Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MUSIC BROWSER
This invention relates to a music browser and system.
Items of music are currently made available to a user/customer
mostly in the form of CDs or other sound carriers. In view of
the considerable number of sound carriers newly available,
dealers have a problem in offering and attractively presenting
a user/customer with a sufficiently broad selection of music
items. This is necessary, however, to remain competitive. Ear
the user/customer, there is the problem that it is extremely
difficult to obtain an overview as to the sound carriers
available on the market, and also of interest within a
reasonable time period, since it is highly time-consuming to
check out each and every sound carrier individually. In
addition, should the user/customer wish a trial hearing of the
music items contained on the sound carrier, he is usually
obliged to make use of a local player made available in many
outlets especially for this purpose.
The invention therefore seeks to provide a music browser
method and system which without tedious preparation enables
the selected music titles to be played on a local output unit
and, more particularly, enabling dealers to stock only a
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limited number of sound carriers while nevertheless remaining
competitive.
In a first aspect the invention therefore provides a music
browser method comprising the steps of
(i) entering into a recording station a reference file
containing data specific to each of a plurality of music
items;
(ii) loading the music items;
(iii) processing the loaded music items, with the
production of cutout hook portions, formatting as needed
for further handling and storing each music item in a
media data file assignable to a respective reference data
file;
(iv) importing the reference data files and media data
files via the import interface of a data archive;
(v) archiving the content of the reference files in
data archive fields;
(vi) defining by means of a track management
application environment which media files and the
corresponding archived data fields are to be made
available on a server;
(vii) exporting the selected media files and the
corresponding archived data fields via an export
interface to the server;
(viii) serving a local output unit on request with a
media file saved on the server and the corresponding
archived data fields; and
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(ix) playing the music items held in the served media
file on the local output unit by means of a user
software.
In a second aspect the invention therefore provides a system
for browsing music comprising
(i) at least one recording station;
(ii) a data archive comprising a track management
application environment and at least one interface with
the recorder station;
(iii) at least one export interface connecting at least
one server and an output unit.
The invention seeks to enable a user, in making use of the
method and system, to browse through a plurality of music
items which, after having been exported from a data archive to
the server, are presented to him on the server. The selected
tracks are then played on a local output unit by means of a
suitable software without any further entries being needed,
i.e. any further effort, thus presenting the user, after
having simply stipulated certain selection criteria on the
output unit, with the corresponding available tracks on the
server without any time-consuming entries being necessary. By
employing a system making use of the method, a dealer is able
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to do away with hitherto necessary service items such as
providing play stations for presented sound carriers. The
number of sound carriers to be kept available can thus be
considerably reduced or well adapted to market requirements,
since the tracks selected by the customer at the output unit
can form the basic statistics for a suitable inventory. By
making use of the method, important information relative to
the corresponding music track can now be made available as
saved in the archived data fields, indicating for example EAN
codes, order numbers, label codes, name of artist, single
track title, CD title, etc. The data archive should have a
sufficient storage capacity so that tracks also to be
published in the future can be included. Particularly suitable
for this purpose is the digital media management system (DMMS)
data base developed by the present applicant, with a storage
capacity corresponding to approximately 200,000 music CDs.
The system operator makes his choice from music items saved in
the data archive as regards those to be made available to the
user by the server. The number of tracks available is, of
course, restricted by the storage capacity of the server. The
sequence of steps outlined above can be modified according to
the circumstances.
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A further important feature is that the user is provided with
a user software available at the local output unit which is
suitable for processing the media files as well as the
archived data fields, so that the user is able to browse
through the music items.
A further media file can be assigned to a reference file
containing at least parts of a music video. This is important
since music videos have almost become a separate music vehicle
in their own right, and are becoming increasingly popular,
especially among younger users. Such media files are managed
in the same manner as media files containing music only,
except that an audio-visual display is available at the output
unit for the user and a software producing the display on the
output unit is provided.
Preferably, a text file is assigned to at least one reference
file, containing information relative to the music items
linked to the reference file. Such text file will contain
desired information, such as background information on the
artist or label, or other information of interest to the user,
for example information relating to upcoming concert events.
