System and method for the creation and playback of soundtrack-enhanced audiobooks
AssigneeBooktrack Holdings Limited
InventorsPaul Charles Cameron, Craig Andrew Wilson, Brock David Moore, Mark Anthony Buer
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Abstract
A synchronised soundtrack for an audiobook. The soundtrack has a soundtrack timeline having one or more audio regions that are configured for synchronised playback with corresponding narration regions in the audiobook playback timeline. Each audio region having a position along the soundtrack timeline that is dynamically adjustable to maintain synchronization of the audio regions of the soundtrack with their respective narration regions in the audiobook based on a narration speed variable indicative of the playback narration speed of the audiobook.
Claims20
A system for generating a soundtrack-enhanced audiobook, the system comprising:
- a processor,
- memory,
- electronic display presenting an operable graphical user interface,
- an audio output system, and wherein the system is operable to:
- receive a digital audiobook into memory;
- receive or retrieve electronic text corresponding to or indicative of the narration in the audiobook into memory for display on the graphical user interface;
- receive soundtrack configuration data via the graphical user interface defining a soundtrack comprising soundtrack data defining one or more audio regions that are configured for synchronised playback with corresponding selected narration regions in the audiobook, the audio regions being defined based on text regions in the displayed electronic text that correspond to the selected narration regions in the audiobook;
- receive configured mapping data via the graphical user interface comprising data representing multiple reference markers that map audiobook playback times to their corresponding text position in the electronic text;
- and
- output the soundtrack-enhanced audiobook comprising the audiobook, soundtrack data, and mapping data for playback.
A method of generating a soundtrack-enhanced audiobook on an electronic system comprising a processor, memory and electronic display, comprising:
- receiving the digital audiobook into memory;
- receiving or retrieving electronic text corresponding to or indicative of the narration in the audiobook into memory for display;
- defining a soundtrack comprising soundtrack data defining one or more audio regions that are configured for synchronised playback with corresponding selected narration regions in the audiobook, the audio regions being defined based on text regions in the electronic text that correspond to the selected narration regions in the audiobook;
- generating mapping data comprising data representing multiple reference markers that map audiobook playback times to their corresponding text position in the electronic text;
- and
- outputting the soundtrack-enhanced audiobook comprising the audiobook, soundtrack data, and mapping data for playback.
A system for configuring mapping data relating to a soundtrack-enhanced audiobook, the mapping data representing multiple reference markers that map audiobook playback times to their corresponding text position in electronic text that substantially represents the narration in the audiobook, the system comprising a processor, memory, and a display presenting an operable graphical user interface, and an audio output system, the graphical user interface comprising:
- one or more electronic text layout panes configured to display at least a portion of the electronic text;
- an audiobook playback timeline pane that is configured to display a graphical representation of the audiobook playback timeline;
- an audiobook playback control interface for controlling the playback of the audiobook over the audio output system;
- and
- wherein the graphical user interface is operable by a user to control the playback of the audiobook over the audio output system and the display of the electronic text while inserting graphical reference markers that link or map the audiobook playback time of a narrated word in the audiobook playback to its corresponding text position in the displayed electronic text, the system generating and storing or outputting mapping data based on the inserted graphical reference markers.
A system for the creation of a synchronised soundtrack for an audiobook, the system comprising a processor and memory, and being configured to:
- receive or retrieve an audiobook into memory;
- receive data defining one or more audio regions of the soundtrack that are configured for synchronised playback with corresponding narration regions in the audiobook playback timeline;
- and
- configure each audio region to have a position along the soundtrack timeline that is dynamically adjustable to maintain synchronization of the audio regions of the soundtrack with their respective narration regions in the audiobook based on a narration speed variable indicative of the playback narration speed of the audiobook.
A method of creating a synchronised soundtrack for an audiobook, the method implemented by a processor having associated memory, the method comprising:
- receiving or retrieving an audiobook into memory;
- receiving data defining one or more audio regions of the soundtrack that are configured for synchronised playback with corresponding narration regions in the audiobook playback timeline;
- and
- configuring each audio region to have a position along the soundtrack timeline that is dynamically adjustable to maintain synchronization of the audio regions of the soundtrack with their respective narration regions in the audiobook based on a narration speed variable indicative of the playback narration speed of the audiobook.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.