Digital audio device

• US 8,060,225 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2002
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Mark Taylor, Hans, Mathieu Claude
• Primary Examiner(s): Briney, III; Walter F
• Application Number:
  US10/210,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20040024478A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,394 Days
• Field of Search: 379/202.01, 379/206.01
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0058 Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system G10H1/0083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/46 Volume control
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/241 Scratch effects, i.e. emulating playback velocity or pitch manipulation effects normally obtained by a disc-jockey manually rotating a LP record forward and backward
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/056 MIDI or other note-oriented file format
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/764 at the destination reformatting of additional data in video clients H04N21/4355

Abstract

A digital audio system configured to facilitate a collaborative audio session comprises a first digital audio device operable by a first user, a second digital audio device operable by a second user independently of the first digital audio device, and a server configured to communicate with the first digital audio device and the second digital audio device over a network, receive a request from at least one of the digital audio devices for participation in a collaborative audio session, and facilitate communication between the first digital audio device and the second digital audio device.

Claims

1. A method for operating a digital audio device in a DJ mode, thereby facilitating a collaborative audio session with another digital audio device, comprising:

(a) at a first digital audio device operated by a first user, obtaining a first digital audio stream;

(b) joining a second user having a second digital audio device as a participant in a collaborative audio session with said first digital audio device;

(i) said second digital audio device being under independent operational control of said first digital audio device;

(c) obtaining a second digital audio stream from said second digital audio device;

(d) digitally integrating, at said first digital audio device, at least a portion of said first digital audio stream and said second digital audio stream; and

(e) providing said integrated digital audio stream to at least said second digital audio device,

wherein prior to performing the digital integration in (d),

equalizing at least one of said first and second digital audio streams to produce an equalized digital audio stream,

digitally manipulating the equalized digital audio stream to achieve a desired sound effect, and

filtering the manipulated digital audio stream to attenuate a predetermined frequency range set by a cutoff frequency.

2. The method of claim 1 where said (e) is performed in substantially real time.

3. The method of claim 1 where said integrating includes mixing.

4. The method of claim 1 where said sound effect includes scratching at least a portion of said manipulated digital audio stream.

5. The method of claim 1 where said sound effect includes looping at least a portion of said manipulated digital audio stream.

6. The method of claim 1 where said sound effect includes echoing at least a portion of said manipulated digital audio stream.

7. The method of claim 1 where said sound effect includes filtering at least a portion of said manipulated digital audio stream.

8. The method of claim 1 where said sound effect includes reverse playing at least a portion of said manipulated digital audio stream.

9. The method of claim 1 where said (b) includes:

(i) transmitting a solicitation to said second digital audio device; and

(ii) receiving an affirmative response to said solicitation.

10. The method of claim 1 where said (b) occurs in response to a request from said second digital audio device.

11. The method of claim 1 where:

said first digital audio device and second digital audio device are networked; and

a request for the second user to join in the collaborative audio session adheres to a protocol known as SIP.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing the first user of the first device performing said method to control at least one of said (a)-(e) via a user interface.

13. The method of claim 1 where said (e) includes transmitting said integrated digital audio stream to a digital audio device having a similar capability as said first digital audio device to perform said recited method on a plurality of digital audio streams.

14. The method of claim 1 where said (e) includes transmitting said integrated digital audio stream to a digital audio device of a different configuration than the first digital audio device.

15. The method of claim 1 where said (d) is collectively performed by a plurality of computing devices within a distributed computing environment.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second digital audio streams are pre-recorded.

17. A digital audio device operable in a DJ mode to establish a collaborative audio session with another digital audio device, comprising:

(a) a memory to store a first digital audio stream;

(b) an interface connectable to a second digital audio device operated by a collaborator wishing to interact with a user of said second digital audio device in a joint audio production;

(c) a memory to receive a second digital audio stream from said second digital audio device;

(d) programmed logic to digitally integrate at least a portion of said first digital audio stream and said second digital audio stream; and

(e) an output module to provide said integrated digital audio stream to at least said second digital audio device,

wherein, prior to integrating at least a portion of the first digital audio stream and the second digital audio stream, said programmed logic is to equalize at least one of said first and second digital audio streams to produce an equalized digital audio stream, digitally manipulate the equalized digital audio stream to achieve a desired sound effect, and filter the manipulated digital audio stream to attenuate a predetermined frequency range set by a cutoff frequency.

18. The device of claim 17 where said (e) is performed in substantially real time.

19. The device of claim 17 where said (d) includes a mixer.

20. The device of claim 17 where said programmed logic is operable in response to a request for collaboration from said second digital audio device.

21. The device of claim 17 further comprising a user interface allowing user control of said first digital audio device.

22. The device of claim 17 where said programmed logic of said (d) is deployed among a plurality of computing modules.

23. A computer-readable medium including logic instructions for operating a digital player in a DJ mode, thereby facilitating a collaborative audio session with another digital player, said logic instructions that, if executed:

(a) obtain a first encoded sound recording from a first digital player operated by a first user;

(b) join a second user having a second digital player as a participant in a collaborative audio session with said first digital player;

(i) said second digital player being under independent operational control of said first digital player;

(c) obtain a second sound recording from said second digital player;

(d) in said first digital player, integrate at least a portion of said first and second sound recordings; and

(e) providing said integrated sound recording to said second digital player, wherein said logic instructions include instructions which equalize at least one of the first and second sound recordings to produce an equalized sound recording, digitally manipulate the equalized sound recording to achieve a desired sound effect, and filter the manipulated sound recording, prior to said integration.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 where said (e) is performed in substantially real time.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 where said (d) includes mixing.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 further comprising logic instructions that, if executed, process a request for participation from said second digital player, prior to at least said (b).

