Abstract:
An audio file generation method and system. A computing system receives a first audio file comprising first speech data associated with a first party. The computing system receives a second audio file comprising second speech data associated with a second party. The first audio file differs from the second audio file. The computing system generates a third audio file from the second audio file. The third audio file differs from the second audio file. The process to generate the third audio file includes identifying a first set of attributes missing from the second audio file and adding the first set of attributes to the second audio file. The process to generate the third audio file additionally includes removing a second set of attributes from the second audio file. The third audio file includes third speech data associated with the second party. The computing system broadcasts the third audio file.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a method and associated system for processing multiple audio files. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Processing multiple data files typically comprises an in efficient process with little flexibility. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described herein above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides a method, comprising: 
         [0004]    receiving, by a computing system from a first audio source, a first audio file, wherein said first audio file comprises an original audio file, wherein said first audio file is generated from a first audio signal, and wherein said first audio file comprises first speech data associated with a first party; 
         [0005]    receiving, by said computing system from a second audio source, a second audio file associated with said first audio file, wherein said second audio file is generated from said first audio signal, wherein said first audio source differs from said second audio source, wherein said first audio file differs from said second audio file, and wherein said second audio file comprises second speech data associated with a second party; 
         [0006]    after receiving said first audio file and said second audio file, generating by said computing system, a third audio file, wherein said third audio file is generated from said second audio file, wherein said third audio file differs from said second audio file, wherein said generating said third audio file comprises identifying a first set of attributes missing from said second audio file and adding said first set of attributes to said second audio file, wherein said generating said third audio file comprises removing a second set of attributes from said second audio file, and wherein said third audio file comprises third speech data associated with said second party; and 
         [0007]    broadcasting, by said computing system, said third audio file. 
         [0008]    The present invention provides a computing system comprising a processor coupled to a computer-readable memory unit, said memory unit comprising instructions that when executed by the processor implement an audio file generation method, said method comprising; 
         [0009]    receiving, by said computing system from a first audio source, a first audio file, wherein said first audio file comprises an original audio file, wherein said first audio file is generated from a first audio signal, and wherein said first audio file comprises first speech data associated with a first party; 
         [0010]    receiving, by said computing system from a second audio source, a second audio file associated with said first audio file, wherein said second audio file is generated from said first audio signal, wherein said first audio source differs from said second audio source, wherein said first audio file differs from said second audio file, and wherein said second audio file comprises second speech data associated with a second party; 
         [0011]    after receiving said first audio file and said second audio file, generating by said computing system, a third audio file, wherein said third audio file is generated from said second audio file, wherein said third audio file differs from said second audio file, wherein said generating said third audio file comprises identifying a first set of attributes missing from said second audio file and adding said first set of attributes to said second audio file, wherein said generating said third audio file comprises removing a second set of attributes from said second audio file, and wherein said third audio file comprises third speech data associated with said second party; and 
         [0012]    broadcasting, by said computing system, said third audio file. 
         [0013]    The present invention advantageously provides a system and associated method capable of processing multiple data files. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram view of a system for processing multiple audio files, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates an internal block diagram view of the audio transformation software application of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates an algorithm describing a process used by the system of  FIG. 1  for processing multiple audio files, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates an algorithm describing a process used by the audio transformation software application of  FIG. 1  for synchronizing emotions and pauses, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates a computer system used for processing multiple audio files, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram view of a system  2  for processing multiple audio files, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. System  2  performs a process for shadowing an original audio file or audio stream (i.e., comprising speech data associated with a speaker) while simultaneously enabling a dubbing process associated with the original audio file or stream. Dubbing is defined herein as a process for recording or replacing (portions of or an entire portion of) first speech data (i.e., spoken by a first speaker) with second speech data (i.e., spoken by a second speaker). Shadowing is defined herein as a process performed by a person that listens to an original audio file or stream and repeats speech data from the original audio file or stream. A shadowing process may be performed by a shadower (i.e., a person that performs a shadowing process) in order to generate a transcript of the speech data from the original audio file or stream. Additionally, a shadowing process may be performed in order to dub over the speech data (or a portion of the speech data) from the original audio file or stream for language translation or coherence (i.e., an original speaker is not coherent) purposes. A shadowing process may produce an audio file or stream that differs from an original audio file or stream (e.g., differences in pauses between words, utterances and phrases, differences in emotional representation and intonation, etc). System  2  allows for captioning and dubbing an audio stream or file in a same language. Alternatively, system  2  allows for captioning and dubbing an audio stream or file from one language and translating the audio stream or file into another language. System  2  is used to correct the following problems that may occur during a shadowing and dubbing process:
   1. When performing a shadowing process, a person that re-speaks the original audio steam or file may need to pause and then re-start. This may create a discontinuity (pause) in the audio.   2. When performing a shadowing process, a person that re-speaks the original audio steam or file may discover that they have repeated a particular word incorrectly.   3. When performing a shadowing process, a person that re-speaks the original audio steam or file may speak in a relatively monotonous, intonation-free tone voice.     
