SE530102C2 - Computer, computer software product and method for providing an audio output - Google Patents

Description

20 25 530 102 2 In co-pending application PCT / SE2006 / 050030 from the same applicant, a hand-held DJ system is described comprising a database for music tracks in which a set of control means is used to control both tracks.

Recently, systems have become available in which the parameters Sem used to achieve a certain mix can be stored in a mix instruction fi l and used on the music files at a later time. One such system is TRAKTOR DJ Studio 3 from Native Instruments Software Synthesis GmbH. The content of the mixing instructions can be created, e.g. by recording actions performed during a DJ session, ie. which music tracks are used and the huridisc jockey affects them. This can be supported by software such as. adjusts the playback speed of two tracks. For example, the mix instruction set may include data such as the identification number of the music set, the point in each music set where playback is to start, and whether bends and / or pitches are to be used, how much and at what point. The system can use the mix instructions to create the same mix again based on the same music stored by the company. This is a big improvement over the previously known method, which was to record the whole mix. This system also makes it easier to edit the mix, as the parameters set in the mix instruction line can be changed instead of recording the entire mix again.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a more flexible DJ system than the prior art ones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This object is achieved according to the invention by a computer which is connectable to a data network and arranged to provide an audio output signal comprising a mix of at least two music tracks, which computer comprises: a first database containing at least one music track fi 1; A second database containing at least one mix instruction fi 1, which mix instruction fi 1 comprises instructions indicating at least one music track and at least one function used to influence the output of the music track; a playback device arranged to provide the audio output signal by influencing the at least one music track in the manner specified in the mixing instructions; a search unit arranged to determine whether the at least one music track file exists in the first database; and a retrieval unit arranged to connect to a music track database through a data network for retrieving information regarding at least one music track fi 1 from the music track database based on the indication of the at least one music track if it is not present in the first database.

Preferably, the search unit is arranged to perform the following steps: - searching through a mix instruction file, which mix instruction file comprises instructions comprising an indication of at least one music track and at least one function used to influence the output of the music track, to find all music tracks specified in the mix instruction file; - identify any music tracks that are listed in the mix instructions and that do not exist in the first database; - automatically connect to a music track database in the data network to retrieve information about the identified music tracks from the music track database.

The object is also achieved with a computer program product for use in a computer as defined above, which computer program product comprises computer readable code which, when run in said computer causes the computer to perform the following steps: - search for a mix instruction, at least one music track and specifies at least one rrilction used to influence the output of the music track, to find all music tracks specified in the mix instructions; l0 15 20 25 530 102 4 - identify any music tracks specified in the mix instructions that are not in the first database; - automatically connect to a music track database in the data network to retrieve information regarding the identified music tracks from the music track database.

The object is also achieved with a hand-held unit arranged to provide an audio output signal comprising a mix of at least two music tracks, which computer comprises: a first database containing at least one music track file; a second database containing at least one rnixinstnilctions fi l, the mix instruction file comprising instructions specifying at least one music track and specifying at least one function used to affect the output of the music track; a playback device arranged to provide the audio output signal by influencing the at least one music track in the manner specified in the mix instructions.

The object is also achieved by a method for use in a computer according to claim 1, which method comprises the following steps: initiating a search of a certain rnix instruction fi l to identify at least one music track specified in the mix instruction,, identify any music tracks that are not in the first database , retrieve information regarding the identified music tracks from a music track database through a data network.

The method and device according to the invention make it easy to share mixing instructions in a more flexible way than with e.g. THE TRACTOR SYSTEM. The TRACTOR system only enables playback of the files using exactly the same files as were used when the mixin files were created. Therefore, when sharing a mix instruction fi l, fi lema must also be exported. 10 15 20 25 530 102 5 Because the mix instructions are much smaller than the files that include the complete mix of two or more tracks, they can be shared, or transported, more easily. Copyright issues can also be avoided as sharing the mix instructions is not copyrighted. Each user can then obtain legal copies of the desired music.

The invention can also encourage the use of legitimate sources when downloading music, as the program can be arranged to search for music only in authorized databases.

From a business point of view, the supplier of the DJ system according to the invention can enter into a business agreement with the various copyright holders, e.g. so that every time a user of the DJ system legally downloads and pays for a music track, the provider of the DJ system receives a portion of the amount paid for the music track. The supplier can of course be paid per DJ system connected to the databases and / or per unit of time instead. This commission paid to the sister supplier will further motivate the creation of mix instructions based on legal copies of music tracks and sharing them with others.

