U.S. patent application number 12/145258 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-05 for auto-tagging of aliases.
This patent application is currently assigned to Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to William Bull, Ben Rottler.
Application Number | 20090063521 12/145258 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40409115 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090063521 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bull; William ; et
al. |
March 5, 2009 |
AUTO-TAGGING OF ALIASES
Abstract
Media players and associated methods are described that may
allow a user to organize content or other media assets based on
information associated with content. A media player or portable
media device, can include features for automatically tagging
content or other media assets with aliases. A media player may
receive content that has already been tagged with a given alias.
The media player may determine a macro genre for the content in
response to a set of rules. The rules may include criteria for
classifying content into one or more macro genres. The media player
may generate information associating the macro genre with the
content.
Inventors: |
Bull; William; (Mountain
View, CA) ; Rottler; Ben; (San Francisco,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER, 8TH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Assignee: |
Apple Inc.
Cupertino
CA
|
Family ID: |
40409115 |
Appl. No.: |
12/145258 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60969850 |
Sep 4, 2007 |
|
|
|
60969846 |
Sep 4, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ; 707/999.1;
707/E17.009 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/68 20190101;
G06F 3/048 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/100 ;
707/E17.009 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Claims
1. A method for tagging content, the method comprising: receiving
information associated with content; determining a macro genre
based on the information in response to a set of rules that
classify content into one or more macro genres; and generating
information associating the macro genre with the content.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining a set of
synonyms indicative of one or more genres based on the information;
and generating the set of rules that classify content into the one
or more macro genres based on the set of synonyms.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining a set of
connections to an artist associated with the content; and
generating the set of rules that classify content into the one or
more macro genres based on the set of associations to the
artist.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining a set of
connections to an band associated with the content; and generating
the set of rules that classify content into the one or more macro
genres based on the set of connections to the band.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: modifying the
information associated with the content to remove one or more
portions of malformed data; and storing the modified
information.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the information associated with
the content comprises tagging information.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the content comprises one or more
of an audio file, a video file, an image file, and a photo.
8. A method for tagging content using a handheld electronic device,
the method comprising: receiving information associated with
content stored on a storage medium associated with the handheld
electronic device; filtering the information using the handheld
electronic device in response to a set of rules that classify
content into one or more macro genres to determine a macro genre
for the content stored on the storage medium; generating metadata
for the content, wherein the metadata includes the macro genre; and
storing the metadata with the content on the storage medium.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein filtering the information using
the handheld electronic device in response to the set of rules
comprises: determining a set of synonyms in response to genre
information in the information; and classifying the content into at
least one macro genre using the set of rules based on the set of
synonyms.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein filtering the information using
the handheld electronic device in response to the set of rules
comprises: determining a set of connections to an artist associated
with the content; and classifying the content into at least one
macro genre using the set of rules based on the set of
connections.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein filtering the information using
the handheld electronic device in response to the set of rules
comprises: determining a set of connections to a band associated
with the content; and classifying the content into at least one
macro genre using the set of rules based on the set of
connections.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein storing the metadata with the
content on the storage medium comprises: modifying the information
associated with the content to remove one or more portions of
malformed data based on the metadata; and storing the modified
information.
13. An apparatus for organizing content, the apparatus comprising:
a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory
configured to store a set of instructions which when executed by
the processor becomes operational with the processor to: receive
information associated with content; determine a macro genre based
on the information in response to a set of rules that classify
content into one or more macro genres; and generate information
associating the macro genre with the content.
14. An portable media device comprising: a storage medium
configured to store content; and a processor configured to: receive
information associated with content stored on the storage medium;
filter the information in response to a set of rules that classify
content into one or more macro genres to determine a macro genre
for the content stored on the storage medium; generate metadata for
the content, wherein the metadata includes the macro genre; and
store the metadata with the content on the storage medium.
15. The portable media device of claim 14 wherein the processor is
configured to filter the information in response to the set of
rules by determining a set of synonyms in response to genre
information in the information and classifying the content into at
least one macro genre using the set of rules based on the set of
synonyms.
