area labelled F in Figure 9. This facility interrogates the storage for a user requested media type in real time, thus eliminating a difficult, tedious and sometimes impossible task of finding the desired media content using conventional search methods.

The facility to scan the storage devices for the desired content file and the facility to drag the selected content file into the waveform display area are critically important for the non-professional users of digital mixing and editing software packages.

Editing can be a tedious process for the user working with the currently available digital mixing and editing packages. The user may desire to use a small segment of a loop, riff, beat, one shot etc. in the mix. The user must mark the areas to be cut and then open a new track and insert the cut in a pre-defined position on the time axis ruler or place it directly in the mix composition in selected positions along the time axis ruler. It is Very difficult for the users to anticipate the sound effect results produced by the combination of the mixed tracks at any point in the mixing cycle. With the interactive multimedia apparatus the user can intervene in the mixing cycle to apply a sound, beat, riff, loop etc. or a segment of a loop, riff or beat of video media at any time that they feel that their intervention would provide a complimentary and enhancing contribution to the mix. The interactive multimedia apparatus allows the user to select and mark a segment of a waveform component and dynamically mix that segment during the mix cycle, thereby avoiding the tedium involved in a manual cut, paste and copy. Examples of conventional mixing and editing and the effect that this invention will provide with the dynamic mixing and editing processes are explained further in the application with reference to Figures 8—8F.

The invention allows users to intervene during the mixing cycle by the activation of the control members of the interactive multimedia apparatus. The parameters. controls and effects assigned to the detected control member will be applied to the mix by the application software in real time. As the user intervention is dynamic and can occur at any time during the mix cycle, it is imperative that the intervention for controls, parameters or effects triggered by the activation of the control member are recorded with all the parameters applied and captured at the time that they were applied and also for the duration of their application. The software application will store the parameters, effects and controls resulting from the activation of the control members and will present them to the user on the visual display unit in block waveform images as individual track components in their correct position along the time axis ruler with the other fixed positioned tracks positioned by the user in the pre—mixing set-up. The user will therefore be presented with a visual image of the mix of tracks including the dynamically created component to allow for additional editing, mixing, effects etc. The record select icon is shown as example Icon label B in Figure 9. Selection of Icon label B will initiate the recording of the composite mix sounds and the recording of the characteristics, effects, parameters, trigger time and duration of activation etc for future visual presentation in the track waveform layout template.

Figure 9, Icon label C shows the play button for the commencement of the mixing cycle for the generation of the composite mix. Button Icons label B and label C as shown for examples only (Fig. 9), as many other global controls are included; volume, tempo, effects, pan, pitch etc.

Accordingly there is provided, for example purposes only, an abridged series of diagrams Figures 8, 8A, 8B, 8C, SD, 8E, 8F, which display visual representations of the dynamic mixing, editing and the recorded visual representations that are referred to earlier in the application. The examples shown are for one embodiment of the invention only and the invention is not limited to any presentation method of the mixing layout or to any specific media type. The invention is not limited to the display or arrangement of the time axis bars, to any naming conventions for waveform, envelopes, controls, parameters, screen layouts, icon designs or display tool bar characteristics, foreground or background colour schemes. task bar features or functions, or the physical characteristics, design, number of control members, types of control members, rotatable or slider type control members, infrared activations etc. on of the interactive multimedia apparatus. The example provided is an abridged presentation of a limited period in the mixing cycle and the representation example shown should not be interpreted as the facilities or presentation of a complete mixing and editing cycle.

