Classification and use of classifications in searching and retrieval of information

• US 20050120868A1
• Filed: 01/07/2005
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Hinman, Jeremy D.F., Flannery, Frank, Deeds, Paul, Revelli, David, Stanfield, Geoffrey R., Kaiser, Rolf W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,279,629 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 84/615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/61 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/634 Query by example, e.g. query by humming
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/683 using metadata automatically derived from the content
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0041 in coded form
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/081 Genre classification, i.e. descriptive metadata for classification or selection of musical pieces according to style
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/085 Mood, i.e. generation, detection or selection of a particular emotional content or atmosphere in a musical piece
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/135 Library retrieval index, i.e. using an indexing scheme to efficiently retrieve a music piece

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for classification of information and using the classification information in search and retrieval of information. In one embodiment, musical compositions having various highly subjective characteristics and features are classified according to a schema of objective attributes that are associated with the characteristics and features. Categorizers carry out the classification and create and store attribute information in a database. A search and retrieval system can receive information that characterizes the features of a desired composition and can locate a matching composition. As a result, information having subjective characteristics, such as musical compositions, may be compared and similar musical compositions can be located.

Claims

1. A computer-readable medium comprising computer readable instructions to instruct a computer to process a data structure stored on the computer-readable medium wherein the data structure comprises one or more fields containing the information that describes a first musical composition the computer-readable medium further comprising computer-readable instructions for selecting the first musical composition from among a plurality of other musical compositions that are similar to the first musical composition, wherein the information comprises a plurality of classification values, each distinguishing among a particular subjective feature of the musical compositions.

2. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the classification values comprise at least one song attribute.

3. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the song attribute comprises at least one song attribute value indicating Weight, Intensity, Chord Movement, Range, Harmony, Density, Expressiveness, Flow, Melodic Movement, Mood Description, Consonance, Mood, Dynamics, Language, Ethnic Flavor, or Style.

4. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the song attribute comprises at least one song attribute value indicating Flexibility, Beat, Time Signature, Rhythm Type, or Rhythm Description, or Tempo.

5. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the song attribute comprises at least one rhythm type value having a value of Straight 4, Shuffle, Swing, Disco, Reggae, or Hip Hop Shuffle.

6. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the song attribute comprises at least one rhythm description value having a value of Rockin'"'"', Frenetic, Steady, Throbbing, Free, Funky, Groovy, Syncopated, or Stiff.

7. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the classification values further comprise one or more voice values, each of which identifies one of a plurality of voices present in the first musical composition.

8. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the voice values is at least one of Raspy, Sweet, Sultry, Whiny, Forceful, Aggressive, Monotonous, Clear, Processed, Jangly, Shimmering, Thick, Thin, or Lush.

9. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the classification values comprise a mood value of Dreamy, Soothing, Fun, Depressing, Angry, Lonely, Creepy, Groovy, Uplifting, Sexy, Rockin'"'"', or Neutral.

10. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the classification values further comprise one or more voice values, each of which identifies one of a plurality of voices present in the first musical composition, and wherein each of the voice values is associated with a plurality of voice attributes of Range, Intensity, Cleanliness, Rhythmic Activity, or Melodic Movement.

11. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the classification values further comprise one or more voice values, each of which identifies one of a plurality of voices present in the first musical composition, and wherein each of the voice values is associated with a plurality of voice attributes of Prominence, Ornamentation, Beat, Presence, or Flow.

12. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the classification values further comprise one or more voice values, each of which identifies one of a plurality of voices present in the first musical composition, and wherein each of the voice values is associated with a plurality of voice attributes of Range, Intensity, Cleanliness, Rhythmic Activity, or Melodic Movement.

13. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the classification values further comprise a first voice value that identifies a first voice of a plurality of voices present in the first musical composition, and wherein the voice value is associated with a harmony value that identifies a second voice among the plurality of voices with which the first voice harmonizes.

14-76. -76. (canceled)

77. A graphical user interface useful for selecting a first object from among a plurality of other objects that are similar to the first object, based on stored information that comprises a plurality of classification values that distinguish among features of the objects, the graphical user interface comprising a plurality of graphical interface widgets that may be used to select a particular value for each of the classification values.

78. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 77, in which the first object is one of a pre-recorded motion picture, a book, a television program, a beverage, a work of art, a perfume, a human model, a game, a food, and a piece of apparel.

79. A method of creating stored information that describes a first object for use in selecting the first object from among a plurality of other objects that are similar to the first object, according to a plurality of classification values that distinguish among features of similar kinds of objects, comprising the steps of:

receiving information from the first object and determining its features;

creating and storing a new set of the classification values for the first object based on the features that are determined; and

reviewing the new set of classification values based on quality control criteria.

80. A method as recited in claim 79, in which the first object is a one of a pre-recorded motion picture, a book, a television program, a beverage, a work of art, a perfume, a human model, a game, a food, and a piece of apparel.