JP2001042864A - Device and method for audio data generating, device and method for audio data supplying, device and method for audio data storing, and medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make realizable the communication education of musical instrument technique through a network. SOLUTION: In a database 1, the information of a subject music generated by a music generating device 8, which is a teacher's terminal, is registered. A server 2 reads the information relative to the subject music from the database 1 in response to the request made by a reproducing/recording device 6, which is a student's terminal, and supplies the information to the device 6. The student records own playing using the device 6 while listening to the accompaniment included in the subject music, transmits the recorded data to an up-loader 3 and registers in the database 1. The teacher down-loads the student's playing using a correction device 9, transmits the corrected result to the up-loader 3 and registers in the database 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio data generating apparatus and method, an audio data supplying apparatus and method, an audio data storing apparatus and method, and a medium. Audio data generating device and method, audio data supply device and method, audio data supply device and method, and audio data storage device and method suitable for use in distance learning, such as transmitting to the teacher side, correcting by the teacher, and returning again to the student side, And media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of realizing distance learning of a technique of playing an instrument using a conventional technique, a student plays a CD (Compact Disc) or a cassette tape as a teaching material in which a model performance is recorded. Then, a method of listening to the reproduced music, recording the music played by the user on an MD (Mini Disc) (trademark) or the like, sending it to the teacher side, and obtaining an evaluation can be considered.

In such a method, when the correspondence education of music using two kinds of musical instruments (for example, a violin and a piano) is performed by the above-described method, a CD or the like as a teaching material includes the right and left channels. If the right channel records the performance of one (for example, violin) and the left channel records the performance of the other (in this case, the piano), only the left channel can be reproduced and the resulting piano You can practice playing the violin while listening to the performance. Also, by playing only the right channel, you can practice playing the piano while listening to the resulting violin performance. That is, the same CD or the like can be used for practicing two types of musical instruments.

[0004]

However, in the teaching material for distributing instruments to the left and right channels and recording as described above, however, a performance used as an accompaniment (a piano performance when practicing a violin, or a piano practice) However, there was a problem that a violin performance sometimes became a monaural sound.

[0005] In addition, a common CD or the like cannot be used as a teaching material for practicing each musical instrument of music using three or more types of musical instruments. That is, as a teaching material used for practicing music using three or more types of musical instruments, a performance serving as a model of one type of musical instrument to be practiced is recorded on one channel, and other musical instruments serving as accompaniment are recorded on the other channel. There is a problem that the number of CDs or the like in which the performances of the musical instruments are recorded must be prepared for the number of musical instruments to be practiced.

[0006] Further, when conducting correspondence education using CDs, MDs, and the like, there is a problem that not only the cost of receiving corrections but also the cost of transporting them and the time required for transporting them are required.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is an object of the present invention to realize communication education of musical instrument playing techniques via a network represented by the Internet.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio data generating apparatus, comprising: an input means for inputting an audio signal; and a unit for dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate unit data. It is characterized by including a data generating means and a transmitting means for transmitting the segment data.

The segment data generating means assigns temporary segment data identification information to the divided audio signal,
The segment data may be generated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio data generating method comprising: an inputting step of inputting an audio signal; a segmental data generating step of dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate segmental data; And transmitting a piece of data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for a medium, comprising: an input step of inputting an audio signal; a segment data generating step of dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate segment data; And a transmitting step of transmitting data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio data generating apparatus, comprising: an input unit for inputting an audio signal; a unit data generating unit for dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate unit data; Measuring means for measuring the timing at which the piece data is generated; score data generating means for generating music data indicating the order of reproduction of the piece data using the measurement result of the measuring means; transmitting the piece data and the music data And transmitting means for performing the transmission.

The audio data generating apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention may further include an acquiring unit for acquiring the segment data from outside, and a designation unit for designating a reproduction timing of the segment data acquired by the acquiring unit. The musical score data generating means may generate musical score data also using the reproduction timing of the segment data specified by the specifying means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio data generating method, comprising the steps of: inputting an audio signal; dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate unit data; A measuring step of measuring the timing at which the piece data is generated, and a musical score data generating step of generating musical score data indicating a reproduction order of the piece data using the measurement result of the processing of the measuring step;
Transmitting the segment data and the musical score data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for a medium, comprising: an input step of inputting an audio signal; a segment data generating step of dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate segment data; A measuring step of measuring the timing at which the data is generated, a musical score data generating step of generating musical score data indicating a reproduction order of the fragment data using the measurement result of the processing of the measuring step, And a transmitting step of transmitting.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio data generating device, comprising: an input unit for inputting an audio signal; and an additional unit data generating unit for dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate additional unit data. Measuring means for measuring the timing at which the additional segment data is generated; additional music data generating means for generating additional music data indicating a reproduction order of the additional segment data using the measurement result of the measuring means; Transmitting means for transmitting the piece data and the additional musical score data.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the audio data generating method, an input step of inputting an audio signal, and an additional unit data generating step of dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate additional unit data. A measuring step of measuring the timing at which the additional segment data is generated, and an additional score data generating step of generating additional score data indicating a reproduction order of the additional segment data using a measurement result of the processing of the measuring step, Transmitting the additional segment data and the additional musical score data.

