Abstract:
A multimedia enrichment system utilizes data associated with a multi-media record to retrieve data and/or data objects. The retrieved data and/or data objects are correlated with the multi-media record, to be readable with the multi-media record.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/661,493, filed Mar. 15, 2005 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNIQUE  
       [0002]     The disclosed technique relates to multimedia in general, and to methods and systems for providing visual information related to an audio disc and other audio sources, in particular.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     While live music concerts offers a full musical experience to audiences, recorded music initially had to settle for adding printed material to the albums. Adding visual content to audio products has always been an integral part of the selling strategy of such products. Vinyl Records were sold along with album art, lyrics and other printed material. Compact discs (CD) productions utilize various packaging solutions to provide similar and additional printed material. Music Videos provide full and rich visual content that accompanies the music. Several CD-playing software display CD-specific information such as CD and Song titles, cover image, genre, or artist discography. Other players introduced visual interpretations derived from audio frequency, pitch or other audio related parameters. All of these methods lack interactivity. Enhanced CDs introduced CD-ROM content along with the audio on the same CD. Some enhanced CD software included custom-made CD player software for each specific CD. CD Playing software enabled music playback on personal computer CD-ROMs.  
         [0004]     Online services such as GraceNote CDDB provided online database access to general information about the album being played in any given CD playing software. DVD format is capable of displaying video clips with some limited interactive content.  
         [0005]     The major shortcomings of all of the above mentioned methods is that they all lack a full interactivity feature and do not allow end users to contribute music-inspired material of their own and distribute them without making copyright violations. There is therefore a need for a system and a method for providing such capacities.  
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNIQUE  
       [0006]     The present invention provides methods and systems for reproducing multimedia content in correlation with music files in an audio disc.  
         [0007]     In accordance with the disclosed technique, there is thus provided a multimedia enrichment system for reproducing multimedia content in correlation with music files in an audio disc. The system includes at least one client node and a web server. The client node includes an audio player and an audio media reader. The web server includes a multi-media database, a server communication interface, and a client software application. The client software application includes an audio streams authenticator, a multi-media reproducer, and a client communication interface. The multi-media database includes a plurality of multi-media records. Each of the multi-media records includes multi-media content associated with respective multi-media information.  
         [0008]     The audio media reader is coupled with an interchangeable media. The server communication interface is coupled with the multi-media database. The audio streams authenticator is coupled with the audio media reader. The client communication interface is coupled with the audio streams authenticator, the audio media reader and with the network.  
         [0009]     The audio media reader retrieves audio streams and audio information from the interchangeable media. The audio streams authenticator authenticates the audio streams retrieved by the audio media reader. The client communication interface transmits multi-media information received from the audio media reader to the web server. The client communication interface receives multi-media content retrieved according to the multi-media information from the web server. The client communication interface provides the retrieved multi-media content to the multi-media reproducer. The multi-media reproducer reproduces multi-media content received from the web server to the user.  
         [0010]     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed technique, there is thus provided a method for reproducing multimedia content related to audio files in an interchangeable media. The method includes the procedures of retrieving audio information from the interchangeable media, and determining authenticity of the audio stream according to the audio information. The method further includes the procedures of retrieving the multimedia content from a database, and reproducing the multimedia content in synchrony with the audio stream. The audio information is associated with the audio stream. The audio information includes authentication information respective of the audio stream. The multimedia content is reproduced only if the audio stream is determined to be authentic. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The disclosed technique will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a graphic user interface (GUI) of the client software application, constructed and operative according to an embodiment of the disclosed technique;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a second GUI of the client software application, constructed and operative according to another embodiment of the disclosed technique;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a method for operating the system of  FIG. 6 , operative according to a further embodiment of the disclosed technique;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a block diagram illustration of the communication process between the web server and the client node for a new end user, operative according to another embodiment of the disclosed technique;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a block diagram of the flow of information when an end user plays a new CD, according to a further embodiment of the disclosed technique;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a network system, constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed technique; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of a method for adding multimedia content to audio files, operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the disclosed technique. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     The disclosed technique overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a client computer graphical content related to audio content of a compact disc (CD), on-line, after confirming that the copy of the CD which is simultaneously played in the computer, is produced according to copyright laws.  
         [0020]     The term “reproduce” herein below refers to the action of presenting multimedia content to a user (e.g., playing music, displaying visual content, producing smells and odors, affecting the senses of taste and touch, and the like). The term “playlist” herein below, refers to a list of audio tracks available on an audio CD. The term “ordered playback” herein below, refers to a sequential playback of the audio tracks of the CD. The term “random playback” herein below refers to a playback of the audio tracks in a random order (i.e., shuffled mode). The term “smart intro” herein below refers to a sample from each audio track. The term “track name” herein below refers to the name of each of the audio tracks. The term “track time” herein below refers to the length of each of the audio tracks. The term “plugin” herein below refers to a module which can be added to a client software, to provide additional features and functionality to the client software. The term “multimedia content” herein below refers to an animation running in a loop, informational content, video clip, a music related game, and the like. The term “clip” herein below refers to an animation clip which relates to a specific audio track. The clip is timed and synchronized with the audio track.  
