Delivery of synchronised soundtracks for electronic media content

Abstract

A method and system for streaming a soundtrack from a server to a remote user device for a reader of electronic media content. The soundtrack is defined by multiple audio regions. Each audio region defined by an audio track for playback in the audio region, a start position in the electronic media content corresponding to where the playback of the audio region is to begin, and a stop position in the electronic media content corresponding to where the playback of the audio region is to cease. The streaming of the soundtrack is based on control data generated by the remote user device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of streaming a compiled soundtrack to a remote user device for a reader of electronic media content, the soundtrack defined by multiple audio regions, each audio region defined by: an audio track for playback in the audio region, a start position in the electronic media content corresponding to where the playback of the audio region is to begin, and a stop position in the electronic media content corresponding to where the playback of the audio region is to cease, the method comprising:
 receiving from a remote user device over a network control data indicative of the user's reading speed; and   streaming a compiled soundtrack to the user device over the network based on the received control data.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the compiled soundtrack is a pre-compiled soundtrack and is selected from a range of pre-compiled soundtracks that have been pre-compiled at different reading speeds. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the method further comprises selecting the pre-compiled soundtrack for streaming having an associated reading speed that most closely matches the control data indicative of the user's reading speed. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the compiled soundtrack is a real-time compiled soundtrack and the method further comprises compiling the soundtrack in real-time based on the control data indicative of the user's reading speed. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the soundtrack is compiled progressively and the method comprises streaming the compiled portion of the soundtrack while the remaining portion is being compiled. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises receiving control data from the remote user device indicative of the user's desired commencement reading position and commencing streaming of the compiled soundtrack to the user device at a data position within the compiled soundtrack that corresponds to the user's desired commencement reading position. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the data position is at the start of the compiled soundtrack or at an offset position within the compiled soundtrack. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises receiving control data from the remote user device indicative of a change in reading position of the user to a new reading position in the electronic media content, and modifying the streaming of the compiled soundtrack based on the received control data. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein modifying the streaming of the compiled soundtrack comprises adjusting the streaming of the compiled soundtrack to a new data position within the compiled soundtrack that corresponds to the new reading position. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises receiving control data from the remote user device indicative of a change in reading speed of the user to a new user reading speed, and modifying the streaming of the compiled soundtrack based on the received control data. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the compiled soundtrack is a pre-compiled soundtrack, and wherein modifying the streaming of the compiled soundtrack based on a new user reading speed comprises selecting a new pre-compiled soundtrack having a reading speed that more closely matches the new user reading speed and commencing streaming of the new pre-compiled soundtrack. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the method further comprises initiating a transition protocol for transitioning the streaming from the current pre-compiled soundtrack to the new selected pre-compiled soundtrack. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the transition protocol comprises receiving control data from the remote user device indicative of the user's current playback position in the streamed soundtrack and commencing streaming of the new selected pre-compiled soundtrack at a data position corresponding to the user's current playback position. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the transition protocol comprises analyzing the remaining unstreamed portion of the current pre-compiled soundtrack and identifying a transition position based on transition criteria, and commencing streaming of the new selected pre-compiled soundtrack at a data position corresponding to the identified transition position. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the compiled soundtrack is a real-time compiled soundtrack, and wherein modifying the streaming of the compiled soundtrack based on a new user reading position comprises commencing compiling of the soundtrack at the new user reading speed and commencing streaming of the new compiled soundtrack. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the method further comprises initiating a transition protocol for transitioning the streaming from the current real-time compiled soundtrack to the new real-time compiled soundtrack. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the transition protocol comprises receiving control data from the remote user device indicative of the user's current playback position in the streamed soundtrack and commencing streaming of the new real-time compiled soundtrack at a data position corresponding to the user's current playback position. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the transition protocol comprises analyzing the remaining unstreamed portion of the current real-time compiled soundtrack and identifying a transition position based on transition criteria, and commencing streaming of the new real-time compiled soundtrack at a data position corresponding to the identified transition position. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the method comprises streaming the compiled soundtrack as a single digital audio file. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the method comprises streaming the compiled soundtrack as a plurality of digital audio files, for concurrent playback at the remote user device. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20  wherein the audio regions of the soundtrack are categorised into different types and the compiled soundtrack is provided as separate audio files, each audio file comprising the audio regions associated with one type. 
     
     
         22 . A soundtrack server for streaming a compiled soundtrack to a remote user device for a reader of electronic media content, the soundtrack defined by multiple audio regions, each audio region defined by: an audio track for playback in the audio region, a start position in the electronic media content corresponding to where the playback of the audio region is to begin, and a stop position in the electronic media content corresponding to where the playback of the audio region is to cease, the soundtrack server being configured to:
 receive from a remote user device over a network control data indicative of the user's reading speed; and   stream a compiled soundtrack to the user device over the network based on the received control data.   
     
     
         23 . A method of playing a compiled soundtrack on a user device for a reader of electronic media content, the soundtrack defined by multiple audio regions, each audio region defined by: an audio track for playback in the audio region, a start position in the electronic media content corresponding to where the playback of the audio region is to begin, and a stop position in the electronic media content corresponding to where the playback of the audio region is to cease, the method comprising:
 sending control data to a remote server over a network indicative of the user's reading speed;   receiving an incoming stream of a compiled soundtrack from the remote server over the network, the compiled soundtrack having an associated reading speed that corresponds to the sent control data;   processing the streamed compiled soundtrack and commencing playback of the soundtrack on the user device.