Client-Server Audio Editing via Stream Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing music creation software requires extensive memory and processing capabilities due to the data intensity of digital audio files, leading to high costs and slow performance when editing large audio files.
Innovation Solution
A client-server system where the server generates and processes composite audio files, allowing clients with limited resources to focus on user interface and rendering, with the server handling storage, processing, and manipulation of audio data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If music creation software loads audio files into memory for manipulation, then audio editing capability is improved, but memory requirements increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an audio stream intermediary that acts as a buffer between the audio files and the editing software. Instead of loading entire audio files into memory, the software receives audio data as a stream from the intermediary, which manages the audio file loading and memory buffering. This allows audio editing operations to be performed on streamed data with minimal memory requirements while maintaining full editing capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the software processes large audio files, then audio manipulation capability is improved, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio stream intermediary performs preliminary actions by pre-loading and buffering audio data in manageable chunks before the editing software needs it. The intermediary prepares audio streams in advance, organizing and caching data so that when editing operations are requested, the software receives pre-processed data ready for immediate manipulation. This eliminates processing delays and maintains high productivity while enabling complex audio manipulations.
3Ease of operation
If audio data is transferred between memory and storage frequently, then audio editing flexibility is improved, but system performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by loading only the portions of audio files that are needed for current editing operations into the audio stream buffer, rather than loading entire files. The intermediary monitors editing requirements and selectively loads audio segments as needed. This partial loading approach maintains full editing flexibility while dramatically reducing the frequency and volume of data transfers between storage and memory, thereby preserving system performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided wherein a server based music creator is accessible by a client for the creation of composite audio files. The method and system receives, from a remote client computer via a network connection, a play sequence for playing audio segments, wherein a play sequence identifies one or more audio segments and associates at least one temporal location in a playback timeline with each audio segment. A composite audio file including each audio segment identified in the play sequence is generated, such that the composite audio file when played plays each audio segment identified by the play sequence at each audio segment's associated temporal location(s). The composite audio file is then transmitted to the client computer. In another non-limiting example, the play sequence includes one or more track sequences. In a further non-limiting example, a server computer coupled to a communications network transmits to the client computer, computer-executable instructions for generating and displaying a graphical user interlace. The graphical user interface allows a user to select audio segments accessible to the server computer but not directly available to the remote client computer from the server computer, to arrange the audio segments into a play sequence by identifying temporal locations within the play sequence at which the audio segments should be played, and to transmit the play sequence to the server computer.