WO2006028417A2

WO2006028417A2 - Singing evaluation system and method for testing the singing ability

Info

Publication number: WO2006028417A2
Application number: PCT/SG2005/000305
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chong Shen Loo
Original assignee: Pintas Pte Ltd; Chong Shen Loo
Priority date: 2004-09-06
Filing date: 2005-09-02
Publication date: 2006-03-16
Also published as: WO2006028417A3; TW200609762A

Abstract

The concept of the present invention is developed as a new predetermined way of singing. This concept revolves around a new method of singing. Application of the method of singing may vary but the main concept of this newly developed idea is to test the ability of singers to present a song based on a given set of rules. This method and system of the present invention requires the singers to sing a song based on a set of rules that is the singers have to sing a song in the predetermined way. This novel idea of the present invention is applicable rules in any song singing related events and applications. This concept may be applied in competition, radio, game show or stage performance, Internet, SMS, multimedia (VCD, DVD, video, audio visual presentation etc), print media (newspapers, magazines, etc), software, TV, movie, drama and play.

Description

Singing Evaluation System and Method for Testing the Singing Ability

Field of Invention

This present invention relates to the system and method of song singing. More specifically, the present invention relates to the concept of using the singing evaluation system and method for testing the singing ability of singers to present a song based on a given set of rules in any song singing related events, competitions and applications and to create a more entertaining effect.

Background of the Invention

Many persons generally like to listen to or sing songs well known to them. Many of them purchase an apparatus for singing songs to enjoy singing songs, or otherwise visit a commercial singing room equipped with the singing apparatus to enjoy singing songs. Recently, computers have rapidly come into wide use. It cannot be denied that this rapid popularization of computers has led to a singing system realized by means of the computers. The singing system by means of a computer with the aid of compact discs (CDs) or other singing software programs have contributed for saving the costs to be paid for using commercial singing rooms and solving the problem of time restriction.

These days, the karaoke service, which integrates these electronic devices with television, and gives singers the lyric texts with background videos on TV for amusement, is very common.

Song singing is an important entertainment to all of us. It has become part of our lives, hi this modern age, we have many categories of songs such as hip hop, rock, pop, reggae, love, jazz, alternative, country, blues, classical and others. Some people even have turned singing into their careers. Singing performance can be seen in many major events like song singing competition, radio show, TV show, official launching and etc. However, in most of the time, the song sang during the performances is taken from the list of popular songs by famous singers or musical bands. For example, a song singing competition, most of the contestants choose to perform using the song sang by their favorite singer or any popular songs that they are very familiar with. This way does not really test the real ability of the singers. The same scenario happens too in most of the radio program where callers who call in for joining on the spot contests will sing the song that is pre-decided by the deejay. They would have practiced the song very well before they were call in for joining the contest. If the audience or listener unable to see the performer, they might feel bored when listening to the conventional way of singing. But with the present method is adopted, the listener or audience will be attracted to listen to and enjoy the songs in a new predetermined way of singing and also allows singer- viewer interaction.

In short, there are few disadvantages of the existing evaluation system and method of song singing. It does not test the real ability of singers. It is also restricting the creativity of the singers. In addition, it is getting lesser attention from the public, be it the audiences of any singing competition, listener of radio stations, or others.

However, the present invention seeks to provide a method to overcome the above disadvantages.

The objective of the present invention is to develop a singing evaluation system and method for testing singing ability to replace the conventional method and system.

Another objective of the present invention is to apply the main concept of this newly developed idea to test the ability of singers to present a song based on a given set of rules.

And another objective of the present invention is to apply the concept of the new singing testing method and system in but not limited to competition, radio, game show or stage performance, Internet, SMS, multimedia (VCD, DVD, video, audio visual presentation etc), print media (newspapers, magazines, etc), software, TV, movie, drama and play. Summary of the Invention

A method for testing singing ability comprising the steps of evaluating the singer for performing a selected song in a conventional singing way; testing said singer to present said selected song in accordance to a predetermined singing way based on a given set of rules from a singing evaluation system; and determining said singer's ability to switch between said two ways as one of the determinant factor of victory. The singer's ability to enhance the entertaining effect of his or her performance may be another determining factor of victory.