         [0021]     The term “video” herein below refers to a video clip which relates to a specific audio track. A user of the disclosed technique can download or view the video using streaming technologies. The term “sing-along” herein below refers to a timed, karaoke style display of one or two lines from the lyrics of the current audio track which are heard at any given moment. The sing-along display can use a bouncing ball, highlighted words or similar methods to point to each word as it is sung. The term “pop-up” herein below refers to a timed display of textual information that appears when an audio track is played. The text appears within a graphic frame with optional animation sequences. The term “playback timecode” herein below refers to the display playback time information (e.g., current time within the track, time left until the end of the track and time left until the end of the audio CD). The term “playhead pointer” herein below refers to an optional animated indication on the current playback time position in the current track. The term “CD ID” herein below refers to a special identification string embedded on every audio CD. The term “audio track” herein below refers to a single track of an audio CD, usually one song. The term “official content” herein below refers to multimedia content provided by the copyright owners. The term “unofficial content” herein below refers to multimedia content provided by independent content creators who do not own copyright to the audio track to which the multimedia content relates.  
         [0022]     The disclosed technique provides direct post-sales marketing access to music customers. The disclosed technique also provides enhanced interactive multimedia experience for the users of a system constructed according to the disclosed technique. The disclosed technique supports multiple types of multimedia content, such as video clips, animation, games and textual information, and assigns the multimedia content to the proper audio track with precise timing.  
         [0023]     Using the disclosed technique provides a system which allows animation artists, graphic designers and programmers to give their interpretation to any musical segment available on an audio CD. Only the owners of a particular CD can view the multimedia content relating to that CD, so no violation of copyright laws occurs. Each audio track can receive more than one animation. End users have access to both official content, and to unofficial content. In addition, an end user of a system constructed according to the disclosed technique can get offers related to her personal audio collection.  
         [0024]     The system includes a client CD player software application, a multimedia database located on a web server, a user database, and a website. The system enables addition of multimedia content to audio CDs or other audio format (e.g., downloadable authorized audio files). The client software application of a system, constructed according to the disclosed technique, can operate on a desktop computer, game console, mobile devices, cellular phones, and the like. The client software application reproduces content in accordance with the audio track as it is played. A user of the client software application can download and update content from the web. The client software application displays a list of available official and unofficial content respective of the audio CD currently playing. A user of the client software application can rate the content, while viewing it. Independent content creators can add unofficial multimedia content to the multimedia database which holds the multimedia content and data. An independent content creator needs to register as content creator before adding unofficial content, and install the tools of the system constructed according to the disclosed technique. The independent content creator can see the accumulated data and statistics of rating about her multimedia content. The independent content creator can create animations, games, graphics, and the like. An independent content creator can contribute remarks, associations and information about a particular audio track by adding pop-up information channel. The multimedia content can include video clips, animation, games, textual information, and the like. The games are specially adapted to suit the characteristics of a specific audio CD in terms of the nature of the music (e.g., energetic versus serene music), the length of each track, and the like. The game is synchronized with the progress of the tracks on the audio CD. The music of the audio CD is the background music of the game.  
         [0025]     The web site of the system provides news, software downloads and updates, information about the system and community facilities such as forums, chats, and the like. Registered independent content creator can access an area for independent creators. The creators area offers management tools for creating multimedia content, in the format of the disclosed technique, and review such content, created by other independent creators. Registered creators only create multimedia content respective of an original authenticated audio track to avoid infringement of copyright laws, or other media oriented intellectual property rights. Moderators get access to the tools of the creators, in an area of moderators, for reviewing and authorizing content sent by independent creators.  
         [0026]     Information respective of an audio CD, in the multimedia database, can include CD details, track titles, lyrics, image files, background image, CD cover images, and the like. The chords for each CD track are also available. The disclosed technique specifies a default way to play each chord on a guitar, as well as skin images for several visual representations of a guitar, or other musical instruments. Also available are different skins for the animated playhead pointer and for the pop-ups. Each item of the official content available has its own version number. A user of the software application can download an update for the official content item when a new version is available.  