[0018] The program of the medium according to claim 11 is:
An input step of inputting an audio signal, an additional unit data generating step of dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate additional unit data, and a measuring step of measuring a timing at which the additional unit data is generated And an additional musical score data generating step of generating additional musical score data indicating a playback order of the additional musical piece data using the measurement result of the processing of the measuring step, and a transmitting step of transmitting the additional musical piece data and the additional musical score data. It is characterized by including.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio data supply device, comprising: receiving means for receiving, via a network, music data specifying information transmitted by a user terminal; and first reading music data corresponding to the music data specifying information from a database. Reading means, extracting means for extracting all unit data specifying information described in the musical score data, second reading means for reading all unit data corresponding to the unit data specifying information from the database, The musical score data read by the first reading means and the transmitting means for transmitting the segment data read by the second reading means to the user terminal via a network are included.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio data supply device, wherein: a counting means for counting the number of transmissions of the transmitting means for each user of the user terminal; and the number of transmissions counted by the counting means is associated with the user and stored in a database. Registering means for registering.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the audio data supplying method, a music data specifying information transmitted by the user terminal is received through a network, and music data corresponding to the music data specifying information is read from a database. A reading step of extracting all segment data specifying information described in the musical score data; a second reading step of reading all segment data corresponding to the segment data specifying information from the database; It is characterized by including a transmitting step of transmitting the musical score data read in the processing of the first reading step and the segment data read in the processing of the second reading step to a user terminal via a network.

[0022] The program of a medium according to claim 15 is:
A receiving step of receiving, via a network, the musical score data specifying information transmitted by the user terminal, a first reading step of reading out musical score data corresponding to the musical score data specifying information from a database, and all the elements described in the musical score data. An extraction step of extracting piece data identification information;
A second reading step of reading all the segment data corresponding to the segment data specifying information from the database;
Music data read in the processing of the reading step of
Transmitting the segment data read in the process of the second reading step to the user terminal via the network.

According to the audio data storage device of the present invention, the receiving means for receiving the musical score data specifying information, the additional musical score data or the additional segment data transmitted from the user terminal via the network, and the receiving means First registration means for registering the additional segment data in the database;
Reading means for reading out the music data corresponding to the music data specifying information from the database, updating means for updating the music data based on the additional music data and generating new music data, and registering the new music data in the database. 2 registration means.

[0024] The first registering means may replace the temporary unit data identification information assigned to the additional unit data with a regular one and register it in the database.

The audio data storage device according to the eighteenth aspect is a counting means for counting the number of registrations of the second registration means for each user of the user terminal, and associating the number of registrations counted by the counting means with the user. And third registering means for registering in the database.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio data storage method comprising the steps of: receiving a musical score data specifying information, additional musical score data, or additional segment data transmitted by a user terminal via a network; The first to register the received additional unit data in the database
Registration step, a reading step of reading out the musical score data corresponding to the musical score data specifying information from the database, an updating step of updating the musical score data based on the additional musical score data and generating new musical score data, and a new musical score data. And a second registration step of registering in the database.

[0027] The program of the medium according to claim 20 is:
A receiving step of receiving music score data specifying information, additional music score data, or additional segment data transmitted by the user terminal via a network, and a first registration of registering the additional segment data received in the processing of the receiving step in a database Step, a reading step of reading out the musical score data corresponding to the musical score data specifying information from the database, an updating step of updating the musical score data based on the additional musical score data and generating new musical score data, and a new musical score data in the database. And a second registration step of registering.

[0028] In the audio data generating apparatus according to the first aspect, the audio data generating method according to the third aspect, and the program of the medium according to the fourth aspect, an audio signal is input and the audio signal is converted into a predetermined unit. Segment data is generated for each segment, and the segment data is transmitted.

[0029] In the audio data generating apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the audio data generating method according to the seventh aspect, and the program of the medium according to the eighth aspect, an audio signal is input and the audio signal is converted into a predetermined unit. Segment data is generated for each segment, the timing at which the segment data is generated is measured, and using the measurement result, musical score data indicating the playback order of the segment data is generated, and the segment data and Music score data is transmitted.

[0030] In the audio data generating apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the audio data generating method according to the tenth aspect, and the program of the medium according to the eleventh aspect,
An audio signal is input, and the audio signal is divided into predetermined units to generate additional segment data. Further, the timing at which the additional segment data is generated is measured, and using the measurement result, additional score data indicating the playback order of the additional segment data is generated, and the additional segment data and the additional score data are transmitted. .

An audio data supply device according to claim 12, an audio data supply method according to claim 14,
And the music data specifying information transmitted by the user terminal is received via the network, and the music data corresponding to the music data specifying information is read from the database and described in the music data. All the segment data specifying information is extracted, and all the segment data corresponding to the segment data specifying information is read from the database. Further, the read music score data and segment data are transmitted to the user terminal via the network.

An audio data storage device according to claim 16, an audio data storage method according to claim 19,
In the medium program according to claim 20, the music score data specifying information, the additional music score data, or the additional segment data transmitted by the user terminal is received via a network, and the received additional segment data is stored in a database. be registered. Also, the music data corresponding to the music data specifying information is read from the database, the music data is updated based on the additional music data, new music data is generated, and the new music data is registered in the database.

[0033]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A configuration example of an audio data distribution system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. This audio data distribution system distributes music information stored in a database 1 managed by a service provider to a client via a network typified by the Internet 4 and transmits music information transmitted from the client to a database. 1 and can be applied to, for example, distance learning of technology for playing musical instruments. In this case, the students and teachers of the distance learning use the device on the client side.

In this audio data distribution system, the database 1 is a relational database constructed on a recording medium such as a hard disk, which is easily searched, and is composed of music data composed of segment data and musical score data. (For example, information on music that will be the subject of correspondence education, information on music played by students, etc.).

