WO2009116052A2

WO2009116052A2 - Method for managing auditions in a communication network

Info

Publication number: WO2009116052A2
Application number: PCT/IN2008/000163
Authority: WO
Inventors: Babu Penumalla Sateesh; Gopalkrishnan Satish; Santakumar Subrahmanian
Original assignee: Onmobile Global Limited
Priority date: 2008-03-18
Filing date: 2008-03-18
Publication date: 2009-09-24
Also published as: WO2009116052A3

Abstract

A method for managing auditions of multiple participants using a communication network is disclosed. One or more performance scenario is provided to a participant and her performances are received as multimedia files at real-time. The performances are then stored in a database. A unique audition code is generated for each performance and sent to the participant. A plurality of such performances is provided to judges for evaluation and shortlisting. The participant is then provided the shortlisted result based on the unique audition code.

Description

METHOD FOR MANAGING AUDITIONS IN A COMMUNICATION

NETWORK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for managing auditions for talent competitions. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of managing auditions for tafent competitions using a communication network.

DEFINITIONS

Communication network: It includes, but is not limited to, internet, intranets, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and transducer links such as those using Modulator-Demodulators (modems).

Mobile device: A portable device enabled to communicate with other devices for the transfer of signals. Examples of mobile device include, but are not limited to, voice phone, cordless phone, mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), pager, notebook PC, ultra-mobile PC.

User: A person who is using communication network for communication.

Talent competition: A test of skill in a specified field involving multiple individuals, usually for prize, profit, recognition, or a combination of these. Talent competition includes competitions to find talents in music, singing, radio jockeying, sports commentary, news reading etc. Talent competition also includes recruitment in companies for positions such as call center executive etc.

Participant: An individual or a group of individuals forming a group that takes part in a talent competition. For example, in a talent competition to find the best musician, the participant may be an individual as well as a group of individuals forming a band. Audition: A trial performance given by a participant in a talent competition to demonstrate her suitability for competition, employment or professional training, etc. Conventionally, the participant demonstrates her talent through a previously memorized and rehearsed performance, for example a song for a singer, a news item for a news reader or a limited time of real-time sports commentary for a sports commentator. However, some auditions also involve performing a script that the participant is not familiar with, for example a singer may be asked to sing a song other than the rehearsed piece.

Shortlisting: Limiting the number of participants in an audition by allowing only selected participants to move to the next round in a talent competition. Typically, a talent competition with a large number of participants includes several rounds to decide the winner. At the end of the each round in the talent competition, one or more judges evaluate the performance of each participant and for each participant the judge (or judges) decides whether the participant meets all the criteria for selection to the next round.

Voice Portal: A web portal that may be accessed by a user through voice commands. Voice portal may be seen as an interface between a digital information source (database, website data etc.) and an application that presents this data to the end user (telephone caller etc). Typically, a voice portal gives access to information through spoken commands and voice responses. A voice portal may also give access to information through Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF).

The following acronyms have been used in this text hereinafter:

USSD: Unstructured Supplementary Service Data

SMS: Short Messaging Service

MMS: Multimedia Messaging Service

WAP: Wireless Application Protocol

IVR: Interactive Voice Response

VAS: Value Added Service(s)

CSP: Communication Service Provider BACKGROUND

Talent competitions are events that give unknown performers an opportunity to perform as well as receive recognition. Typically, performances in such competitions are evaluated by one or more judges, and sometimes by voting of the audience of the performance as well. Talent competition includes competition to find talents in music, sports commentary, radio jockeying, news reading etc. The increasing popularity of mass media contributed to the increased popularity of talent competitions. A number of shows on mass media such as television, radio and internet have been and are broadcasted around the theme of talent competition.

The popularity of talent competitions has resulted in a large number of people trying to participate in them. As such, the requisite talent may not be available in all the participants. Hence, talent competition producers prefer to take audition of the participants. An audition is a sample performance by a singer, musician, commentator, news reader or other participant. A participant uses an audition to demonstrate the level and range of her talent. Auditions serve as a filter to separate the participants who meet certain criteria from the rest.