The singing evaluation system is a computing means to inform said singer, audience and the judge that the predetermined singing way has been adopted. The computing means is an electronic flipchart, projector, computer, electric lights, manual flipchart, karaoke television set, manual flipchart, animation of computer graphics or any other suitable means which showing logo, lights or any other indication to alert the singer.

The given set of rules are including a pre-selected alias and a pre-selected supporting alias, whereby the alias and the supporting alias are interchangeable in the predetermined way.

Preferably the method and system can be applied in competition, radio, game show or stage performance, radio, drama or and play. The method and system is further enhanced and supported electronic means. The electronic means is short messaging service which enable the general public to vote for songs, request for songs and etc; internet service which enable user to view the chart of top singers, as a software for downloading lyrics of songs, as a database of songs, lyrics that can be sang using the predetermined way, and for organizing contests and online forums; multimedia mean which is applied for production of any form of multimedia such as videos, visual presentation and etc; multimedia means and printed media such as newspaper, magazine and etc to use as a method of promoting said method and system.

The application of the method and system will include all languages. Brief Descriptions of Drawings

Figure 1 shows a system level representation of a specially designed electronic device for reading a storage medium for carrying out the method of singing according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a system level representation of a computer network that allows the singer and the viewers to carry out the method of singing according to the invention.

Detailed Descriptions of the Preferred Embodiments

The concept of the present invention is developed as a singing evaluation system and method for testing singing ability. The main concept of this newly developed idea is to test the ability of singers to present a song or a piece of auditory work based on a given set of rules that is singing a song using the new singing method with the singing evaluation system and to enhance the entertaining effect. Application of the present system and method of singing may vary. However, it revolves around the novel method of singing which will be explained in the example below.

In the present invention, the system and method of song singing can have a set of rules where a singer is required to sing a song based on these rules that are using the predetermined way as described below:

As an example:

Alias = {I, You, She, He, We, They, Me, Her, Him, Them, Mine, Yours, Theirs, }

Supporting Alias = {Am, Are, Is, Do, Does, Did, Was, Were, Will, Would, Shall,

Should, Not, Very, ....}

Article = {Any sentences that contain at least but not limited to one Alias and/or Supporting Alias}

Predetermined Way = A song where its Alias and/or Supporting Alias have been interchanged by its own set of Alias or Supporting Alias with condition that the overall content must be generally understood and meaningful.

Example = 'I can't stop loving you' is changed to 'You can't stop loving me' or 'She can't stop loving him'.

It is to be understood that the application or the rules set for the present system and method is not limited to the example shown above. Application of this system and method of singing may also be different as it depends on individuals' creativity.

As mentioned above, the main concept of the present invention is to test the ability of singers to present a song based on a given set of rules. Therefore, this newly developed idea of the present invention is best applied but not limited to competition, radio, game show or stage performance, Internet, SMS, multimedia (VCD, DVD, video, audio visual presentation etc), print media (newspapers, magazines, etc), software, TV, movie, drama and play.

For example in a song singing competition, there may be instances where singers may have to sing the same song in both the conventional way and the predetermined way. Their ability to switch flawlessly between the two ways and sing according to each way would be one of the determinant factors of their victory. On hindsight, its possible to have additional predetermined ways. The singer will be informed by the singing evaluation system which comprising of computing means such as an electronic flipchart. This electronic flipchart of the singing evaluation system is to ensure that the singers are aware of the current way of singing adopted. These electronic flipcharts will be positioned at strategic locations for example on stage facing the participants or singers, the audience and near the panel of judges. This is also to ensure that the audiences are intoned to the competition details and they can actively be involved in the way the competitors are being tested and evaluated.

In particular, the singing evaluation system can be embodied on a storage medium that is played by an electronic player. The storage medium is preferably a multimedia medium capable of storing multiple subtitles and possibly multiple soundtracks. An example of such a storage medium would be a Digital Video Disc (DVD). With high storage capacity on a disc provided by the DVD technology, different information regarding the songs used to test the singer and the predetermined rules for the singers can be stored in a DVD disc. The abovementioned information can be main audio or video data, optional multiple music for a selected songs, or other additional song information.