Here, the segment data is audio data of a predetermined time unit or a predetermined information amount unit for each music piece part or musical instrument. The segment data includes
As shown in FIG. 2A, a unique unit ID is given, and its main body is an audio waveform signal (for example, a signal encoded by an MPEG system, an ATRAC system, or the like) or a MIDI signal. . The segment data also describes information indicating the time when the main body was reproduced (not shown). The music score data is information in which the order of reproducing the segment data is described so as to compose the music. Specifically, FIG.
As shown in (B), a unique music score ID is given,
Time information indicating the elapsed time from the beginning of the song (bar (bar) /
Unit of beat / tick), unit ID for specifying unit data, and control information ("reproduction" to instruct reproduction from the beginning of unit data, stop of unit data in the middle) "Stop" to instruct, and "intermediate playback" to instruct reproduction of the segment data from the middle, etc.), and a plurality of such sets are described. When reproduction is described in all control information, the description of the control information can be omitted.

The database 1 also associates pieces of information (author names,
Copyright owner name, creation date, etc.) and individual information of each client are stored.

The server 2 responds to a signal requesting transmission of music information input from the playback device 5, the playback device / recording device 6, the music generation device 8, or the correction device 9 via the Internet 4, The information of the performed music is read out from the database 1 and supplied to the corresponding reproducing device 5, reproducing device / recording device 6, music generating device 8, or correcting device 9.

The uploader 3 is provided with music information (segment data and music score data) input from the reproducing / recording device 6, the segment generating device 7, the music generating device 8, or the correcting device 9 via the Internet 4. To database 1
Register with.

In FIG. 1, the database 1, the server 2, and the uploader 3 on the service provider side are shown.
Although these exist individually, they may be installed in an appropriate combination.

The playback device 5 on the client side transmits a music piece transmission request to the server 2 via the Internet 4 and receives the music piece data and music piece data supplied from the server 2 in response to the request. The unit data is reconstructed and reproduced based on the data.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of a part relating to reception and reproduction of the reproduction apparatus 5. The receiving circuit 11 receives the segment data and the score data from the server 2 via the Internet 4, outputs the segment data to the segment decoder 12, and outputs the score data to the timer 13. When the body of the segment data input from the receiving circuit 11 is an encoded waveform signal, the segment decoder 12 decodes the encoded waveform signal.
The obtained waveform signal is output to the reproduction timing adjuster 14. Further, the segment decoder 12 converts the waveform signal obtained by decoding the body of the segment data into the reproduction timing adjuster 1.
4 is output. The timer 13 has a reproduction timing adjuster 14 based on the music score data input from the receiving circuit 11.
Control. The reproduction timing adjuster 14 includes a timer 13
The waveform signal from the segment decoder 12 is output to the audio signal output circuit 15 in response to the control signal from The audio signal output circuit 15 includes a reproduction timing adjuster 14
And amplifies the waveform signal input from the speaker, and outputs the amplified signal to, for example, a speaker (not shown). At the time of output, mute and volume adjustment can be performed for an arbitrary part.

Next, the communication operation between the playback device 5 and the server 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that, in FIG. 5, steps S1 to S3 are operations of the playback device 5, and steps S11 to S17 are operations of the server 2.

The user of the playback device 5 selects a desired song from a list of songs registered in the database 1 supplied in advance, and sets the corresponding music ID (for example, music ID = 0) to the playback device 5. To the playback device 5
Is the musical score ID input by the user in step S1
Is transmitted to the server 2 via the Internet 4.

The transmission of the musical score ID from the reproducing apparatus 5 is received by the server 2 in step S11. In step S12, the server 2 acquires, for example, music score data as shown in FIG. 5B from the database 1 corresponding to the music score ID received in step S11. Step S1
In 3, the server 2 transmits the music score data acquired in step S12 to the playback device 5 via the Internet 4.

The transmission of the musical score data from the server 2 is received by the reproducing device 5 in step S2.

In step S14, the server 2 searches for the unit ID described in the acquired musical score data one by one, and in step S15, obtains the unit data corresponding to the searched unit ID from the database 1. I do. In step S16, the server 2 transmits the segment data obtained in step S15 to the playback device 5 via the Internet 4.

The transmission of the segment data from the server 2 is received by the reproducing device 5 in step S3.

In step S17, the server 2 transmits all the segment data (in this case, the four segment data (unit segments) shown in FIG. 5A) corresponding to the segment ID described in the musical score data. ID0 to 3) (in the figure, the difference in the length of the body of the segment data corresponds to the difference in the reproduction time). If it is determined that all the segment data corresponding to the segment ID described in the music score data has not been transmitted yet, the process returns to step S14, and the subsequent processing is repeated, and thereafter, the description is made in the music score data. If it is determined that transmission of all the segment data corresponding to the segment ID being performed has been completed, this process ends.