Conventionally, in an audition the participants showcase their talent through a previously memorized and rehearsed solo piece, for example a song for a singer, a news item for a news reader or a limited time of real-time sports commentary for a sports commentator. Some auditions also involve performing a script that the participant is not familiar with, for example a singer may be asked to sing a song other than the rehearsed piece. .

Talent competitions are no longer limited to specific location. They have become national, and in some cases international as well. In such a talent competition, audition venues are set up at several locations, for example audition venues might be set up at five zones in a country. Participants come to such audition venues and performances are evaluated by one or more judges. Based on the evaluation, participants are shortlisted for next round of the talent competition. There are some auditions when participants are required to record their performance on a storage device and then send it to a specified address where judges of the talent competition use the recorded performance to shortlist participants for the next round. Sometimes auditions are taken online. For example, participants may be asked to record their performance (audio or video) and upload it to a specified website. Judges of the talent competition may then shortlist the participants based on the uploaded audio or video file.

United States Publication No. 20030014272, titled "E-audition for a musical work" discloses a method and a system for internet based e-audition. Musical works are electronically recorded and then the files are posted on the website as e- auditions to which website visitors may listen. The method and system can be used to establish contact with talented performers, control costs of developing a new musical production, publicize and promote the project etc, and to popularize musical works of new singers, composers, musicians using the internet.

Another publication WO/2005/062290, titled "Method of broadcasting songs and system for the practice of karaoke remotely, in particular by telephone", discloses a system and method for allowing the remote practice of karaoke by using a telephone handset linked to a cellular telephony network. Each song typically consists of background music and words (lyrics). In this publication, a song also has synchronization information embedded in it, in a manner that is perceptible to a listener. This allows the listener to perform the song within the context of the practice of karaoke.

Conventional systems to conduct and manage auditions have become increasingly inadequate with the massive increase in the number of participants in talent competitions. To enter a national Jevel talent competition, a participant may be required to compete in several auditions, each of which may be located in different locations. The participant may incur several monetary expenses such as travel, entry fees at audition venues etc. Also, she looses time while traveling to and from the audition venue. Talent competition organizers also incur additional expenses and hassles while setting up multiple audition venues spread across several parts of a country. E-audition eliminates some of these problems but poses another set of problems. Internet connectivity may be limited and may not extend to all areas where auditions are taking place. Also, quality of internet connection may not be good in several internet-connected areas. Hence, uploading the e-audition files on the specified websites may be troublesome for participants.

As such, there is a need for an audition management system that offers an easily accessible platform, for example using a communication network, to participants to participate in talent competitions. Further, there is a need for an audition management system that offers a cheaper and hassle-free solution to talent competition organizers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment, a method for managing auditions of a plurality of participants using a communication network is disclosed. A participant is connected to the communication network for audition. A participant may be an individual or a group of individuals. The method includes providing at least one performance scenario to the participant and then receiving at least one performance from the participant based on the at least one performance scenario through the communication network at real-time. The participant may be provided multiple performance scenarios as well. Thereafter, the participant may confirm the performance or may redo the performance in case the participant is not satisfied with earlier performance. The performance may be received as a multimedia file, for example, audio file, video file, text file, or a combination of these. The method includes storing the at least one performance in a database. The method further includes generating a unique audition code for the participant in response to receiving the at least one performance and sending the unique audition code to the participant. Performance scenarios, performances, unique audition code and other information such as name, age etc. related to a participant is collectively termed as participant information. Furthermore, the method includes providing the participant information to at least one judge for shortlisting and providing shortlisted result to the participant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic depicting an exemplary communication environment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating a method of conducting an audition in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating audition management system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of shortlisting a plurality of participants in an audition in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. Various aspects and features of example embodiments of the invention are described in more detail hereinafter.

A method for conducting and managing auditions in a talent competition is disclosed.

