U.S. patent application number 15/132090 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-11 for audio commenting and publishing system.
The applicant listed for this patent is SOUNDLINK, INC.. Invention is credited to Christopher C. Andrews.
Application Number | 20160234278 15/132090 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46927918 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160234278 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andrews; Christopher C. |
August 11, 2016 |
AUDIO COMMENTING AND PUBLISHING SYSTEM
Abstract
An audio commenting and publishing system including a storage
database, media content and a computing device all coupled together
via a network. The computing device comprises a processor and an
application executed by the processor configured to input audio
data that a user wishes to associate with the media content from an
audio recording mechanism or a memory device. The application is
then able to store the audio data on the storage database and use
the network address of the audio data along with the network
address of the media content to publish the audio data and the
media content such that a view is able to hear and access them
concurrently at a network-accessible location.
Inventors: |
Andrews; Christopher C.;
(Los Altos, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SOUNDLINK, INC. |
Los Altos |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46927918 |
Appl. No.: |
15/132090 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13435055 |
Mar 30, 2012 |
9380410 |
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15132090 |
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61471541 |
Apr 4, 2011 |
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61471548 |
Apr 4, 2011 |
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61471552 |
Apr 4, 2011 |
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61582164 |
Dec 30, 2011 |
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61488954 |
May 23, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/61 20190101;
G06F 16/9566 20190101; G06F 3/165 20130101; H04N 21/472 20130101;
G06F 16/48 20190101; H04N 21/432 20130101; G10L 15/26 20130101;
H04W 4/021 20130101; H04L 65/602 20130101; H04W 4/029 20180201;
G06F 16/639 20190101; G06F 3/04847 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06; G06F 17/30 20060101 G06F017/30; G06F 3/16 20060101
G06F003/16; H04W 4/02 20060101 H04W004/02; G10L 15/26 20060101
G10L015/26 |
Claims
1. A method of concurrently providing audio data and media content
at a network-accessible location, the method comprising: a.
accessing non-audio media content with an electronic device; b.
inputting audio data to an audio commenting and publishing
application on the electronic device from an audio recording
mechanism or a memory; c. transmitting the audio data to a storage
database separate from and not associated with the
network-accessible location and storing the audio data at an audio
data network address on the storage database; d. capturing a media
content network address from the accessed non-audio media content;
and e. providing the audio data and the non-audio media content at
a network-accessible location using the audio data network address
and the media content network address.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio data network address
and the media content network address each comprise a universal
resource locator.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the providing of the audio data
and the non-audio media content comprises creating a single
selection element at the network-accessible location, wherein upon
selection the single selection element causes the audio data to be
played and the non-audio media content to be accessed or displayed
concurrently at the network-accessible location.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the providing of the audio data
and the non-audio media content comprises creating an audio data
selection element and a media content selection element at the
network-accessible location, wherein upon selection the audio data
selection element causes the audio data to be played and the media
content selection element causes the non-audio media content to be
accessed or displayed such that the audio content and the non-audio
media content are able to be viewed concurrently at the
network-accessible location.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the providing of the audio data
and the non-audio media content comprises providing a playback
feature of the audio commenting and publishing application at the
network-accessible location, wherein upon selection of the audio
data on the application the playback feature causes the audio data
to be played and the non-audio media content to be accessed or
displayed concurrently at the network-accessible location.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the network-accessible location
comprises a website, an email, a text message, a tweet or a
document.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-audio media content
comprises a website, an email, a text message, a tweet or a
document.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising inputting metadata
associated with the audio data and storing the metadata at the
unique address.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the metadata comprises one or
more of the group consisting of the size of the audio data, the
creation time of the audio data, the length of the audio data, the
source of the audio data, the title of the audio data, the format
of the audio data, the subject of the audio data, where the audio
data was recorded and one or more additional network addresses
indicating locations where the audio data is stored.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising storing the audio
data network address, the media content network address and the
metadata as associated entries in a table of a master database
along with all other previously inputted associated entries of
audio data network addresses, media content network addresses and
metadata on the storage database.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing the master
database and a sorting feature of the audio commenting and
publishing application to the user such that the user is able to
sort the entries of the table based on the metadata, the audio data
network address, the media content network address or a combination
thereof.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the metadata further comprises
the audio data converted into text.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio data further comprises
image or video data.
14-26. (canceled)
27. A computing device for concurrently providing audio data and
non-audio media content comprising: a. a processor; and b. an
application executed by the processor configured to: i. input audio
data from an audio recording mechanism or a memory; ii. transmit
the audio data to a storage database and storing the audio data at
an audio data network address on the storage database; iii. capture
a media content network address from non-audio media content being
accessed by the computing device, wherein the media content network
address points to a network-accessible location that is separate
from and not associated with the storage database; and iv. provide
the audio data and the non-audio media content at a
network-accessible location using the audio data network address
and the media content network address.
28. The device of claim 27, wherein the audio data network address
and the media content network address each comprise a universal
resource locator.
29. The device of claim 28, wherein the providing of the audio data
and the non-audio media content comprises creating a single
selection element at the network-accessible location, wherein upon
selection the single selection element causes the audio data to be
played and the non-audio media content to be accessed or displayed
concurrently at the network-accessible location.
30. The device of claim 28, wherein the providing of the audio data
and the non-audio media content comprises creating an audio data
selection element and a media content selection element at the
network-accessible location, wherein upon selection the audio data
selection element causes the audio data to be played and the media
content selection element causes the non-audio media content to be
accessed or displayed such that the audio content and the non-audio
media content are able to be viewed concurrently at the
network-accessible location.
31. The device of claim 28, wherein the providing of the audio data
and the non-audio media content comprises providing a playback
feature of the application at the network-accessible location,
wherein upon selection of the audio data the playback feature
causes the audio data to be played and the non-audio media content
to be accessed or displayed concurrently at the network-accessible
location.
32. The device of claim 27, wherein the network-accessible location
comprises a website, an email, a text message, a tweet or a
document.
33. The device of claim 27, wherein the non-audio media content
comprises a website, an email, a text message, a tweet or a
document.
34. The device of claim 27, wherein the processor is further
configured to input metadata associated with the audio data and
storing the metadata at the unique address.
35. The device of claim 34, wherein the metadata comprises one or
more of the group consisting of the size of the audio data, the
creation time of the audio data, the length of the audio data, the
source of the audio data, the title of the audio data, the format
of the audio data, the subject of the audio data, where the audio
data was recorded and one or more additional network addresses
indicating locations where the audio data is stored.
36. The device of claim 35, wherein the processor is further
configured to store the audio data network address, the media
content network address and the metadata as associated entries in a
table of a master database along with all other previously inputted
associated entries of audio data network addresses, media content
network addresses and metadata on the storage database.
37. The device of claim 36, wherein the processor is further
configured to provide the master database and a sorting feature of
the audio commenting and publishing application to the user such
that the user is able to sort the entries of the table based on the
metadata, the audio data network address, the media content network
address or a combination thereof.
38. The device of claim 37, wherein the metadata further comprises
the audio data converted into text.
39. The device of claim 27, wherein the audio data further
comprises image or video data.
40. The device of claim 27, wherein the storage database is
integrated with the computing device.
41. The device of claim 27, wherein the network-accessible location
is located within the computing device.
42. The device of claim 27, wherein the audio recording mechanism
is integrated with the computing device.
43-59. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/471,541, filed Apr. 4, 2011 and
entitled "AUDIO COMMENTING SYSTEM FOR THE INTERNET INCLUDING
WEBSITES, SOCIAL NETWORKS, AND BLOGS," U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/471,548, filed Apr. 4, 2011 and entitled
"AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR CREATING AND PUBLISHING INTERNET-BASED AUDIO
PROGRAMMING," U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/471,552, filed Apr. 4, 2011 and entitled "AUDIO RECORDING,
PLAYBACK, AND PUBLISHING SYSTEM FOR CREATING VOICEOVERS,
SOUNDTRACKS AND OTHER AUDIO PROGRAMMING FOR INTERNET CONTENT
INCLUDING WEBSITES AND SOCIAL NETWORKS," U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/582,164, filed Dec. 30, 2011 and entitled
"AUTOMATIC AUDIO RECORDING AND PUBLISHING SYSTEM," and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/488,954, filed May 23,
2011 and entitled "LOCATION-BASED INTERNET RADIO PRODUCTION AND
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM," all of which are hereby incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of
Internet/network content. Specifically, the present invention
relates to an audio commenting and publishing system for the
Internet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the past, the Internet has been essentially a quiet
experience. The basic foundation of the Internet is that websites
rarely have any audio associated with them that is relevant to that
website. An exception to the Internet being quiet is music and
video that are offered on the Internet, but in these cases, the
website is used more as a delivery vehicle, to allow the user to
stream or download the music or video, rather than to have the
audio describe, enhance or relate to the website itself.
[0004] When there is audio associated with a website, the audio is
generally hosted on the servers of the website owner, and the
webmaster of the website placed the audio, meaning the audio
location and the means for accessing that audio file, are directly
on the website server within the website source code html. Or the
webmaster uses audio that is not directly on the servers of the
website, but it is still the webmaster that has access to the
source code and html of the website and specialized skills, who
adds audio to the website. These webmasters have specialized skills
to add audio to a website and special access to be able to modify
the source code or html of the website.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An audio commenting and publishing system including a
storage database, media content and a computing device all coupled
together via a network. The computing device comprises a processor
and an application executed by the processor configured to input
audio data that a user wishes to associate with the media content
from an audio recording mechanism or a memory device. The
application is then able to store the audio data on the storage
database and use the network address of the audio data along with
the network address of the media content to publish the audio data
and the media content such that a viewer is able to hear and access
them concurrently at a network-accessible location.
[0006] A first aspect of the application is directed to a method of
concurrently providing audio data and media content at a
network-accessible location. The method comprises accessing media
content with an electronic device, inputting audio data to an audio
commenting and publishing application on the electronic device from
an audio recording mechanism or a memory, transmitting the audio
data to a storage database and storing the audio data at an audio
data network address on the storage database, capturing a media
content network address from the accessed media content and
providing the audio data and the media content at a
network-accessible location using the audio data network address
and the media content network address. In some embodiments, the
audio data network address and the media content network address
each comprise a universal resource locator. In some embodiments,
the providing of the audio data and the media content comprises
creating a single selection element at the network-accessible
location, wherein upon selection the single selection element
causes the audio data to be played and the media content to be
accessed or displayed concurrently at the network-accessible
location. In some embodiments, the providing of the audio data and
the media content comprises creating an audio data selection
element and a media content selection element at the
network-accessible location, wherein upon selection the audio data
selection element causes the audio data to be played and the media
content selection element causes the media content to be accessed
or displayed such that the audio content and the media content are
able to be viewed concurrently at the network-accessible location.
In some embodiments, the providing of the audio data and the media
content comprises providing a playback feature of the audio
commenting and publishing application at the network-accessible
location, wherein upon selection of the audio data on the
application the playback feature causes the audio data to be played
and the media content to be accessed or displayed concurrently at
the network-accessible location. In some embodiments, the
network-accessible location comprises a website, an email, a text
message, a tweet or a document. In some embodiments, the media
content comprises a website, an email, a text message, a tweet or a
document. In some embodiments, the method further comprises
inputting metadata associated with the audio data and storing the
metadata at the unique address. In some embodiments, the metadata
comprises one or more of the group consisting of the size of the
audio data, the creation time of the audio data, the length of the
audio data, the source of the audio data, the title of the audio
data, the format of the audio data, the subject of the audio data,
where the audio data was recorded and one or more additional
network addresses indicating locations where the audio data is
stored. In some embodiments, the method further comprises storing
the audio data network address, the media content network address
and the metadata as associated entries in a table of a master
database along with all other previously inputted associated
entries of audio data network addresses, media content network
addresses and metadata on the storage database. In some
embodiments, the method further comprises providing the master
database and a sorting feature of the audio commenting and
publishing application to the user such that the user is able to
sort the entries of the table based on the metadata, the audio data
network address, the media content network address or a combination
thereof. In some embodiments, the metadata further comprises the
audio data converted into text. In some embodiments, the audio data
further comprises image or video data.
[0007] A second aspect of the application is directed to a
non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that
when executed by a computing device cause the computing device to
perform. The method comprises inputting audio data from an audio
recording mechanism or a memory, transmitting the audio data to a
storage database and storing the audio data at an audio data
network address on the storage database, capturing a media content
network address from media content being accessed by the computing
device and providing the audio data and the media content at a
network-accessible location using the audio data network address
and the media content network address. In some embodiments, the
audio data network address and the media content network address
each comprise a universal resource locator. In some embodiments,
the providing of the audio data and the media content comprises
creating a single selection element at the network-accessible
location, wherein upon selection the single selection element
causes the audio data to be played and the media content to be
accessed or displayed concurrently at the network-accessible
location. In some embodiments, the providing of the audio data and
the media content comprises creating an audio data selection
element and a media content selection element at the
network-accessible location, wherein upon selection the audio data
selection element causes the audio data to be played and the media
content selection element causes the media content to be accessed
or displayed such that the audio content and the media content are
able to be viewed concurrently at the network-accessible location.
In some embodiments, the providing of the audio data and the media
content comprises providing a playback feature at the
network-accessible location, wherein upon selection of the audio
data the playback feature causes the audio data to be played and
the media content to be accessed or displayed concurrently at the
network-accessible location. In some embodiments, the
network-accessible location comprises a website, an email, a text
message, a tweet or a document. In some embodiments, the media
content comprises a website, an email, a text message, a tweet or a
document. In some embodiments, the method further comprises
inputting metadata associated with the audio data and storing the
metadata at the unique address. In some embodiments, the metadata
comprises one or more of the group consisting of the size of the
audio data, the creation time of the audio data, the length of the
audio data, the source of the audio data, the title of the audio
data, the format of the audio data, the subject of the audio data,
where the audio data was recorded and one or more additional
network addresses indicating locations where the audio data is
stored. In some embodiments, the method further comprises storing
the audio data network address, the media content network address
and the metadata as associated entries in a table of a master
database along with all other previously inputted associated
entries of audio data network addresses, media content network
addresses and metadata on the storage database. In some
embodiments, the method further comprises providing the master
database and a sorting feature to the user such that the user is
able to sort the entries of the table based on the metadata, the
audio data network address, the media content network address or a
combination thereof. In some embodiments, the metadata further
comprises the audio data converted into text. In some embodiments,
the audio data further comprises image or video data.
[0008] Another aspect of the application is directed to a computing
device for concurrently providing audio data and media content. The
computing device comprises a processor and an application executed
by the processor configured to input audio data from an audio
recording mechanism or a memory, transmit the audio data to a
storage database and storing the audio data at an audio data
network address on the storage database, capture a media content
network address from media content being accessed by the computing
device and provide the audio data and the media content at a
network-accessible location using the audio data network address
and the media content network address. In some embodiments, the
audio data network address and the media content network address
each comprise a universal resource locator. In some embodiments,
the providing of the audio data and the media content comprises
creating a single selection element at the network-accessible
location, wherein upon selection the single selection element
causes the audio data to be played and the media content to be
accessed or displayed concurrently at the network-accessible
location. In some embodiments, the providing of the audio data and
the media content comprises creating an audio data selection
element and a media content selection element at the
network-accessible location, wherein upon selection the audio data
selection element causes the audio data to be played and the media
content selection element causes the media content to be accessed
or displayed such that the audio content and the media content are
able to be viewed concurrently at the network-accessible location.
In some embodiments, the providing of the audio data and the media
content comprises providing a playback feature of the application
at the network-accessible location, wherein upon selection of the
audio data the playback feature causes the audio data to be played
and the media content to be accessed or displayed concurrently at
the network-accessible location. In some embodiments, the
network-accessible location comprises a website, an email, a text
message, a tweet or a document. In some embodiments, the media
content comprises a website, an email, a text message, a tweet or a
document. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured
to input metadata associated with the audio data and storing the
metadata at the unique address. In some embodiments, the metadata
comprises one or more of the group consisting of the size of the
audio data, the creation time of the audio data, the length of the
audio data, the source of the audio data, the title of the audio
data, the format of the audio data, the subject of the audio data,
where the audio data was recorded and one or more additional
network addresses indicating locations where the audio data is
stored. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to
store the audio data network address, the media content network
address and the metadata as associated entries in a table of a
master database along with all other previously inputted associated
entries of audio data network addresses, media content network
addresses and metadata on the storage database. In some
embodiments, the processor is further configured to provide the
master database and a sorting feature of the audio commenting and
publishing application to the user such that the user is able to
sort the entries of the table based on the metadata, the audio data
network address, the media content network address or a combination
thereof. In some embodiments, the metadata further comprises the
audio data converted into text. In some embodiments, the audio data
further comprises image or video data. In some embodiments, the
storage database is integrated with the computing device. In some
embodiments, the network-accessible location is located within the
computing device. In some embodiments, the audio recording
mechanism is integrated with the computing device.
[0009] Yet another aspect of the application is directed to a
system for concurrently providing audio data and media content. The
system comprises a storage database, media content and a computing
device coupled with the storage database and the media content,
wherein the computing device comprises a processor and an
application executed by the processor configured to input audio
data from an audio recording mechanism or a memory, transmit the
audio data to the storage database and storing the audio data at an
audio data network address on the storage database, capture a media
content network address from the media content and provide the
audio data and the media content at a network-accessible location
using the audio data network address and the media content network
address. In some embodiments, the audio data network address and
the media content network address each comprise a universal
resource locator. In some embodiments, the providing of the audio
data and the media content comprises creating a single selection
element at the network-accessible location, wherein upon selection
the single selection element causes the audio data to be played and
the media content to be accessed or displayed concurrently at the
network-accessible location. In some embodiments, the providing of
the audio data and the media content comprises creating an audio
data selection element and a media content selection element at the
network-accessible location, wherein upon selection the audio data
selection element causes the audio data to be played and the media
content selection element causes the media content to be accessed
or displayed such that the audio content and the media content are
able to be viewed concurrently at the network-accessible location.
In some embodiments, the providing of the audio data and the media
content comprises providing a playback feature of the application
at the network-accessible location, wherein upon selection of the
audio data the playback feature causes the audio data to be played
and the media content to be accessed or displayed concurrently at
the network-accessible location. In some embodiments, the
network-accessible location comprises a website, an email, a text
message, a tweet or a document. In some embodiments, the media
content comprises a website, an email, a text message, a tweet or a
document. In some embodiments, the system further comprises
inputting metadata associated with the audio data and storing the
metadata at the unique address. In some embodiments, the metadata
comprises one or more of the group consisting of the size of the
audio data, the creation time of the audio data, the length of the
audio data, the source of the audio data, the title of the audio
data, the format of the audio data, the subject of the audio data,
where the audio data was recorded and one or more additional
network addresses indicating locations where the audio data is
stored. In some embodiments, the system further comprises storing
the audio data network address, the media content network address
and the metadata as associated entries in a table of a master
database along with all other previously inputted associated
entries of audio data network addresses, media content network
addresses and metadata on the storage database. In some
embodiments, the system further comprises providing the master
database and a sorting feature of the application to the user such
that the user is able to sort the entries of the table based on the
metadata, the audio data network address, the media content network
address or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the metadata
further comprises the audio data converted into text. In some
embodiments, the audio data further comprises image or video data.
In some embodiments, the storage database is integrated with the
computing device. In some embodiments, the network-accessible
location is located within the computing device. In some
embodiments, the audio recording mechanism is integrated with the
computing device. In some embodiments, the network-accessible
location is located within the storage database.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an audio commenting and publishing system
according to some embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates an audio commenting and publishing device
according to some embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of concurrently
providing audio data and media content at a network-accessible
location according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The audio commenting and publishing system described herein
enables a user to create, store and publish audio data/comments
(e.g. spoken words) in association with other network content.
Specifically, the system enables a user to observe network content
such as a website and create audio data that the user wishes to
associated with the network content such as a personal opinion on
the website. In response the system is able to automatically store
the created audio data, create links to the stored audio data and
the network content and publish the links at one or more network
locations such as a custom webpage wherein at the network location
others are able to view the network content while hearing the audio
data. As a result, the audio commenting and publishing system
provides the benefit of enabling people to communicate the tone and
other information in audio data that is lost when converted to
text. Further, the system has the advantage of running
independently of the network content that the audio data is
associated with because this system does not need to alter the
network content itself, rather it merely captures the network
address of the network content.
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an audio commenting and publishing system
100 according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, the audio
commenting and publishing system 100 comprises one or more
electronic devices 102 having an audio commenting and publishing
application, one or more content entities 106 and one or more
storage elements/databases 108 coupled together via one or more
networks 104. In some embodiments, one or more of the content
entities 106 are located on the electronic device 102 such that one
of the networks 104 comprise an internal network of the electronic
device 102. For example, the electronic device 102 is able to be a
laptop computer and the content entity 106 is able to be a word
document stored on the laptop computer. In some embodiments, one or
more of the storage elements 108 is integrated with the electronic
device 102. For example, one of the storage elements 108 is able to
be the local memory on the electronic device 102. Alternatively,
the storage elements 108 are able to be integrated with one or more
of the content entities 106 and/or are able to be remote storage
devices separate from both the electronic device 102 and the
content entities 106. In some embodiments, the commenting and
publishing application is stored and runs locally on the electronic
device 102. Alternatively, the audio commenting and publishing
application is able to be partially or fully stored and/or executed
remotely on a device separate from but coupled with the electronic
device 102 over the network(s) 104. For example, the audio
commenting and publishing application is able to be stored and
executed on a remote server coupled to the device 102 via the
network 104. In some embodiments, a user downloads the audio
commenting and publishing application onto the electronic device
102. Alternatively, the audio commenting and publishing application
is able to come pre-installed on the electronic device 102.
[0015] In some embodiments, the electronic device 102 comprises a
mobile computing device such as a smart phone, computer or
computing component within a vehicle. Alternatively, the electronic
device 102 is able to comprise a mobile phone or other type of
computing and/or networking device. In some embodiments, the one or
more networks 104 comprise the internet. Alternatively, the one or
more networks 104 are able to be any combination of wired and/or
wireless networks such as the internet, an ethernet or other types
of networks capable of transmitting audio data as are well known in
the art. In some embodiments, the content entities 106 comprise a
website or webpage. Alternatively, the content entities 106 are
able to be any network-accessible software and/or hardware entity
such as websites, blogs, twitter, email, documents, document review
programs and other types of network content and the hardware that
store and run them. For example, one of the entities 106 is able to
be a newspaper's online website having a webpage including a news
article that a user wants to associate an audio comment with.
Alternatively, one of the entities 106 is able to be a Facebook
page including photos that a user wishes to associate an audio
comment with. Alternatively, one of the entities 106 is able to be
a text document of a text editing program such as Microsoft Word,
wherein an editor of the document wishes to associate verbal
comments with the document.
[0016] In some embodiments, the storage elements 108 comprise a
server. For example, the storage elements 108 are able to comprise
the server that runs one of the content entities 106.
Alternatively, the storage elements 108 comprise other types of
data storage/memory devices as are well known in the art. In some
embodiments, one or more of the storage elements 108 comprise a
master database that includes a table or list of all stored audio
data, the web/network address of the stored audio data, the
metadata associated with the audio data, the web/network address of
the content entities 106 and the metadata associated with the
content entities 106. For example, the master database is able to
be stored on the device 102 on a storage element 108 that is
integrated with the device 102 such that the application is able to
access the master database locally. Alternatively, the master
database is able to be stored on one or more storage elements 108
remote from the device 102 such that the application accesses the
master database remotely.
[0017] The entries within the master database are able to be
sorted/filtered by a user for selecting one or more desired entries
and publishing or republishing said entries using the audio
commenting and publishing application as described below. For
example, a user is able to access the master database via a sorting
feature of the commenting and publishing application and
filter/sort the data by one or more parameters/characteristics and
combinations thereof in order to return a list of filtered audio
and associated data. In particular, the parameters/characteristics
are able to comprise metadata of the audio data, metadata of the
content entities 106 and/or the characteristics of the audio data.
For example, the parameters/characteristics are able to comprise
the web address of the associated content entity 106, the source or
person who created the audio data, subject of the associated
content entity 106, where the audio data was created, when the
audio data was created, length of the audio data, size of the audio
data, format of the audio data, subject of the audio data or other
characteristics of the audio data or content entities 106 as are
well known in the art. As a result, the system 100 provides the
benefit of enabling a user to utilize the audio commenting and
publishing application and the master database to organize, access
and selectively publish all the data stored in the system 100.
[0018] In operation, a user utilizes the electronic device 102 to
access one or more of the content entities 106. The user then
activates the audio commenting and publishing application of
electronic device 102 and utilizes a record feature of the
application to record the audio data they wish to associate with
the accessed content entities 106. The application is then able to
automatically store and format the recorded audio data on the
storage elements 108. In some embodiments, the audio data is stored
locally on the electronic device 102 and then copied or transferred
onto the storage elements 108 over the network(s) 104.