         [0023]    System  2  of  FIG. 1  comprises a computing apparatus  9 , an original audio file/stream  5   a,  a shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b,  an enhanced audio file/stream  5   c,  a transcription audio file/stream  5   d,  and a text transcription  11  connected to a computing system  10  through a network  7 . Network  7  may comprise any type of network including, inter alia, a local area network, (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, etc. Original audio file/stream  5   a,  shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b,  enhanced audio file/stream  5   c,  transcription audio file/stream  5   d,  and text transcription  11  may each be comprised by a computer, a database, a repository, etc. Computing apparatus  9  is used by a speaker that is shadowing an original speaker. Computing apparatus  9  may comprise, inter alia, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a computer terminal, a telephone, etc. Computing apparatus  9  may comprise a single computing apparatus or a plurality of computing apparatuses. Computing system  10  may comprise any type of computing system(s) including, inter alia, a personal computer (PC), a server computer, a database computer, etc. Computing system  10  may comprise a single computing system or a plurality of computing systems. Computing system  10  comprises a memory system  14 . Memory system  14  may comprise a single memory system. Alternatively, memory system  14  may comprise a plurality of memory systems. Memory system  14  may be internal to computing system (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) or external to computing system  10 . Memory system  14  comprises an audio transformation software application  18  and repository  17 . Repository  17  may be located internal to memory system  14  or external to memory system  14 . Repository  17  may be a database. Repository  17  comprises audio/text/video data generated and/or synchronized by audio transformation software application  18 . Audio transformation software application  18  may comprise a plurality of software modules (as described with respect to  FIG. 2 , infra) for accepting multiple audio files (i.e., original audio file/stream  5   a  and shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b ) and generating enhanced audio file/stream  5   c,  transcription audio file/stream  5   d,  and text transcription  11 . 
         [0024]    Audio transformation software application  18  allows for the following audio synchronization steps to be performed:
   1. A shadower retrieves (and plays) original audio file/stream  5   a.      2. The shadower re-speaks and interacts (e.g., advancing, playing back, etc) with original audio file/stream  5   a.      3. Original audio file/stream  5   a  is modified as a result of the shadower&#39;s interaction with original audio file/stream  5   a.      4. Audio transformation software application  18  analyzes original audio file/stream  5   a,  shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b,  and editing interfaces.   5. Audio transformation software application  18  executes an algorithm (s) (e.g., the algorithms of  FIGS. 3-4 ) to detect events and applies rules to the events in order to generate presentation audio files (e.g., enhanced audio file/stream  5   c,  transcription audio file/stream  5   d,  and text transcription  11 ).   6. The algorithm(s) is used to process two sources of audio:   
 
         [0031]    A. Audio produced by the original speaker (e.g., original audio file/stream  5   a ). 
         [0032]    B. Audio produced by a shadower or dubbing individual (e.g., shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b ). 
         [0033]    Events may include:
   1. Repeated phrases spoken by the shadower   2. Pauses spoken by the shadower.   3. Repeated phrases spoken by the original speaker (shadower does not repeat the repeated phrase).   4. The original speaker speaks slowly.   5. The shadower speaks slowly.   6. The shadower replaying portions of the original audio.   7. The shadower speaking in a monotone voice.   8. An intonation of the original speaker.   9. A semantic beginning and end of a phrase(s).   10. Intonation boundaries.   11. System  2  may observe a cursor and a mouse of the shadower and is able to detect which portions of text that the shadower is editing and a timing of that portion.   