In a preferred embodiment, the download unit is a computer program or part of a computer program which is arranged to retrieve the actual music tracks from the music track database.

In another preferred embodiment, the retrieval unit is arranged to retrieve information regarding the music tracks from the music track database, and the computer is further arranged to display the retrieved information via the computer input and output unit. In this case, the input and output unit is preferably arranged to prompt the user to retrieve the music tracks from the music track database.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be described in more detail in the following, by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a system according to the prior art; Figure 2 shows a system according to the present invention Figure 3 shows a fate diagram of an overall method according to the present invention.

Detailed description of embodiments Figure 1 shows a DJ system 1 known per se which uses data including music tracks. The system 1 comprises a computer 3 comprising a first database 5 for music tracks.

The system also includes traditional DJ functions 7 for manipulating at least one of the tracks stored in the first database 5, e.g. with respect to playback speed (the bend and pitch parameters discussed above) to mix the tracks in a desired way. The computer has inputs and outputs represented by a keyboard and a screen. Of course, other input and output means may be provided, such as a mouse or console means for physically affecting a music track.

The system 1 also comprises a computer program 9 for creating a mix instruction 1, arranged to save information about the music tracks and how they are manipulated using the DJ functions 7 to effect the mix. This information is stored as parameter values in a mix instruction fi 1, which is stored in a second database 11.

Of course, the first and the second database can be realized as a database.

The computer 3 also comprises a playback program 13 arranged to retrieve a mix instruction 1 from the second database 11 and, as indicated in the mix instruction 10, to retrieve at least one music track at a time from the first database 5 and actuate them according to the mix instructions dare to create a mix of the music tracks.

Figure 2 shows a DJ system according to the invention. A computer 23 includes a first database 25 for storing music tracks and a second database 27 for storing mix instruments similar to those already known. As in Figure 1, the computer has input and output means represented by a keyboard 6 and a screen 8. The user's input and output means can be used to inform the user of the possibilities available, e.g. which music bars and mix instruments are in the first resp. the other database.

The computer may also include traditional DJ functions 29 and a software program 31 similar to the already known programs for creating mix instructions, and store them in the second database 27. However, the DJ function 29 and the software 31 for creating a mix instructions are not important. for the system according to the invention.

According to the invention, the computer comprises a playback program 33 which is arranged to retrieve a mix instruction 1 from the second database 27 and, as prescribed in the mix instruction, to retrieve at least one music track at a time from the first database 25 and actuate them according to the inix instruction to create a mix of the music tracks. . The computer also has retrieval software 35 for retrieving, via a data network 36, mix instructions and / or music tracks from sources such as a music track database 37 or a mix tool database 39 in the network. The sources are not necessarily databases. Music tracks or mix instructions can be downloaded from any type of source in the network. The network is typically networked, but can be any type of network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN).

A mix instruction fi l can specify that music tracks that are not stored in the first database 25 should be used, e.g. if the mix instruction file has been retrieved from another source such as the mix instruction database 39. In this case, it is possible to retrieve the music from another source, such as the music track database 37. Legal music sources are available on the Internet from which the desired music tracks can be downloaded for a fee. The music track database 37 may, instead of, or in addition to actual music tracks, also include an overview of music tracks and from which source each of them can be legally retrieved. The download software can of course also have information about possible music sources. It may also be possible to include information in a mix instruction om l where some or all of the music tracks used by the mix instruction fi can be retrieved. This will be especially useful for music that is not launched by the established record companies and therefore may not be in the commercial databases. Music tracks and / or mix instructions can be downloaded from »any place on the net, including regular websites.

In order to avoid a situation where it is detected while a mix instruction fi 1 is being used that it uses a music track which is not available in the first database 25, a search program 40 can be arranged. The search program 40 is arranged to search through a mix instruction fi l and to search through the first database 25 to identify the music tracks used by the mix instruction fi and which are not in the first database 25. The search program then informs the retrieval software of the missing the music tracks so that they can be downloaded by the download software 35 as discussed OVall.