Alternatively, the audio data is able to directly stored on the
storage elements 108, for example, by streaming the audio data to
the storage elements 108. Further, the application is able to
automatically create a unique web address of the stored audio data,
automatically capture the network address of the subject content
entities 106 and automatically parse metadata about the content
entities 106 and the recorded audio data such that it all is able
to be stored with the recorded audio data on the storage elements
108. Alternatively, the metadata and/or network addresses are able
to be manually input into the application by the user for storage
with the audio data. In some embodiments, the web address of the
recorded audio data and/or the content entities 106 comprises a
universal resource locator (URL) that is able to be used to create
a link or links to the recorded audio and the content entities
106.
[0019] As a result, the user is able to utilize the application to
publish the audio data with the content entities 106 for others to
view simultaneously or concurrently. In some embodiments, the
publishing comprises inserting a single combined link into a
network-accessible location (e.g. webpage), wherein when selected
the combined link causes the audio data to be played as well as the
content entity 106 to be accessed/displayed. Alternatively, the
publishing comprises inserting a plurality of links into a
network-accessible location such that the links are able to be
separately selected to play the audio data and display the content
entities 106 concurrently. Alternatively, the publishing is able to
comprise generating a playback module of the application that
enables users to select one or more audio data entries on the
system 100 and automatically plays the selected audio data and
displays the associated content entities 106. Alternatively, the
publishing is able to comprise other publishing methods utilizing
the associated audio data and content entity data stored on the
storage elements as are well known in the art. Consequently, other
individuals accessing the content entities 106 are able to select
and listen to the audio data while accessing one or more of the
associated content entities 106. Accordingly, the system 100
provides the benefit of automatically processing the audio
comments/data, formatting the data into an audio file accessible on
the network and providing access to that audio file along with the
associated content entities 106 for simultaneous or concurrent
execution. Further, the system 100 provides the benefit of being
able to run independently of the content entities 106 because the
system 100 not alter the data associated with the operation of the
content entity 106 such as the html code of a website.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates the electronic device 102 according to
some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 102
comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 202 for executing the
audio commenting and publishing application and controlling the
operation of the electronic device 102, a memory 204 for locally
storing the audio commenting and publishing application and the
recorded audio if necessary, an input/output interface 206 for
inputting commands from a user and outputting the audio data to the
storage elements 108 via the network(s) 104, an audio recording
mechanism 208 for recording the audio and one or more buses 210 for
coupling the components of the electronic device 102 together.
Additionally, it is understood that the electronic device 102 is
able to comprise one or more additional components well known in
the art, which have not been included herein for the sake of
brevity.
[0021] In operation, when a user wishes to record and associate
audio with one or more content entities 106 being accessed via the
electronic device 102, they input an activation command to the
input/output interface 206 causing the CPU 202 to execute the audio
commenting and publishing application. In some embodiments, the
activation comprises a voice command input by the recording
mechanism 208. Alternatively, the activation comprises one or more
of a voice command, the pressing of a button on the device 102
and/or other triggering actions as are well known in the art. Upon
being activated, the audio commenting and publishing application
enables the user to begin recording audio using the audio recording
mechanism 208 by issuing a "record" command using a recording
feature of the audio recording mechanism 208. Alternatively, the
activation command is able to automatically issue the "record"
command to the recording mechanism 208 without requiring any second
or subsequent actions by the user. The device 102 is then able to
capture the network address of the content entities 106, parse the
metadata of the content entities 106 and the audio data, and
transmit the audio data, metadata and network addresses using the
I/O interface 206 to the storage elements 108 where the data is
formatted and saved. Accordingly, the associated audio data and
content entities 106 are able to be published such that others are
able to access the audio content on the content entity 106
simultaneously or concurrently.
[0022] In some embodiments, the memory 204 comprises non-volatile
memory. Alternatively, the memory 204 comprises one or both of
non-volatile and volatile memory. In some embodiments, the
input/output interface 206 comprises a display with a graphical
user interface (GUI) for receiving commands from the user.