Figure 8 shows for representation purposes only, an example of a conventional manual mixing and editing process. The example shows an abridged series of track representations and a small section in time within the mixing cycle. The user selects the content they desire to be assigned to each track and can position the content block in the desired position on the time axis ruler Figure 8C, label G. In this example the user has selected and configured 3 content tracks shown in Figure 8, labels 1, 2 and 3. The user can manually pre-assign effects, controls and parameters of their choice to the content within each track and at any time along the time axis ruler in the pre-mix selection. The effects applied by the user to the track components will be implemented by the software when the play—bar reaches that point on the time axis ruler during the mixing cycle. The user may then wish to add (Edit) a segment of a loop to the mix at differing times during the mixing cycle. The user wishes to use a segment from the selected loop Figure 8A, label B. The user then selects and marks the start of the component Figure 8B, labelled Cl and either drags the cursor or through menu selection, marks the end of the component, Figure 8B labelled C11. The user must then insert the selected block Figure 8B label C into the mix in a selected position on the time axis ruler, either as a new track layout or within an existing track layout.

In this example, the edited blocks, Figure 8C Label C, are shown as being manually inserted along the time axis ruler within a new track label 4 in Figure 8C. The user in the manual mixing and editing process cannot accurately anticipate the resulting sound effects achievable by the pre-assignment of effect characteristics to a track or to a track component in advance of the mixing cycle occurring and must also try to anticipate the sound effect generated by the introduction or placement of an edited component in advance of the mixing cycle occurring.

The combination of the interactive multimedia apparatus will provide a dynamic experience for the user and will provide a simpler and more inventive interface when compared with conventional digital mixing and editing offerings.

In the manual mixing and editing packages the user is either totally restricted or has severe restrictions placed on their capacity to intervene dynamically during the mixing cycle to add effects or change parameters at the track level. It will now be demonstrated how this invention will operate dynamically using the same parameters as in the example of the manual system, explained above to allow the user to dynamically intervene to change any controls, parameters or effects to individual tracks or to the composite mix’s controls, parameters or effects. The user selects and loads the same three content tracks as shown in Figure 8, labelled 1,2, and 3 as the previous example and also at this time loads the track as indicated in Figure 8A, which was used to edit the selected waveform The user wishes to block used in the previous example as indicated in Figure 8D. dynamically mix and edit the tracks to provide the sound composition of their choice.

The user will choose and then select and activate the button in Figure 8D labelled E which transfers control of the assigned track controls, parameters and effects to the interactive multimedia apparatus. The selection and assignment of controls, parameters and effects have been detailed earlier in the document. Selecting and activating the button in Figure 8D labelled H will apply the effects, parameters and controls assigned by the user to the control member or members chosen by the user from the selectionmenu as described earlier. The user can then select the trigger type of activation desired for the response to the activation of the control member. The details of the control members and their assignments and the trigger selection have been referred to earlier in this application.

The user wishes to select a component from the loop, Figure 8A, label B, which is the same loop referred to in the description of the manual mixing. The user wishes to use only the component area Figure 8D labelled C. The user marks the start of the block Figure 8D label CI and drags the cursor or marks it at position Figure 8D label CH.

The loop component block Figure 8D labelled C will be the component that is triggered by the activation of the assigned control member during the mixing cycle. The user can also assign controls, parameters and effects assigned to the loop component in Figure 8D labelled C to be applied by the software during the mixing cycle. When the user starts the mix cycle by activating the assigned control member on the Interactive Multimedia Apparatus or by mouse click or key depression of the play button on the user interface screen, a play-bar shown in example 8E labelled I, will move across all the tracks’ waveform envelopes, synchronised across each track. In this example Figure 8E, we show four tracks being mixed in the composition. The user at any time during the mixing cycle can activate the control members of their choice on the interactive multimedia apparatus to apply the pre-assigned controls, parameters and effects to the individual tracks or the composite mix. In this example controls, parameters and effects have been applied dynamically to all the tracks in Figure 8E labelled l, 2, 3 and 4 by the activation of the associated control members.

Further embodiments of this invention will be outlined in the following illustrations and explanations.

An alternative methodology to the assignment of parameters, controls and effects to loops, riffs, beats, one-shots, Avi files, Mpeg files, video files etc. and the assignment and selection of the triggering control members for the loops, riffs, beats, one-shots, Avi files, Mpeg files, video files etc. as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 will be explained and expanded on in the following.