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication environment according to an embodiment of the invention. The communication environment comprises a mobile device 102, a communication network 104, an audition management system 106 and an audition judge 108. Mobile device 102 may be carried by a user of communication network 104. Mobile device 102 and audition management system 106 are connected to communication network 104. Also, communication network 104 can support multiple mobile devices 102. The connection between mobile device 102 and communication network 104 is provided by a Communication Service Provider (CSP). Communication network 104 may include different channels for communication, for example, MSC, SMSC, USSDC, internet, WAP etc.

Audition management system (AMS) 106 conducts and manages the auditions of multiple participants in a talent competition. AMS 106 is connected to communication network 104 and audition judge 108. Further details regarding AMS 106 are described in conjunction with FIG. 2.

Audition judge 108 evaluates and shortlists the performances of the participants. Audition judge 108 may comprise of one or more individual judges. Further details regarding audition judge 108 and the process of evaluation and shortlisting are described in conjunction with FIG. 4.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method of conducting an audition for a plurality of participants according to an embodiment. A participant may dial a specified number for audition. Each participant is associated with participant information. Participation information includes participant name, gender, date of birth, location, academic qualification etc. The participant may be asked to communicate participant information such as the participant name, gender, date of birth etc. over communication network 104.

At step 202 AMS 106 provides at least one performance scenario to a participant.

Performance scenario is a set of instructions given to the participant by AMS 106 before the audition of the participant. Performance scenario may be different for different talent competitions. For example, in a competition that judges participants for cricket commentary a participant may be provided the following performance scenario - "It is a One Day International cricket match between England and Australia. England won the toss and decided to bat. Assuming it is England's 5^th over, start your commentary after a beep. You may assume other details if required."

Performance scenario may also be provided in the form of music of a song. For example, in a competition that judges participants for singing, a participant may be provided the following performance scenario - "You have to sing the song 'Pink Cadillac' by Bruce Springsteen. The background music of the song will be played for one minute and you will have to sing with the music. Your voice will be recorded with the music. You may stop singing when the background music stops. Please start after a beep." The performance scenario in a singing competition may, therefore, include playing the background music of a song to the participant.

The participant may be provided multiple performance scenarios as well. For example, in a competition for singing, a participant may be asked to sing three songs of different genres, with or without the music. Also, the performance scenarios provided to different participants in a competition may be different. For example, in a competition for radio jockeying, one participant may be asked to host an interview of a football player while another participant may be asked to host a show featuring top 10 songs of the week.

The participant performs, at real-time over the communication network 104 based on the one or more performance scenarios provided to her. At step 204, AMS 106 receives one or more of the performances of the participant through communication network 104 at real-time. For example, in a competition for singing, the participant sings along with the music played to the participant through the communication network 104. The performance of the participant, i.e. the song sung by the participant, is received in the form of a multimedia file. The multimedia file comprises of the song sung by the participant and the background music. Examples of multimedia file includes, but are not limited to, audio files such as mp3, wav files etc; video files such as mpeg, wmv files etc. The multimedia file may also comprise at least some part of participant information of the participant e.g. name, date of birth etc. Several such participants may perform over the communication network 104 at real-time. AMS 106 receives all such performances by such participants.

At step 206, AMS 206 stores each of the performances received in a database. The participant information, also stored in database, may be updated by including the performance scenario given to the participant and the performance received as multimedia file. According to an embodiment, the participant may be presented with multiple performance scenarios. In such a case, multiple performances may be received from the participant based on multiple performance scenarios. The participant information, in such a case, may be updated by including multiple performance scenarios given to the participant and the performances received as multimedia files. The method illustrated in FIG. 2 is further discussed in detail in conjunction with FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

According to an embodiment, the participant may be provided a unique audition code before the audition. For example, the participant may be provided the unique audition code through internet. The participant information stored in database is then updated by adding the unique audition code. According to another embodiment, the participant may be provided a unique audition code by AMS 206 in response to receiving each performance. Each performance of a participant is associated with a unique audition code. Thus, in case AMS 206 receives multiple performances, multiple unique audition code corresponding to each performance are provided to the participant. The participant information stored in database is then updated by adding the unique audition code associated with each performance. Unique audition code may also be used by competition organizers in a lucky draw to give prizes to some of the participants.

