Digital Mixtape Generation System for Personalized Audio Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Online music streaming services limit the ability to compile and share customized collections of music, as users no longer own personal music collections and media playback systems do not permit re-recording of content.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for generating a digital mixtape by receiving user requests, determining media content items based on descriptors, obtaining user-generated audio recordings, and creating a media object that includes both media content items and audio recordings for sharing over a data communication network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If online music streaming services are used to access music catalog, then users can access a large catalog of music, but the ability to compile customized collections and share music with others is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemusic catalog accessVSAvoidcustomization and sharing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the music compilation process into distinct components: selecting media content items from the streaming catalog, recording user-generated audio segments (voice messages, commentary), and combining them into a unified digital mixtape. This segmentation allows both streaming service functionality and customization capabilities to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The digital mixtape system acts as an intermediary layer between the streaming service and the user's sharing needs. It captures media content items from the streaming service, intermixes them with user-generated audio recordings, and creates a shareable compilation that can be distributed independently of the streaming service's native sharing limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If media playback systems do not permit re-recording of content, then original content integrity is maintained, but the ability to create customized compilations is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent integrityVSAvoidcustomized compilation creation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts media content items from the streaming service catalog without requiring re-recording of the original content. It separates the selection and compilation function from the actual media playback, allowing users to create custom compilations by selecting and intermixing content items while the original content remains intact in the streaming service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If traditional mixtapes were personally given or mailed, then personalized sharing was achieved, but the process was time-consuming and less convenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalized sharingVSAvoiddistribution time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical process of physical mixtape creation and distribution with a digital workflow. Media content items and user-generated audio recordings are combined into a digital mixtape that can be instantly shared and distributed electronically, eliminating the time required for physical mailing while maintaining the personalized nature of mixtape sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11769532B2Generation and distribution of a digital mixtape

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 SPOTIFY

AI summary

A system for generating and distributing a digital mixtape. In one example, the system can receive a user command to generate a digital mixtape including a user-defined compilation of music. The user command identifies a recipient of the digital mixtape and identifies one or more media content items to be included in the music compilation for the recipient. The digital mixtape can also include audio recordings from the user to be added to the digital mixtape.