A loop repository/ loop store area is shown in Figure 11, Label A. The loop repository/ loop store will be the area where all the content, which is to be triggered by the activation of the control members, will be stored and retained. The loop content may be a wav, WMA, Avi, Mpeg files or any other known media format.

|\) U: Loops can be combined in separate folders for easy content management or for group assignment to different triggering devices. Each folder or file can be activated or deactivated by the selection or de-selection of a flag, see Figure 11, Label B.

Data for the loop repository can be obtained from user-owned CDs, from the internet, from TV channels, radio broadcast, web—cam, digital media camera etc. and placed directly into a folder in the loop repository. Users may wish to take a small section of sound, or sound and video and place it in the loop repository. The software provides a facility to cut and paste a section of sound, or sound and video from a composition and drop that selection directly into the loop repository.

Figure 12 shows two tracks of data, one a composite of video and sound, Label B, and the other a sound only track, Label D. The waveform envelopes show the sound component only of the content. The user may wish to take a small component of the loop and use this as a triggered piece in a future mix. The user places their mouse in the position shown in Figure 12 Label AG) and drags it across to position Label A(ii) to mark the exact position within the loop that they wish to select. The user can then drag the marked shaded section and drop it into the loop repository, shown in Figure 12, Label E. The video clip with its associated audio content in the selected section, Figure 12, Label A will now be placed securely in the loop repository and be available for the trigger selection and content assignment at a later date.

A similar process of marking the position within the loop will pertain for the sound loop Figure 12, Label D. The section, shown in Figure 12, Label C can be dragged directly into the loop repository, see Figure 12, Label F.

The user may wish now to assign controls and parameters etc. to the loops, so that they may activate them at the desired time in the mix and the associated assigned controls and effects they wish to apply to these loops. We will show for example purposes only, a process of assignment of controls, effects etc. to loop repository items. The ability of the software to allow users to assign controls and parameters to content stored within the loop repository and to then empower the user to trigger these controls and parameters to the composite controls and particularly to individual parameters of a control or an effect in real time, distinguishes this invention from any other mixing software and makes this invention unique.

Figure 13, Label A shows a media file contained in the loop repository. The user selects the media content loop, see Figure 13, Label A, by either a keyboard press or a double click of a mouse, by voice activation or any other known method of selection. When the user selects the loop, shown in Figure l3, Label A, a configuration screen, as example only, shown in Figure 13 Label B, will be presented to the user. Figure 14 Label A shows as example only, a full screen layout of the loop configuration selection screen. Figure 14, Label M shows a selection box to enable or disable the assignments associated with the selected loop. Figure 14A Label B shows a device section window which allows the user to select the type of triggering device they wish to configure. There are a range of types of devices covered, for example purposes only as shown in Figure 16B Label A, the device PikAx is chosen and in Figure 17B Label A the device PlayStation controller is selected. The user can then select the device number Figure 14A Label C to identify the device number from a plurality of similar devices. The user can decide whether to apply individual controls and/or effects from a menu, which for example purposes only are shown in Figure 14A Label D ‘play’, Label E ‘volume’, Label F ‘pan’, Label G ‘tempo’, Label H ‘beat tracking’, Label J ‘audio effects 1’, Label K ‘audio effects 2’ and Label L ‘audio effects 3’. The range and diversity of controls and effects are not limited to those shown in the examples presented in this application.

