Portable interactive music player

Abstract

The present invention relates to an interactive music player adapted to allow a user to control and mix a plurality of concurrently played audio tracks. The invention also relates to a corresponding method and a computer program product.

Description

This invention is a divisional application based on the Chinese invention patent application with an application date of "February 4, 2021", an international application number of "PCT / SE2021 / 050081", a Chinese application number of "202180012232.7", and an invention name of "Portable interactive music player", and its priority is the Swedish invention patent application with priority number "2050138-3" and priority date of "February 10, 2020". Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable interactive music player adapted to allow a user to control and mix a plurality of simultaneously played audio tracks. The invention also relates to a corresponding method and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] Multichannel recording technology provides the flexibility to record individual tracks of music together or separately and then mix the tracks to produce the desired compilation for release. Releases usually have a reduced number of tracks: one track in the case of mono, two tracks for stereo, and usually six tracks for surround sound systems.

[0003] Typically, the released version can be provided to end users as "transferable media" via the Internet using online music distribution services such as Spotify, Apple music, Google Play music, etc., and the end users can then consume the music using mobile devices such as mobile phones. Through the above-mentioned online music distribution services, it is generally easier to distribute and consume music than previously using only "fixed media" such as vinyl records, cassettes or compact discs.

[0004] However, part of the experience of the end user owning a piece of music is lost when moving from fixed media to transportable media. Furthermore, transportable media is generally of lower quality compared to fixed media, i.e. at least compared to vinyl and compact discs. That said, there is a trend today for some artists to return to releasing vinyl records, with vinyl sales in the music business growing by more than 10% per year. Regardless of whether the music is provided to the end user as fixed media or transportable media, the possibilities for the end user to interact with the music are limited. Such interaction is usually limited to other artists (such as DJs) using expensive mixing equipment that allows further mixing of loops, beats, sounds, etc. with the released version of the music.

[0005] In view of the above, the typical end-user desires to be able to better interact with the music to further enhance the end-user's listening experience, particularly in relation to the consumption of fixed media music. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable interactive music player suitable for outputting a mixed audio stream, comprising a storage device, an output device, a first and a second interface device controllable by a user, a control unit connected to the storage device, the output device and the first and second user interface devices, and a housing, wherein the storage device and the control unit are arranged in the housing, and the first and the second interface devices are controllable from outside the housing, wherein the storage device is suitable for storing the first and second audio streams, the control unit is suitable for receiving first and second control signals from the first and the second interface devices respectively, the control unit is suitable for simultaneously playing the audio streams stored in the storage device, the control unit is suitable for forming a mixed audio stream from the first and second audio streams played simultaneously according to the first and the second control signals, and the control unit is suitable for outputting the mixed audio stream using the output device.

[0007] The present invention is based on the recognition that users wish to be able to better interact with music in order to improve overall music consumption. This is consistent with the present invention by allowing multiple audio streams to be stored in the storage device, but when listened to, the audio streams will be played synchronously (by processing / acquiring / outputting the audio streams in parallel) based on the input provided by the user using the interface device. Therefore, the advantage of following this embodiment is that the end user will feel more involved in the artist's creative process when listening to (the artist's) music; in addition, the artist will also benefit from the user's interaction, which may allow the artist to gain further inspiration in his or her musical creation.

[0008] Therefore, according to the present invention, it is advantageous to at least allow each of the plurality of audio streams to have its dedicated interface means.Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the first audio stream is mixed according to the first control signal and the second audio stream is mixed according to the second control signal.

[0009] The dependency between the control signal and the audio stream may be related to the amplitude of the control stream, for example. In such an embodiment, controlling the interface means between the maximum and minimum endpoints of the interface means will control "how much" of a particular audio stream to be combined / mixed with further audio streams.

[0010] However, according to the present invention, the interface device may be allowed to control other characteristics of the audio streams, such as the speed, delay, etc. of the respective audio streams.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, the storage device stores the first and second audio streams, and the portable interactive music player includes corresponding and associated first and second interface devices. However, it should be understood that the storage device can store further audio streams, and the portable interactive music player can include further corresponding and associated interface devices. In some embodiments, four audio streams and four interface devices associated therewith can be included.