Returning to FIG. 1, in addition to the function of the playback device 5, the playback device / recording device 6 also plays a part (part of a specific instrument or a certain time section) during playback of music from the server 2.
Is replaced or added with audio data input from outside the device, and the musical score data corresponding to the segment data used for the replacement or addition is transmitted to the uploader 3 via the Internet 4.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the reproducing / recording device 6. Note that the same reference numerals as those of the reproducing apparatus 5 of FIG. 3 denote the same circuits of the reproducing system as those of the reproducing apparatus 5 of FIG. 3, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The input circuit 21 of the recording system supplies the music being reproduced (for example, music data with music ID = 0 as shown in FIG. 5B).
The audio data (audio waveform signal, MIDI signal, etc.) to be replaced with or added to an arbitrary part is received from outside the device and output to the segment extracting circuit 22. The segment extracting circuit 22 segments the audio data from the input circuit 21 into segments (for details, see FIGS. 10 to 15).
7 will be described later with reference to FIG.
(A) generates additional segment data as shown in FIG.
4 is output. The segment extracting circuit 22 also outputs the reproduction timing of the extracted additional segment data to the timer 13. The segment extracting circuit 22 further outputs a temporary segment ID assigned to the additional segment data to the musical score data generating circuit 23. The musical score data generation circuit 23 synchronizes with the input of the reproduction timing from the segment extraction circuit 22 to
As shown in FIG. 7B, using the time information (indicating the elapsed time from the beginning of the music being reproduced) supplied from the unit 3 and the temporary unit ID input from the unit extracting circuit 22. The transmission circuit 24 that generates the additional score data and outputs it to the transmission circuit 21 transmits the additional segment data from the segment cutout circuit 22 and the additional score data from the score data generation circuit 23 via the Internet 4. Output to uploader 3.

In the uploader 3, the temporary unit ID of the additional unit data from the reproducing / recording device 6 does not match the unit ID of the unit data registered in the database 1 (for example, As shown in FIG.
= 101), and as shown in FIG. 7 (D), new musical score data using the rewritten segment ID is generated and registered in the database 1 (note that the musical score data is also used as a reproducing device). The details of the operation of the updater 3 that has received the segment data from the recording device 6 will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Here, the operation of the musical score data generation circuit 23 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S <b> 21, the music score data generation circuit 23 acquires a temporary unit ID from the unit cutout circuit 22. In step S22, the musical score data generating circuit 23 acquires time information from the timer 13. In step S23, the music score data generation circuit 23 generates music score data using the temporary unit ID and the time information.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the segment generating device 7 divides an input audio signal (for example, a few bars of a drum) into a short audio signal which is a constituent element of a music piece into segment data. Uploader 3 via the Internet 4
Send to

FIG. 9 shows an example of the configuration of the segment generating device 7. As shown in the figure, the segment generating device 7 is provided with a musical score data generating circuit 2 from the recording system of the reproducing device / recording device 6 in FIG.
3 is omitted, and the input circuit 21, the segment extraction circuit 22, and the transmission circuit 24 are common to the recording system of the reproducing device and recording device 6 in FIG.

Here, an example of the configuration of the segment extracting circuit 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
Shows a first configuration example of the segment extraction circuit 22. In this configuration example, audio data is divided into segment data at predetermined time intervals. Memory writing unit 3
1 sequentially writes the audio data input from the upper input circuit 21 into the buffer memory 32. The buffer memory 32 has a storage capacity at least equal to the amount of information read by the memory reading unit 33 at one time. The memory reading unit 33 reads the audio data stored in the buffer memory 32 in synchronization with a predetermined periodic signal input from the timer 34. The timer 34
A periodic signal at a predetermined interval is generated and output to the memory reading unit 33.

The operation of the first configuration example of the segment extraction circuit 22 shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S31, the memory writing unit 31 sequentially writes the audio data input from the upper input circuit 21 into the buffer memory 32. In step S32, the memory reading unit 33
From 4, it is determined whether or not a periodic signal has been input. Until it is determined that a periodic signal has been input, the process returns to step S <b> 31 and the subsequent processing is repeated. If it is determined that a periodic signal has been input, the process proceeds to step S33. In step S33, the memory reading unit 33 reads the audio data stored in the buffer memory 32.

FIG. 12 shows a second configuration example of the segment extracting circuit 22. This configuration example monitors the level (volume) of audio data and cuts out a portion where the value exceeds a predetermined threshold as segment data. For example, when a human voice is input as audio data,
A period in which an utterance is present is cut out as unit data, and a period in which no sound is generated is discarded without being used as unit data. This second
In the configuration example, audio data input from the upper input circuit 21 is supplied to the power threshold value check unit 41 and the memory writing unit 42. The power threshold check unit 41 detects the level of audio data from the input circuit 21 and outputs the data to the memory writing unit 42 and the memory reading unit 44.
Output to

The memory writing unit 41 compares the level of the audio data input from the power threshold check unit 41 with a predetermined threshold value, and determines whether the level of the audio data is greater than the predetermined threshold value. The audio data from 21 is written into the buffer memory 43. The buffer memory 43 includes at least a memory reading unit 44
Has a storage capacity equal to or greater than the amount of information read at one time. The memory reading unit 44 compares the level of the audio data input from the power threshold value checking unit 41 with a predetermined threshold value, and determines that the audio data level is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, and stores the audio data level in the buffer memory 43. The read audio data is read and output to the subsequent stage.

The operation of the second configuration example of the segment extracting circuit 22 of FIG. 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S41, the power threshold check unit 41 starts detecting the level of audio data sequentially input from the upper input circuit 21. In step S42, the memory writing unit 41 determines whether writing is currently being performed on the buffer memory 43. Since writing is not performed at first, it is determined that writing is not being performed, and the process proceeds to step S43.

In step S43, the memory writing unit 4
1 compares the level of the audio data input from the power threshold check unit 41 with a predetermined threshold, and when it is determined that the level of the audio data is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold, the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44,
The memory writing unit 41 writes audio data from the input circuit 21 to the buffer memory 43.