For example purposes only, we will show how the user might assign controls to the ‘Play’ function. Figure 14A Label N shows a window which when selected will present to the user a list of control members that may be selected as the trigger mechanism for the selected device type as shown in Figure 14A Label B. Control members for the selected devices as shown in Figure 16 Label A and Figure 17 Label A would be presented to the user in the window as shown in Figure 14A Label N, if those device types were selected by the user. Similarly, associated control members for the selected device type would be to LA shown in all drop down menus for all the contents and effects selected by the user. In the ‘play’ assignment example, See Figure l4 Label the user selected the appropriate control member they wish to assign as their trigger mechanism. When the user has selected the control member in Figure 14A Label N, they must then select the trigger type. The trigger type means the state that the control member is in when the loop is to be triggered. For example purposes only, we have illustrated this in the menu shown in Figure 14B Label A showing 4 states. The user may wish to trigger the loop dynamically when the control member is pressed, when released, while pressed or while released. The user selects the preferred trigger state for the control member. When the user activates the selected control member, see Figure 14A Label N, the selected trigger type state, see Figure 14B Label A, will control how the loop will start to play.

The user can then proceed to continue their selection process by selecting a trigger type state to stop the selected loop. The user selects the stop window obscured by the drop down menu, see Figure 14B Label B. The control members for the selected device will be presented to the user in a similar fashion to those presented for the ‘play’ function trigger.

The associated trigger type state menu will also be available to the user to select, as explained for the ‘play’ function. The user selects the appropriate control member and trigger type state for the ‘stop’ function. Additionally the user can also select in a similar fashion to the ‘play’ and ‘stop’ function, a facility to ‘go to the beginning’, see Figure 14A Label P; ‘go to the end’ see Figure 14A Label Q; ‘skip back’ see Figure 14 Label R; ‘skip forward’ see Figure 14A Label S. The user has additional controls available to assign to the ‘skip back’ and ‘skip forward’ functions. For example purposes only, we show in Figure 14A Label T, a window to allow the user to assign a time parameter setting for the ‘skip back’ and as shown in Figure l4A Label U, a setting which will allow the user to control the frequency at which the ‘skip back’ will occur. These two parameter settings adjustments Figure 14A Label T and Label U, provides the user with great scope to modify and create new sound sensations during a mix.

For volume, pan and tempo, the user is presented with a screen of controls similar to that shown as an example in Figure 14B. The user may wish to increase the volume or tempo of a selected loop type. The user will select the control they wish to adjust, for example the volume, see Figure 14A Label E or tempo, see Figure 14A Label G. The user selects whether they want to increase, see Figure 14B Label C or decrease the volume or tempo.

The user selects the appropriate control member number from the drop down menu of available control members for the selected device type, see Figure 14B Label C. They then assign their preferred trigger type state from the menu, see Figure 14B Label A. The user may then enter in the input field, see Figure 14B Label D, a number to represent the percentage they wish to increase the volume or tempo by. The user can additionally enter a figure in the field shown in Figure 14B Label E to control the rate in milliseconds that they want to apply this increase in volume or tempo when the associated control member is activated. Similarly the user may reduce the volume or tempo by selecting and assigning controls and parameters in the appropriate reduce field as shown in Figure 14 B Labels A, F and G. Some device types may provide analogue controls similar to an adjustable variable resistor. Analogue controls or proportional adjustments may be similar to those found on Sony PlayStation controllers, foot pedals, or wah wah arms. In Figure 14B Label H a selection option is shown for a proportional control member.

The user selects the appropriate control member from the appropriate list for the selected devices as presented in the menu Figure 14B Label L. The user then selects the trigger type state from the list presented in Figure 14B Label Q. When the selected control member is activated in the selected trigger type state, the proportional adjustment parameter variations are then activated and the movements of the proportional control members will then apply the selected adjustments to the loops. For example purposes only, we show some of the proportional control menu selection options in Figure 16B Label B and in Figure 17B label A.

For both the volume and tempo adjustments the user can mute the selected loop by selecting the ‘mute’ option shown in Figure 14B Label J and assigning the appropriate control member in Figure 14B Label M with the selected trigger type state as shown in Figure 14B Label Q. The user may wish to retrieve the original settings of the volume and tempo and this can be achieved by selecting the option shown in Figure 14B Label K IX) UI and assigning the control member to Figure l4B Label N with the trigger type state in Figure l4B Label R. For the pan function, the user is presented with a similar menu with a range of solution options for the left and right adjustment and controls.