If the search program 40 identifies one or more music tracks used by the mixer, but not available in the first database 25, it can instruct the retrieval program 35 to retrieve the missing music track or tracks from the music track database 37. If the missing music tracks are not available directly from the music track database 37, the music track database should know where they can be downloaded and send this information to the download program. Alternatively, the music track database 37 may retrieve the missing music tracks and forward them to the retrieval tool 35. Once retrieved by the retrieval software 35, they are stored in the first database 25. 10 15 20 25 30 530 102 Instead of retrieving the missing music tracks automatically, it can inform the user that some music tracks are missing, for example by displaying information on the screen. The information can simply be the identity of the missing tracks, or the download program number can first retrieve information about the cost of the music tracks and where they can be downloaded and display this information to the user at the same time. The user can then instruct the retrieval program to retrieve the missing music tracks from the network, or to retrieve information about the cost of the music tracks and where they can be found, if this has not already been done.

As is common in the art, the user may also request retrieval of specific music tracks from the web, for example for use in creating mix instincts as described above. In Figure 2, for the sake of simplicity, the search program 40 connected to the second database 27 is shown. . between the download program 35 and the second database 27, depending on how and when it is to be activated.

The search program 40 can be used automatically to determine whether all the music tracks used by the mix instructions are in the first database 25, e.g. each time a mix instruction fi l is retrieved from the network, or when a user starts using a mix instruction l l. Alternatively, the user may order the search program 40 to search through a particular mixer fi l which he intends to use at a later time.

The computer can be connected to speakers and / or headphones and used to play music for an audience, or to the user of the computer using the playback software. The computer may also, or alternatively, be arranged to communicate with a portable, preferably handheld DJ system 41. The portable DJ system 41 comprises a software playback module 43 similar to the software playback module 33 in the computer, a first database 45 for music tracks and a second database 47 for mix instruction lines. The portable DJ system 41 and the computer 23 can be arranged to communicate in such a way that when they are connected to each other, their respective first 25, 45 resp. their other 27, 47 databases with each other. In this way, the music tracks and mixinstriilctions downloaded by the computer can be transferred to the portable DJ system 4 1.

The portable DJ system may be a device such as the handheld device described in the applicant's co-pending application PCT / SE2006 / 050030. This handheld DJ system includes a music track database and DJ functions to influence music tracks. To be used according to the invention, it should be expanded with a mix instruction database 47 and a playback program 43. In this way, music tracks and mix instructions stored in the computer can be transferred to the handheld device 41 and played there.

Instead of transferring all music tracks and all instruction instructions from the computer 23 to the handheld 41, the user may be able to select one or more mix instructions or music tracks. When a mix instruction set is transferred to the handheld device, the search program 40 can be used to identify the music tracks used by the mixer instruction set and automatically transfer all the music tracks to the handheld device.

If appropriate, the portable DJ system may also include one or more of the other units 31, 35, 40 to enable the creation of mix instructions in the portable DJ system and / or direct retrieval of mix instructions and / or music tracks from the network to the portable DJ system.

It should be understood that each of the units 29, 31, 33, 35 and 40 in the computer 23 and the playback unit 43 in the portable unit 41 are realized as software modules stored in the computer, or in the portable device. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the illustration shown in Figure 2 is only a logical diagram and the actual functions can be realized in software in a number of different ways.

Figure 3 is a flow chart of the method steps that can be performed in the computer 23 and / or a portable unit according to the invention.

Step S31: Start the search in a specific mix instruction fi l.

Step S32: Search the mix instructions and identify any music tracks that are not in the first database 25; If all tracks used by the mixer are found in the first database, the procedure ends.

Step S33: Select the action for the missing fi files. If fi members are to be retrieved automatically, go to step S34. If information about the missing fi files is to be retrieved automatically, go to step S35. If the user is to be informed without any additional information, go to step S36.

Step S34: Retrieve the tracks from a suitable source or sources and store them in the first database 25. As discussed above, the tracks can be retrieved from the music track database 37, from other sources using the music track database or directly from other sources. End the procedure.

Step S35: Get extra information from the music track database. This can be, for example, information about where the missing tracks can be retrieved, the price, etc. Go to step S36.

Step S36: Present information to the user and prompt the user to enter instructions if desired. If additional information was received in step S35, this information can be presented, otherwise only the information contained in the rnixinsmllctions file is presented. Go to step S37.

Step S37: Select action according to user instructions. To retrieve the missing music tracks, go to step S34. To retrieve additional information, go to step S35. Otherwise, end the procedure. 10 15 20 530 102 12 A central database for mix instillation styles can be arranged in the network in a similar way as the music track database. Mixed instruction files can be retrieved from the user instructions database by individual users. In this case, the central database may include a search function similar to the search unit 40, which is arranged to search through each mix instruction file uploaded to the central database to verify that all the music is in, or can be found using, the music track database 37. In this way, the uploading of mixing instructions using unauthorized versions of music tracks can be prevented. An additional function can be provided which is arranged to search the music track database 37 to identify your legal music matches which correspond to the unauthorized copies. In this case, means should be provided for editing the mix instructions to replace the references to unauthorized ones with references to the legal copies that can be found using the music track database.

