Method and system for making and playing soundtracks
First Claim
1. A soundtrack production system for producing a digital variable duration soundtrack for a reader to play while reading an associated text source or while listening to an audiobook of the text source, the soundtrack having a soundtrack timeline with a variable duration that is dynamically adjustable to be shortened or lengthened based on a reading speed input representing the reader'"'"'s text reading speed or listening speed of the audiobook, and at least one sound layer comprising an arrangement of audio features that are configured to play at respective preset start positions in the soundtrack timeline, and wherein the playback timing of at least some audio features is timed to synchronise with events occurring in the text source as it is read by the reader or listened to via the audiobook by providing variable preset start positions that are dependent on the reading speed input such that the playback timing of such audio features is matched to the text reading speed of the reader or listening speed of the audiobook, the system comprising:
- a processor configured to operate the modules of the system;
memory accessible by the processor and which is configured to store soundtrack data relating to the soundtrack production;
an output display operated by the processor;
a user interface comprising an operable graphical user interface displayed on the output display and which is operable by a user to interact with modules of the system;
a database of audio files that is accessible by a user and wherein the audio files of the database are selectable as audio features in the soundtrack timeline of the soundtrack;
an audio features configuration module that is operable by a user to create and arrange each audio feature of the soundtrack by configuring and storing as soundtrack data in memory the following audio properties for each audio feature created;
a preset start position in the soundtrack timeline that determines when the audio feature starts playing in the soundtrack timeline; and
an audio file selected from the database to be associated for playback with each audio feature, wherein the audio features configuration module is further operable by a user to configure an audio feature to have a variable preset start position that is dependent on the reading speed input such that the playback timing of such audio features is matched to the text reading speed of the reader or listening speed of the audiobook; and
a soundtrack compiler that is operable by a user to compile and output the configured soundtrack data into a soundtrack data file or files for playback,wherein the audio features configuration module is further operable by a user to configure one or more playback effects associated with the playback of each audio feature, and wherein the playback effects comprise any one or more of the following;
volume, fade in/out effects, looping effects, and transition effects; and
wherein the transition effect configured for an audio feature determines the playback of the remaining portion of the audio feature if it is playing when a reader or listener initiates a transition from one position in the soundtrack timeline to another position, the transition effect including any one or more of the following;
continue playing, stop playing, fade-out, or loop.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A composite variable duration soundtrack for a user to play while reading a text source, the soundtrack duration being defined by a soundtrack timeline. The soundtrack comprises multiple sound layers configured to play concurrently through the soundtrack timeline, each sound layer having an arrangement of one or more audio features that are configured to play at preset start times in the soundtrack timeline. At least one sound layer is adapted for modifying the preset start and stop times of its audio features to match the reading speed of a user based on a reading speed input.
50 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A soundtrack production system for producing a digital variable duration soundtrack for a reader to play while reading an associated text source or while listening to an audiobook of the text source, the soundtrack having a soundtrack timeline with a variable duration that is dynamically adjustable to be shortened or lengthened based on a reading speed input representing the reader'"'"'s text reading speed or listening speed of the audiobook, and at least one sound layer comprising an arrangement of audio features that are configured to play at respective preset start positions in the soundtrack timeline, and wherein the playback timing of at least some audio features is timed to synchronise with events occurring in the text source as it is read by the reader or listened to via the audiobook by providing variable preset start positions that are dependent on the reading speed input such that the playback timing of such audio features is matched to the text reading speed of the reader or listening speed of the audiobook, the system comprising:
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a processor configured to operate the modules of the system; memory accessible by the processor and which is configured to store soundtrack data relating to the soundtrack production; an output display operated by the processor; a user interface comprising an operable graphical user interface displayed on the output display and which is operable by a user to interact with modules of the system; a database of audio files that is accessible by a user and wherein the audio files of the database are selectable as audio features in the soundtrack timeline of the soundtrack; an audio features configuration module that is operable by a user to create and arrange each audio feature of the soundtrack by configuring and storing as soundtrack data in memory the following audio properties for each audio feature created; a preset start position in the soundtrack timeline that determines when the audio feature starts playing in the soundtrack timeline; and an audio file selected from the database to be associated for playback with each audio feature, wherein the audio features configuration module is further operable by a user to configure an audio feature to have a variable preset start position that is dependent on the reading speed input such that the playback timing of such audio features is matched to the text reading speed of the reader or listening speed of the audiobook; and a soundtrack compiler that is operable by a user to compile and output the configured soundtrack data into a soundtrack data file or files for playback, wherein the audio features configuration module is further operable by a user to configure one or more playback effects associated with the playback of each audio feature, and wherein the playback effects comprise any one or more of the following;