[0012] In some embodiments, the audio stream examples may be stored at a storage device as, for example, separate MP3 or WAV files. Other audio stream formats are of course possible and within the scope of the present invention. It should also be understood that multiple audio streams may be stored at a storage device as a single file, wherein, for example, the content of the separate audio streams may be separated using metadata composed of such a combined file, or stored separately from such a combined file.

[0013] In addition, multiple independent but related or combined audio files can be stored with the storage device. Thus, for example, an artist can allow the storage of some or all of a recording using the portable interactive music player. The number of audio files stored at the storage device can also depend on the capacity of the storage device and the quality of the audio stream.

[0014] As a non-limiting example, if four audio streams are selected, it may be possible to allow the first audio stream to include vocals of a music track, the second audio stream to include the basic beat portion of the music track, the third audio stream to include the audio of a first instrument, and the fourth audio stream to include the audio of a second instrument. If the second-fourth interface devices are arranged toward the minimum endpoints of the respective interface devices, it may be possible to (completely) suppress the basic beat portion and the first and second instruments, thereby enhancing the vocals. Therefore, based on the settings of the respective interface devices, the mixed audio streams may be operated accordingly.

[0015] Preferably, the portable interactive music player also includes an audio connector suitable for receiving an audio plug, wherein the audio connector is connected to the control unit; the audio connector preferably includes a 3.5 mm jack. After an electrical connection is formed between the audio connector and the external audio source, the control unit can be adapted to receive one audio stream after another in sequence. In some embodiments, the external source can be selected as one of music processing software or electronic drums. Other external sources are certainly possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the external source is a MIDI device or a MIDI musical instrument. In such an embodiment, the control unit is adapted to receive and process MIDI signals received from a MIDI musical instrument / device and used when forming a mixed audio stream.

[0016] It is also desirable to allow reception at the audio connector of a further audio stream consisting of a mixed audio stream, for example mixed with the first to fourth audio streams, possibly to be seen as a fifth audio stream.

[0017] In some embodiments, the function of the audio connector can be reversed, allowing the audio connector to effectively function as an output device; thus, the audio connection can be connected to, for example, a pair of headphones or other audio reproduction device, such as speakers.

[0018] According to the present invention, the portable interactive music player can of course be arranged to include multiple audio connectors, such as two connectors; therefore, more than the fifth audio stream (such as the sixth audio stream) can be combined with the mixed audio stream. In addition, when reversing the functions of such multiple audio connectors, it is possible to allow, for example, two separate users to connect headphones to separate audio connectors, respectively.

[0019] Of course, within the scope of the invention, it is possible to allow different output audio connectors to transmit different mixed audio streams. For example, the first (output) audio connector can provide a stream that is a mixture of the first and second audio streams, while the second (output) audio connector can provide a stream that is a mixture of the third and fourth audio streams; further corresponding embodiments are possible and within the scope of the invention.

[0020] However, in some embodiments it may be advantageous to arrange the portable interactive music player to instead or also include a Bluetooth transceiver arranged to be used as an output device; thus, using this embodiment the portable interactive music player may be connected to, for example, so-called wireless Bluetooth speakers or headphones or the like.

[0021] In order to allow the interactive music player to be truly portable, it is desirable to further arrange a battery within the housing, wherein the battery is used to power the portable interactive music player.

[0022] The portable interactive music player may also wish to further include a speed interface device that can be controlled from outside the housing, wherein the control unit is adapted to receive a speed control signal from the speed interface device to control the speed of the mixed audio stream. In some embodiments, a single speed interface device may be arranged to control the overall speed of the mixed audio stream. However, a control signal from, for example, an interface device may be combined with the speed control signal to adjust the speed of only one audio stream.

[0023] Optionally, the portable interactive music player can also allow to include a display unit connected to the control unit at the same time, wherein the control unit is further adapted to form an image display of the mixed audio stream at the display unit. For example, the image display can be a waveform of the mixed audio stream currently outputted using the output device. Of course, the display unit can allow to display any other type of information, such as the overall beat of the mixed audio stream, etc. In some embodiments, for example, the display unit can allow to display only information related to a single audio stream.

[0024] In some embodiments of the invention, the audio stream is pre-stored in the storage device when received by the user, for example during manufacture of the portable interactive music player. However, as an alternative, the portable interactive music player may also be equipped with a high-speed data port for receiving the audio stream to be stored in the storage device of the portable interactive music player. Thus, the user may connect the portable interactive music player to, for example, a computer or similar device to download more and / or other audio streams to the portable interactive music player; in some embodiments, the high-speed data port may have dual functionality and may be used to charge the battery.