         [0027]     According to another aspect of the disclosed technique, the software application includes a module for creating an animation of a singing character. The singing character is synchronized with the actual singing in the audio track using still images. The animation is based on the sing-along timing of the specific audio track. An analysis of each word in the text of the song provides an estimation of timing for the animation, to provide the illusion of a singing character. The sing-along data holds the timing for the beginning of a word or a syllable. Analyzing the timing for the closest word to the current timing as well as the timing for the previous and next words, allows calculation for the proper animation position of the mouth of the character or other animated feature.  
         [0028]     According to a further aspect of the disclosed technique, a system for previewing the CD audio tracks is available. Most CD players, in the market, have an “intro” option that plays a short portion of each audio track—usually the first 10 seconds of each audio track, or 20 seconds starting 50 seconds into the track (e.g., 0:50 to 1:10 mm:ss). The preview system can assign audio sections, selected in advance by an official or an unofficial content creator. The audio sections selected for each audio track are played, when the smart intro option is selected. This gives the end user a clear and precise preview of the CD, by playing only the true highlights of each audio track. If smart intro information is not available for the specific CD, then the preview system reverts to an automatic (e.g., fixed or differential) intro selection, based on the length of each audio track.  
         [0029]     Much like sing-along, the disclosed technique offers guitar players a way to play along with their favorite music, by dynamically displaying chords along with the current audio track. A master chord key file specifies the most common chords fingering. The master chord key file allows specifying different fingering, for additional or existing chords in each timed chords file, on the multimedia database. The chords file specifies which chords are played and when. The GUI of the client software application displays a graphic representation of the chord fingering and supports various skins.  
         [0030]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which is a schematic illustration of a graphic user interface (GUI) of the client software application generally referenced  100 , constructed and operative according to an embodiment of the disclosed technique. GUI  100  includes a CD name field  110 , a playlist  120 , a display of the playback controls  130 , a plugin list  140 , a playhead pointer  145 , a volume control  150 , a background image  155  and a program menu  160 . CD name field  110  is not showing the name of a CD when it cannot retrieve the name of the CD. Playlist  120  shows the fourteen audio tracks of the CD, and playback controls  130  are currently in a STOP mode  132 . Plugin list  140  displays icons representing the currently available plugins.  
         [0031]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , which is a schematic illustration of a second GUI of the client software application generally referenced  200  constructed and operative according to another embodiment of the disclosed technique. GUI  200  Includes a CD name field  210 , an artist name field  215 , a playlist  220 , a display of playback controls  230 , a plugin list  240 , a playhead pointer  245 , a volume control  250 , a background image  255 , a program menu  260 , a sing-along option  270  and a visual animation option  280 . CD name field  210  holds the name of the CD (e.g., cold party) and artist name field  215  holds the name of the band (e.g., the executables). Playlist  220  shows sixteen audio tracks, and playback controls  230  are currently in play mode  233 . An application of custom background  255  is displaying a background chosen by the end user (not shown). Plugin list  240  displays buttons representing the available plugins. An application of karaoke or sing-along option  270  is displaying the text of the audio track currently played. Visual animation option  280  is displaying a singing and playing animated character.  
         [0032]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , which is a schematic illustration of a method for operating the system of  FIG. 6  operative according to a further embodiment of the disclosed technique. The method includes an end user  300  of the client software application (not shown), an independent content creator  310 , a music artist  320 , a record label  325 , an advertiser  330  and a web server  340 . Several sources can produce content for a given CD. Music artist  320  provides self owned copyrighted content, publicity photos, video clip, text, chords, and the like. Record label  325  provides content similar to the content of artist  320 .  
         [0033]     Independent content creator  310  can create her own original content and upload the content to web server  340 . A moderator reviews content created by independent creators prior to the content incorporation into web server  340 . Advertiser  330  can integrate advertisements into the content of the client respective of the current audio CD and the personal collection of user  300 . End user  300  selects content from the available content on web server  340 , for audio CD, or specific audio track. The sources mentioned above (i.e., official and unofficial content creators) can add content to new or existing audio CD. The official, as well as the unofficial, content providers receive information about the popularity of their contents, and the rating of end users  300 .  
         [0034]     Web server  340  assigns a unique ID for each customer. Web server  340  holds records of information about the requests of clients. End user  300  can register in order to receive additional benefits (e.g., bonus content not available for unregistered end user  300 ). The music industry (not shown) can utilize the information about end user  300  to address post sales customers with segmentation capabilities.  
         [0035]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which is a schematic illustration of a block diagram illustration of the communication process between the web server and the client node for a new end user, operative according to another embodiment of the disclosed technique. When a client application software is installed for the first time, it tries to access the web server and asks for a new user ID string which will be used to identify the end user in the following sessions. If an audio CD is present, the client node sends the CD ID number as well as other information required to determine which CD is being played.  