Using lyrics as an example, there can be at least 4 different recording of subtitles of lyrics for a particular song with a particular language can be stored in said multimedia medium like DVD disc. The 4 different subtitles or lyrics can be (a) Normal Practice Subtitle - this type of subtitles will only test the singers to sing the song according to the normal singing without any predetermined rules, (b) Predetermined Challenge Subtitles - these subtitles will test the singer singing the song according to the new way or ways and set rules without indicative indicators, (c) Predetermined Practice Subtitles — these subtitles will show indicators to indicate viewers and singers when to adopt the predetermined singing way or ways set by the rules, or (d) Mix mode subtitles - the subtitles will show indicators to indicate to viewers and singers when to adopt predetermined singing way or ways and when to adopt normal singing way in a pre-defined timing.

The singer can first practice using normal practice subtitle and the predetermined practice subtitle where he/she can learn to sing the entire song first according to the normal way and new way or ways respectively. The predetermined practice subtitle is accompanied with a suitable indicator. Part of the subtitles which are the aliases or the supporting aliases is suitably modified to appear differently in various ways such as but not limited to being highlighted, underlined, put in bold, italicized or put in different font to indicate to the singer the words of the lyrics to be substituted with a new alias and supporting alias. In the first case, the new alias and supporting alias is agreed beforehand between the singer and someone else who may be a friendly competitor or a contest organizer. In the second case, the predetermined rules also allow a singer to change the indicated words of the lyrics impromptu according to the singer's creativity. In both cases, the singer sings the song with the existing alias and supporting alias (that appears differently from the other words in the lyrics) substituted with the new alias and supporting alias respectively.

In contrast, the challenge subtitle do not has the lyrics altered in anyway but only carries the indicator which is preferably a logo to sing according the new way or either one of the new ways. In this case the singer also has to remember which alias and supporting alias needs to be changed and sung according to the new way or ways which adds challenge to the singer. During a friendly a competition, the singer may be tested on his/ her ability to switch from one way of singing to the other by singing the song according to the mix mode subtitles which is predetermined recording of a mixture of the normal and challenge subtitles. A skillful singer may be further challenged or tested on his ability to switch from the normal way of singing to the new way by a friendly competitor or a contest organizer who can randomly changed the subtitle from the normal practice subtitle to the challenge subtitles and the singer loses points when he could not switch accordingly. The subtitle can be easily changed from one to the other by use of a remote control console that usually comes along with a conventional DVD player.

Furthermore, additional subtitles for different language can also be stored as extra subtitles. Other additional information about the songs such as additional audio tracks for a particular song also can be stored and modified. At least 3 different audio tracks can be recorded into the electronic device readable storage medium such as (a) audio track with background music for singer to practice predetermined and normal singing ways, (b) audio track with background music and vocal in normal singing way to serve as a guide for both viewer and singer to practice a song in its normal singing way, and

(c) audio track or tracks with background music and vocal in predetermined singing way or ways to serve as a guide for both viewer and singer to practice a song in its predetermined way or ways. With more than one background music is available; viewer may be able to customize the music based on individual preference. For example, a certain sound effects or different vocal (female or male) can be stored in different music tracks on the multimedia medium. Different musical instrument can also be stored in each musical track to allow the listeners or viewers to select different combinations from the multimedia medium and enjoy the music in the way she/ he likes. Finally, number of subtitles available, song titles, duration and other information related to the song will also be stored in said multimedia medium.

This DVD (multimedia medium) (10) can be played on a conventional DVD player as described earlier or on a specially designed player or electronic device (100) shown in Figure 1 which can retrieve data or information stored inside said multimedia medium (10). The specially designed player comprises five major sub-modules. There are (a) a main controller means (102) which receives user input and generates respective commands to control other components (104, 106, 108, 110), (b) an audio controller means (108) which processes audio input received from the singer or optional background music read from the multimedia storage medium, controls tempo and play out the processed audio input read from the storage input according to the controlled tempo, (c) a video control means (106) which processes video input read from the multimedia storage medium and plays back processed video output with the selected subtitles (d) a randomizer (110) which receives operation mode command and difficulty level settings from the main controller and generates randomized timing accordingly for controlling the video control means and optionally the audio control means (e) data processor means (104) which reads the selected subtitles, audio input and video input from the multimedia storage medium.

