Abstract:
A system and method for customizing a communication media in the form of audio and/or video media, the method comprising providing the communication media with a pre-treated segment for receiving a message, acquiring the message, inserting the message within the pre-treated segment of the communication media and creating a customized communication media by mixing the message and communication media.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a system and method for the automated customization of audio and video media. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system for the integration of audio messages into audio or video media and/or the integration of audio/video or video messages into video media. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Songs and music video clip revenues have been declining due to piracy. These revenues are still considered to be acceptable yet they do not represent the full revenue potential. Music labels have been confronted by the question: “Why pay for something when you can get it for free?” 
         [0003]    Thus, there is a need for a solution to this downward spiral in the form of a service providing a novel use of digital media (i.e. songs and music clips) that can be used many times a year by the same person; one that generates revenues at every use, and a service that still manages to protect copyrights. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for customizing a communication media, the method comprising:
       a. providing the communication media with a pre-treated segment for receiving a message;   b. acquiring the message;   c. inserting the message within the pre-treated segment of the communication media; and   d. creating a customized communication media by mixing the message and communication media.       
 
         [0009]    In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a system for customizing a communication media, the system comprising:
       a database containing at least one communication media with a pre-treated segment for receiving a message;   a user interface;   a recording interface;   a processor operatively connected to the database, the user interface and the recording interface, the processor being so configured so as to:
           display through the user interface a list of the communication media in the database;   prompt a user through the user interface to select a listed communication media;   prompt the user to provide a message through the recording interface;   insert the message within the pre-treated segment of the selected communication media; and   create a customized communication media by mixing the message and the selected communication media.   
               
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0019]    Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of computing devices connected to an audio/video customization system through a network; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are a flow diagram of an illustrative example of the audio/video media customization process; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are a flow diagram of an illustrative example of the mixing process for audio media; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an illustrative example of the mixing process for video media. 
       
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
       [0024]    The detailed description and figures refer to the following terms which are herein defined:
   Audio media: includes audio recordings, musical compositions, songs, speeches, spoken words, poems, etc.   Video media: includes music video clips, movies, movie extracts, short films, video commercials, etc. It may have only video content or a combination of audio and video content.   Audio/video media: includes audio only media, video only media or combined audio and video media.   Audio/video message: includes audio only messages, video only messages or combined audio and video messages.   
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    Generally stated, the non-limitative illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for the automated customization of communication media such as audio and/or video media. More specifically, the system and method allow the integration of audio messages into audio or video media and/or the integration of audio/video messages into video media. For example, the automated customization system and method allow users to send a vocal message over a musical backdrop of songs by many of their favorite artists. The user records a message; the message is seamlessly inserted within an instrumental portion of the chosen song and is followed perfectly by the hook of the song. The user can then send the customized message to any internet-based device (smart phones, desktops, laptops, Facebook™, MySpace™, IPhone™ Blackberry™, Android phones, etc.) 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a user using a personal computer  12 , laptop computer  14 , personal assistant device  16 , mobile phone or smart phone  18 , or any other such device on which may run a user interface in the form of a communication software such as, for example, a web browser, may access a web interface on the web server  32  of the audio/video customization system  30  via an Internet connection  20  such as, for example, Ethernet (broadband, high-speed), wireless WiFi, cable Internet, satellite connection, cellular or satellite network, etc. 
         [0031]    It is to be further understood that when the audio/video customization system  30  is used in conjunction with mobile phones and smart phones  18  (including Blackberry™, SymbianOST™, iPhone™, Windows Mobile™, Google Android™ and any other such system/device), the web server  32  may also include a specifically created graphical user interface. 
         [0032]    Further to the web server  32 , the audio/video customization system  30  includes a customization server  34 , a media database  36  and a customized media database  38 , all of which will be detailed further below. It is to be understood, however, that although throughout the disclosure reference is made to separate servers  32  and  34  as well as separate databases  36  and  38 , these may be implemented on one or more physical device and/or may be combined and/or may be implemented by a data structure within a computer memory. 
         [0033]    In an alternative embodiment, the audio/video customization system  30  may be implemented as an application for a smart phone  18  such as, for example, an iPhone™. In this embodiment, a smart phone application replaces the web server  32 . As for the customization server  34 , media database  36  and customized media database  38 , these may be implemented in the application itself, the media database  36  and customized media database  38  being implemented as data structures within the memory of the smart phone  18  or remotely accessed by the application. Accordingly, it is to be understood that from hereon any reference to the audio/video customization system  30  applies equally to both the case where it is implemented as a web site and to the case where it is implemented as a smart phone application. 
       Audio/Video Media Customization 
       [0034]    The audio/video customization system  30  enables the integration of user-generated audio/video messages into selected audio/video media. The customization involves the insertion of the user-generated audio/video messages within one or more segments of pre-treated audio/video media, mixing the resulting customized audio/video media and presenting it as a new audio/video file in the form of, for example, an MP3 (or any other type of compressed audio file) or an MPEG (of any type of compressed video file). 
         [0035]    For the purpose of the following description the audio/video media will be assumed to be either a song (for audio media) or a music video clip (for video media), but it is to be understood that other types of audio or video media may be used as well. 
         [0036]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the pre-treated songs/music video clips, which consist in new or pre-existing songs/music video clips in which one or more segments have been identified and modified in order to make space for the insertion of future audio/video messages, are stored in the media database  36 . The modified segments are then used by the customization server  34  to allow an administrator of the audio/video customization system  30  to pre-program the positioning and length of each segment allotted for user-generated audio/video messages. Each song/music video clip is typically pre-programmed to receive either one, two or three user-generated audio/video messages depending on the musical make-up of the song/music video clip. However, it is to be understood that some songs/music video clips may be pre-programmed to receive more than three audio/video messages. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , there is shown a flow diagram of an illustrative example of the audio/video media customization process  100  executed by the audio/video customization system  30 . The steps of the process  100  are indicated by blocks  102  to  126 . 
         [0038]    The process  100  starts at block  102  where a user accesses the web interface on the web server  32  of the audio/video customization system  30 , or starts the corresponding audio/video customization application on its smart phone  18 , and selects a song/music video clip from the media database  36  he or she wishes to customize. It is to be understood that the web interface or smart phone application may offer search capabilities, display songs/music video clips by categories, artist names, song/music video clip titles, etc. 
         [0039]    Then, at block  104 , the user selects the number of audio/video messages to be inserted within the song, for example one, two or three. It is to be understood that the number of available segments for the insertion of audio/video messages may vary depending on the selected song/music video clip or settings of the audio/video customization system  30 . For the purpose of the following description, in order to lighten the text, it will be assumed that the user as selected to insert one audio/video message within the song/music video clip. It is to be understood that this step may be optional and that the audio/video customization system  30  may provide for only one audio/video message to be inserted within the song/music video clip. In such a case, block  104  would be omitted. 
         [0040]    At block  106 , the process  100  provides a recording interface so that the user may record its audio/video message. The recording interface may take various forms depending on, for example, whether the audio/video message is an audio only message or the audio/video customization system  30  is implemented as a smart phone application, etc. The process  100  may provide a given recording interface or may optionally offer a selection of recording interfaces and prompt the user to select one. 
         [0041]    Examples of recording interfaces include:
       a telephone recording interface (for audio messages only), for which the user is provided with a phone number to dial along with an associated pin. The user is then able to record the audio message through his or her land phone, mobile phone or smart phone  18  (used as a microphone only in this case), through a regular telecommunication network  25  (land line, cellular network, etc.) or IP telephony. The time allotted depends on the chosen song/music video clip and the number of messages to be inserted within the song/music video clip, an audible beep may serve as a warning of the end of the allotted time, for example five seconds before the end;   a web recording interface, for which the user is directed to a web page on the web server  32 , which includes, for example, a Java audio/video engine. The web recording interface may include the verification of the user&#39;s computer  12 ,  14  microphone levels and/or video camera  13  picture quality in order to prevent distortion in the recording and/or picture quality. The time allotted depends on the chosen song/music video clip and the number of messages to be inserted within the song/music video clip, an on-screen time bar may give a visual indication of the remaining allotted time; or   a smart phone application recording interface that uses the smart phone  18  microphone and camera to record the audio/video message.       