volume, fade in/out effects, looping effects, and transition effects; andwherein the transition effect configured for an audio feature determines the playback of the remaining portion of the audio feature if it is playing when a reader or listener initiates a transition from one position in the soundtrack timeline to another position, the transition effect including any one or more of the following;
continue playing, stop playing, fade-out, or loop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A soundtrack production system for producing a digital variable duration soundtrack for a reader to play while reading an associated text source or while listening to an audiobook of the text source, the soundtrack having a soundtrack timeline with a variable duration that is dynamically adjustable to be shortened or lengthened based on a reading speed input representing the reader'"'"'s text reading speed or listening speed of the audiobook, and at least one sound layer comprising an arrangement of audio features that are configured to play at respective preset start positions in the soundtrack timeline, and wherein the playback timing of at least some audio features is timed to synchronise with events occurring in the text source as it is read by the reader or listened to via the audiobook by providing variable preset start positions that are dependent on the reading speed input such that the playback timing of such audio features is matched to the text reading speed of the reader or listening speed of the audiobook, the system comprising:
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a processor configured to operate the modules of the system; memory accessible by the processor and which is configured to store soundtrack data relating to the soundtrack production; an output display operated by the processor; a user interface comprising an operable graphical user interface displayed on the output display and which is operable by a user to interact with modules of the system; a database of audio files that is accessible by a user and wherein the audio files of the database are selectable as audio features in the soundtrack timeline of the soundtrack; an audio features configuration module that is operable by a user to create and arrange each audio feature of the soundtrack by configuring and storing as soundtrack data in memory the following audio properties for each audio feature created; a preset start position in the soundtrack timeline that determines when the audio feature starts playing in the soundtrack timeline; and an audio file selected from the database to be associated for playback with each audio feature, wherein the audio features configuration module is further operable by a user to configure an audio feature to have a variable preset start position that is dependent on the reading speed input such that the playback timing of such audio features is matched to the text reading speed of the reader or listening speed of the audiobook; and a soundtrack compiler that is operable by a user to compile and output the configured soundtrack data into a soundtrack data file or files for playback, and wherein the audio features configuration module is configured to display on the output display a graphical view of the soundtrack being created, including graphical representations of the audio features at their respective preset start positions in the soundtrack timeline, and wherein the audio features configuration module is operable by a user to create a new audio feature in the soundtrack by indicating on the graphical view of the soundtrack, via the user interface, the desired start position along the soundtrack timeline at which the new audio feature is to start playing. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A soundtrack production system for producing a digital variable duration soundtrack for a reader to play while reading an associated text source or while listening to an audiobook of the text source, the soundtrack having a soundtrack timeline with a variable duration that is dynamically adjustable to be shortened or lengthened based on a reading speed input representing the reader'"'"'s text reading speed or listening speed of the audiobook, and at least one sound layer comprising an arrangement of audio features that are configured to play at respective preset start positions in the soundtrack timeline, and wherein the playback timing of at least some audio features is timed to synchronise with events occurring in the text source as it is read by the reader or listened to via the audiobook by providing variable preset start positions that are dependent on the reading speed input such that the playback timing of such audio features is matched to the text reading speed of the reader or listening speed of the audiobook, the system comprising:
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a processor configured to operate the modules of the system; memory accessible by the processor and which is configured to store soundtrack data relating to the soundtrack production; an output display operated by the processor; a user interface comprising an operable graphical user interface displayed on the output display and which is operable by a user to interact with modules of the system; a database of audio files that is accessible by a user and wherein the audio files of the database are selectable as audio features in the soundtrack timeline of the soundtrack; an audio features configuration module that is operable by a user to create and arrange each audio feature of the soundtrack by configuring and storing as soundtrack data in memory the following audio properties for each audio feature created; a preset start position in the soundtrack timeline that determines when the audio feature starts playing in the soundtrack timeline; and an audio file selected from the database to be associated for playback with each audio feature, wherein the audio features configuration module is further operable by a user to configure an audio feature to have a variable preset start position that is dependent on the reading speed input such that the playback timing of such audio features is matched to the text reading speed of the reader or listening speed of the audiobook; and a soundtrack compiler that is operable by a user to compile and output the configured soundtrack data into a soundtrack data file or files for playback, wherein the soundtrack further comprises a plurality of sound layers configured to play concurrently through the soundtrack timeline, each sound layer having an arrangement of one or more audio features, and the system further comprising a soundtrack layer configuration module that is operable by a user to configure the number of sound layers in the soundtrack. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification