Method and system to mark an audio signal with metadata

#The present invention relates to a method and system for processing an audio signal in accordance with extracted features of the audio signal. The present invention has particular, but not exclusive, application with systems that determine and extract musical features of an audio signal such as tempo and key. The extracted features are translated into metadata.

#Ambient environment systems that control the environment are known from, for example, our United States patent application publication U.S. 2002/0169817, which discloses a real-world representation system that comprises a set of devices, each device being arranged to provide one or more real-world parameters, for example audio and visual characteristics. At least one of the devices is arranged to receive a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language and the devices are operated according to the description. General terms expressed in the language are interpreted by either a local server or a distributed browser to operate the devices to render the real-world experience to the user.

#United States patent application publication U.S. 2002/0169012 discloses a method of operating a set of devices that comprises receiving a signal, for example at least part of a game world model from a computer program. The signal is analysed to produce a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language and the set of devices is, operated according to the description.

#The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system for processing an audio signal,

#FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of processing an audio signal, and

#FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system 100 for processing an audio signal. The system 100 consists of a processor (CPU) 102 connected to memory (ROM) 104 and memory (RAM) 106 via a general is data-bus 108. Computer code or software 110 on a carrier 112 may be loaded into the RAM 106 (or alternatively provided in the ROM 104), the code causing the processor 102 to perform instructions embodying the processing method. Additionally, the processor 102 is connected to a store 114, to output devices 116, 118, and to an input device 122. A user interface (UI) 120 is also provided.

#The system 100 may be embodied as a conventional home personal computer (PC) with the output device 116 taking the form of a computer monitor or display. The store 114 may be a remote database available over a network connection. Alternatively, if the system 100 is embodied in a home network, the output devices 116, 118 may be distributed around the home and comprise, for example, a wall mounted flat panel display, computer controlled home lighting units, and/or audio speakers. The connections between the processor 102 and the output devices 116, 118 may be wireless (for example communications via radio standards WiFi or Bluetooth) and/or wired (for example communications via wired standards Ethernet, USB).

#The system 100 receives an input of an audio signal (such as a music track from a CD) from which musical features are extracted. In this embodiment, the audio signal is provided via an internal input device 122 of the PC such as a CD/DVD or hard disc drive. Alternatively, the audio signal may be received via a connection to a networked home entertainment system (Hi-Fi, home cinema etc). Those skilled in the art will realise that the exact hardware/software configuration and mechanism of provision of an audio signal is not important, rather that such signals are made available to the system 100.