 
         [0045]    In an alternative embodiment, the user may be given the option of providing the audio/video message as an MP3 or MPEG (or any other type of compressed audio or video file), through email or, in a further alternative embodiment, by mail on a CD/DVD or other digital medium. 
         [0046]    At block  108 , the user can playback the recorded audio/video message and, at block  110 , accept or refuse the recorded audio/video message. If the user refuses the recorded audio/video message, the process  100  returns to block  106  where a new audio/video message is recorded. If the recorded audio/video message is accepted, the process  100  proceeds to block  112  where the recorded audio/video message is mixed with the chosen song/music video clip. The mixing process, which is executed by a processor of the customization server  34 , will be further detailed below. 
         [0047]    Once the recorded audio/video message and the chosen song/music video clip have been mixed, the mixed song/music video clip (i.e. customized song/music video clip) is saved, at block  114 , in the customized media database  38 . 
         [0048]    At block  116 , the process  100  queries the user as to whether he or she wishes to play back the customized song/music video clip or share it. If the user opts to play back the customized song/music video clip, the process  100  proceeds to block  118  where the customized song/music video clip is played back to the user, after which it proceeds back to block  116 . If the user opts to share the customized song/music video clip, the process  100  proceeds to block  120 . 
         [0049]    At block  120 , the user is asked to input his or her payment information. This may be through a credit card, Paypal™, In app purchase (in the case of a smart phone such as, for example, an iPhone™) or any other suitable payment method. This step may also include the verification of the payment before proceeding any further. 
         [0050]    At block  122 , the process  100  prompts the user to select the desired sharing method. The proposed sharing methods may include, for example, email, on a CD/DVD through regular mail, as a link to the customized song/music video clip in the customized media database  38 , iPhone Push (in the case where the audio/video customization system  30  is implemented as an iPhone™ application) or any other applicable transmission means. 
         [0051]    Then, at block  124 , the user inputs information related to the intended recipient the customized song/music video clip. This information may be, for example, an email address, phone number, physical location address, etc., and may also include, optionally, a text message addressed to the intended recipient. 
         [0052]    Finally, at block  126 , depending on the sharing method selected at block  122  and the intended recipient information entered at block  124 , the customized song/music video clip is provided to the intended recipient, through the selected sharing means. 
         [0053]    It is to be understood that the order in which the various steps are executed may vary. It is also to be understood that some of the steps may be omitted or that additional ones may be added. 
       Mixing Process 
       [0054]    As defined in the present disclosure, the audio/video media covers both audio media and video media. Accordingly,  FIGS. 3A and 3B  show an illustrative example of the mixing process for audio media while  FIG. 4  shows an illustrative example of the mixing process for video media. 
       Audio Media Mixing Process 
       [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , there is shown a flow diagram of an illustrative example of the mixing process  200  executed by a processor of the customization server  34  at block  112  of the audio/video media customization process  100  (see  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) when the audio/video media is an audio media. The steps of the process  200  are indicated by blocks  202  to  234 . 
         [0056]    The audio mixing process  200  automatically processes the recorded audio message through audio digital signal processing (DSP) effects so that the recorded audio message sounds like it was recorded in a recording studio prior to being integrated into the song. This gives the final product, i.e. the customized song, a “professionally produced” sound. 
         [0057]    The process  200  starts at block  202 , where it loads the audio treatment parameters associated with the selected music video clip. These audio treatment parameters are used for the various DSP effects applied to the recorded video message. In an alternative embodiment, the audio treatment parameters may be further associated with the device or method being used to record the audio message. 
         [0058]    At block  204 , the recorded audio message may optionally be converted into a format more suitable for the mixing process, for example into the WAV format. 
         [0059]    At block  206 , the recorded audio message may then optionally be transformed into stereo. This step applies when the audio message has been recorded in mono such as, for example, when recorded from a smart phone  18  microphone. 