16. The portable media device of claim 14 wherein the processor is
configured to filter the information in response to the set of
rules by determining a set of connections to an artist associated
with the content and classifying the content into at least one
macro genre using the set of rules based on the set of
connections.
17. The portable media device of claim 14 wherein the processor is
configured to filter the information in response to the set of
rules by determining a set of connections to a band associated with
the content and classifying the content into at least one macro
genre using the set of rules based on the set of connections.
18. The portable media device of claim 14 wherein the processor is
configure to store the metadata with the content on the storage
medium by modifying the information associated with the content to
remove one or more portions of malformed data and storing the
modified information.
19. A computer readable medium configured to store a set of code
modules which when executed by a processor of a computer system
becomes operational with the processor for tagging content, the
computer readable medium comprising: code for receiving information
associated with content; code for determining a macro genre based
on the information in response to a set of rules that classify
content into one or more macro genres; and code for generating
information associating the macro genre with the content.
20. A system for tagging content, the system comprising: means for
receiving information associated with content stored on a storage
medium associated with the handheld electronic device; means for
filtering the information using the handheld electronic device in
response to a set of rules that classify content into one or more
macro genres to determine a macro genre for the content stored on
the storage medium; means for generating metadata for the content,
wherein the metadata includes the macro genre; and means for
storing the metadata with the content on the storage medium.
21. The system of claim 20 wherein the means for filtering the
information using the handheld electronic device in response to the
set of rules comprises: means for determining a set of synonyms in
response to genre information in the information; and means for
classifying the content into at least one macro genre using the set
of rules based on the set of synonyms.
22. The system of claim 20 wherein the means for filtering the
information using the handheld electronic device in response to the
set of rules comprises: means for determining a set of connections
to an artist associated with the content; and means for classifying
the content into at least one macro genre using the set of rules
based on the set of connections.
23. The system of claim 20 wherein the means for filtering the
information using the handheld electronic device in response to the
set of rules comprises: means for determining a set of connections
to a band associated with the content; and means for classifying
the content into at least one macro genre using the set of rules
based on the set of connections.
24. The system of claim 20 wherein the means for storing the
metadata with the content on the storage medium comprises: means
for modifying the information associated with the content to remove
one or more portions of malformed data based on the metadata; and
means for storing the modified information.
25. The system of claim 20 further comprising: means for generating
the set of rules that classify content into the one or more macro
genres based on a set of synonyms.
26. The system of claim 20 further comprising: means for generating
the set of rules that classify content into the one or more macro
genres based on a set of associations to an artist.
27. The system of claim 20 further comprising: means for generating
the set of rules that classify content into the one or more macro
genres based on a set of connections to a band.
28. The system of claim 20 wherein the information associated with
the content comprises tagging information.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/969,850, filed Sep. 4, 2007 and
entitled "Auto-Tagging of Aliases" and U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/969,846, filed Sep. 4, 2007 and entitled "Advanced Playlist
Creation," the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated
by reference for all purposes.
[0002] This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Dkt. No. 20750P-003710US), filed
and entitled "Advanced Playlist Creation," the entire disclosure of
which is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Electronic devices, such as portable media players, cellular
phones, personal digital assists (PDAs), and the like, are
prevalent in today's marketplace, as are the peripheral electronic
devices that support their use, such as docking stations and the
like. As competition in the personal electronics marketplace
becomes ever more heated, consumers have become more demanding in
terms of both the functionality and use of such devices.
[0004] One popular function can be the storage and output of
content, such as music, images, photos, and movies. Improving
compression methods, like MPEG-standards, may result in less
storage capacity required making it more convenient to store tens
of thousands of songs and photos, and several full-length DVD
quality movies. Moreover, distribution via the Internet may make it
easier to obtain multimedia content.
[0005] Typically, content can associated with information (such as
an MP3 ID tag) that describes, for example, the title of song, the
album, the artist, a genre, and the like. This information can be
provided by a user before the content is stored on a media player
or on a portable media player, or maybe provided by a distributor
before providing the content in the marketplace. However, the
reliability of this information associated with the content is
often suspect. For example, in the case of genres, different users
or providers can classify the same content in a different genre,
where different category of the genre.