 
         [0045]    Rules may include:
   1. In a case where pauses are found in the shadowed speech (e.g., shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b ) that are not matched by pauses in the original speech (e.g., original audio file/stream  5   a ), the pauses will be removed and the audio concatenated and smoothed,(i.e., by audio transformation software application  18 ).   2. In a case where a shadower repeats phrases that are not repeated in the original audio, audio transformation software application  18  will choose a better instantiation and remove repetition.   3. In a case where the shadower repeats a fragment of a phrase, audio transformation software application  18  will replace and insert just a corrected word in a phrase. For example, a shadower says “He will go to the store in the morning” and then self-corrects, clicking on the errant text “to the store” and says a corrected phrase “to school”. Based on a cursor location, audio transformation software application  18  will know where to insert the corrected phrase.   4. Audio transformation software application  18  may synchronize original audio (e.g., original audio file/stream  5   a ), shadowing audio (e.g., shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b ), and a shadower&#39;s editing interface.   5. Audio transformation software application  18  may identify emotion and add emotions where needed.   6. In the event of a mismatch between the original speaker and the shadower, audio transformation software application  18  may enhance “emotional markers” to better match the original audio.   
 
         [0052]    Audio transformation software application  18  may incorporate expressive text-to-speech synthesis for the human language where phrases that a shadower uses to create the text (e.g., an exclamation mark, a period, etc) are stripped. Additionally, audio transformation software application  18  allows a shadower to add phrases to help with the “emotion insertion.” For example, the shadower may say “sad phrase”, “excited phrase,” etc. These phrases will then be stripped out, but may be used to help add in “emotion prosody” later. Text analytics may also be used to determine emotion insertion. For example, a phrase that starts with “I am really sorry that X occurred” will signal a “sorry” emotion and a phrase in the text “He won the prize” would signal including a “happy emotion,” etc. 
         [0053]    Audio transformation software application  18  may include a service which manages all system components. The service functions as follows:
   1. A signal is received from a user requesting to access the service.   2. The signal is analyzed to determine the requested service.   3. Full synchronization may be performed or specific audio components based on the user&#39;s requests. The extent of synchronization is mediated by the service. For example if the user wishes to synchronize all emotional intonations but not pauses, the service may mediate the interaction.   4. Audio transformation software application  18  monitors original speech and advises corrections which may be made automatically or by the shadower.   5. The service is completed by recording billing charges based on the service, notifying user of the incurred charges, and providing for payment of incurred charges.   
 
         [0059]    Audio transformation software application  18  performs a transformation process that includes synchronizing original audio file/stream  5   a  and shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  in order to generate enhanced audio file/stream  5   c  and transcription audio file/stream  5   d.  Enhanced audio file/stream  5   c  comprises a dubbed audio file (i.e., used by users who would like to retrieve content (e.g., a lecture) by listening to audio) associated with original audio file/stream  5   a.  The dubbed audio file is necessary in cases when the quality of original audio file/stream  5   a  is not possible to use (e.g. original audio file/stream  5   a  comprises noise, original audio file/stream  5   a  is spoken by a person with an accent, etc). Transcription audio file/stream  5   d  is generated for processing through an automatic transcription system in order to generate a high quality transcription (i.e., comprising text) that may be watched by users (who prefer to read transcription of the lecture rather than to listening audio only). 
         [0060]    Audio transformation software application  18 :
   1. Transforms dubbed audio (e.g., shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b ) into audio (e.g., enhanced audio file/stream  5   c ) that may be listened to.   2. Uses original audio file/stream  5   a  is used to add emotion and verify pauses and repetition for shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b.      