The user may now wish to apply a special effects feature dynamically to a loop by the activation of a control member, or a plurality of control members. This invention allows users to not only dynamically apply special effect parameters to a loop, but will allow users to select, control and adjust any individual or group of parameters, which make up the separate components of that special effect generator.

For example purposes only, we will illustrate the assignment of a ‘chorus’ special effect which is to be dynamically selected, adjusted and modified by the software resulting from the activation of one or a group of control members of a selected device type. The user selects ‘Audio Effect 1’ as shown in Figure 15A Label B as an example only. The user will then be presented with an effect selection drop down menu, see Figure 15A Label C.

The user, for example only, selects the chorus effect, see Figure 15A Label D, as the desired effect they Wish to apply. Figure 15B shows as example only, some of the parameter properties required to effect a ‘chorus’ special effect. The user may wish to set the slider adjustment to achieve their desired effect results. The user confirms the parameter properties, see Figure 15B Label B and these properties will be applied when the selected effect is activated. The user then assigns the control member activation for the assigned effect. The user selects the appropriate control member to activate the effect on the selected loop and its associated trigger state condition, see Figure 15A Label E and G. The user assigns the desired control member and associated trigger type state to stop the effect by selecting the appropriate field in Figure 15A Label F and H. This invention will, by this application, allow users to dynamically adjust any, all or a group of parameters associated with a special effect across the full control range from 0-100, see Figure 15B. The users can select the parameter they wish to adjust by selecting from the drop down menu in Figure l5A Label J. The user is presented with a menu of the individual parameters they may wish to adjust and they then select the control member they wish to assign to control the parameter adjustment, see Figure 16A Label C. A short list of proportional control members for parameter adjustment is shown in Figure 16B Label B. When the user selects the effect to be triggered, the global effects parameter properties, see Figure 15B, are applied when the ‘play’ state is triggered. If the user additionally adjusts the assigned control member Figure 15A Label K, then the specifically assigned parameter Figure 15A Label J will be adjusted and applied to reflect the equivalent slider position movement in sympathy with the movements of the associated control member, across its complete range of movement, Figure 15A Label J.

Figure 16A Label B and Figure 17A Label A shows, for example purposes only, a menu of assignable parameters for the selected effects parameters for different device types.

Figure 16B Label A shows the effect selection for a device with a wah arm and foot pedal controls, see Figure 16B Label B. Figure 17B Label B shows some proportional controls for a PlayStation controller device. Figure 18A Label A and 18B Label A shows an example of the assignment of control members of a guitar-based device and a Sony PlayStation controller.

The user may wish to modify or adjust the properties of a loop in the loop repository, The user can right click on the selected loop in the loop repository and they will be presented with a screen shown, as example only, in Figure 19. The user will be presented with details of the file date shown in Label A. In this example there is both a video and audio data. The user may wish to loop this file, Figure 19 Label B, when it is activated by a control member. The user may wish to change the tempo, Figure 19 Label C, adjust the volume Label D, change the balance from left to right Label E or mute the loop Label F.

The user can also cut and paste the loop configuration and assignment by right. click on the selected loops. Additionally users can create folders, rename folders and loops, and delete loops and folders etc.

We have now entered the world of multimedia. There has been a proliferation of data peripherals such as digital cameras, digital video cameras, web cameras, set top boxes, USB and Firewire digital TV tuners etc. Users have great difficulty integrating their hardware and software from different vendors and suppliers and integrate them into an application that provides them with a composite editing and mixing solution. The software in this application provides a single audio and video interface for users to capture data from a plurality of data capture devices and integrate the data into a fully interactive and dynamic mixing solution.

The user selects ‘record’ icon on the top of the main screen shown in Figure 21 Label A.