[0025] The portable interactive music player may also be equipped with means for establishing network communications with, for example, a remote server. Thus, more audio streams may be downloaded from the remote server than using a high-speed data port. The remote server may also be allowed to at least partially monitor and / or control the functions of the portable interactive music player; the network communications are preferably wireless, using, for example, Wi-Fi or a mobile communications protocol.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method for operating a portable interactive music player, the portable interactive music player comprising a storage device, an output device, a first and a second interface device controllable by a user, a control unit connected to the storage device, the output device and the first and second user interface devices, and a housing, the storage device and the control unit being arranged within the housing, the first and second interface devices being controllable from outside the housing, wherein the method comprises storing first and second audio streams at the storage device, receiving first and second control signals from the first and second interface devices, respectively, at the control unit, simultaneously playing the audio streams stored in the storage device using the control unit, forming a mixed audio stream from the simultaneously played first and second audio streams and based on the first and second control signals using the control unit, and outputting the mixed audio stream using the control unit and the output device; this aspect of the present invention provides similar advantages as described above in relation to the previous aspects of the present invention.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer program product is provided, which includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium on which a computer program device for operating a portable interactive music player is stored, the portable interactive music player including a storage device, an output device, a first and a second interface device controllable by a user, a control unit connected to the storage device, the output device and the first and second user interface devices, and a housing, the storage device and the control unit are arranged in the housing, and the first and second interface devices are controllable from outside the housing, wherein the computer program product includes code for storing first and second audio streams at the storage device, code for receiving first and second control signals from the first and second interface devices respectively at the control unit, code for using the control unit to simultaneously play the audio streams stored at the storage device, code for using the control unit to form a mixed audio stream from the first and second audio streams according to the first and second control signals played simultaneously, and code for outputting the mixed audio stream using the control unit and the output device; in addition, this aspect of the present invention provides similar advantages as described above in connection with the previous aspects of the present invention.

[0028] The control unit is preferably an ASIC, a microprocessor or any other type of computing device; the software executed by the control unit for operating the system of the present invention can be stored on a computer-readable medium, which is any type of storage device, including a removable non-volatile random access memory, a hard drive, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a USB memory, an SD memory card, or one of similar computer-readable media known in the art.

[0029] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description; those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Various aspects of the present invention, including its specific features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A portable interactive music player according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated; and Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the portable interactive music player according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference symbols refer to like elements throughout.

[0032] Turning now to the drawings, in particular Figure 1 , schematically shows an example embodiment of a portable interactive music player 100, which includes a housing 102. Inside the housing 102, a control unit 104 and a storage device 106 connected thereto are arranged, for example, an electronic data storage device, such as a flash memory. In some embodiments, the storage device 106 is integrated into the interactive music player 100, however, in some (not shown) embodiments, it may be detachable. In such an embodiment, the storage device 106 may be a detachable memory card.

[0033] According to the present invention, the storage device 106 stores multiple audio streams. As described above, the audio streams can be stored at the storage device as separate MP3 or WAV files, for example. Other audio stream formats are certainly possible and within the scope of the present invention. It should also be understood that multiple audio streams can be stored at the storage device as a single file, where, for example, the content of the separate audio streams can be separated using metadata composed of such a combined file, or stored separately from such a combined file.

[0034] For reference, the control unit 104 may be, for example, a general purpose processor, a dedicated processor, a circuit containing processing components, a group of distributed processing components, a group of distributed computers configured for processing, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The processor may be or include any number of hardware components for performing data or signal processing or for executing computer code stored in a memory. The memory may be one or more devices for storing data and / or computer code for completing or facilitating the various methods described in this specification. The memory may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The memory may include a database component, an object code component, a script component, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities described in the present invention. According to an exemplary embodiment, any distributed or local storage device may be used with the system and method described herein. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory may be communicatively connected to the processor (e.g., through a circuit or any other wired, wireless or network connection) and include computer code for executing one or more processes described herein. In some embodiments, the interactive music player 100 includes a plurality of control units that are used together to provide the functions required by the interactive music player 100.