Alternatively, the input/output interface 206 comprises one or more
of a display, a GUI, a voice recognition mechanism, transceiver,
device physical inputs, peripherals such as mice and keyboards, and
other interface components as are well known in the art. In some
embodiments, the audio recording mechanism 208 is integrated into
the device 102. Alternatively, the recording mechanism 208 is able
to be a peripheral device that is coupled to the electronic device
102 via the network(s) 104 or another wired or wireless network. In
some embodiments, the recording mechanism 208 comprises a voice
recorder. Alternatively, the recording mechanism 208 is able to be
other types of audio and/or video recording devices/mechanisms that
are able to record any kind of sound the user desires, such as
their voice to music or pre-recorded sound effects as are well
known in the art. In some embodiments, the recording mechanism 208
comprises recording software stored and executed on the electronic
device 102. Alternatively, the recording software is able to be
partially or fully remotely executed and/or stored from the device
102. For example, the recording software is able to be remotely
stored and/or executed on a website server coupled with the
electronic device 102 over the network 102. Some exemplary types of
such recording software include Quicktime that runs from a hard
drive of a computer, Javasonics.com or Pubclip.com or Byoaudio.com
that run from a web-based application, and Voice Memo that runs on
an iPhone. Alternatively, the recording mechanism 208 does not
include recording software and the recording and/or editing
functionality is implemented by a recording feature of the audio
commenting and publishing application. In some embodiments, the
recording application comprises one or more editing functions such
that the inputted and recorded data is able to be edited.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of operating the
audio commenting and publishing system 100 according to some
embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, a user accesses one or more
content entities 106 using the electronic device 102 at the step
302. The user activates and selects a "record" command of a record
feature of the audio commenting and publishing application on the
electronic device 102 which activates the recording mechanism 208
at the step 304. In some embodiments, the activation and/or
selecting of the "record" command of the audio commenting and
publishing application comprises clicking on activation and/or
record buttons on the electronic device 102. Alternatively, the
activation and/or selection are able to comprise touching a touch
screen of the device 102, issuing voice commands to the device 102
or other activation and/or selection methods as are well known in
the art. In some embodiments, the activation of the commenting
application automatically causes the recording mechanism 208 to be
activated and begin recording without the user issuing a "record"
command. In some embodiments, upon activation a graphical user
interface (GUI) of the application appears to the user on the
electronic device 102, wherein the interface comprises a recording
feature. In some embodiments, the recording feature displayed by
the interface comprises a single "record" button. Alternatively,
the display of the recording features is able to comprise other
recording and editing features as are well known in the art. In
some embodiments, the appearance of the application and/or the
recording feature is minimized on the GUI such that the application
and/or the recording feature only minimally interferes visually
with the accessed content entities 106. In some embodiments, this
minimization comprises any combination of causing the application
and/or the recorder feature to be partially transparent, small,
positioned in the periphery or other methods as are well known in
the art. As a result, the system 100 provides the benefit of
enabling the user to observe the content entities 106 without the
application blocking the view of the page.
[0024] The recording mechanism 208 begins recording audio data upon
activation at the step 306. In some embodiments, the audio data
comprises the user's voice. In some embodiments, the recording
mechanism 208 comprises a text to audio translation element such
that the audio data recorded by the recording mechanism 208 is able
to comprise inputted text that has been converted into audio data.
In some embodiments, the text to be converted into audio data is
input to the audio commenting and publishing application using the
input/output interface 206 of the electronic device 102. In some
embodiments, the text to audio translation element is AT&T
Natural Voices. Alternatively, step 306 is able to be omitted
and/or the audio data is able to be imported from existing audio
data stored on a memory coupled with the commenting and publishing
application via the network(s) 104. For example, a user is able to
import previously recorded or downloaded audio files to the
commenting and publishing application instead of or in addition to
recording new audio data using the recording mechanism 208.
[0025] The audio commenting and publishing application captures the
network address of the content entities 106, parses metadata
associated with the content entities 106 and the audio data, stores
the recorded audio data in the storage element 108 and determines a
network address of the location where the audio data is stored at
the step 308. In some embodiments, the network addresses are URLs
such that they network addresses are able to be used to create
links to and/or to play/display the audio data and content entities
106. In some embodiments, the metadata comprises one or more of the
name of the source/person who input the audio data, the time the
audio data was created, where the audio data was created, the
subject of the audio data, the size of the data, the length of the
data, the format of the data, the subject of the content entities
106 and other types of information related to the audio data and/or
the content entities 106 as is well known in the art.
[0026] In some embodiments, the user is also able to import text
data and/or a network address of the audio data with the recorded
audio data into the application. In such embodiments, the parsing
is able to comprise automatically distinguishing the imported text
data, the imported network address and/or the audio data from the
received data such that the text data and/or network address are
able to be associated with the audio data and stored on the storage
elements 108. As a result, utilizing the master database, the audio
data entries/files are able to be filtered, organized or searched
for based on the text data and/or network address using the sorting
feature of the application. In some embodiments, the added text
data is able to be translated speech to text from the audio data.
As a result, the words used in the audio data are able to be
utilized to organize, sort and/or filter the audio data and its
associated data. For example, a user is able to retrieve all audio
data about politics by searching textual translations of the audio
data for the word politics. In particular, this function has the
advantage of not having to rely on the accuracy of the metadata
associated with the audio data to retrieve the desired results. In
some embodiments, this process is able to be operated using voice
commands. In some embodiments, this process is able to be automated
such that the application controls the recording and translation of
the speech to text or text to speech and the transmitting of that
data with the other data (e.g. network address) to the storage
elements 108.
[0027] The audio commenting and publishing application publishes
the audio data and the associated content entities 106 such that
they are able to be concurrently played and accessed by one or more
users at the step 310. In some embodiments, the publishing
comprises providing a playback feature of the application to the
user, wherein the playback feature enables the user to select one
or more audio files and automatically plays the selected audio
files and accesses/displays the associated content entities 106. In
particular, the selection of the audio files is able to be
performed using a sorting/filtering function of the application
that enables the user to find desired audio files by
sorting/filtering the audio data by one or more parameters or
characteristics as described above. In some embodiments, the
publishing comprises presenting a single "combined" link to the
user via the interface 206, wherein when selected the single link
causes the audio data to begin playing and the content entities 106
to be accessed/displayed. The single link is able to be created
based on the network address of the audio data and the network
address of the content entities 106. In some embodiments, the
single link is able to be accomplished by use of batch or automated
methods of making more than one action occur at a time or in
sequence such that the audio data and the content entities 106 are
launched either simultaneously, concurrently or in close
succession. Alternatively, the publishing comprises presenting a
plurality of links each associated with a content entity 106 or the
audio data via the interface 206, wherein when selected the links
cause the associated data to be accessed/played.
