Music identification system

• US 6,941,275 B1
• Filed: 10/05/2000
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tune Hunter Inc.
• Original Assignee: Remi Swierczek
• Inventors: Swierczek, Remi
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gart, Matthew S
• Application Number:
  US09/680,172
• Time in Patent Office: 1,797 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/25, 725/93
• US Class Current: 705/26.61
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/632 Query formulation
• 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: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/30 for musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10527 Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements G11B20/12 - G11B20/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/37 for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/39 for identifying broadcast space-time use of Electronic Programme Guides H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/44 for identifying broadcast stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/82 the transmission system being the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/94 Telephonic networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/84

Abstract

The present invention relates to a music identification/purchasing system, specifically to a method for marking the time and the name of the radio station in portable device such as a key holder, watch, cellular phone, beeper or the like which will allow the user to learn via internet or regular telephone the name of the song, artist and/or music company by matching the stored data with broadcast archive. The system will allow for purchase of the full length of the identified music item or related music. An alternate embodiment provides the listener with convenient means to record a segment of the music in which he/she is interested. The recorded music segment is played back into an apparatus which can identify the song based on the play back and provide the user with information on the identified song such as title, singer or artist, composer, producer, etc., and provide related purchasing information. The user can make selections and provide payment data to the music identification/purchasing system which will result in the selections being delivered to the user by mail.

Claims

1. A process of identifying music comprising:

a) providing a portable communication device to be used by a consumer;

b) a service provider providing a music identification device having a database of prerecorded musical works;

c) the consumer recording a segment of music that is audible to the consumer in a location remote from the music identification device using said portable communication device;

d) the consumer transmitting said recorded musical segment from said portable communication device into a central processing unit of the music identification device;

e) the music identification device analyzing and comparing said musical segment to the database of musical works;

f) the music identification device identifying at least one closest match;

g) the music identification device generating database information regarding said at least one closest match; and

h) the music identification device transmitting the database information regarding said at least one closest match to the consumer.

2. A method for purchasing a music item comprising the following steps:

a) providing a portable communication device to be used by a consumer that is listening to a source of audible music;

b) a service provider providing a remotely located music identification/purchasing system having a database of prerecorded musical works;

c) the consumer directing a microphone of the portable communication device toward the source of audible music;

d) the consumer activating the portable communication device to transmit a segment of the audible music to the remotely located music identification/purchasing system;

e) the music identification/purchasing system automatically entering said transmitted segment of music into a central processing unit of said music identification/purchasing system;

f) the music identification/purchasing system automatically analyzing and comparing said transmitted segment of music to music contained in a music database; and

g) the music identification/purchasing system automatically identifying a music selection providing the closest match from music contained in the music database to said transmitted segment of music;

h) the consumer receiving purchasing information from said music identification/purchasing system related to the music selection providing the closest match;

i) the consumer transmitting at least one music item selection and payment information to said music identification/purchasing system; and

j) the consumer receiving said music item selection.