GB2336237A

GB2336237A - Synchronising an audio CD with another data source

Info

Publication number: GB2336237A
Application number: GB9807406A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Tracy Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-04-08
Filing date: 1998-04-08
Publication date: 1999-10-13
Also published as: GB9807406D0; WO1999053497A1

Abstract

A computer able to access two data sources, one of which is a CD, and synchronise data provided by the two sources. The authenticity of the CD may be verified by checking part or all of its playing time.

Description

Multimedia 2336237 The present invention concerns products which act to

enhance a first medium or media, particularly CD-Audio, by independently providing an additional medium or additional media synchronised with the first medium or media.

It is currently known (Oasis (RTM) Interactive Songbook, Europress Ltd.) to provide a multimedia CD having CD-Audio and an additional data track on which is stored computer data. The computer data is partially installed as a program onto the hard-disk of a user's computer and run. The program stored on the computer then accesses the data track on the multimedia CD to provide a visual (for example sheet music and lyrics) and audio accompaniment and CD-Audio tracks on the multimedia CD, the two (accompaniment and CD-Audio) being accessed simultaneously.

However, the provision of CD-Audio and data track means that royalty fees must be paid by the manufacturer for both the CD-Audio tracks and the sheet music/lyrics. This increases substantially the price of the end product when compared to the cost of royalties for the components of the CD other than the CD-Audio. It also creates an additional cost for fans who have already bought the CD-Audio and who subsequently decide that they wish to take advantage of the multimedia information available.

The present invention overcomes the prior art disadvantages. According to the present invention there is provided a computer connected to a source of a first medium or media and a source of an additional medium or additional media, arranged such that upon validation of the identity of the first medium it synchronises playing of the first and additional media.

This minimises royalty fees payable to authors/proprietors of works in which copyright subsists. It also provides the distinct advantage of ensuring that the first medium is correct and that appropriate royalty fees have been paid for it. Copies of e.g. audio CID's inevitably differ, even if inaudibly, from the original work. The computer can detect this difference and prevent synchronisation of playback of the first and additional media. Thus piracy of e.g. audio CID's is minimised since in order to take advantage of the synchronisation of the first and second media, the first medium must be a legitimate copy (i.e. one on which royalty fees have been paid).

The sources of the first and additional media may be physically distinct. For example, the first medium may be provided on an audio CD and the additional medium or media on the computer's hard disk. Other storage media such as DVD, flashRAM and ROM may equally be used. For example, selected portions of the additional medium or media may be downloaded from an internet web site and stored on the harddisk of a users computer, or even provided real-time from an internet web site for synchronisation with the first medium.

The first and additional media may be audio and/or visual. For example, the first medium may be an audio CD and the additional medium or media comprise sheet music for the/or each musical voice (both vocal and instrumental) graphically rendered on a computer monitor, video footage and timing beats.

Thus a user may purchase a legitimate copy of an audio CD and subsequently decide to take advantage of the information provided by the additional medium, or media using a computer to synchronise the playing of them. This avoids unnecessary royalty payments to the proprietors of the copyright works, whilst ensuring that pirate copies of the first medium are not used in an attempt to avoid payment of royalty fees.

As discussed above, copies of e.g. audio C13's inevitably, differ from the originals. In particular, the playing time of individual tracks or the total playing time of the tracks may differ from that of the original. Similarly, the sound at a specific point in a track may differ from that of the original.

Thus validation of the identity of the first medium may comprise the steps of- i) determining the playing time of a track of tracks (i.e. of at least one of the individual components of the first medium), the total playing time of the first medium or of taking a sample of at least one track (i.e. sampling at least one specific portion of the first medium); ii) comparing the playing time or sample determined in (i) with that for a known first medium; and iii) correlating the results of (ii) to determine the identity of the first medium (i.e. determine whether or nor it is a legitimate copy).

Validation may also be achieved by checking for the presence or absence of an '4electronic signature" on the first medium - audio CD recording machines for use with WORM (write once, read many) and W (write many, read many) CD media leave an electronic signature on the recorded medium to prevent its subsequent duplication, thus preventing multiple generations of copies being made. The present invention can look for such a signature and thereby prevent synchronisation, with even a first generation copy.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawing, which shows, by way of example only, one form of computer according to the present invention. Of the figures:

Figure 1 shows an arrangement using an audio CD as the first medium.

Computer 10 is connected to audio CD player 20 containing an audio CD 21 (not shown) and to hard-disk 30 containing data for a program 60 and data for video 6 1, sound 62 and sheet music 63 for a specific audio CD title, program 60 and data 61-63 having been downloaded from a world wide web site (not shown).

The program 60 is run and validates audio CD 21 to ensure that it does not have an electronic signature indicative of copying and that the individual playing time for each of the tracks together with the total playing time for the CD 21 is the same as that of the specific audio CD title.

Program 60 than synchronises playing of audio CD 21 with that of video 61, sound 62 and sheet music 63 through display 40 and speaks 50, 51 under control of a user (not shown) using input device 70.

If validation (above) fails, the playing of video 61, sound 62 and sheet music 63 can still be done, but it is not synchronised with the laying of audio CD 21.

p 1 It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only. many variations. such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A computer connected to a source of a first medium or media and a source of an additional medium or additional media, arranged such that upon validation of the identity of the first medium it synchronises playing of the first and additional media.

2. A computer according to claim 1, the sources of the first and additional media being physically distinct.

3. A computer according to either one of the proceeding claims, the first medium being audio and/or visual.

4. A computer according to any one of the proceeding claims, the source of the first medium being a CD or DVD.

5. A computer according to claim 4, the first medium being an audio CD.

6. A computer according to any one of the proceeding claims, the additional medium or media audio and/or visual.

7. A computer according to any one of the proceeding claims, the identity of the first medium being validated by its total playing time.

8. A computer according to any one of the proceeding claims, the identity of the first medium being validated by the playing time of at least one of its individual components.

9. A computer according to any one of the proceeding claims, the identity of the first medium being validated by sampling at least one specific portion of the first medium

10. A computer according to any one of claims 7 - 9, validation comprising the steps of comparing the playing time or sample of the first medium with that of a known first medium and correlating the results of the comparison to determine the identity of the first medium.

11. A computer according to any one of the proceeding claims, the identity of the first medium being validated by the presence or absence of an electronic signature on the first medium.