The user in then presented with a screen shown in Figure 20A. The screen shown in Figure 20A and Figure 20B is for example purposes only, and only show a limited range of functions available to the user. The user can enable either the audio or video record functions by selection the option shown in Figure 20A Label G. The user may then select either the audio or video capture device type from a menu presented in Figure 20A Label H for audio devices and in Figure 20A Label I for video capture devices. Additionally the user can select and adjust the properties and format of the audio capture device Figure 20A Label B and E or the video capture device properties or format shown in Figure 20A Label A and F.

For example purposes only, we have shown three video capture hardware devices Figure 20B Label A. The user may wish to boost the audio signal, as the built-in microphones of some PCs provide a very low level of signal response. The user can boost the volume of the audio signal by moving the fader, see Figure 20B Label B. When the user has selected their audio, or video source, or both the audio and video sources and have set the properties and format they desire, they can start the recording session by selecting Figure 20A Label C "Start". When the user has completed the recording cycle, they can stop the session by pressing the ‘stop’ button, Figure 20A Label D. The user must then select the file name, Figure 20B Label E and then save the file by selecting the ‘Save’ button Figure 20B Label F. A small screen area, Figure 20B Label C is reserved to show the user the captured images and allow for adjustment of the video capture properties and format. A timer, Figure 20B Label G, is shown to indicate the elapsed time to that point in the recording session. A meter Figure 20B Label H show the file size at that point in the recording cycle. The user can take the capture file data which can be audio only, video only or a composite of both, and place them in the loop repository for dynamic triggering, Ix) UI or edit them to produce smaller selected components, with or without effects, which can then be transferred to the loop repository or to the static mixing palate.

This invention provides a complete, easy to use, fully integrated dynamic mixing and editing solution for audio and video content. Figure 22 shows, for example purposes only, a screen layout showing in the window area, Label A, the video component resulting from the dynamic intervention of a control member assigned to a loop in the loop repository. The mix resulting from the activation of the assigned control members will be saved and can be re-edited dynamically or be shared with friends by CD, e-mail etc. The icon shown In Figure 22 Label B can enable or disable the video display window.

A unique component of this invention is the ability to capture and store in real time the controls, parameters and effects, which have been applied to the mix by the activation of the control members in response to the user’s activation of the control members of the interactive multimedia apparatus and to be able to recall and represent the resulting composite mix in pictogram form for visual examination, re-mixing or re-editing. The pictogram shows the correct positions of the waveform blocks along the time axis as they were mixed in the mix cycle and provides a marked, shaded or coloured area highlighting the modified blocks with associated flag, which when selected will present to the user the controls, parameters and effects applied to that modified waveform block by the user’s dynamic intervention during the mixing cycle. Figure 8F refers to the pictograrn, which will display in visual form a record of the mix waveform components for each track in their play position along the time axis ruler and the highlighted modified blocks with a flag to indicate that a control, parameter or effect has been applied to that portion of the waveform. In Figure 8F the first track labelled l, the blocks V, X and Y have had some effects applied to it by the user activating control members during that time in the mix cycle. If the user clicks on the flags within the area of the highlighted blocks, the software will display a list of the controls, parameters and effects, which have been applied to the modified waveform block and an enlarged display to show the modification that has been effected. Similarly for the second track labelled 2 in Figure 8F, the block labelled U has had a control, parameter or effect applied by the activation of the associated control member. The block marked W in Figure SF of the second track labelled 2 has no waveform display, which indicates that the user had activated a control member at that point in the mix cycle, which applied a mute control to that track. The third track in Figure 8F labelled 3 shows highlighted and flagged block Q and R, which indicates that controls, parameters or effects have been applied at that time in the mixing cycle. In Figure 8F the fourth track, labelled 4, shows four highlighted blocks labelled C, which shows that the selected waveform block (Figure 8D, Label C) was triggered at that time along the time axis ruler G, where the user activated the associated control member. The user also has an audio recording of the composite mix, which can be replayed through their audio reproduction system. The user can re-edit or re-mix the recorded composite by manually repositioning the blocks within the mix pictogram representation or by editing or re-assigning controls, parameters or effects to any of the highlighted or flagged blocks. The software package described in this invention allows the user to manually apply controls, parameters and effects to any tracks, waveforms, loops, riffs, beats, one shots, WAVs, MP3 files, MPEG files, Video formats, AVIS etc.