[0035] The housing 102 also contains at least one battery 108 for powering the interactive music player 100, thereby making the interactive music player 100 truly portable. Preferably, a rechargeable battery is used. Such a rechargeable battery can be charged, for example, using a connection port 110 arranged together with the housing 102.

[0036] The housing 102 may also house an output device 112 for allowing the mixed audio stream to be provided to the user. As described above, in some embodiments, the output device 112 may include a Bluetooth transceiver, such as a wireless headset 150 for connecting to the user. Figure 1 Of course, other types of wireless communication protocols may be implemented now or in the future according to the present invention.

[0037] In addition, Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , the interactive music player 100 is shown to include first 112, second 114, third 116, and fourth 118 interface devices, wherein the interface devices 112, 114, 116, 118 are connected to the control unit 104. At least a portion of the interface devices 112, 114, 116, 118 faces the outside of the housing 102 and can therefore be controlled by a user. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the interface devices 112, 114, 116, 118 are shown as rotatable knobs. Of course, the interface devices 112, 114, 116, 118 can be implemented using other buttons, sliders, etc., as long as the specific implementation is considered appropriate.

[0038] In addition, in a corresponding manner, a speed interface device 120 is also included, and the speed interface device 120 can also be controlled from the outside of the housing 102. In a corresponding manner, the speed interface device 120 is connected to the control unit 104. The speed interface device 120 is Figure 1 However, it is permissible that the speed interface device 120 be implemented as a resilient button (sometimes referred to as a "joystick") having first and second end points and a standardized center point.

[0039] In addition, in some embodiments, the interactive music player 100 may optionally be equipped with a display unit 122, which in turn is connected to the control unit 104. In such embodiments, the control unit 104 may be arranged to form a graphical display of at least a portion of the mixed audio stream provided to the user. In some embodiments, such a graphical display may include a waveform representing the mixed audio stream. The waveform is then preferably displayed at the display unit 122 at the same time (and preferably synchronously) as the mixed audio stream is transmitted to the user.

[0040] Additionally, in some embodiments, the interactive music player 100 may optionally be equipped with an audio connector 124 adapted to receive an audio plug. The audio plug may in turn be part of a cable 160, allowing the audio connector 124 to be connected to an external device, such as music processing software or an electronic drum 170. In some embodiments, the interactive music player 100, cable 160, and music processing software or electronic drum 170 may together form a portable music device.

[0041] When receiving data from an external device, in some embodiments, it is preferred to enable the control unit to synchronize the received data with the audio stream. Such an embodiment will allow the received data to follow the overall beat of the audio stream (and therefore the mixed audio stream).

[0042] Therefore, in some embodiments, the control unit 104 may be adapted to process the data received from the external device to synchronize the received data when mixing it with other audio streams. In some embodiments, such functionality may include buffering the received data and finding and adjusting the tempo of the received data to correspond to the tempo of the other audio streams.

[0043] In some embodiments, the interactive music player 100 may also be equipped with a speaker element (not shown) arranged inside the housing. If possible, the interactive music player 100 may also include a microphone (not shown) adapted to receive sounds from outside the interactive music player 100. Thus, for example, the user may sample external sounds, or allow his / her own vocals to be included to be combined with other audio streams. Furthermore, in such embodiments, it may be necessary to cache data from the microphone, and to find and adjust the tempo of the received data to correspond to the tempo of other audio streams.

[0044] Additionally, in some embodiments, connection port 110 may allow interactive music player 100 to be connected to, for example, a computer, tablet, etc. Thus, interaction with storage device 106 may be possible. For example, in some embodiments, more audio streams from a computer may be uploaded to storage device 104. In such embodiments, connection port 110 may be a high-speed data port.

[0045] However, in some embodiments, other communication means may be integrated with interactive music player 100, for example allowing interactive music player 100 to communicate using network communications, such as using wireless communications such as Wi-Fi or similar.

[0046] In some embodiments, the control unit 102 may also implement a synthesizer function. In such an embodiment, the interactive music player 100 includes another set of interface devices (usually buttons) to allow control of the synthesizer function. However, the above-mentioned MIDI signals (which may be received at the audio connector 124) may be provided as control signals to the synthesizer function implemented by the control unit 102.

[0047] During operation of the interactive music player 100, further reference is made to Figure 2 , S1, the audio stream is stored at the storage device 104. This storage may be performed during the manufacture of the interactive music player 100, or as described above using the connection port 110 or other communication means.

