Method and system for selecting different versions of electronic media compositions in real time

A computer-implemented system to provide an electronic media file playback application that allows a user to switch between different versions of an electronic media composition in real time comprising:

• a digital processing device comprising:
• a. at least one processor,
• b. an operating system configured to perform executable instructions,
• c. a memory, wherein the memory comprises storage for housing a collection of electronic media compositions, wherein each of the electronic media compositions in the collection has a unique identifier and different versions of each of the electronic media compositions in the collection are stored in a plurality of electronic media libraries, wherein each of the electronic media libraries comprises the same collection of electronic media compositions, and wherein a different version of each electronic media composition resides in each of the plurality of electronic media libraries;
• d. and a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device for:
• i. generating at least one log comprising an ordered list of electronic media compositions, each electronic media composition in the at least one log having an associated time designating when each electronic media composition is scheduled to be played;
• ii. loading the at least one log into a plurality of instances, each of the instances corresponding to each of the electronic media libraries in the plurality of electronic media libraries;
• iii. converting the plurality of instances into a plurality of identical playlists associated with each of the electronic media libraries, each identical playlist comprising the ordered list of electronic media compositions in the at least one log;
• iv. using each of the identical playlists, generating an output comprising a plurality of playback streams, wherein each of the plurality of playback streams corresponds to the electronic media files in each of the electronic media libraries in the plurality of electronic media libraries;
• v. sending the generated output to an encoder configured to receive and encode the plurality of playback streams;
• vi. encoding the plurality of playback streams;
• vii. sending the encoded plurality of playback streams to an electronic media streaming server;
• viii. sending the encoded plurality of playback streams from the electronic media streaming server to a backend API;
• ix. sending the encoded plurality of playback streams from the backend API to an end device, wherein the playback streams are configured to stream at the same time and in a synchronized manner and wherein the end device is configured to allow a user to play an electronic media composition and switch between different versions of the electronic media composition in real time.

Non-transitory computer-readable storage media encoded with a computer program including instructions executable by a processor to provide an electronic media file playback application that allows a user to switch between different versions of an electronic media composition in real time comprising:

• a. a database, recorded on the media, comprising a collection of electronic media compositions, wherein each of the electronic media compositions in the collection has a unique identifier and different versions of each of the electronic media compositions in the collection are stored in a plurality of electronic media libraries, wherein each of the electronic media libraries comprises the same collection of electronic media compositions, and wherein a different version of each electronic media composition resides in each of the plurality of electronic media libraries;
• b. a scheduling software module comprising instructions for generating at least one log comprising an ordered list of electronic media compositions, each electronic media composition in the at least one log having an associated time designating when each electronic media composition is scheduled to be played;
• c. an automation software module comprising instructions for:
• i. loading the at least one log into a plurality of instances, each of the instances corresponding to an electronic media library in a plurality of electronic media libraries;
• ii. converting the plurality of instances into a plurality of identical playlists associated with each of the electronic media libraries, each identical playlist comprising the ordered list of electronic media compositions in the at least one log;
• iii. using each of the identical playlists, generating an output comprising a plurality of playback streams, wherein each of the plurality of playback streams corresponds to electronic media files in each of the electronic media libraries in the plurality of electronic media libraries;
• d. an encoder software module comprising instructions for encoding the plurality of playback streams:
• e. a software module comprising instructions to route the plurality of playback streams from an encoder to a streaming server, to a backend API, and to an end device, wherein the plurality of playback streams are configured to stream at the same time and in a synchronized manner and wherein the end device is configured to allow a user to play an electronic media composition and switch between different versions of the electronic media composition in real time.

A computer-implemented method of playing one or more electronic media files that allows a user to switch between different versions of an electronic media composition, the different versions of the electronic media composition being embodied in the one or more electronic media files, the method comprising:

• a) providing a collection of electronic media compositions, wherein each of the electronic media compositions in the collection has a unique identifier;
• b) providing different versions of each of the electronic media compositions in the collection, each version being embodied in an electronic media file, wherein each version of each of the electronic media compositions has the same unique identifier associated with one of the electronic media compositions;
• c) providing a plurality of electronic media libraries, each electronic media library comprising the same collection of electronic media compositions, wherein a different version of each electronic media composition resides in each of the plurality of electronic media libraries;
• d) generating at least one log comprising an ordered list of electronic media compositions selected from the collection of electronic media compositions, each electronic media composition in the at least one log having an associated time designating when each electronic media composition is scheduled to be played;
• e) providing an automation system that interfaces with the plurality of electronic media libraries, the automation system independently performing the steps of:
• i. loading the at least one log into a plurality of instances, each of the instances corresponding to a respective electronic media library in the plurality of electronic media libraries;
• ii. converting the plurality of instances into a plurality of identical playlists associated with each of the respective media libraries, each identical playlist comprising the ordered list of electronic media compositions in the at least one log;
• iii. using each of the identical playlists, generating an output comprising a plurality of playback streams wherein each of the plurality of playback streams corresponds to the electronic media files in each of the respective electronic media libraries in the plurality of electronic media libraries;
• f) sending, by the computer, the output from the automation system to an encoder configured to receive and encode the plurality of playback streams;
• g) sending, by the computer, the encoded plurality of playback streams to an electronic media streaming server;
• h) sending, by the computer, the plurality of playback streams from the electronic media streaming server to a backend API;
• i) sending, by the computer, the plurality of playback streams from the backend API to an end device, wherein the playback streams are configured to stream at the same time and in a synchronized manner and wherein the end device is configured to allow a user to play an electronic media composition and switch between different versions of the electronic media composition in real time.