Additionally the software in this application will sustain an activity log of all user activity, whether they are playing their CD music source, looping a piece of audio or video in their editing window, previewing a video or audio source in the preview window, applying an effect to a data source, triggering a loop in the loop repository etc. or just messing about with different video and audio sources or data capture devices.

The user can at any time render/ mix the content of the activity log to produce a composite of the audio and video events which have occurred. They can then re-edit or save this for distribution to friends in any known media format or be transmitted by email.

The activity log can be audio only, video only or a composite of audio and video. The activity log will also show the timing of the event occurrence along the time axis ruler and will also identify the control, parameters and effects that have been applied to each piece of digital data.

Id U: It is the ability to dynamically intervene in the mixing and editing cycle and to empower the user in real time to apply changes to controls, parameters and effects, and to be able to capture and record and replay and represent in a visually interpretable format the mix components and then to preset the changes and modifications of the composite mix at the exact time that they occurred in the mix cycle, which makes this invention unique, In Figure l, the rotatable control member can provide unique mixing effects on any track, loop, beat, riff, one shots, WAV, MP3, WMA etc. The rotatable control member can apply a scratch effect, back-play, replay, volume control adjustment, pan control, repeat etc. All control parameters and effects are assignable to any control member. The set-up of the interactive multimedia apparatus control members can be configured to suit the user’s preferences.

This invention can and will be used in conjunction with video-files, AVI files and other video media file formats. The user can load a video media file from the load Icon label G, shown in Figure 4.

The user can add a sound mix to the video media file by using any or all of the features and functions covered in this invention. Many users will import files from their digital cameras and add a sound track of their own creation. This invention empowers users to enjoy a fully interactive and creative experience.

The control unit where the application software will operate can be any ‘personal computer, hand held computer, a music playing device with processing power, a mobile phone device (particularly a 2.5G or 3G mobile telephone where a streamed audio output is available), a personal digital organiser, a games console, 21 set top box device or any device with the necessary processing power to run the application programme and has a visual display unit and the means to convert digital audio to analogue sound output. The control unit must have storage device space to hold riffs, loops, beats, one shots, etc. and It is memory space with sufficient working space to run the application satisfactorily. obvious that some devices will have limited processor power and RAM and ROM. In the case where limited processing power and memory space are available, the application will be limited to the lesser number of tracks which can be mixed and the range of control and effects which can be applied.

The control unit must have a suitable connection port for connection to the interactive multimedia device such as USB, serial, parallel, bluetooth or any connection method suitable to the application. The embodiment referred to in this application does not limit the use of the invention to an external device only.

Figure 10 shows an integrated MP3 player/mixer combination, where the dynamic mixing control members are integrated in the housing and form a single composite piece.

The application software referred to in this invention would be ported to this device, which would allow the user to enjoy the complete mixing experience described above in a mobile environment.

A further embodiment of this invention would be a foot operated pedal—button apparatus, where the pedal—buttons would be configured and assigned to the software in a similar way to the control members referred to earlier in the application and would be treated by the software in a similar way to the activation of the control members.

A further embodiment of this invention would be a dance-mat where the mat would include switches placed within coloured segments of the mat or platfonn and the switches would be activated by the pressure of the foot. The dance—mat/ platform would have control members under each coloured segment and they would be assigned and configured and thus operate in a similar way to the control members referred to earlier.

