Method and apparatus for accessing an audio file from a collection of audio files using tonal matching

Abstract

A method and apparatus for accessing at least one audio file from a collection comprising more than one audio file stored within or accessible with an electronic device. The method includes generating one index comprising information entries obtained from each of the more than one audio file in the collection, with each audio file in the collection information being linked to at least one information entry; receiving a vocal input during a voice reception mode; converting the vocal input into a digital signal using a digital-analog converter; analysing the digital signal using frequency spectrum analysis into discrete portions; and comparing the discrete portions with the entries in the index. It is advantageous that the audio file is accessed when the discrete portions substantially match at least one of the information entries in the index. It is preferable that the discrete portions are either musical notes or waveforms.

1 . A method for accessing at least one audio file from a collection comprising more than one audio file stored within or accessible with an electronic device, including:
 generating one index comprising of information entries obtained from each of the more than one audio file in the collection, with each audio file in the collection being linked to at least one information entry;   receiving a vocal input during a voice reception mode;   converting the vocal input into a digital signal using a digital-analog converter;   analysing the digital signal using frequency spectrum analysis into discrete portions; and   comparing the discrete portions with the information entries in the index,   wherein the at least one audio file is accessed when the discrete portions substantially match at least one information entry in the index.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete portions are selected from the group consisting of: musical notes and waveforms. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vocal input is selected from the group consisting of: singing, humming, and whistling. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one information entry is selected from the group consisting of: musical notes and waveforms. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the audio file accessible from a source selected from the group consisting of: the electronic device, any device functionally connected to the electronic device and a connected computer network. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the vocal input is set by means selected from the group consisting of: manual selection and automatic selection. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vocal input is speaker independent. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one information entry is received from a source selected from the group consisting of: the audio file, a pre-recorded vocal entry linked to the audio file, and a connected computer network. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of: vehicle audio system, desktop computer, notebook computer, PDA, portable media player and mobile phone. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further including selecting a facility to access the audio files by depressing a pre-determined button at least once. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , further including filtering the vocal input. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for accessing at least one audio file from a collection comprising more than one audio file stored within or accessible with the apparatus, including:
 an indexer configured to generate an index comprising information entries obtained from each of the more than one audio files in the collection, with each audio file in the collection being linked to at least one information entry;   a vocal receiver configured to receive a vocal input during a vocal reception mode;   a digital signal using a digital-analog converter configured to convert the vocal input into a digital signal; and   a processor configured to analyse the digital signal using frequency spectrum analysis into discrete portions and to compare the discrete portions with the information entries in the index,   wherein the at least one audio file is accessed when the discrete portions substantially match at least one information entry in the index.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is selected from the group consisting of: vehicle audio system, desktop computer, notebook computer, PDA, portable media player and mobile phone. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the vocal input is selected from the group consisting of: singing, humming, and whistling. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the vocal input is set by means selected from the group consisting of: manual selection and automatic selection. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one information entry is selected from the group consisting of: musical notes and waveforms. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the vocal input is speaker independent. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one information entry is received from a source selected from the group consisting of: the audio file, a pre-recorded vocal entry linked to the audio file, and a connected computer network. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the vocal reception mode is activated by depressing at least one button at least once. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further including a display. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the vocal input is filtered. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the discrete portions are selected from the group consisting of: musical notes and waveforms. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the audio file is accessible from a source selected from the group consisting of: the electronic device, any device functionally connected to the electronic device and a connected computer network. 
   
   
       24 . A method of determining a level of quality for vocal input using the apparatus of  claim 12 . 
   
   
       25 . A method for accessing at least one audio file from a collection of audio files stored within or accessible with an electronic device, the method comprising:
 generating an index comprising information entries obtained from audio files in the collection, each audio file in the collection having at least one corresponding information entry in the index;   analysing a digital signal into discrete portions, the digital signal being obtained from a converted vocal input received during a voice reception mode; and   comparing the discrete portions with the information entries in the index,   wherein the at least one audio file is accessed when the discrete portions substantially match at least one information entry in the index.   
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the digital signal is analysed into discrete portions using frequency spectrum analysis. 
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the vocal input is converted into the digital signal using a digital analog converter.