According to an embodiment, a participant is authorized by AMS 106 before audition based on participant information. AMS 106 may check at least some part of participant information to decide whether the participant may be auditioned or not. For example, a talent competition for teenage singers may wish to accept participants only in the age group of 13 to 19. In such a case, if age of the participant is less than 13 or more than 19, she may not be auditioned. Another example may be, a company may wish to recruit only graduates for a position of call center executive. In such a case, if AMS 106 finds from participant information of the participant that the participant is not a graduate, she may not be auditioned. Yet another example may be, a competition may have multiple rounds of audition. In second round of the audition, a participant may be authorized by AMS 106 based on her unique audition code.

FIG. 3 illustrates Audition Management System (AMS) 106 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. AMS 106 comprises a circle repository 302 and a central repository 304. Circle repository 302 is responsible for conducting auditions in a particular geographical area. According to an embodiment, there may be multiple circle repositories 302 in AMS 106. Each circle repository 302 may also include a plurality of CSP repositories 306.

CSP repository 306 interfaces with the participant, stores participant information and interacts with central repository 304. CSP repository 306 comprises a voice portal 308 and a database 310. Voice portal 308 acts as a bridge between database 310 and mobile device 102 of the participant. Voice portal 308 interfaces with the participant, provides performance scenario to the participant and receives performance of the participant based on the performance scenario. Also, voice portal 308 may interface with multiple participants, provide multiple performance scenarios to multiple participants and receive multiple performances from multiple participants. Voice portal 308 is further discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4.

Database 310 stores participant information for each participant. Database 310 of CSP repository 306 also interacts with central database 312 of central repository 212. Further details regarding database 310 is discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4.

Central repository 304 collates all the participant information from each CSP repository 306. Central repository 304 further presents the participant information to audition judge 108 for evaluation. Central repository 304 also updates a part of participant information based on the evaluation and shortlisting by audition judge 108. Further details regarding evaluation and shortlisting by audition judge 108 and update of a part of participant information is discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4.

Central repository 304 comprises a central database 312 and a GUI module 314. Central database 312 is connected to every CSP repository 306 and collates participant information from each CSP repository 306. GUI module 314 forwards the participation information from central database 312 to audition judge 108. It will be understood that GUI module 314 may forward only a part of participation information to audition judge 108. For example, in a competition to find the best male singer in a country, audition judge 108 may only receive the performance of the participant and not the other part of participant information such as date of birth and location of the participant. FIG. 4 illustrates a method of shortlisting a plurality of participants in an audition in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Voice portal 308 may authorize the participant based on the participant information before the audition.

At step 402, voice portal 308 provides at least one performance scenario to the participant. The participant performs based on the at least one performance scenario provided. At step 404, voice portal 308 receives at least one performance from the participant through communication network 104 at real-time.

According to an embodiment, at step 406 voice portal 308 receives performance confirmation from the participant. Voice portal 308 asks the participant whether she wants to confirm her performance, or she wants to redo the performance. For example, after voice portal 308 receives at least one performance from the participant, voice portal 308 may provide the following option to the participant - "We have received your performance. Please press 1 to confirm the performance, or 2 to get another performance scenario." In case the participant presses '2', steps 402, 404, and 406 are executed again. Otherwise, step 408 is executed.

According to an embodiment, database 310 may generate a unique audition code in response to the receipt of each performance. The unique audition code is then sent to the participant. The unique audition code may be sent as an SMS, USSD, and voice call etc to mobile device 102 of the participant. Participant information is then updated by adding the unique audition code associated with each performance

At step 408, participant information associated with the participant is stored in database 310. Thereafter, central database 312 collates participant information from each CSP repository 306.