Returning to step S42, it is determined whether writing is in progress. In this case, since writing is being performed, the process proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the memory reading unit 44 compares the level of the audio data input from the power threshold check unit 41 with a predetermined threshold value, and determines that the audio data level is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, and determines in step S46.
Proceed to. In step S46, the memory reading unit 44
Reads the audio data stored in the buffer memory 43 and outputs it to the subsequent stage.

If it is determined in step S43 that the audio data level is not equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold, step S44 is skipped and step S44 is skipped.
Return to 42. Therefore, in that case, writing of audio data is not performed.

If it is determined in step S45 that the audio data level is not lower than the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S44, and the subsequent processing is repeated. That is, writing of audio data is continued.

FIG. 14 shows a third configuration example of the segment extracting circuit 22. In this configuration example, audio data is cut out for each predetermined information amount. The memory writing unit 51 sequentially writes audio data input from the upper input circuit 21 to the buffer memory 52. The buffer memory 52 has a storage capacity at least equal to the amount of information read by the memory reading unit 54 at one time. The memory amount checking unit 53 includes a buffer memory 52
The amount of information written to the buffer memory 52 is monitored.
If more than a predetermined amount of audio data is written to
A control signal is output to the memory reading unit 54. The memory reading unit 54 reads the audio data stored in the buffer memory 52 according to the control signal input from the memory amount checking unit 53, and outputs the audio data to a subsequent stage.

The operation of the third configuration example of the segment extracting circuit 22 shown in FIG. 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S51, the memory writing unit 51 sequentially writes the audio data input from the input circuit 21 in the upper stage into the buffer memory 52. In step S52, the memory amount checking unit 53 determines whether or not a predetermined amount or more of audio data has been written to the buffer memory 52, and returns to step S51 until it determines that the predetermined amount or more of audio data has been written. The subsequent processing is repeated. When it is determined that audio data of a predetermined amount or more has been written, a control signal is output from the memory amount checking unit 53 to the memory reading unit 54. Next, the process proceeds to step S53, where the memory reading unit 5
Reference numeral 4 reads the audio data stored in the buffer memory 52 in response to the control signal from the memory amount check unit 53 and outputs it to the subsequent stage.

Next, the communication operation between the segment generating device 7 and the uploader 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that, in FIG.
Is the operation of the segment generation device 7, and steps S71 to S73 are the operations of the uploader 3.

In step S61, the segment generating device 7
The transmission circuit 24 transmits the segment data to which the temporary segment ID is input from the segment extraction circuit 22 to the uploader 3 via the Internet 4.

The transmission of the segment data with the temporary segment ID from the segment generating device 75 is received by the uploader 3 in step S71. In step S72, the uploader 3 checks the unit ID registered in the database 1.
Find the maximum value of. In step S73, the uploader 3 sets, as a formal unit ID, a value obtained by incrementing the maximum value of the unit ID searched for in step S72 by 1 as a formal unit ID, and assigns the provisional element added to the unit data from the unit generation device 75. It replaces with the piece ID and registers it in the database 1.

Returning to FIG. 1, the music generating apparatus 8 divides the input audio signal in music units into segment data,
Further, corresponding music data is generated, and the segment data and the music data are transmitted to the uploader 3 via the Internet 4. In the music generating apparatus 8, existing segment data is added to the database 1 to an input audio signal in music units (for example, audio data of a guitar performance input from outside the apparatus is registered in the database 1). It is also possible to add segment data of the drum performance that is performed.

FIG. 17 shows a first configuration example of the music composition device 8. As shown in FIG.
Since the configuration is the same as that of the recording system of the reproducing device / recording device 6, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the communication operation between the first configuration example of the music composition device 8 and the uploader 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the figure,
Steps S81 to S84 are operations of the first configuration example of the music generation device 8, and steps S91 to S97 are operations of the uploader 3.

First, in step S81, the audio signal in music units input to the input circuit 21 of the music generating apparatus 8 is divided into segment data by the segment extracting circuit 22, and a temporary unit ID is given thereto. . The music score data generation circuit 23 generates music score data (with a temporary music score ID) for reconstructing the segmented segment data.

At step S82, the music generating device 8
Transmits the segment data from the segment extracting circuit 22 to the uploader 3 via the Internet 4. In step S83, the transmission circuit 24 determines whether all the segment data for composing the music have been transmitted to the uploader 3, and returns to step S82 until it determines that all the segment data has been transmitted. And the subsequent processing is repeated. Thereafter, if it is determined that all the segment data has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S84. Step S8
4, the transmission circuit 24 includes a musical score data generation circuit 24.
Is transmitted to the uploader 3.

On the other hand, the uploader 3 proceeds to step S91
, The segment data from the music generating device 8 is received. In step S92, the uploader 3 determines whether or not all the segment data has been received from the music generation device 8, and returns to step S91 until it determines that all of the segment data has been received. repeat. If it is determined that all the segment data has been received, step S
Go to 93.

In step S93, the uploader 3
Receives the music score data from the music composition generating device 8. In step S94, the uploader 3 acquires the maximum value of the unit ID of the unit data registered in the database 1 and the maximum value of the musical score ID of the musical score data.

In step S95, the uploader 3
Generates a value obtained by incrementing the maximum value of the unit ID by one, and replaces it with the temporary unit ID given to the unit data from the music generation device 8 as the formal unit ID and stores the value in the database 1. register. In step S96, the uploader 3 determines whether or not all of the unit data has been replaced with a formal unit ID and registered, and returns to step S95 until determining that all of the unit data has been registered. And the subsequent processing is repeated. If it is determined that all the segment data have been registered, the process proceeds to step S97.