         [0036]     The web server creates a new account for the end user. The server provides the new user Identification String, along with a list of the available content for the audio CD and basic information on the CD. The client node requests additional files until all the available content is downloaded and up to date. Bonuses are sent to the client node according to relevance to the audio CD being played, priority and volume of bonuses already sent. Clips are sent on demand once the end user selects a clip for downloading. Additional Bonuses may also be downloaded on demand.  
         [0037]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , which is a schematic illustration of a block diagram of the flow of information when an end user plays a new CD, operative according to a further embodiment of the disclosed technique. The client application of the end user sends the CD ID number to the web server, as well as additional information which is required to determine which CD is being played. The server provides a list of the available contents for the audio CD and basic information about the CD. The client node checks which content files are available locally and are up to date, and requests the missing or updated files from the web server. Multimedia content is sent on demand once the end user selects it for downloading. Bonuses are sent to the client node according to relevance to the audio CD being played, priority and volume of bonuses already sent. Additional bonuses may also be downloaded on demand.  
         [0038]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6 , which is a schematic illustration of a network system  400  for providing and reproducing multimedia content in correlation with music files, constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed technique. Network system  400  includes a server node  410  and a client node  420 . Server node  410  includes a multimedia database  412 , and a server communication interface  414 . Client node  420  includes an audio player  422 , an audio media reader  424 , an audio streams authenticator  426 , a multimedia reproducer  428 , and a client communication interface  430 .  
         [0039]     Multimedia database  412  is coupled with server communication interface  414 . Audio media reader  424  is coupled with audio streams authenticator  426  and with client communication interface  430 . Audio media reader  424  is coupled with audio player  422 . Client communication interface  430  is coupled with multimedia reproducer  428 . Client communication interface  430  and server communication interface  414  are coupled there between, via a network  450 .  
         [0040]     Audio media reader  424 , containing interchangeable media (e.g., CD, a memory containing audio files), retrieves audio streams (e.g., songs, musical tracks) and audio information corresponding to these audio streams (e.g., singer name, album name, track length) from the interchangeable media. The retrieved audio information includes authentication information (e.g., CD ID). Audio streams authenticator  426  determines the authenticity of the audio streams, according to the authentication information included in the retrieved audio information (e.g., by confirming an identification representation corresponding to the interchangeable media or to the audio information).  
         [0041]     Server communication interface  414  retrieves multimedia contents (i.e., audio content, visual content), associated with the audio information. Server communication interface  414  transmits the associated multimedia contents to client node  420 . Client communication interface  430  receives the transmitted multimedia content from server node  410 . Multimedia reproducer  428  reproduces the received multimedia content in conjunction with audio player  422  playing back the audio streams retrieved by audio media reader  424 . It is noted that server node  410  can further include a user database (not shown) for commercial purposes such as advertising segmentation.  
         [0042]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 7 , which is a schematic illustration of a method for operating the system of  FIG. 6  operative according to a further embodiment of the disclosed technique. In procedure  500 , audio information and audio streams are retrieved from an interchangeable media. With reference to  FIG. 6 , audio media reader  424  retrieves audio information from the interchangeable media. The audio information corresponds to the audio streams. The audio information includes authentication information of the corresponding audio streams. The interchangeable media (e.g., CD, Disk On Key) contains songs, musical tracks, and the like. The audio information can be respective of a singer, a group, a record, a total length of the record, length of tracks in the record, and the like. The authentication information (e.g., CD ID) provides a proof for the authenticity of the audio streams stored in the interchangeable media.  
         [0043]     In procedure  502 , the authenticity of the audio streams, retrieved from the interchangeable media, is determined. With reference to  FIG. 6 , audio streams authenticator  206  determines the authenticity of the audio streams according to the authentication information included in the corresponding audio information.  
         [0044]     In procedure  504 , the audio information, retrieved from the interchangeable media, is transmitted to the remote multimedia server. With reference to  FIG. 6  client communication interface  430  transmits the audio information to server node  410 .  
         [0045]     In procedure  506 , multimedia contents, associated with the audio information, are retrieved by client node from server node. With reference to  FIG. 6 , server communication interface  414  retrieves multimedia content, associated with the audio information. Server communication interface  414  transmits the associated multimedia contents to client node  420 .  
         [0046]     In procedure  508 , multimedia content, associated with the audio information, is received from the remote multimedia server. With reference to  FIG. 6 , client node  420  receives the multimedia content from server communication interface  414 .  
         [0047]     In procedure  510 , the multimedia contents received from the multimedia server are reproduced while the retrieved audio streams are played back. With reference to  FIG. 6 , client communication interface  430  receives the associated multimedia content from server node  410 . Multimedia reproducer  428  reproduces the multimedia content while audio player  422  plays back the retrieved audio streams.  
         [0048]     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present disclosed technique is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present disclosed technique is defined only by the claims, which follow.