At step 410, GUI module 314 provides participant information of a plurality of participants to audition judge 108 for evaluation and shortlisting. It will be understood that GUI module 314 may forward only a part of participation information to audition judge 108. For example, in recruitment for a company, audition judge 108 may only 'be provided the name, performance and qualification of the participant and not the other part of participant information such as location of the participant. Audition judge 108 evaluates the performance and decides whether the participant of the performance should move on to the next round of the competition.

At step 412, at least a part of the participant information is updated in central database 312. Participation information also includes a shortlisted flag. The shortlisted flag indicates whether the participant associated with the participant information is shortlisted to the next round or not. Audition judge 108 evaluates the performances and updates at least some part of participant information associated with each performance. For example, audition judge 108 evaluates a performance and decides that the participant of the performance should move on to the next round of the competition. Audition judge 108, in such a case, may update shortlisted flag associated with the participant information with 'Yes'. This indicates that the participant has been shortlisted for the next round of the competition. Audition judge 108 may also comment on the performance of the participant. Such comment may be included as a part of the participant information in the form of a multimedia file.

After audition judge 108 updates at least some part of participant information, central database 312 reflects such an update in the participation information in corresponding database 310. For example, participant information of participant 'A' is stored in database 310 of CSP repository 'Rϊ while participant information of participant 'B' is stored in database 310 of CSP repository 'R2'. Audition judge 108 shortlists only participant 'A' and comments on participant 'B'. Thus, participant information of participants 'A' and 'B' are updated in central database 310. Central database 310, then, updates 'shortlisted flag' of participant information of participant 'A' in database 310 of CSP repository 'R1 '. Central database 310 also updates 'shortlisted flag' and 'comments' of participant information of participant 'B' in database 310 of CSP repository 'R2'.

At step 414, shortlisted result is provided to the participant i.e. the participant is informed whether her performance has been shortlisted for the next round in the competition or not. Shortlisted result may also include one or more comments from audition judge 108. In one embodiment, shortlisted result may be provided to the participant in several ways such as SMS, USSD, voice call, video call etc. In another embodiment, the participant may also call a specified number to know the shortlisted result. The participant communicates her unique audition code over communication network 104. Voice portal 308 provides the shortlisted result to the participant based on the unique audition code.

According to an embodiment, a participant may give the audition multiple times. For example, in a talent competition, audition for first round may continue for three days. During this period, a participant may call voice portal 308 and give her audition multiple times. Every time she gives her audition within this period, her earlier performance may be overwritten by her new performance.

While example embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for managing auditions of a plurality of participants using a communication network, a participant being connected to the communication network for audition, the method comprising: a. providing at least one performance scenario to the participant; b. receiving at least one performance from the participant through the communication network at real-time, the at least one performance being based on the at least one performance scenario; and c. storing the at least one performance in a database.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of providing at least one performance scenario comprises playing background music of at least one song to the participant through the communication network.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving at least one performance further comprises receiving performance confirmation from the participant.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a. providing the participant information to at least one judge for shortlisting; and b. providing shortlisted result to the participant.

5. A method for managing auditions of a plurality of participants using a communication network, a participant being connected to the communication network for audition, the method comprising: a. receiving at least one performance from the participant through the communication network, the at least one performance being based on at least one performance scenario; b. storing participant information in a database, the participant information comprising the at least one performance; c. providing the at least one performance to at least one judge for shortlisting; and d. updating the participant information based on the shortlisting.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the participant information further comprises the at least one performance scenario.

7. The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising: a. generating a unique audition code for the participant in response to receiving the at least one performance; and b. sending the unique audition code to the participant.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein participant information further comprises the unique audition code.

9. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the participant information further comprises name of the participant.

10. A method for managing auditions of a plurality of participants using a communication network, a participant being connected to the communication network for audition, the participant being associated with participation information, the method comprising: a. authorizing the participant based on the participation information; b. upon authorization, receiving at least one performance from the participant through the communication network, the at least one performance being based on at least one performance scenario; and c. storing the at least one performance in a database.