[0006] Accordingly, what is desired is to solve problems relating
to how content or other media assets are tagged, some of which may
be discussed herein. Additionally, what is desired is to reduce
drawbacks related to different sources of information about content
or other media assets, some of which may be discussed herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates generally to media players.
More particularly, to techniques for auto-tagging of aliases
associated with content.
[0008] In various embodiments, an electronic device, such as a
media player or portable media device, can include features for
automatically tagging content or other media assets with aliases. A
media player may receive content that has already been tagged with
a given alias. The media player may determine a macro genre for the
content in response to a set of rules. The rules may include
criteria for classifying content into one or more macro genres. The
media player may generate information associating the macro genre
with the content.
[0009] In some embodiments, a media player or portable media device
may determine a set of synonyms indicative of one or more genres in
response to metadata associated with content. The media player may
allow a user to create a set of rules that classify content into
the one or more macro genres based on the set of synonyms.
Alternatively, the media player may automatically build the set of
rules. In further embodiments, a media player or portable media
device may determine a set of connections or relationships. For
example, connections or relationships may associate artists,
albums, etc. to given genres. The media player may use a set of
rules to classify content into the one or more macro genres based
on associations provided by the connections or relationships. In
still further embodiments, the media player may determine a set of
connections to a band associated with content. The media player may
create a set of rules that classify content into one or more macro
genres based on the set of connections to the band.
[0010] Accordingly, in various embodiments, a media player or
portable media device, may modify or update pre-existing
information associated with content. The media player may "scrub"
the information to remove one or more portions of malformed data,
spelling error, or the like. The media player may store the
modified information, including any macro genre information, with
the content. The media player may store tagging information with
the content.
[0011] A further understanding of the nature and the advantages of
the inventions disclosed herein may be realized by reference of the
remaining portions of the specification and the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] In order to better describe and illustrate embodiments
and/or examples of those inventions disclosed herein, reference may
be made to one or more accompanying drawings. The additional
details or examples used to describe the accompanying drawings
should not be considered as limitations to the scope of any of the
disclosed inventions, the presently described embodiments and/or
examples, and the presently understood best mode of these
inventions.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a media player that may
incorporate embodiments of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for tagging content
into macro genres using rule sets in one embodiment according to
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a simplified flowchart of a method for
automatically tagging of aliases in one embodiment according to the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for generating macro genre rule
sets in one embodiment according to the present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 5A and 5B are block diagrams illustrating macro genres
in one embodiment according to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for processing a song/album in one
embodiment according to the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a computer system
that may incorporate embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] In various embodiments, an electronic device, such as a
media player or portable media device, can include features
directed to assisting a user organize a collection of content or
other media assets. For example, a user may interact with a media
player to organize songs, movies, photos, or other media assets in
a media library. Tags or other metadata associated with the content
may include malformed data, misspellings, or other data
inconsistent with how the user desires to organize content. The
media player may organize the content for the user using macro
genres.
[0021] The media player or portable media device may determine a
macro genre for content based on the pre-existing metadata
associated with the content. The media player may generate
information associating content with a macro genre base on a set of
rules that classify content to one or more macro genres. The rules
may include rules for identifying genre synonyms and placing
content into macro genres based on synynoms. The rules may include
rules for identifying macro genres base on associations,
connections, or relationships that may be determined from the
content. Accordingly, content or other media assets that may
include no information, incorrect or malformed alias, or bad
tagging information may be automatically organized for the
user.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of media player 100 that may
incorporate embodiments of the present invention. In general, a
media player stores content and/or media assets, such as audio
tracks, movies, or photos that can be played or displayed on the
media player. One example of media player 100 can be the iPod.RTM.
media player, which is available from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino,
Calif. Another example of media player 100 can be a personal
computer, such as a laptop or desktop.
[0023] In this example, media player 100 includes processor 110,
storage device 120, user interface 130, and communications
interface 140. Processor 110 can control various functionalities
associated with media player 100. Media play 100 may output audio
content, video content, image content, and the like. Media player
100 may also output metadata or other information associated with
content, such as track information and album art.