 
         [0063]    Audio transformation software application  18  performs the following process for generating enhanced audio file/stream  5   c,  transcription audio file/stream  5   d,  and text transcription  11 :
   1. Original audio file/stream  5   a  is retrieved (i.e., with all of its faults).   2. A shadower converts original audio file/stream  5   a  into shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b.  Shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  typically comprises a monotone audio file with decoding errors. Additionally, shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  may comprise such words as period, exclamation point, comma, question-mark, etc. in order to appropriate punctuation into a transcription.   3. Enhanced audio file/stream  5   c  is generated using original audio file/stream  5   a  and shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b.  Original audio file/stream  5   a  may be used as input to transform and further modify shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b.  For example, emotions may be detected in original audio file/stream  5   a  and added into shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  thereby generating enhanced audio file/stream  5   c.  Enhanced audio file/stream  5   c  comprises clean speech that has been dubbed (shadowed):   A. Without accent.   B. With added emotions.   C. Without pauses or commands.   4. Transcription audio file/stream  5   d  comprises audio used to generate a text transcription  11 . Audio transformation software application  18  uses transcription audio file/stream  5   d  to generate text with comas, periods, question marks, exclamation points etc.   5. Text transcription  11  may be aligned with slides or movie (for close caption purposes).   
 
         [0072]      FIG. 2  illustrates an internal block diagram view of audio transformation software application  18 , in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Audio transformation software application  18  comprises a plurality of software modules:
   1. Pause detection module  18   a.      2. Repetition detection module  18   b.      3. Errant intonation detection module  18   c.      4. Emotion detection module  18   d.      5. Automatic editing module  18   e.      6. Synchronization verification module  18   f.      7. Synchronization service module  18   g.        
         [0080]    Pause detection module  18   a,  repetition detection module  18   b,  errant intonation detection module  18   c,  and emotion detection module  18   d  detect misalignment errors between original audio file/stream  5   a  and shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b.  Misalignment errors may include, inter alia, a length of pauses and a repetition of words, phrases, and utterances. Pause detection module  18   a  compares original audio file/stream  5   a  and shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  for length of pauses and directs the automatic editing module  18   e  to add or remove silence to create the necessary pause length. Repetition detection module  18   b  identifies repeated words, phrases, and utterances in both original audio file/stream  5   a  and shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  and directs automatic editing module  18   e  to remove or repeat the identified word, phrase, or utterance. Errant intonation detection module  18   c  compares the vocal intonation of original audio file/stream  5   a  with shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  and directs the automatic editing module  18   e  to change tones of the dubbed voice. For example, if original audio file/stream  5   a  comprises a question where the intonation raises at the end of the question, but shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  does not, errant intonation detection module  18   c  enables automatic editing module to make the necessary changes. Emotion detection module  18   d  compares emotional cues in original audio file/stream  5   a  and shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  and directs necessary changes. For example, if the original audio file/stream  5   a  comprises a sad expression and intonation and shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  is cheery, emotion detection module  18   d  will direct automatic editing system  18   e  to change shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  so it closely resembles original audio file/stream  5   a.  Synchronization service module  18   g  and synchronization verification module  18   f  in combination aligns original audio file/stream  5   a  with shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  in order to align with text and other visual information given in a presentation. 
         [0081]      FIG. 3  illustrates an algorithm describing a process used by system  2  of  FIG. 1  for processing multiple audio files, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step  302 , a computing system (e.g., computing system  10  in  FIG. 1 ) receives an original audio file (e.g., original audio stream/file  5   a  in  FIG. 1 ) from a first audio source. The first audio file is generated from a first audio signal. The first audio file includes first speech data associated with a first party. In step  304 , the computing system receives a shadow/dubbed audio file (e.g., shadow/dubbed audio file/stream  5   b  of  FIG. 1 ) from a second audio source. The shadow/dubbed audio file includes second speech data associated with a second party. In step  308 , it is determined if an enhanced audio file (e.g., enhanced audio file/stream  5   c  of  FIG. 1 ) or a transcription audio file (e.g., transcription audio file/stream  5   d  of  FIG. 1 ) will be generated. 
         [0082]    If in step  308 , it is determined that an enhanced audio file will be generated then in step  324 , an enhanced audio file is generated. In step  328 , it is determined if the enhanced audio file will be broadcasted or synchronized (e.g., with video such as, inter alia, slides, pictures, etc). If in step  328 , it is determined that the enhanced audio file will be broadcasted then in step  329 , the computing system broadcasts for a viewer (and stores) the enhanced audio file. If in step  328 , it is determined that the enhanced audio file will be synchronized then in step  332 , the enhanced audio file is synchronized with a video file to generate a synchronized audio/video file. For example, portions of the enhanced audio file may be synchronized with associated slides or pictures. In step  335 , the synchronized audio/video file is broadcasted (and stored) for a viewer. 
