Patent Application
20070146314
The present invention relates generally to the field of electronic devices, and specifically to a disc jockey interface in portable electronic devices.
With the advancement of technology, there are changes in the design and usage of portable electronic devices. Devices such as mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and audio players can perform a variety of functions and entertain users. These devices often use various cutting-edge technologies such as inbuilt cameras, video players, disc jockey interfaces for modifying an audio file in multiple audio formats, and so forth.
A disc jockey interface provides a means for modifying and controlling an audio file. The disc jockey interface can include different user interfaces to provide user inputs through physical interactions.
There are various techniques available, which provide a disc jockey interface in a portable electronic device. However, portable electronic devices utilize processor-intensive computations with large user interfaces to modify and control the audio file. There are music interfaces available in portable devices however, they are limited to generally controlling the playback of an audio file.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Before describing in detail the particular system and method for modifying the output of a data file in a portable electronic device, in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in combinations of system elements and method steps related to the system and method for modifying the output of the data file in a portable electronic device. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only the specific details that are pertinent for an understanding the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the description herein.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device is capable of modifying the output of a data file. The portable electronic device includes a user interface, a filtering module, and a processing module. The user interface receives inputs through a physical motion. The filtering module provides at least one filter effect to the output of the data file, based on inputs. The processing module is linked with the user interface and the filtering module. The processing module interprets the physical motion, and modifies the output of the data file based on the physical motion.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a user interface for a portable electronic device is provided. The user interface modifies the output resulting from data file. The user interface includes a graphical interface and a processing module. The graphical interface receives an input through a DJ scratching motion for example. The processing module interprets the input and modifies the output of the data file.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for mixing a data file in order to modify the data file output, is provided. The portable electronic device receives a physical motion input from a user through a touch screen of the portable electronic device. A processing module interprets the physical motion input. The processing module generates output in response to interpreting the physical motion input.
The filtering module 202 can provide multiple filter effects to modify the output of the data file. Examples of the filter effects include, but are not limited to, a tempo effect, a pitch effect, a cross-fade effect, a reverb-echo effect, a band-pass sweep effect, a low-pass effect, a high-pass effect, a graphic equalizer effect, an amplification effect, a distortion effect and a scratching effect. In an embodiment of the present invention, the filter effects are provided through a haptic input, such as scratching a touch screen. In another embodiment of the present invention, the filter effects are provided through the keypad 104.
The filtering module 202 is operatively coupled to the user interface 102 and the processing module 204. The processing module 204 interprets the physical motion and modifies the output of the data file based on the interpretation of the physical motion. For example, the when the device detects physical input to the user interface, the type of input is determined. A correlation is made to the type of modification that is to be performed on the audio file as a result of the particular motion. The determined modification is then inserted into the audio output in place of the original audio. The original audio from the data file may be paused muted or attenuated while the modified audio is played through the audio output. Once the modified audio is finished playing, the original audio is restarted, unmated or brought back to the original audio level. In this embodiment there is no time gap between the time when the modified audio ends until the time when the original audio resumes.
The portable electronic device 100 may also include a memory module that is configured to store coders and decoders for coding and decoding the data file in multiple audio formats. Examples of the audio formats include, but are not limited to, MIDI, MP3, MP4, XMF, AIFF, WAV, RMI, KAR, MIZ, AAC, APL, OGG, NSA, SND, VOC, and AIJ. The memory module can also store a modified data file generated in response to the modification in the output of the data file.
The portable electronic device 100 may also include a transceiver to transmit the modified data file. In an embodiment of the present invention, the transceiver is operatively linked with the memory module. In another embodiment of the present invention, the transceiver can receive ring tones and the data files and store them in the memory module.
The processing module 204 may be operatively coupled to the filtering module 202, to modify the output of the data file. The processing module 204 may be coupled to the memory module to store the modified data file. The memory module may also be coupled to the transceiver for transmitting the modified data file.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a data file can be mixed by applying filter effects and changing the data file output. The filter effects are generated through the filtering module 202 in the portable electronic device 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, mixing a data file includes mixing data stored at different time intervals in the data file. In another embodiment of the present invention, mixing the data file includes applying multiple filter effects. Examples of mixing include, but are not limited to, mixing the data file, increasing its volume, decreasing its volume, fast-forwarding it, rewinding it, changing it, playing it, pausing it, stopping it, jumping between positions in the track and playing groups of samples in a non-linear fashion.
Various embodiments of the present invention provide multiple functionalities. The portable electronic device 100 can support data files, audio files and streaming data. The portable electronic device 100 can support audio files in multiple audio formats. Therefore users have greater flexibility in transmitting and receiving files in multiple formats among multiple users. Users can modify an incoming ring tone for entertainment before answering a call. The users can also modify an audio file to use it as a ring tone. Further, the user can pause the incoming ring tone, and the paused ring tone can be replayed afterwards.
It will be appreciated the method and electronic device described herein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control the one or more processors, to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the electronic device described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, a radio receiver, a radio transmitter, signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and user input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method to control the electronic device. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another, entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising.
It is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.
In the foregoing specification, the invention and its benefits and advantages have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features, or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims, including any amendments made during the pendency of this application, and all equivalents of those claims, as issued.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60754133 | Dec 2005 | US |