When the specially designed player (100) is to play back the multimedia medium (10), the player (100) can retrieve data stored inside the multimedia medium, preferably a DVD. When the disc (10) is inserted into the specially designed player, the data processor means (104) will read the multimedia medium and determine the recording format. When the recording format has been recognized, the player (100) is ready to receive user input. User will be able to select the settings such as but not limited to tempo, operation modes e.g. manual, random, mix, difficulty level, music selection (depending on the availability and composition of the recording) among other conceivable options before or during play back of the recording.

Then the main controller means (102) of said player will process the user inputs or other user determined settings and coordinates the function of the respective components to execute the user inputs or user determined settings. The main controller means (102) will also output control indicators to indicate the selected setting or mode by showing relevant indicators on a display (not shown) connected to the player (100). The audio controller (108) means will also receive audio signals through other connected device like microphone so that the singer's voice can be captured and play out simultaneously with the recording. The audio input from the microphone will be mixed together with the music according to known techniques in the prior art and play out through connected speakers.

Meanwhile, the randomizer (110) determines randomly the different video angles or subtitles or different audio track to be played back by the player. This happens when a user sets the player (100) to play in a "random track" or other "random" modes and the randomizer (110) is activated by the main controller (100). At different "random" modes, the randomizer (110) can switch between i) different subtitles, e.g. the challenge and the normal practice subtitles, or ii) different audio playback settings, e.g. background music with slower tempo and background with faster tempo, or others conceivable settings.

It is further conceivable that the singer may also sing in a different^' musical styles, blues, rock, reggae or others besides the preferred changing of aliases. This can be done by providing multiple background music soundtrack or another kind of data processor means that further process data read from a single background music soundtrack before the data is fed to the audio controller means (108). In this advance feature, the randomizer (110) can also control when the other kind of data processor means should process the read data differently.

It is conceivable that the entire or part of the specially designed DVD player can be implemented on a computer as an electronic device that is capable of reading DVDs and playing back at least the lyrics randomly. For example, some components of the player such as the randomizer (110) and the main controller (102) can be implemented in the form of software according to the present state of technology. Therefore, the specially designed DVD player can be considered as non-limiting embodiment of an electronic device capable of playing back a storage medium containing instructions for testing a singer to switch between singing according to the normal way and new predetermined way or ways.

The singer or the contestants can be tested by the viewers or contest organizers for their singing skill by the predetermined rules by using the electronic device (100). These predetermined rules can be set by the organizers of the contest or instruction randomly generated by the random indicator generator.

The practice of the invention is not limited to a multimedia medium embodied in a DVD. It also can be replaced with any other computing means as the displaying means to alert the singers of the changing of new way of singing. Examples of other displaying means are computer, projector, customized electronic boards, karaoke TV sets with pop up window of certain logo or indicator to indicate contestant to sing the predetermined way, lights, animation in computer graphics, electric bulbs, manual flipcharts, creation of an apparatus where audience can use as a 'voting' mechanism for the participants to sing the new way, all other electronic means or manual types includes all printed materials but not restricted to the above. The apparatus can be a handheld fan furnished with the logo or indicator on one side and the explanation of the predetermined way on the reverse side.

Alternatively, the organizers may have reputed singers perform songs based on the present invention system and method as an opening stanza. Towards the end of the competition, the organizers may get the crowd or audience to take up the challenge of singing based on the present system and method on stage. Contest is open to all members of the public. Depending on the organizers, this may be targeted at different participants like children, youth, senior citizens etc. There is no fixed rule as to a predefined set of participants.

Organizers will determine contest rules and regulations. The participants have to ensure that their performance comply with the new method of singing as described in the rules. A high portion of the marks awarded will be based on these rules. List of songs to be selected will include difficulty level such as the higher frequency of adopting the new way or ways of singing; the higher the points will be awarded. Each different category of participants may have different sets of pre-selected songs. This would be dependant upon organizers or upon participant categories. Though this method of song singing plays a very important aspect of the competition, accuracy or diction of the whole song will not be compromised. This will form part of the judging criteria. As with all singing competition, vocals are a very important aspect. In this competition, it is also of no exception. Stage presence, showmanship will include the ability of the participants to present his or her singing capability. This will include costume, overall presence on stage etc. Last part of the judging criteria will be the overall performance, which is determined by the performance of the participant as a whole up to and including points mentioned above. The application of this method of singing in different ways can be be used with all languages.