         [0060]    Then, at block  208 , the recorded audio message is cropped so as to remove silences at its beginning and ending. 
         [0061]    Following this, at block  210 , fading such as very fast fades is applied at the beginning and the ending of the recorded audio message in order to prevent pops and clicks. 
         [0062]    At block  212 , padding is added at the end of the recorded audio message so that it doesn&#39;t stop too abruptly and, at block  214 , noise reduction is applied to reduce background noise. 
         [0063]    At block  216 , the recorded audio message is equalized and then, at block  218 , compressed in order to regulate its volume. 
         [0064]    Then, at block  220 , the recorded audio message is once more equalized (the parameters of which may vary from the first equalization) and, at block  222 , reverb is applied to add different ambiences. 
         [0065]    At block  224 , the recorded audio message is then compressed once more (the parameters of which may vary from the first compression) after which, at block  226 , a rate limiter is applied to limit distortion. 
         [0066]    Following the DSP effects, at block  228 , the processed audio message is inserted into the pre-determined segment of the pre-treated song. The processed audio message is strategically placed in the allotted time segment depending on the length of the message. If the user has not used up all of the time available for his or her message, the process  200  automatically places the processed audio message at the end of the time allotted segment in order to maximize the “professionally produced” effect. 
         [0067]    Once the processed audio message is integrated into the pre-treated song, audio encoding compression is applied, at block  232 , to optimize portability, for example into an MP3 file, which is then, at block  234 , provided to block  114  of process  100  (see  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). 
       Video Media Mixing Process 
       [0068]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a flow diagram of an illustrative example of the mixing process  300  executed by a processor of the customization server  34  at block  112  of the audio/video media customization process  100  (see  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) when the audio/video media is a video media. The steps of the process  400  are indicated by blocks  302  to  320 . 
         [0069]    The video mixing process  300  automatically processes the audio portion of the recorded video message through DSP effects and the video portion through digital video filters in order to obtain optimal sound and video quality prior to being integrated into the music video clip. This gives the final product, i.e. the customized music video clip, a “professionally produced” sound and look. 
         [0070]    The process  300  starts at block  302 , where it loads the video treatment parameters associated with the selected music video clip. These video treatment parameters are used for the various DSP effects and digital video filters applied to the recorded video message. In an alternative embodiment, the video treatment parameters may be further associated with the device or method being used to record the video message. 
         [0071]    At block  304 , the recorded video message may optionally be converted into a format more suitable for the mixing process. 
         [0072]    Then, at block  306 , the audio portion of the video message is treated by applying DSP effects similar to those of process  200  of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
         [0073]    At block  308 , the brightness and contrast of the video portion of the recorded video message are adjusted and, at block  310 , grain reduction is applied. 
         [0074]    Following the DSP effects and digital video filters, at block  314 , the processed video message is inserted into the pre-determined segment of the pre-treated music video clip. The processed video message is strategically placed in the allotted time segment depending on the length of the message. If the user has not used up all of the time available for his or her message, the process  300  automatically places the processed audio/video message at the end of the time allotted segment in order to maximize the “professionally produced” effect. 
         [0075]    Once the processed video message is integrated into the pre-treated music video clip, the end of the video portion of the video message is automatically dissolved back to the music video clip. Video encoding compression is then applied, at block  318 , to optimize portability, after which, at block  320 , the customized music video clip is provided to block  114  of process  100  (see  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). 
         [0076]    It is to be understood that the order in which the various DSP effects and digital video filters are applied, and the number of times they are applied, may vary. It is also to be understood that some of the DSP effects and/or digital video filters may be omitted or that additional ones may be added. The DSP effects and/or digital video filters may also vary depending on the selected song/music video clip. For example, in the case of song that includes a choir, the reverb DSP effect at block  222  of process  200  (see  FIG. 3B ) may be applied a plurality of times. 
         [0077]    Although the present invention has been described by way of particular embodiments and examples thereof, it should be noted that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that modifications may be applied to the present particular embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.