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 further comprising logic instructions that, if executed, provide a control mechanism for at least one of said (a)-(e).

28. A digital audio device capable of operation in a DJ mode, thereby facilitating a collaborative audio session with another digital audio device, comprising:

(a) means, at a first digital audio device operated by a first user, for obtaining a first digital audio stream;

(b) means for joining a second user having a second digital audio device as a participant in a collaborative audio session with said first digital audio device;

(i) said second digital audio device being under independent operational control of said first digital audio device;

(c) means for obtaining a second digital audio stream from said second digital audio device;

(d) means, at said first digital audio device, for digitally integrating at least a portion of said first digital audio stream and said second digital audio stream;

(e) means for providing said integrated digital audio stream to at least said second digital audio device; and

(f) means for equalizing at least one of said first and second digital audio streams to produce an equalized digital audio stream, digitally manipulating the equalized digital audio stream to achieve a desired sound effect, and filtering the manipulated digital audio stream to attenuate a predetermined frequency range set by a cutoff frequency, prior to the integrating in (d).

29. The device of claim 28 where said providing is performed in substantially real time.

30. The device of claim 28 where said integrating includes mixing.

31. The device of claim 28 where said joining in said (b) occurs in response to a request from said second digital audio device.

32. A digital audio system to facilitate a collaborative audio session, comprising:

(a) a first digital audio device operable by a first user to;

(i) provide a first digital audio stream;

(ii) join a second user having a second digital audio device as a participant in a collaborative audio session with said first digital audio device;

(A) said second digital audio device being under independent operational control of said first digital audio device;

(iii) obtain a second digital audio stream from said second digital audio device;

(iv) digitally integrate at least a portion of said first digital audio stream and said second digital audio stream;

(v) provide said integrated digital audio stream to said second digital audio device; and

prior to said digital integration, equalize at least one of said first and second digital audio streams to produce an equalized digital audio stream, digitally manipulate the equalized digital audio stream to achieve a desired sound effect, and filter the manipulated digital audio stream to attenuate a predetermined frequency range set by a cutoff frequency; and

(b) a server to;

(i) communicate with said first digital audio device and said second digital audio device over a network;

(ii) receive a request from at least one of said digital audio devices for said joining in said (a)(ii); and

(iii) facilitate communication between said first digital audio device and said second digital audio device.

33. The system of claim 32 where said server is to assist in performing at least a portion of said (a).

34. In connection with a first digital audio device including a computer-readable memory for storing an encoded first digital audio stream, a processor for decoding said first digital audio stream, and an output interface for playing said decoded first digital audio stream;

an improvement comprising an add-on module for converting said first digital audio device into a personal DJ station operable by a first user, including;

(a) an interface to said first digital audio device;

(b) an interface to a second digital audio device operable by a second user;

(i) under operational control independent of said first digital audio device; and

(ii) to receive a second digital audio stream from said second digital audio device;

(c) an equalizer to equalize at least one of the first and second digital audio streams to produce an equalized digital audio stream;

(d) a manipulator to manipulate the equalized digital audio stream to achieve a desired sound effect;

(e) a filter to filter the manipulated digital audio stream to attenuate a predetermined frequency range set by a cutoff frequency; and

(f) a mixer to;

(i) receive said filtered digital audio stream and said second digital audio stream;

(ii) integrate at least a portion of said filtered digital audio stream and said second digital audio stream; and

(iii) provide said integrated digital audio stream to at least one of said digital audio devices.

35. The system of claim 34 to perform said (c)(iii) in substantially real time.

36. The system of claim 34 where said add-on module is to process a request for participation of said second digital audio device, prior to at least said (b)(ii).

37. The system of claim 34 where said add-on module further comprises a user interface for control thereof.

38. A method for operating a digital audio device in a DJ mode and facilitating a collaborative audio session, comprising:

(a) obtaining at least one digital audio stream from an external source at a first digital audio device operable by a first user;

(b) equalizing said at least one digital audio stream, manipulating the equalized digital audio stream to achieve a desired sound effect while the stream is being obtained, filtering the manipulated digital audio stream to attenuate a predetermined frequency range set by a cutoff frequency, and integrating the filtered digital audio stream with another digital audio stream; and

(c) providing said integrated digital audio stream to at least a second digital audio device operable by a second user.

39. A digital audio device in a communications network providing digital audio content including a digital audio stream, the device comprising:

a digital audio player to play the digital audio content including the digital audio stream;

an input interface to receive the digital audio content via the communications network;

an equalizer to equalize the digital audio stream;

a manipulator module to manipulate the equalized digital audio stream to produce a manipulated digital audio stream having a desired sound effect;

a filter to filter the manipulated digital audio stream to attenuate a predetermined frequency range set by a cutoff frequency;

a digital mixing module to produce an integrated digital audio stream (IDAS), wherein the IDAS is an integration of a portion of the filtered digital audio stream and a portion of a second digital audio stream;

a storage to store the digital audio content; and

a processor to play the digital audio player.

40. The digital audio device of claim 39, wherein the desired sound effect includes scratching.

41. The digital audio device of claim 39, wherein the desired sound effect includes looping.

42. The digital audio device of claim 39, wherein the IDAS includes mixing.

43. The digital audio device of claim 39, wherein the digital audio device is one of a cellular phone and a personal computer.

44. The digital audio device of claim 39, wherein the digital audio player includes functions for play, forward and reverse.

45. The digital audio device of claim 39, wherein the digital audio content is digitized into a format which is one of a Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) format and a Waveform Audio File (WAV) format.

46. The digital audio device of claim 39, wherein the input interface includes one or more of a touch screen and an optical sensor.