In step S97, the uploader 3
Replaces the musical score ID of the musical score data from the musical composition generating device 8 with a value obtained by incrementing the maximum value of the musical score ID obtained in step S94 by 1 and registers it in the database 1.

Next, FIG. 19 shows a second configuration example of the music composition device 8. As shown in the drawing, this configuration example is obtained by adding a unit collection unit including the transmission / reception circuit 61 to the unit instruction input circuits 63-1 to 63-n to the first configuration example shown in FIG. It is.

The transmission / reception circuit 61 of the unit collection unit requests transmission of the corresponding unit data to the server 2 in accordance with the unit ID input by the user, and transmits the unit data returned from the server 2. The received signal is output to the segment allocation circuit 62. The unit allocation circuit 62 allocates the unit data input from the transmission / reception circuit 61 to one of the unit instruction input circuits 63-1 to 63-n specified by the user. The unit instruction input circuits 63-1 to 63-n each have a user interface for detecting an operation from a user,
In synchronization with the timing at which the operation is performed by the user, information on the timing is output to the timer 13 and the segment data from the segment allocation circuit 62 is reproduced.

According to the second configuration example of the music composition device 8,
While listening to the music input to the input circuit 21, the user can, for example, input the unit instruction input circuit 63-1 at an arbitrary timing.
Is operated, the segment data assigned to the segment instruction input circuit 63-1 is reproduced. The music score data generation circuit 33 adds the segment instruction input circuit 63 to the music score data of the music input to the input circuit 21.
The musical score data is generated by adding information indicating the timing of reproducing the segment data assigned to -1. Therefore, for example, if unit data of a sound effect such as a clapping sound is assigned to the unit instruction input circuit 63-1, a sound effect is inserted at an arbitrary timing, and musical score data including the information is generated. It is possible to do.

Next, the communication operation between the server 2 and the second configuration example of the music composition device 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It should be noted that, in the figure, steps S101 to S103 are operations of the second configuration example of the music generation device 8, and steps S111 to S113 are
This is the operation of the server 2.

The user of the music composition generating device 8 refers to a list of fragment data registered in the database 1 obtained in advance and selects fragment data to be incorporated into the music from the list, and selects the fragment data. When the segment ID is input to the transmission / reception circuit 61, the transmission / reception circuit 61 transmits the segment ID input by the user to the server 2 via the Internet 4 in step S101.

The unit ID from the music generation device 8 is received by the server 2 in step S111. In step S112, the server 2 stores the segment data corresponding to the segment ID received in step S111 in the database 1
Read from In step S1113, the server 2
Transmits the segment data read in step S112 to the music composition device 8 via the Internet 4.

The segment data transmitted from the server 2 is received by the transmission / reception circuit 61 of the music generation device 8 and input to the segment allocation circuit 62 in step S103. In step S103, the segment assignment circuit 62 assigns the segment data input from the transmission / reception circuit 61 to one of the segment instruction input circuits 63-1 to 63-n specified by the user.

Returning to FIG. 1, similarly to the playback device / recording device 6, the correction device 9 has the function of the playback device 5 and the music being played back (for example, the communication Voices (eg, “slower”, etc.) of advice etc. for education students registered in database 1
Pre-prepared segment data such as “fast” is added, and the music data is generated and transmitted to the uploader 3 via the Internet 4. The correction device 9 can also input the voice of the user of the correction device 9 and use the voice of the correction device 9 instead of using the existing segment data for the voice of the advice and the like.

FIG. 21 shows a configuration example of a system relating to a function of adding sound such as advice of the correction device 9, and the configuration is completely the same as that of the second configuration example of the music generation device 8 shown in FIG. The same is true. As described above, the correction device 9 has a reproduction system, but the reproduction system (a circuit similar to the reproduction device 5) is omitted in FIG. 21 for simplification of the drawing.

The transmission / reception circuit 61 of the correction device 9 requests the server 2 to transmit the segment data of the advice voice based on the operation by the user, and receives the segment data of the advice voice returned from the server 2. And the segment allocation circuit 62
Output to The segment assignment circuit 62 assigns the advice segment data input from the transmission / reception circuit 61 to one of the segment instruction input circuits 63-1 to 63-n specified by the user.

The unit instruction input circuits 63-1 to 63-1
If there is no need to change the advice voice or the like assigned to −n, the unit instruction input circuits 63-1 to 63-1 are used in advance.
It is only necessary to give the segment data of the advice voice to 3-n and fix it, and in that case, the transmission / reception circuit 61
And the segment allocation circuit 62 may be deleted.

The input circuit 21 and the segment cutout circuit 22 of the correction device 9 are used not only to add an advice voice at the time of correction, but also to specifically add a performance example or the like. Therefore, if the corrector does not record a performance example or the like, the input circuit 21 and the segment extracting circuit 22 may be deleted.

Next, FIG. 22 shows a GUI (Graphi
cal User Interface). The display window 71 of the GUI displays time information and the like of the segment data being reproduced. The segment selection buttons 72A to 72F are respectively
This corresponds to a user interface of the segment instruction input circuits 63-1 to 63-n. In a state where the record button 75 is pressed, when the record button 75 is pressed, the assigned segment data is reproduced, and based on the pressed timing. Music data is generated. The stop (STOP) button 73 is pressed when instructing to stop reproduction of the segment data input to the reproduction system. The play (PLAY) button 74 is depressed when instructing to start reproduction of the segment data input to the reproduction system. The record (REC) button 75 is pressed to enter a state in which unit data assigned to the unit instruction input circuits 63-1 to 63-n is recorded (written to musical score data).