[0024] Typically, a user may load or store content onto media
player 100 using storage device 120. Storage device 120 can include
read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), non-volatile
memory, flash memory, floppy disk, hard disk, or the like. A user
may interact with user interface 130 of media player 100 to view or
consume content. Some examples of user interface 130 can include
buttons, click wheels, touch pads, displays, touch screens, and
other input/output devices.
[0025] Media player 100 can include one or more connectors or ports
that can be used to load content, retrieve content, interact with
applications running on media player 100, interface with external
devices, and the like. In this example, media player 100 includes
communications interface 140. Some examples of communications
interface 140 can include universal serial bus (USB) interfaces,
IEEE 1394 (or FireWire/iLink.RTM.) interfaces, universal
asynchronous receiver/transmitters (UARTs), wired and wireless
network interfaces, transceivers, and the like. Media player 100
may connect to devices, accessories, private and public
communications networks (e.g., the Internet), or the like, using
communications interface 140.
[0026] In one example, media player 100 can be coupled via a wired
and/or wireless connector or port to output audio and/or other
information to speakers 150. In another example, media player 100
may be coupled via a wired and/or wireless connector or port to
output audio and/or other information to headphones 160. In yet
another example, media player 100 may be coupled via a wired and/or
wireless connector or port to interface with an accessory 170 or a
host computer 180. The same connector or port may enable different
connections at different times.
[0027] Media player 100 can be physically inserted into docking
system 190. Media player 100 may be coupled via a wired and/or
wireless connector or port to interface with docking system 190.
Docking system 190 may also enable one or more accessory devices
195 to couple with wires or wirelessly to interface with media
player 100. Many different types and functionalities of accessory
devices 170 and 195 can interconnect to or with media player 100.
For example, an accessory may allow a remote control to wirelessly
control media player 100. As another example, an automobile may
include a connector into which media player 100 may be inserted
such that an automobile media system can interact with media player
100, thereby allowing media content stored on media player 100 to
be played within the automobile.
[0028] In various embodiments, content stored on media player 100
may be automatically tag into one or more macro genres. A macro
genre can represent a different way of classifying, categorizing,
or organizing content. A macro genre may provide a super-set view,
being a more generalized description of content.
[0029] Typically, when content or other media assets, such as
songs/albums are imported into a music library, the aliases (e.g.,
genre) associated with the songs/albums can be different from those
preferred by a user or pre-existing in the media library. For
example, many different songs may be of the "electronica" genre,
but may have aliases such as "electronica funk," "electronica
freak," or "electronics classical." Additionally, content often may
be described in this manner using smaller and smaller micro-genres
or categories. For example, when the user scrolling through genres,
the listing may be littered with many different aliases that all
can belong to the same genre. However, for the average user this
can be annoying, and may make it difficult to create a playlist
based on a particular genre when content is obtained from a variety
of sources.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of system 200 for tagging content
into macro genres using rule sets in one embodiment according to
the present invention. System 200 can be embodied in hardware
and/or software. In some embodiment, system 200 may be embodiment
as media player 100 of FIG. 1. In this example, tagging engine 210
can receive content 220 and generates modified content 230 in
response to one or more rules 240.
[0031] In various embodiments, tagging engine 210 may be embodied
in software, hardware, or a combination of the like. In one
embodiment, tagging engine 210 may be resident on media player 100.
In another embodiment, tagging engine 210 may be resident on host
computer 180. Tagging engine 210 may further be hosted by a service
provider or content distributor.
[0032] In general, content 220 may include audio data, video data,
images, photos, multimedia information, textual information, or the
like. Content 220 may further include information associated with
content, such as metadata, tagging information (e.g., MP3 ID tags),
subtitles, and the like.
[0033] Rules 240 can include any set of conditions, criteria, and
thresholds. In various embodiments, rules 240 may include
information that classifies content into one or more generalized or
high-level categories. These generalized or high-level categories
can be called macro genres. A rule or rule set may written by a
user or be provided by a content or service provider. In some
embodiments, a media player or portable media device may
automatically generate a rule or rule set in response to user input
or user interactions.