A further embodiment of this invention would be a steering wheel of an automobile, where the control members are placed around the steering wheel area. The control members would be assigned, configured and operate in a similar way to the control members referred to earlier.

The invention could use voice activation references as the substitute for the mechanical activated control members referred to in this application. The invention is not limited to the embodiment referred to above or to the embodiments referred to in any of the other examples given for its application.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS: 1. An interactive multimedia apparatus, usable in combination with a software suite of programmes installed in a computing means with a display component and a suitable input connection port to connect to the apparatus, characterised in that the apparatus includes dynamic intervention means to modify, refine, adjust, vary and/or change characteristics, parameters and special effects of individual audio or video tracks and/or characteristics and parameters and special effects of a composite audio mix during the mixing cycle in real time. 2. A multimedia apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 which includes a control member, the activation of which triggers a segment of a waveform component and dynamically mixes that segment during the mix cycle; optionally, including means to record all the controls, parameters and special effects details of the composite mix including the dynamically applied controls, parameters and effects initiated by the activation of the control members of the interactive multimedia device, which have been affected during the mix cycle; and optionally, including means of presenting a visual representation of each track in the mix displayed on a visual display unit and the exact position in time that the intervention occurred in the mix cycle, with highlighted blocks to indicate where addition, deletion or modifications, control changes, parameter changes and/or special effects have been applied as a result of the activation of the control member of the apparatus with the visual representation represented on the visual display unit also illustrating the control changes, parameter changes and special effects applied to the composite mix characteristics with the exact position in time where these events occurred, including means to record the initiation of any other audio/video event with a time stamp recording and means for representing the event or events together with the dynamically applied interventions. 29 3. A multimedia apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including means for detecting the activation of a control member by a user and means for triggering a segment of a waveform component and dynamically mixing that segment during the mix cycle; optionally, including means for a user to assign the selected controls, parameters and effects to a control member of their choice, with a control element assignment label being operable to display a selection of the control members available on the apparatus, means for attributing to selected controls elements, parameters and effects to be applied to the individual track or group of tracks or to the composite mix by the application programme detecting the activation of the control element; optionally, including means for displaying a view window or windows, directories, folders and content files resulting from the software scanning the storage devices for user selected media types, thereby enabling the user to display a listing of all or selected files on the storage devices for ease of loading and selection and including means for initiating the scan process by selection of an icon label of the control device; 4. A multimedia apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a loop repository or a loop store means for all the content, which is to be triggerable by the activation of the control members, to be stored and retained, whereby loops can be combined in separate folders for easy content management or for group assignment to different triggering devices and each folder or file is activatable or deactivatable by the selection or de—selection of a flag; including software recording means to allow a user to transfer and record content from pre—recorded media, microphone input, television receiver and radio broadcast, whereby content can be pre—edited for static or dynamic mixing purposes; and optionally, in which data for the loop repository is obtainable from pre-recorded media, the internet, TV channels, radio broadcast, web—cam, digital media camera and placed 30 directly into a folder in the loop repository, including means to pre-edit a small section of sound, video, or sound and video and place it in the loop repository, the apparatus including a means to cut and paste a section of sound, video or sound and video from a composition and drop that selection directly into the loop repository and including means to adjust individual properties of each multi-media components in the loop respository, such as volume, tempo, mute, loop and pan. 5. A multimedia apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the control unit is a personal computer, a hand held computer, a music playing device with processing power, a mobile telephone device (particularly a 2.5G or 3G mobile telephone where an audio output is available), a personal digital organiser, a games console, 21 set top box device or any device with the necessary processing power to run the application programme and having a visual display unit and the means to convert digital audio to analogue sound output, the control unit means to store hold riffs, loops, beats, one shots, etc. and memory space with sufficient working space to run the application; and optionally, in which the control unit has a suitable connection port for connection to the interactive multimedia device such as USB, serial, parallel, bluetooth, firewire or any connection method suitable for the apparatus. 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