Next, the audio data recorded by the reproducing / recording device 6 (the data that partially replaces or adds to the music registered in the database 1) is transmitted to the uploader 3. Next, a series of operations to be registered in the database 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. It should be noted that, in the figure, steps S121 to S125 are operations of the reproducing / recording device 6, and steps S131 to S140 are operations of the uploader 3. Before this operation is performed, it is assumed that the audio data to be replaced or added has been converted into segment data in the playback / recording device 6, and the musical score data corresponding thereto has been generated.

In step S121, the transmitting circuit 24 of the reproducing / recording device 6 transmits the musical score ID of the music to be replaced or added, which is registered in the database 1.
Is transmitted to the uploader 3 via the Internet 4. In step S122, the playback device / recording device 6
Transmits an operation signal indicating whether the audio data is partially replaced or added to the music registered in the database 1 to the uploader 3 via the Internet 4.

The music score ID and the operation signal from the reproducing / recording device 6 are used in steps S131 and S132.
Received by the uploader 3.

In step S123, the transmitting circuit 24 of the reproducing / recording device 6 transmits the segment data (with temporary segment ID) from the segment extracting circuit 22 to the uploader 3 via the Internet 4. In step S124, the transmission circuit 24 determines whether all the unit data to be replaced or added has been transmitted to the uploader 3, and determines in step S124 until all the unit data has been transmitted.
Returning to 123, the subsequent processing is repeated. Thereafter, if it is determined that all the segment data has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S125. In step S125, the transmission circuit 24 transmits the music score data generated by the music score data generation circuit 24 to the uploader 3.

On the other hand, the uploader 3 proceeds to step S13
At 3, the unit data from the reproducing / recording device 6 is received. In step S133, the uploader 3
Determines whether all the unit data has been received from the reproducing / recording device 6, returns to step S133, and repeats the subsequent processing until it determines that all the unit data has been received. If it is determined that all the segment data has been received, the process proceeds to step S135.

In step S135, the uploader 3 receives the music score data from the reproducing / recording device 6. In step S136, the uploader 3 acquires the maximum value of the unit ID of the unit data registered in the database 1 and the maximum value of the musical score ID of the musical score data.

In step S137, the uploader 3 changes the musical score data corresponding to the musical score ID received in step S131 stepwise based on the additional musical score data received in step S135, and generates new musical score data ( The details will be described later with reference to FIGS. At this time, new segment data may be generated by partially using the segment data registered in the database 1.

In step S138, the uploader 3 generates a value obtained by incrementing the maximum value of the unit ID by one, and assigns the value as the formal unit ID to the unit data from the reproducing / recording device 6. The ID is replaced with the temporary segment ID and registered in the database 1. In step S139, the uploader 3 determines whether or not all the unit data have been replaced with formal unit IDs and registered, and until step S138 determines that all the unit data have been registered.
And the subsequent processing is repeated. If it is determined that all the segment data have been registered, the process proceeds to step S140.

In step S140, the uploader 3 assigns a score ID to the score data generated in step S137, incrementing the maximum value of the score ID obtained in step S136 by one, and adds the score to the database 1.
Register with.

Next, the processing of the uploader 3 in step S137 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. For example, the user of the reproducing / recording device 6 may select music data (units shown in FIG. 25) composed of five unit data (for example, unit ID0 to unit ID4 as shown in FIG. 24A). Data and music score data) are downloaded from the database 1 via the server 2, and three of the segment data (the segment ID1 to the segment ID3) are obtained.
In the case where the period during which is reproduced is replaced with audio data prepared by itself, the forms shown in FIGS. 24 (B) to 24 (H) can be considered. FIG. 24 means that the segment data on the left side of FIG. 24 is sequentially reproduced.

That is, FIG. 11B shows a mode in which three pieces of data (element IDs 1 to 3) are replaced with one piece of data (element ID 5). Same figure
(C) includes three unit data (unit ID 1 to unit ID).
3) is converted into three unit data (unit ID5 to unit ID7)
Is shown. FIG. 3D shows a form in which three unit data (unit ID1 to unit ID3) are replaced with two unit data (unit ID5 and unit ID6). FIGS. 7E and 7F show the unit ID
1 unit data (hereinafter unit data of unit ID = n
In this example, a portion from the middle of the unit IDn to the end of the unit ID2 is replaced with one unit data (unit ID5). FIGS. 9G and 9H show a form in which the unit from the beginning of the unit ID 2 to the middle of the unit ID 3 is replaced with one unit data (unit ID 5).

In the case of the form shown in FIG. 24B, as shown in FIG. 26, one additional segment data (temporary segment ID 5) and additional musical score data describing the reproduction time thereof are reproduced. It is transmitted from the device / recording device 6 to the uploader 3.
The uploader 3 having received them registers the temporary segment ID of the segment data in the database 1 by attaching it to the segment ID 101, for example, and based on the additional score data, converts the original score data (the score data in FIG. 25). By changing the score, new musical score data is generated and registered in the database 1.

In the case of the form shown in FIG. 24 (C), as shown in FIG. 27, three additional segment data (temporary segment IDs 5 to 7) and additional musical score data in which their reproduction times are described. Is transmitted from the reproducing / recording device 6 to the uploader 3. The uploader 3 which receives them, sets the temporary unit ID of the unit data, for example, the unit IDs 101 to 10
No. 3 is registered in the database 1, and new music data is generated and registered in the database 1 by gradually changing the original music data based on the additional music data.