[0034] In one example of operation, tagging engine 210 may receive
an audio file for a song or audio book. The audio file may include
audio information in addition to metadata, such as tagging (or
alias) information. Tagging engine 210 may analyze the tagging
information stored within the audio file in response to rules 240.
Based on rules 240, tagging engine 210 may associate the audio file
with one or more macro genres.
[0035] In some embodiments, tagging engine 210 may generate a
mapping between the audio file and the one or more identified macro
genres. In various embodiments, tagging engine 210 stores
information indicative of the one or more identified macro genres
as tagging information in the audio file. Tagging engine 210 may
interact with other media applications or a media library to update
metadata associate with the song file.
[0036] In another example, tagging engine 210 may receive metadata
associated with a video file for a movie or music video. Tagging
engine 210 may analyze the metadata in response to rules 240.
Tagging engine 210 may then associate one or more macro genres with
the video file. A user may be prompted to accept the identified
macro genre or, alternatively, the content may be automatically
updated.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a simplified flowchart of a method for
automatically tagging of aliases in one embodiment according to the
present invention. The processing depicted in FIG. 3 may be
performed by software modules (e.g., instructions or code) executed
by a processor of a computer system, by hardware modules of an
electronic device, or combinations thereof. FIG. 3 begins in step
300.
[0038] In step 310, rules are received at classify content into
macro genres. As discussed above, a rule or rule set may include
information that classifies content into macro genres. The
information may include synonyms, associations, mappings, or the
like. In one example, a software program used by a user to load
content onto media player 100 engages in communication with a
service provider. The software program may download rules from the
service provider that classify content into macro genres. In
another example, a user may create one or more rules that classify
content into macro genres with a user interface associated with
media player 100.
[0039] In step 320, information associated with content is
received. For example, a media manager may read tagging
information, metadata, or the like, from a file associated with
content. In another example, a content library that maintains a
database of information associated with content may be queried.
[0040] In step 330, a macro genre is determined based on the
information associated with the content in response to the rules
that classify content into macro genres. For example, one or more
words may be extracted from the information and compared to
keywords associated with macro genres through the rules. In another
example, artist information, album information, band information,
and the like, may be compared against lists of artists/albums/bands
that have been pre-categorized into one or more macro genres. Based
on the rules, media player 100 or host computer 180 may compare the
information associated with the content to the pre-categorized
macro genres. In yet another example, connections or relationships
developed by user or algorithms may provide an indication of one or
more macro genres.
[0041] In step 340, the identified macro genre is associated with
the content. For example, media player 100 may generate a mapping
between the content and the macro genre in a content library. In
another example, host computer 110 may store information indicative
of a macro genre with a file storing the content. Existing tagging
information may be scrubbed or modified with the information about
the macro genre. Accordingly, content from different sources may be
automatically categorized or organized as desired by a user. FIG. 3
and in step 350.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for generating macro genre rule
sets in one embodiment according to the present invention. In this
example, information 410 can represent information associated with
content. For example, information 410 may include information
indicative of "ARTIST 1," "ARTIST 2," "ARTIST 3," "ARTIST 4," "BAND
1," "BAND 2," "BAND 3," "BAND 4," "GENRE 1-A," "GENRE 2-A," "GENRE
3-B," "GENRE 4-B," "GENRE 5-A-B." "ARTIST 1" may be different from
"ARTIST 2." "BAND 1" may be different from "BAND 2." "GENRE 1-A"
may be different from "GENRE 2-A," however, each genre may share a
portion of information in common (e.g., "A"). "GENRE 1-A" may be
different from "GENRE 3-B," which may be different from "GENRE
5-A-B." "GENRE 5-A-B" may share a portion of information in common
with "GENRE 1-A" and with "GENRE 3-B" (e.g., "A" and "B").