Next, this newly developed concept of the present invention may also be applied to radio shows. For instance, callers call in for joining on-the-spot contests, preplanned competitions and etc. The callers may be required to sing a given song or a set of given songs based on this method of singing.

Besides all that have been disclosed earlier, the concept of the present invention may be applied to Game Shows or Stage performance whereby contestants are required to do a multitude of tasks, one of which is singing songs based on the new method. The contestants of a game show are required to sing songs based on the new method of singing. There may be variations in form of competition details but the core concept is . to sing songs based on the newly developed method.

Other means for implementation such as Internet can also be used to form part of the idea of the present invention. The Internet can be used as a mean of displaying Chart toppers or top singers; as a software download for downloading subtitles of songs; as a voting mechanism for the general public to vote the most popular song or most suitable song for the new method of singing etc; and also served as a database of songs and lyrics that can be sang using the new way. In addition, there will be contests and online forums included in the Internet website

The mobile technology of SMS (Short Message Service) can also be applied for executing the present invention. The general public can utilize SMS services to vote for songs, request for songs to be tested by the singers etc.

Application of Internet, mobile networks such as SMS as shown in Figure 2 or any other telecommunication network for the practice of the invention can be exemplified as follow. For example, a few singers and one or more viewers can connect to a network (202) that can be Internet, LAN, WAN, peer-to-peer network or wireless network including mobile phone network. The network (202) can be a heterogeneous network, as in actual day-to-day situation, which is a combination of the foregoing types of network. Furthermore some of these network e.g. WAN can be a wired or a wireless type. The network (202) allows the viewers to instruct singers to switch between way of singing via telecommunications devices such as computer (212), mobile devices (214) such as mobile phone, mobile personal digital assistants (PDAs).

In the case of a plurality of computer systems (204, 212) that are connected to each other through the telecommunication network, each of the computer systems (204,

212) is equipped with necessary hardware and software for playing back video and audio data streams. Computer systems (204) used by the singers to sing can also capture video and audio input and transmit them as video and audio data streams. The necessary hardware and software includes a video capture card and a video display card and their drivers, a web camera and a display unit connected to the video capture card and the video display card respectively, a sound card, a microphone and a loud speaker connected to the sound card, a network card for connecting the computer to other computers (204, 212) through the network. A plurality of mobile devices (214) such as mobile phones and mobile PDAs that can communicate with each other through the network can also be used to for implementing the invention.

Computer systems (204, 212) and mobile devices (208, 214) can also be substituted with other telecommunication devices that at least allow the viewers to hear the singer and see the subtitles of lyrics that the singer is singing. Preferably, the viewers can also see the singer and hear the background music to enhance viewers' participation in a competition or contest based on the new way of singing. In all cases, regardless of the means for capturing a singer's voice and instructing the way for a singer to sing and the means for receiving at least one viewer's instruction to the singer that are used, the idea is to apply the invention in a situation that allows singer- viewer(s) interaction. Therefore, example of various means and telecommunication devices that can be used as given throughout the specification should be taken in a limiting way as long as any means used can fulfill the goal of the invention, which is to provide a means for entertaining through requesting the singer to swap between two ways of singing. As mentioned earlier, more than one sets of aliases and supporting aliases can be used to instruct the singer in more than one new way of singing..

Depending on the telecommunication devices used, electronic instructions given by said viewers to anyone of the singers via a telecommunication network could be done through user inputs received through various means or devices (212, 214). User inputs can. be keyed in at a web page linked with its associated processing means, a web application or a computer software installed in the computer systems (202, 212), short electronic messages such short messaging services (SMS) and multimedia messages (MMS) via mobile phone or other platforms.

Depending on the situation where the singers and the viewers are in, which will also determine the kind of telecommunication network and telecommunication devices that is more suitable to use, the singer can be instructed to switch from one way of singing to another way of singing through various means.