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Further, a media file can be assigned to at least one
reference file containing animations, for added entertainment
for the user.
Media and text files can also be subsequently incorporated
into the archived data, i.e. once the reference files have
been transferred to the data archive and their content saved
in the archived data fields. These files are then assigned to
specific archived data fields and not to the reference files.
Preferably, the media files saved in the data archive are
compacted at least in part. Also, to make all tracks on a
sound carrier available to the user, the music items contained
on the carrier, preferably a CD, can be input into the
recording station.
To link all media files belonging to a sound carrier, these
are preferably referenced in a text file. For full
identification, each media file is preferably assigned the
number of the original sound carrier and a track number.
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To ensure that the media files are processed only by an
authorized user software, these are preferably provided with
an authorization code.
To provide the user with further visual impressions, graphic
details are scanned at the recording station and assigned to a
reference file. These details are, for example, the front page
of the associated CD booklet. The graphic details can also be
assigned to archived data fields.
Preferably, text and/or video data assigned to a music item is
displayed on the local output unit, whereby text and/or video
data not linked to the requested music items, such as
advertising, can likewise be displayed.
By means of adaptable templates and a corresponding
administration surface, a graphic display for each media file
containing a music item can be generated on the server and
made available to the user. To make all files saved in the
server quickly available to the user, a search index is
preferably generated or modified on the server when files
assigned to a music item are imported.
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Preferably the server is monitored by means of a load and/or
availability monitor.
Further, to provide the user with the opportunity to contact
other users of the system, the output unit can be connected to
a chat server.
Still further, to enable music items and files linked thereto
to be made available to the user also for a lengthier period,
the files assigned to a music item can be locally saved in the
output unit. It is also possible to provide for a user to
download single items of music onto his output unit and any
downstream processing items such as a CD burner, this enabling
the user to produce e.g. music CDs himself.
To protect the system from unauthorized use, a code can be
defined for each user.
The files can be made available to the user online, which
would preferably be via a network, which can be the Internet.
In accordance with one embodiment of the method of the
invention, the files are made available to the user on a data
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carrier, preferably a DVD, which comprises the offline
version of the method.
Also, it is possible to provide a hybrid embodiment, in which
the files are made available to the user partly via the
Internet and partly on a data carrier, preferably a DVD. In
such embodiment it is preferable to store the high-content
files, namely the media files, on the data carrier, whereas
the smaller files for fast transfer such as the text files
are made available via the network.
To further facilitate use of the output unit by the user, a
search mask can optionally be included in the display, which
can include an events page, based on the search mask input.
In accordance with another specific embodiment of the method
of the invention, music items selected by means of a random
generator from those saved in the server can be played on the
output unit, which can, for example, be a medley of a
specific artist or an excerpt of the latest chart hits.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a process for providing pieces of music for
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a user with an installation which at least comprises at least
one recording station and a data archive which has a user
environment provided with a track management application and
is connected by way of at least one import interface to the
recording station and by way of at least one export interface
to at least one server, comprising the following steps:
a) at the recording station for each piece of music a
respective reference data file containing specific data of
the piece of music is input;
b) the pieces of music are read in;
c) the read-in pieces of music are processed with the
production of cutouts, so-called hooks, put into a data
format required for the further procedure, and respectively
stored in a media data file which can be associated with the
respective data file;
d) the reference data files and the media data files
are re-recorded by way of the import interface into the data
archive;
e) the content of the reference data files is stored
in fields of the data archive;
f) which media data files and associated fields of the
data archive are provided on the server is established by
means of the track management application;
9a
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g) the selected media data files and their associated
fields of the data archive are re-recorded by way of the
export interface on to the server;
h) a media data file stored on the server and the
associated fields of the data archive are provided on request
at a local output device; and
i) by means of a user software the piece of music
contained in the provided media data file is played at the
local output device.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an installation for providing pieces of
music for a user, comprising at least one recording station,
a data archive having a user environment provided with a
track management application, and connected by way of at
least one import interface to the recording station and by
way of at least one export interface to at least one server,
and an output device.
The invention will now be described in detail with reference
to the drawings, in which
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Figure 1 is a simplified schematic representation of one
embodiment of the system of the invention.