[0028] In some embodiments, a plurality of the audio data and
associated content entities 106 are able to be published together.
For example, the application is able to automatically or upon
instruction by a user determine all of the audio data entries that
have one or more common characteristics/parameters by utilizing the
sorting/filtering feature described above and publish those
determined audio data entries with their associated content
entities 106 at one network-accessible location (e.g. one bulletin
board website). In some embodiments, the application automatically
inserts the link or links into a network-accessible location such
as a newly created website, an email, a twitter feed, a text
message, a document or an existing website. In particular, in some
embodiments the application is able to receive login information
related to a network-accessible location such that the application
is able to automatically sign onto the network-accessible location
using the login information and insert the link or links into the
location. In some embodiments, the link or links are automatically
displayed to the user by the application through one of many
different publishing technologies such as Java or DHTML or push
technologies. Alternatively, the link or links are able to be
presented to the user by being automatically emailed to the user by
the commenting application or placed in a predetermined file on the
electronic device 102 by the commenting application. Alternatively,
the link or links are able to be manually selected by the user for
display by interacting with the audio commenting and publishing
application. In some embodiments, the user is able to add text to
be displayed with the link or links. In particular, the audio
commenting and publishing application is able to input and/or
preselect text to be automatically displayed along with the link or
links. For example, the preselected text is able to comprise
metadata associated with the audio data and/or custom text entered
by the user such as "Listen to my comments."
[0029] In some embodiments, the publishing is able to comprise
presenting multiple links corresponding to different audio files
and associated content entities 106 along with a script that when
executed causes the audio files and associated content entities 106
to be played/accessed in a defined order (e.g. like a slide show).
In some embodiments, the publishing comprises automatically
creating a new website or other type of network-accessible content
that automatically plays the audio data and displays the content
entities 106 when the website is accessed. Alternatively, the new
website or other type of network-accessible content are able to
include a link or links that when selected play the audio data and
display the content entities 106. Alternatively, a graphic or
advertisement such as a banner ad associated with the new website
is able to begin playback of the audio data and presentation of the
content entities 106.
[0030] In some embodiments, the publishing comprises adding
playback of the audio data to existing ads, including but not
limited to graphic ads and text ads. For example, the audio
commenting and publishing application is able to launch audio data
and associated content entities 106 without changing the existing
icon, link, or graphic of the ad that the user selects to reach the
content entities 106. In this way, a company that utilizes online
text ads is able to add audio data to textual ads this without
changing the existing text or graphic of the ad. In such
embodiments, the application comprises an ad interface feature that
interfaces with the ad system, whereby the ad interface feature
processes and transmits to the ad system the proper network address
and/or hypertext markup language code (HTML code) necessary to
include the audio data with the ads, without changing the existing
ad HTML code. For example, an advertiser is able to select the
webpage that their ad, which they want to add audio data to, links
to, and then record the desired audio data utilizing the audio
commenting and publishing application such that the audio recording
HTML replaces the HTML in the existing ad, without changing the
actual icon or text of the ad that a user clicks on. Further, in
such embodiments the selection icon or graphic of the existing ad
is able to be input to the application during the audio data
creation and recording process and automatically stored into the
storage elements 108 for use.
[0031] The audio commenting and publishing system 100 described
herein has numerous advantages. Specifically, the system provides
the advantage of enabling users to associate audio comments with
content entities 106 such that their comments are able to be shared
with others viewing the content entities 106. Further, the system
provides the advantage of creating a distinct URL for any audio
comment and any desired associated information about that recording
within a storage element/database 108 that is able to be accessible
by computer programs for organizing, sorting, and display based on
the metadata and/or other data. Moreover, the system provides the
advantage of enabling a user to utilize the audio commenting and
publishing application and the master database to organize and
access all the data stored in the system 100. Finally, the system
provides the advantage of enabling a user to add textual and other
data that is able to be presented with their comments.
[0032] The present invention has been described in terms of
specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the
understanding of principles of construction and operation of the
invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and
details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims
appended hereto. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the
art that other various modifications may be made in the embodiment
chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, it should
be noted that although as described herein, the system is taught as
combining sound recordings with content, the system is able to
operate substantially similarly while combining images and/or video
recordings with content. For example, a user is able to take a
picture and/or record video and audio data about content and then
associate the audio, image and video data with the content
utilizing the system. Alternatively, the user is able to utilize an
A/V recorder, but only record video or only record audio for
association with the target content. As a result, additional data
formats for the recorded data are available including audio
formats, video formats, and audio/video formats. It also should be
noted that although the system is described herein in relation to
internet content, the target content is able to be other types of
content such as editable text document. For example, the target
content is able to be a Microsoft Word document wherein the created
link is able to be inserted into the document.
* * * * *