In a first situation, a singer sees the subtitle to be sung and the indicator to switch between different ways of singing through one of the computers (204). The singer's voice is captured through the singer's computer system (204), communicated through the network (202) and played back at the viewers' computer systems (212). The viewers can also see the same subtitles and the indicators that the singer saw and give their instructions to the singer through their computer systems (212). Input and output to and from singer and input and output to and from viewers are received and broadcast through a web page that are accessible to the user through their computer systems, or through similar computer software or web application installed at the computer systems (204, 212). Both the computer software or the web application allows the singer and the viewers communicate with each other through the telecommunication network.

m a second situation, it may be more suitable to use mobile devices (214) to give the instructions to the singer. Viewer can see the singer, the subtitle that the singer is singing and the indicator indicating the way to sing through television broadcast (206), or video broadcast using technologies such as 3^rd generation mobile technology (3G) over mobile networks that can be received by mobile devices (208). Viewers can interact by giving their instruction or decision to the singer through their mobile devices (214) so that the singer knows which way to sing for the following subtitle.

The viewers can do this through mobile messaging such as SMS to indicate the way to sing to the singer. The SMS are processed according to teaching in the prior art and the decision or instruction on which way to sing is relayed to the singer who can see it on a display unit. The viewers may be at remote location from the singer or at the same location as the singer such at a television studio or a live broadcast from a performance venue.

hi both situations, there can be several variations. Firstly, only one of the viewer gives instructions to the singer which way of singing to adopt through their devices in communication with the singer's devices. Secondly, polling may be executed where different viewers can give instructions one-by-one to the singer. Thirdly, many users can give instructions to the user within different time frame slices during the entire period that the singer is singing and some form of processing can be applied to the instructions received from the users in each time frame slices. For example, viewer's instruction or decision are collected before the next subtitle is displayed and the majority decision is taken as the instruction to be followed by the singer for singing when the next subtitle is displayed. Fourthly, random instructions can be generated and passed on to the singer. In both cases of computer systems or mobile devices, a server application in connection with the network can randomly generate the instructions or decisions that the singer should following in his singing. In the case of a network of computer systems (204, 212), the web page linked with its associated processing means or the web application or the computer software can generate the random instruction to the singer. In the case of a web application or a computer software, it can be either the application or the software that is on the viewer's computer that generates the random instruction.

In a third situation, the invention can also be used by a group of users, some of whom will sing a song according to both new way and existing way upon the instructions from other users who will be the viewers. At the smallest scale there can at least be two users, one of whom is a singer and the other is a viewer. They can communicate with each other through a computer system (204) in communication with the other computer systems (212) or they can communicate with each other through the their own mobile devices (208, 214). In the case of computer systems (204, 212), similar web page with linked with its associated processing means, similar computer software or similar web application used in earlier situations can be easily adapted to allow one user to contact the other user and carry out the method taught according to the invention. The viewer can instruct the singer by himself or let the singer be instructed randomly by the installed computer software, the installed web application, or web page linked its associated processing means.

In the case of the mobile devices (208, 214), one way of implementation is to make use of existing technologies such SMS chatting, or Instant messaging services that is modified to allow telephone conversation to take place simultaneously. Either one of the users can select a song that the user who is the singer should sing and the subtitle is displayed on the mobile devices (208, 214) and optional background music is played simultaneously on both mobile devices (208, 214). The user who is the viewer can instruct the user who is the singer and the devices takes into account some time delay in transmission that may occur. Preferably instructions are given through the mobile messaging facilities instead of over voice communication to avoid disrupting the singer when the singer is singing. Nevertheless, they still can hear each other as in a normal telephone conversation. The user who is a viewer also have an option to give randomly generated instructions through the viewer's application that is installed the viewer's mobile devices (214).

It should be noted that it is possible for singer and viewers to use different means such as TV broadcast (206), the computer systems (204, 212) and mobile devices (208, 214) to communicate with each other. Thus it is possible for singer and viewers to use different devices for carrying out the invention in the same situation in all the foregoing setups.

It should be noted that this new song singing method of the present invention can be applied in: production of any form of multimedia like VCD, DVDs, videos, visual presentations etc; the print media such as newspapers and magazines where we can use this as a method of promoting the new method of singing or also to organize contests; software to convert songs and or lyrics according to the newly invented method; and also can be adopted to form part of a movie/TV/drama/play and other performance.

It should also be noted that the new song can be reproduced from existing songs using the rules for testing singers ability to switch from one singing way to another singing way. An existing song is selected existing aliases and existing supporting aliases in the selected song is substituted with respective new aliases and new supporting aliases in a predetermined way.

It is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms and is not limited to the sole embodiment described above. However modification and equivalents of the disclosed concepts such as those which readily occur to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims which are appended thereto.