Figure 1 shows the system of the invention, including the
online, hybrid and offline versions. The system comprises a
recording station l, a data archive 2, a server 3 and an output
unit 4. Recording station 1 and the data archive 2 are connected
to each other by data links. Similarly the data archive 2 is
connected to the server 3 by data links, and the server 3 is
similarly connected to the output unit 4, except in the offline
version, in which case there are no data links between the
server 3 and the output unit 4, but instead data transfer to the
output unit 4, comprising a play station, is achieved by means
of a data carrier, for example a DVD 5. The DVD 5 would be
written in the server 3 with data or files as required to be
made available to the user/consumer at the output unit 4, which
would be provided with a suitable reader for the data carrier.
Also, in the hybrid version, in which the data is required to be
made available partly on a data carrier and partly via a
network, the output unit 4 is provided with a corresponding
reader.
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The recording station 1 can consist of several discrete
stations, and comprises at least one computer system on which
an editing system is installed for entering reference files.
By means of the reference files, files linked to a specific
item of music can be identified. The reference files can
additionally list e.g. EAN code, order number, label code,
name of artist, single track title, CD title, etc.
In a preferred embodiment, the recording station includes at
least one scanner to permit scan-entry of the title page of
the CD booklet. The computer system can be equipped with an
AUTO play feature by means of which the items of music
recorded on a sound carrier can be read into the system. By
means of an application program, the items read into the
system can be processed, for example by automatic production
of 30 second hooks of all music items recorded on the CD. The
items of music read into the system are preferably data-
formatted as required for the further features of the method
and system, and each saved in a media file assignable to each
reference file.
The files generated in the recording station 1 are then copied
into the data archive 2. The content of the reference files is
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saved in archived data fields. The data archive 2 is
preferably an Oracle database, or a DMMS master database. The
user environment of the data archive 2 is equipped with a
track administration application permitting convenient
handling of the individual files assigned to the music items.
The data archive 2 has an export interface via which music
items selected by means of the track administration
application, that is media files and the corresponding
archived data fields, are exported to the server 3.
Depending on the version selected, the server 3 differs in
design. If the server 3 is to function as an Internet or
online server, it comprises a database server and a media file
server on which the media files are saved, preferably
compacted. Also saved on such server 3 are the archived data
fields, each assignable to the media files. The hybrid version
comprises merely a server 3 on which the archived fields are
saved, the media files being saved on a data carrier such as a
DVD. In the offline version, data carriers such as DVDs are
played on the server. The content of the data carrier is
preferably adapted to the specific taste of the user, for
example only jazz or classical music items. Further, in the
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other versions, a preselection can also be made with regard to
the items made available by the server 3.
Advantageously, the media files held on the data carrier are
coded, being, for example, MPEG formatted and coded by means
of the multimedia protection (MMP) system, thus to ensure that
only authorized users have access to the media files. For this
purpose, the user needs an authorized software to use the
output unit, a pirate copy of the data carrier then not being
readable on other output units.
In the hybrid version, the data carrier contains media files
only. The required archived data fields are exported to the
output unit 4 via a network. This permits fast access to high
storage volume media files as well as high-quality music
browsing. In the offline version, both the media files and the
corresponding archived date fields are held on the DVD.
However, in both the offline version and the hybrid version,
the files held on the data carrier need to be continually
updated.
In one embodiment of the invention, the online version can be
configured as a sound carrier kiosk system with which the user
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is able to make direct orders of selected CDs, which are then
dispatched to him. Payment can be made, for example, by
entering a credit card number.
Advantageously, further media files containing music videos or
other graphic display data are assigned to a specified
reference file at the recording station 1. A media file
containing a music video is handled in the same manner, i.e.
it is saved in the data archive 2, copied into the server 3,
and exported to the output unit 4 where it is played by means
of a suitable software.
In addition, further text files can be assigned to a reference
file at the recording station 1, and likewise saved in the
data archive 2 and server 3, and then exported to the output
unit 4 where they are made available to the user. These text
files store information as desired, for example background
information relating to the artist, or further music items or
concert events and the like. The text and media files can also
be directly assigned to specific archived data fields.
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