[0043] Using portions of common information in block 410, in
various embodiments, one or more synonyms may be determined in
block 420. For example, tagging engine 220 of FIG. 3 may collect
the names of artists and bands, in addition to pre-existing genres
associated with content to be processed. Tagging engine 220 may
determine synonyms for the names of the artists, the bands, and the
genres. For example, one genre may be called "electronica freak"
and another genre may be called "electronic funk." Tagging engine
220 may determine that "electronica freak" and "electronica funk"
are potential synonyms for the "electronics" genre, the "freak"
genre, and the "funk" "genre."
[0044] In various embodiments, a number of factors may be used to
determine the weight of a synonym, such as "electronica." The
weight may promotes a category associated with the "electronica"
synonym to the level of a generalized high-level description of a
macro genre.
[0045] In various embodiments, associations between artists/bands
may be determined in block 430. For example, tagging engine 220 may
determine that a particular artist/band is classified by one or
more sources (such as a commercial music service or a social
networking site) into a predetermined genre. In another example,
tagging engine 220 may determine that one or more artists/bands
released music during a predetermined decade or time period, which
may be represented by a macro genre.
[0046] In further embodiments, macro genre rule sets can be
generated in block 440. In one example, tagging engine 220 may
analyze metadata associated with content to determine synonyms and
potential associations to generate one or more rule sets that
classify content into macro genres. Accordingly, content may be
automatically classified/reclassified using the rules sets into
generalized high-level descriptions called macro genres.
Classification may occur with or without user intervention.
Furthermore, the automatic classification allows a user to easily
access content stored on a media player, portable media device, or
multimedia content manager using the macro genres.
[0047] FIGS. 5A and 5B are block diagrams illustrating macro genres
in one embodiment according to the present invention. Referring to
FIG. 5A, a portion of information associated with content (e.g.,
information in block 410 of FIG. 4) may be generalized into macro
genre 510. Connections and/or associations 520 may be represented
in one or more rules that classify content into macro genre 510.
For example, one or more rules may be generated that, if one or
more are satisfied, associate macro genre 510 with content that has
been attributed to "ARTIST 1," "ARTIST 4," "BAND 2," "BAND 4,"
"GENRE 2-A," "GENRE 1-A," and "GENRE 5-A-B."
[0048] Referring to FIG. 5B, a portion of information may be
generalized into macro genre 530. Connections and/or associations
540 may be represented in one or more rules that classify content
into macro genre 530. For example, one or more rules may be
generated that, if one or more are satisfied, associate macro genre
530 with content that has been attributed to "ARTIST 2," "ARTIST
3," "BAND 1," "BAND 3," "GENRE 3-B," "GENRE 4-B," and "GENRE
5-A-B."
[0049] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for processing a song/album in one
embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 6 begins in
step 600.
[0050] In step 610, information is received associated with the
song/album. For example, an audio file may be read to determine
tagging information stored within the audio file. In another
example, alias information may be downloaded from a website. The
information may include the title of the song, the artists, the
album, bitrate information, encoding information, user tags, or the
like.
[0051] In step 620, the information is filtered in response to one
or more rule sets to determine a macro genre. For example, the
information may be filtered to collect textural information, such
as words. One or more synonyms may be matched to the words in
response to the rules. In another example, connections between an
artist, band, group, or the like, associated with the audio file
may be determined and matched in response to the rules. The macro
genre may be determined if one or more of the rules in the rule
sets are satisfied.
[0052] Optionally, in step 630, the information associated with the
song/album is scrubbed. For example, malformed data, user entered
data, incomplete data, or the like, in the information can be
modified, updated, or removed to clean the information. In various
embodiments, metadata associated with content may be completely
rewritten with updated metadata determined in response to the
rules. Alternatively, one or more portions of metadata may be
scrubbed.
[0053] In step 640, the macro genre is associated with the
song/album. For example, in step 650, the macro genre is stored
with the song/album. In one example, a content library may be
updated to associate the macro genre with the song/album. In
another example, the macro genre may be added to the alias
information or tagging information stored with the song/album. FIG.
6 ends in step 660.
[0054] FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a computer system
700 that may incorporate embodiments of the present invention. FIG.