Claims

1. A method for testing singing ability comprising the steps of: evaluating the singer for performing a selected song in a conventional singing way; testing said singer to present said selected song in accordance to at a least one predetermined singing way based on a given set of rules from a singing evaluation system; and determining said singer's ability to switch between said ways as one of the determinant factor of victory.

2. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim 1, wherein said singing evaluation system is a computing means to inform said singer that said predetermined singing way has been adopted.

3. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim 2, wherein said computing means is an electronic flipchart, projector, computer, electric lights, manual flipchart, karaoke television set, manual flipchart, animation of computer graphics or any other suitable means which showing logo, lights or any other indication to alert said singer.

4. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim IL wherein said selected song includes the difficulty level whereby the higher frequency of adopting to said predetermined singing way the higher points will be awarded.

5. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim 1, wherein said given set of rules including a pre-selected alias and a pre-selected supporting alias, whereby said alias and said supporting alias are interchangeable hi said predetermined way.

6. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim 5, wherein said given set of rules are subjected to the songs which are suitable to adopt said rules.

7. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim 1, wherein said method and system can be applied in competition, radio, game show or stage performance, radio, drama, movie and or play.

8. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim 7, wherein said method and system is further enhanced and supported by electronic means.

9. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim 8, wherein said electronic means is short messaging service which enable the general public to vote for songs, request for songs and etc.

10. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim 8, wherein said electronic means is an Internet service which enable user to view the chart of top singers, as a software for downloading lyrics of songs, as a database of songs, lyrics that can be sang using the predetermined way, and for organizing contests and online forums.

11. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim 8, wherein said electronic means is multimedia mean which is applied for production of any form of multimedia such as videos, visual presentation and etc.

12. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim 8, wherein said electronic means is printed media such as newspaper, magazine and etc to use as a method of promoting said method and system.

13. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of determining singing ability further including vocals, overall presence on stage and showmanship.

14. The method for testing singing ability as claimed in claim 7, wherein said application of the method and system will include all languages.

15. A method for producing new songs and republishing existing songs comprising: selecting an existing song; and substituting existing aliases and existing supporting aliases in said selected song with respective new aliases and new supporting aliases in a predetermined way.

16. An electronic device readable storage medium containing the instruction for carrying out a method for testing singing ability comprising the steps of: evaluating a singer for performing a selected song in a conventional singing way; testing said singer to present said selected song in accordance to at least a predetermined singing way based on a given set of rules from a singing evaluation system; and determining said singer's ability to switch between said ways as one of the determinant factor of victory.

17. The electronic device readable storage medium as claimed in claim 16 wherein the storage medium is a digital video disc (DVD).

18. The electronic device readable storage medium as claimed in claim 16 wherein there are recordings of a first and a second set of lyrics for a song stored in the storage medium, wherein the first set of lyric is used to test said singer to sing the song according to the conventional way and the second set of lyric is used to test said singer to sing the song according to the predetermined way.

19. The electronic device readable storage medium as claimed in claim 18 wherein the second set of lyric includes an indicator indicating to said singer the instance to sing the song according to the predetermined way.

20. The electronic device readable storage medium as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a recording of a third set of lyrics for a song stored in the storage medium, the third set of lyric includes an indicator indicating to said singer the instance to sing the song according to the predetermined way and certain words in the third set of lyrics has an appearance different from other words in said lyrics to indicate to said singer the alias and supporting alias to be changed.

21. The electronic device readable storage medium as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a recording of a fourth set of lyrics for a song stored in the storage medium, the fourth set of lyric is used to test said singer to sing the song in its conventional way and in the predetermined way, the fourth set of lyric includes an indicator indicating to said singer the instance to sing the song according to the predetermined way.

22. The electronic device readable storage medium as claimed in claims 16 further comprising a set of lyrics similar to said lyrics claimed in claims 18 to 21 are in a different language.

23. The electronic device readable storage medium as claimed in claims 18 to 21 wherein the storage medium contains a background music recording to accompany the lyrics.

24. The electronic device readable storage medium as claimed in claims 18 wherein the storage medium contains a vocal recording of the song sung according to the conventional way.

25. The electronic device readable storage medium as claimed in claim 18 and 20 wherein the storage medium contains a vocal recording of the song sung according to the predetermined way.