As mentioned above, the invention enables business agreements between the provider of music and the provider of the DJ system according to the invention and the providers of music and / or mixing instruments. Each time a system according to the invention is used to retrieve a music track automatically, a commission can be paid to the supplier of the DJ system. In the same way, every time a music track is downloaded automatically because it is used by a certain mixinsmilctions fi l, the creator of the mixinstrulctions fi len can get a commission.

Claims (14)

10 15 20 25 30 530 102 13 Patent claims A computer (23) connectable to a data network (36) and arranged to provide an audio output signal comprising a mix of at least two music tracks, the computer comprising: a first database (25) containing at least one music track fi 1; a second database (27) containing at least one mix instruction fi 1, said mix instruction fi 1 comprising instructions indicating at least one music track and at least one function used to influence the output of the music track; a playback unit (33) arranged to provide the audio output signal by affecting the at least one music track in the manner specified in the mix installation channel; a search unit (40) arranged to determine whether the at least one music track fi is present in the first database (25) and a retrieval unit (35) arranged to connect to a music track database (37) through a data network (36) to retrieve information regarding at least one music track fi l from the music track database (37) based on the indication of the at least one music track if it is not in the first database (25). The computer (23) of claim 1, wherein the paging unit (40). is arranged to perform the following steps: i I '- search through a mix instruction fi l, which mix instruction fi l comprises instructions including an indication of at least one music track and at least one function used to influence the output of the music track, to find all music tracks specified in the mix instruction fi l; - identify any music tracks specified in the mix instructions and which do not exist in the first database (25); - automatically connect to a music track database (3 7) in the data network (3 6) to retrieve information regarding the identified music tracks from the music track database (37). 10 15 20 25 30 530 102 14 A computer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retrieval unit is arranged to retrieve the actual music tracks fi from the music track database (37). A computer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retrieval unit is arranged to retrieve information regarding the music tracks from the music track database (37), the computer further being arranged to display the retrieved information by means of the computer input and output unit (8). . The computer of claim 4, wherein the input and output unit is arranged to prompt the user to retrieve the music tracks from the music track database (37). A computer program product (40) for use in a computer (23) according to claim 1, which computer program program comprises computer readable code which, when run in said computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps: - searching through a rnix instruction fi l, which mixing instruction instructions including an indication of at least one music track and specifying at least one function used to influence the output of the music track, in order to find all the music tracks specified in the mix instructions; - identify any music tracks specified in the mix instructions that are not in the first database; i - automatically connect to a music track database (37) in the data network (3 6) to retrieve information regarding the identified music tracks fi from the music track database (3 7). The computer program product of claim 6, wherein the computer readable code means causes the computer to retrieve the music tracks themselves from the music track database (37). The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the computer readable code means causes the computer to retrieve information regarding the music tracks from the music track database (37) and display it on the computer input and output unit (8). 10 15 20 25 30 530 102 15 The computer program product of claim 6, wherein the computer readable code means causes the computer to prompt the user to retrieve the music tracks from the music track database (37). A handheld device arranged to provide an audio output signal comprising a mix of at least two music tracks, the computer comprising: a first database (45) containing at least one music track fi 1; a second database (47) containing at least one mix instruction file, which mix instruction fi 1 includes instructions specifying at least one music track and specifying at least one function used to affect the expiration of the music track; a playback unit (43) arranged to provide the audio output signal by affecting the at least one music track in the manner specified in the mix instruction file. 11.; Method of use In a computer according to claim 1, which method comprises the following steps: initiating a reselection of a particular mixinstrixldions fi l to identify at least one music track specified in the mix instruction,, identifying any music tracks not present in the first database (25) , retrieving information regarding the identified music tracks from a music track database (3 7) through a data network (3 6). The method of claim 11 comprising the step of presenting the retrieved information to the user and prompting the user to enter instructions if desired. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of retrieving the identified music tracks from the music track database (37) following instructions from the user. 530 102 16 The method of claim 11, comprising the step of retrieving the files from the music track database (37) or some other location in the data network (36) and storing them in the first database (25).