7 is merely illustrative of an embodiment incorporating the present
invention and does not limit the scope of the invention as recited
in the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize
other variations, modifications, and alternatives.
[0055] In one embodiment, computer system 700 includes processor(s)
710, random access memory (RAM) 720, disk drive 730, input
device(s) 740, output device(s) 750, display 760, communications
interface(s) 770, and a system bus 780 interconnecting the above
components. Other components, such as file systems, storage disks,
read only memory (ROM), cache memory, codecs, and the like may be
present.
[0056] RAM 720 and disk drive 730 are examples of tangible media
configured to store data such as audio, image, and movie files,
operating system code, embodiments of the present invention,
including executable computer code, human readable code, or the
like. Other types of tangible media include floppy disks, removable
hard disks, optical storage media such as CD-ROMS, DVDs and bar
codes, semiconductor memories such as flash memories,
read-only-memories (ROMS), battery-backed volatile memories,
networked storage devices, and the like.
[0057] In various embodiments, input device 740 is typically
embodied as a computer mouse, a trackball, a track pad, a joystick,
a wireless remote, a drawing tablet, a voice command system, an eye
tracking system, a multi-touch interface, a scroll wheel, a click
wheel, a touch screen, an FM/TV tuner, audio/video inputs, and the
like. Input device 740 may allow a user to select objects, icons,
text, and the like, via a command such as a click of a button or
the like. In various embodiments, output device 750 is typically
embodied as a display, a printer, a force-feedback mechanism, an
audio output, a video component output, and the like. Display 760
may include a CRT display, an LCD display, a Plasma display, and
the like.
[0058] Embodiments of communications interface 770 may include
computer interfaces, such as include an Ethernet card, a modem
(telephone, satellite, cable, ISDN), (asynchronous) digital
subscriber line (DSL) unit, FireWire interface, USB interface, and
the like. For example, these computer interfaces may be coupled to
a computer network 790, to a FireWire bus, or the like. In other
embodiments, these computer interfaces may be physically integrated
on the motherboard or system board of computer system 700, and may
be a software program, or the like.
[0059] In various embodiments, computer system 700 may also include
software that enables communications over a network such as the
HTTP, TCP/IP, RTP/RTSP protocols, and the like. In alternative
embodiments of the present invention, other communications software
and transfer protocols may also be used, for example IPX, UDP or
the like.
[0060] In various embodiments, computer system 700 may also include
an operating system, such as Microsoft Windows.RTM., Linux.RTM.,
Mac OS X.RTM., real-time operating systems (RTOSs), open source and
proprietary OSs, and the like.
[0061] FIG. 7 is representative of a media player and/or computer
system capable of embodying the present invention. It will be
readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many
other hardware and software configurations are suitable for use
with the present invention. For example, the media player may be a
desktop, portable, rack-mounted or tablet configuration.
Additionally, the media player may be a series of networked
computers. Moreover, the media player may be a mobile device, an
embedded device, a personal digital assistant, a smartphone, and
the like. In still other embodiments, the techniques described
above may be implemented upon a chip or an auxiliary processing
board.
[0062] The present invention can be implemented in the form of
control logic in software or hardware or a combination of both. The
control logic may be stored in an information storage medium as a
plurality of instructions adapted to direct an
information-processing device to perform a set of steps disclosed
in embodiments of the present invention. Based on the disclosure
and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the
present invention.
[0063] The embodiments discussed herein are illustrative of one or
more examples of the present invention. As these embodiments of the
present invention are described with reference to illustrations,
various modifications or adaptations of the methods and/or specific
structures described may become apparent to those skilled in the
art. All such modifications, adaptations, or variations that rely
upon the teachings of the present invention, and through which
these teachings have advanced the art, are considered to be within
the scope of the present invention. Hence, the present descriptions
and drawings should not be considered in a limiting sense, as it is
understood that the present invention is in no way limited to only
the embodiments illustrated.
[0064] The above description is illustrative but not restrictive.
Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the
invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to
the above description, but instead should be determined with
reference to the pending claims along with their full scope or
equivalents.
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