         [0083]    If in step  308 , it is determined that a transcription audio file will be generated then in step  310 , a transcription audio file is generated. In step  312 , a transcript is generated from the transcription audio file. In step  314 , it is determined if the transcript will be broadcasted or synchronized (e.g., with video such as, inter alia, slides, pictures, etc). If in step  314 , it is determined that the transcript will be broadcasted then in step  316 , the computing system broadcasts for a viewer (and stores) the transcript. If in step  314 , it is determined that the transcript will be synchronized then in step  318 , the transcript is synchronized with a video file to generate a synchronized text/video file (e.g., a captioned text slide show). For example, portions of the text transcript may be synchronized with associated slides or pictures. In step  320 , the synchronized text/video file is broadcasted (and stored) for a viewer. 
         [0084]      FIG. 4  illustrates an algorithm describing a process used by audio transformation software application  18  of  FIG. 1  for synchronizing emotions and pauses, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In step  400 , audio transformation software application  18   a  detects pauses in an original audio file and a shadow/dubbed audio file. In step  404 , the pauses are measured by a timer. In step  408 , audio transformation software application  18  compares time lapses between the original audio file and the shadow/dubbed audio file and performs an audio enhancement to adjust the pauses. In step  412 , audio transformation software application  18  identifies events of expressed emotion. In step  414 , audio transformation software application  18  performs an enhancement process to align (emotions of) the original audio file with the shadow/dubbed audio file. In step  416 , a speed of the shadow/dubbed audio file is adjusted. In step  418 , any silent segments present in shadow/dubbed audio file are deleted. 
         [0085]      FIG. 5  illustrates a computer system  90  used for processing multiple audio files, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The computer system  90  comprises a processor  91 , an input device  92  coupled to the processor  91 , an output device  93  coupled to the processor  91 , and memory devices  94  and  95  each coupled to the processor  91 . The input device  92  may be, inter alia, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The output device  93  may be, inter alia, a printer, a plotter, a computer screen (e.g., monitor  110 ), a magnetic tape, a removable hard disk, a floppy disk, etc. The memory devices  94  and  95  may be, inter alia, a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical storage such as a compact disc (CD) or a digital video disc (DVD), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), etc. The memory device  95  includes a computer code  97 . The computer code  97  includes an algorithm for processing multiple audio files (e.g., the algorithms of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The processor  91  executes the computer code  97 . The memory device  94  includes input data  96 . The input data  96  includes input required by the computer code  97 . The output device  93  displays output from the computer code  97 . Either or both memory devices  94  and  95  (or one or more additional memory devices not shown in  FIG. 5 ) may comprise the algorithms of  FIGS. 3 and 4  and may be used as a computer usable medium (or a computer readable medium or a program storage device) having a computer readable program code embodied therein and/or having other data stored therein, wherein the computer readable program code comprises the computer code  97 . Generally, a computer program product (or, alternatively, an article of manufacture) of the computer system  90  may comprise said computer usable medium (or said program storage device). 
         [0086]    Still yet, any of the components of the present invention could be deployed, managed, serviced, etc. by a service provider who offers to process multiple audio files. Thus the present invention discloses a process for deploying or integrating computing infrastructure, comprising integrating computer-readable code into the computer system  90 , wherein the code in combination with the computer system  90  is capable of performing a method for processing multiple audio files. In another embodiment, the invention provides a business method that performs the process steps of the invention on a subscription, advertising, and/or fee basis. That is, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, could offer to process multiple audio files. In this case, the service provider can create, maintain, support, etc., a computer infrastructure that performs the process steps of the invention for one or more customers. In return, the service provider can receive payment from the customer(s) under a subscription and/or fee agreement and/or the service provider can receive payment from the sale of advertising content to one or more third parties. 
         [0087]    While  FIG. 5  shows the computer system  90  as a particular configuration of hardware and software, any configuration of hardware and software, as would be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, may be utilized for the purposes stated supra in conjunction with the particular computer system  90  of  FIG. 5 . For example, the memory devices  94  and  95  may be portions of a single memory device rather than separate memory devices. 
         [0088]    While embodiments of the present invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, many modifications and changes will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to encompass all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.