26. The electronic device readable storage medium as claimed in claim 21 wherein the storage medium contains a vocal recording of the song sung according to a mixture of the conventional and the predetermined way.

27. An electronic device for playing back an electronic device readable storage medium containing instructions for carrying out a method for testing singing ability comprising: a main controller means, said main controller means receives user input and generates respective commands to control a data processor means, an audio controller means, a video controller means and a randomizer; the data processor means reads the selected subtitles and other video input from the storage medium; the audio controller means processes audio input received by the electronic device from the singer and play out the processed singer audio input; the video control means processes video input read from the storage medium and plays back processed video output with the selected subtitles; and the randomizer which receives operation mode command and difficulty level settings from the main controller and generates randomized timing accordingly for controlling the video control means.

28. An electronic device as claimed in claim 27 wherein the data processor reads audio input from the storage medium, the audio controller means processes audio input read from the storage medium and plays back audio input read from the storage medium.

29. An electronic device as claimed in claim 28 wherein the audio controller means controls tempo plays back audio input read from the storage medium according to the controlled tempo.

30. An electronic device as claimed in claim 27 wherein the randomizer generates randomized timing according to operation mode command and difficulty level settings received from the main controller for controlling the audio control means.

31. An electronic device as claimed in claim 30 wherein said randomizer determines different audio track to be played back randomly.

32. An electronic device as claimed in claims 29 and 30 wherein said randomizer determines randomly different tempo to play back the audio track.

33. An electronic device as claimed in claim 27 wherein the randomizer is activated by the main controller when the electronic device is set to play in a "random" mode.

34. An electronic device as claimed in claim 27 wherein said randomizer determines different video angles to be played back randomly.

35. An electronic device as claimed in claim 27 wherein said subtitles include the challenge subtitle and the normal practice subtitle.

36. A system for carrying out a method for testing singing ability comprising: a first telecommunication means for receiving input from and transmitting output to a singer; at least one second telecommunication means for receiving input from and transmitting output to at least a viewer; and a telecommunication network through which both the first means and the second means communicate with each other; the system characterized in the second telecommunication means allows the viewers to hear the singer, see the subtitles according to which the singer is singing and give instructions on which way the singer should sing a song based on a given set of rales that are according to a singing evaluation system and the first telecommunication means allows the singer receive the instructions from the viewers and see the subtitle of the song to be sung.

37. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed in claim 36 wherein the first telecommunication means is a computer system comprising a microphone to capture voice of the singer, said communication network is capable sound and data streaming and singer sees the instructions and the subtitles through a display unit of the computer systems.

38. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed in claim 37 wherein the first telecommunication means is a computer system further comprising a video to capture voice of the singer and said communication network is capable video streaming.

39. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed in claim 36 wherein the second telecommunication means is a computer system comprising a speaker to play back the voice of the singer to the viewers, said communication network is capable sound and data streaming and the viewers can give the instructions through an input means of the computer system and sees the given instructions and the subtitles through a display unit of the computer systems.

40. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed in claim 39 wherein the viewers sees the singer through the display unit of the computer system.

41. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed in claim 36 wherein the first telecommunication device is television broadcasting system.

42. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed hi claim 36 wherein the first telecommunication device is a mobile device.

43. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed in claim 36 wherein the second telecommunication device is a mobile device.

44. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed in claim 36 wherein a website is in communication with the telecommunication network, the instructions is given by the viewers and conveyed to the singer through the website.

45. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed in claim 36 wherein only one of the viewers gives the instructions to the singer.

46. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed in claim 36 wherein the viewers take turns to give the instructions to the singer.

47. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed hi claim 36 wherein the viewers give then" individual instructions and the instructions given to the singer is derived from all the given instructions.

48. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed in claim 36 wherein only one of the second telecommunication means randomly generates the instructions and gives the generated instructions to the singer.

49. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed in claim 36 wherein a website is in communication with the telecommunication network, the instructions is given by a server application associated with the website and is conveyed to the singer.

50. The network of telecommunication devices as claimed in claim 36 wherein the viewers can provide additional instructions to the singer, the additional instruction is selected from the group comprising the song to be sing, the duration for singing according to a predetermined way and the duration for singing according to a conventional way.