[0048] Independent of the above, the artist may choose how to segment the created audio into a plurality of different audio streams before the audio streams are stored in the storage device 104. As a non-limiting example, the artist may choose to segment the created audio into four different audio streams for subsequent storage at the storage device 104. For example, a first audio stream may be arranged to include vocals for a music track, a second audio stream includes a basic beat portion of the music track, a third audio stream includes audio for a first instrument, and a fourth audio stream includes audio for a second instrument. Other combinations / segments are of course possible and within the scope of the present invention.

[0049] When the audio stream is stored at the storage device 104, the user can interact with the music player 100. The user first activates the music player 100. Then, the user can interact with the interface devices 112, 114, 116, 118. When interacting with the interface devices 112, 114, 116, 118, corresponding first, second, third and fourth control signals are formed. The control signals are received in sequence at the control unit 104, S2.

[0050] The control unit 104 will then use the control signal in forming a mixed audio stream for output S3, for example a mixed audio stream S4 to the user at the user's headphones 150. The formation of the mixed audio stream may, for example, include making the amplitudes of the individual audio streams dependent on the corresponding control signals. For example, if the first audio stream corresponds to human voice, and the user decides to arrange the first interface device 112 at the maximum endpoint and the remaining interface devices 114, 116, 118 at the minimum endpoint, the mixed audio stream experienced at the user's headphones 150 may correspond to human voice only (e.g., "a cappella").

[0051] The control signals from the interface devices 112, 114, 116, 118 may alternatively be used to apply different "features" to, for example, separate audio streams. As an example, different interface devices 112, 114, 116, 118 may be allowed to apply different filters, delays, distortions, and OR gate effects to different audio streams to be included in the resulting mixed audio stream.

[0052] Furthermore, a corresponding control signal from the speed interface device 120 may be used to affect one of the audio streams or the mixed audio streams.

[0053] Possibly, and as described above, a user may be allowed to view a graphical display of one of the audio streams or mixed audio streams. Thus, the user may interact with the music player 100 taking into account the graphical display.

[0054] In another example of interacting with the music player 100, the user may choose to connect an external music device 170 to the music player 100. Figure 1 As shown, such an external music device 170 may be an electronic drum. For example, in the case where the second audio stream includes a basic beat portion, the user may simply place the second interface device 114 at the minimum endpoint, thereby removing the basic beat portion provided by the artist from the mixed audio stream received at the user's earphone 150. Conversely, the user may instead manipulate the external music device 170 to form a basic beat portion determined by the user and included in the mixed audio stream received at the user's earphone 150.

[0055] The control functions of the present invention can be implemented using an existing computer processor, or by a dedicated computer processor for an appropriate system for this or another purpose, or by a hard-wired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include a program product that includes a machine-readable medium for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such a machine-readable medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or other machine with a processor. For example, such machine-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the required program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transmitted or provided to a machine via a network or other communication connection (hard-wired, wireless, or a combination of hard-wired or wireless), the machine will correctly regard the connection as a machine-readable medium. Therefore, any such connection is properly referred to as a machine-readable medium. The above combination is also included in the scope of machine-readable media. For example, machine-executable instructions include instructions and data that cause a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or a special-purpose processing machine to perform a specific function or a group of functions.

[0056] Although the drawings may show a sequence, the order of the steps may be different from that described. In addition, two or more steps may be performed simultaneously or partially concurrently. This variation will depend on the selected software and hardware systems and the designer's choice. All such changes are within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, software implementations can be completed using standard programming techniques based on rule-based logic and other logic to complete various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps. In addition, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention, many different changes, modifications, etc. will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0057] Furthermore, by studying the drawings, the present invention, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement modifications to the disclosed embodiments when practicing the claimed invention. In addition, in the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the singular word does not exclude its plural form.

Claims

1. A portable interactive music player (100) adapted to output a mixed audio stream, comprising: - an electronic data storage device (106) configured to store a plurality of individual audio tracks in a digital format; - output means (111) configured to make the mixed audio stream available to a user, - first and second interface devices (112, 114) controllable by a user, wherein the first and second interface devices (112, 114) comprise at least one of a knob, a button and a slider, each of the first and second interface devices (112, 114) being arranged to control one of a plurality of properties of an audio stream to be provided to the user; a control unit (104) comprising a processor, wherein the control unit (104) is connected to the electronic data storage device (106), the output device (111) and the first and second user interface devices (112, 114), and - a housing (102), wherein the electronic data storage device (106) and the control unit (104) are arranged within the housing (102), and the first and second interface devices (112, 114) are controllable from outside the housing (102); Features: - The control unit is suitable for - receiving first and second control signals from first and second interface devices (112, 114), respectively, - simultaneously playing an audio stream stored in an electronic data storage device (106), - forming a mixed audio stream by mixing and synchronizing the first and second audio streams played simultaneously, wherein the forming and synchronizing of the mixed audio stream is based on the first and second control signals, and - Outputting the mixed audio stream using the output device (111).

2. The portable interactive music player (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The electronic data storage device is further adapted to store third and fourth audio streams, and the portable interactive music player further comprises third and fourth interface devices (116, 118), wherein the third and fourth interface devices comprise at least one of a knob, a button and a slider.

3. The portable interactive music player (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that Also included is an audio connector (124) adapted to receive an audio plug, wherein the audio connector (124) is connected to the control unit (104).

4. The portable interactive music player (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that The audio stream received at the audio connector (124) consists of a mixed audio stream.

5. The portable interactive music player (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The output device (111) includes a Bluetooth transceiver.

6. The portable interactive music player (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that Also included is a battery (108) for powering the portable interactive music player.

7. The portable interactive music player (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that Also included is a speed interface device (120) controllable from outside the housing, wherein the control unit is adapted to receive a speed control signal from the speed interface device to control the speed of the mixed audio stream.

8. The portable interactive music player (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The invention also comprises a display unit (122) connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit (104) is further adapted to display the mixed audio stream in an image on the display unit (122).

9. The portable interactive music player (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that Also included is a high-speed data port (110) for receiving an audio stream to be stored in the electronic data storage device (106).

10. A computer-implemented method for operating a portable interactive music player (100), the portable interactive music player (100) comprising: - an electronic data storage device (106) configured to store a plurality of individual audio tracks in a digital format; - output means (111) configured to make the mixed audio stream available to a user, - first and second interface devices (112, 114) controllable by a user, wherein the first and second interface devices comprise at least one of a knob, a button and a slider, each of the first and second interface devices (112, 114) being arranged to control one of a plurality of properties of an audio stream to be provided to the user, - a control unit (104) comprising a processor, wherein the control unit is connected to the electronic data storage device (106), the output device (111) and the first and second user interface devices (112, 114), and, - the housing (102), the electronic data storage device (106) and the control unit (104) being arranged within the housing (102), the first and second interface means (112, 114) being controllable from outside the housing (102), The method is characterized in that: - receiving at the control unit (104) first and second control signals from first and second interface devices (112, 114), respectively, - using the control unit to simultaneously play the audio streams stored in the electronic data storage device (106) to form a mixed audio by mixing and synchronizing the simultaneously played first and second audio streams, the formation and synchronization of the mixed audio stream being based on the first and second control signals, and - Outputting the mixed audio stream using the control unit (104) and the output device (111).

11. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer program means for operating a portable interactive music player (100), the portable interactive music player (100) comprising: - an electronic data storage device (106) configured to store a plurality of individual audio tracks in a digital format, - output means (111) configured to make the mixed audio stream available to a user, - first and second interface devices (112, 114) controllable by a user, wherein the first and second interface devices comprise at least one of a knob, a button and a slider, each of the first and second interface devices (112, 114) being arranged to control one of a plurality of properties of an audio stream to be provided to the user, - a control unit (104) connected to the electronic data storage device (106), the output means (111) and the first and second user interface means (112, 114), and, - a housing (102), the electronic data storage device (106) and the control unit (104) being arranged within the housing (102), the first and second interface means (112, 114) being controllable from outside the housing (102), It is characterized in that the computer program product comprises - code for receiving, at the control unit (104), first and second control signals from first and second interface devices (112, 114), respectively, - code for simultaneously playing audio streams stored at an electronic data storage device (106) using a control unit (104) to form a mixed audio by mixing and synchronizing the simultaneously played first and second audio streams and the formation and synchronization of the mixed audio stream is based on the first and second control signals, as well as - Code for outputting a mixed audio stream using the control unit (104) and the output device (111).

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