In the case of the form shown in FIG. 24 (D), as shown in FIG. 28, two additional segment data (temporary segment ID5,
6) and additional musical score data describing the reproduction times thereof are transmitted from the reproduction device / recording device 6 to the uploader 3. The uploader 3 which receives them, sets the temporary unit ID of the unit data, for example, the unit IDs 101 and 102.
The new music score data is generated and registered in the database 1 by changing the original music score data stepwise based on the additional music score data.

In the case of the form shown in FIG. 24 (E), as shown in FIG. 29, one additional segment data (temporary segment ID 5), additional musical score data describing the reproduction time thereof, and a segment Information that the ID 1 is stopped halfway is transmitted from the reproducing / recording device 6 to the uploader 3. The uploader 3 having received them registers the temporary segment ID of the segment data in the database 1 by replacing it with the segment ID 101, for example, and based on the additional score data, the original score data (FIG. 2).
4), new music data is generated and registered in the database 1.

In the case of the form shown in FIG. 24 (F), as shown in FIG. 30, one additional segment data (temporary segment ID 5), additional music score data describing the reproduction time thereof, and a segment Information that the ID 1 is stopped halfway is transmitted from the reproducing / recording device 6 to the uploader 3. Therefore,
Up to this point, the processing is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 24E, but the processing of the uploader 3 is different. Uploader 3
Is the temporary segment ID of the segment data, for example, the segment ID 101
And the segment I using the segment ID1 halfway
D102 is generated and registered in the database 1. Further, new music score data is generated by changing the original music score data based on the additional music score data, and registered in the database 1.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 24 (G), as shown in FIG. 31, one additional segment data (temporary segment ID 5), additional musical score data describing the reproduction time thereof, and a segment I
Information that D3 is to be reproduced from the middle is transmitted from the reproducing device / recording device 6 to the uploader 3. The uploader 3 having received them registers the temporary piece ID of the piece data in the database 1 by attaching it to the piece ID 101, for example, and changes the original music data based on the additional music data, thereby obtaining a new music data. Music score data is generated and registered in the database 1.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 24H, as shown in FIG. 32, one additional segment data (temporary segment ID 5), additional musical score data in which the reproduction time is described, and a segment. I
Information that D3 is to be reproduced from the middle is transmitted from the reproducing device / recording device 6 to the uploader 3. Therefore,
Up to this point, the processing is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. Uploader 3
Is the temporary segment ID of the segment data, for example, the segment ID 101
To the segment I
D102 is generated and registered in the database 1. Further, new music score data is generated by changing the original music score data based on the additional music score data, and registered in the database 1.

Next, a case will be described in which the audio data distribution system according to the present embodiment is used, for example, for distance learning in the art of playing musical instruments. This use case is
A student of the distance learning operates the reproducing device / recording device 6 to download, for example, data (segment data and musical score data) as teaching materials (assignment music) from the database 1 via the Internet 4 and the server 2 and download the data. While listening, the user practices his / her own performance, records it, transmits it to the uploader 3, and registers it in the database 1. On the other hand, the teacher of the correspondence education operates the correction device 9 to receive the performance of the student registered in the database 1 and record the advice voice or the like while listening to the performance, and upload it as the correction data as the correction data.
To be registered in the database 1. There is also a usage method in which a teacher operates the music generation device 8 to generate a task music, transmits the music to the uploader 3, and registers the music in the database 1.

When the student uploads his or her own performance, the student transmits a musical score ID for specifying the task piece, unit data of his or her own performance, and musical score data corresponding thereto. The teacher may download data of a plurality of performances of a plurality of students for the same piece of music, but in this case, it is not efficient to download the data of the piece of music each time. In this case, a recording medium may be provided, and the data of the music piece may be stored therein.

Further, instead of the correction device 9 operated by the teacher, a scoring device for automatically scoring the performance registered by the student may be provided. In this case, the scoring device may compare the performance timing, volume, pitch, tone, etc., with the performance of the teaching material, and score according to the difference.

By the way, when the above-mentioned correspondence education is realized, money is naturally transferred. Specifically, when the student downloads the teaching material, when the student uploads their own performance, etc., the student is charged, and when the teacher corrects the student's performance, the teacher provides the assignment music In such a case, a reward is generated on the teacher side.

In order to manage the generation of charges and rewards, the database 1 stores a user ID as shown in FIG.
D, student data including the number of downloads and the number of correction requests, and teacher data including a user ID, the number of assignments provided, and the number of corrections as shown in FIG. 33B are registered. The student data can be used not only for billing but also for grasping the progress of practice. For example, when the same song is requested to be corrected many times, it is possible to change the subject song or change the advice policy. On the other hand, the teacher data can be used not only for reward, but also for the distance learning provider to know the teacher's popularity from the students and the enthusiasm for teaching from the number of assignments provided.

If there is a difference in the degree of difficulty among the pieces, the item of the degree of difficulty (level) is added to the music score data as shown in FIG. 33 (C). If there is a difference in the difficulty level for each piece of music, the actual number of downloads, the number of correction requests, the number of assignments provided, and the number of correction processing are set according to the difficulty level in order to match the amount of charging and reward to the difficulty level. The value obtained by multiplying the coefficient may be managed as student data or teacher data.

Next, a change in student data and an operation related to billing that occur when the student downloads the assignment music will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, steps S161 to S163 are mainly operations of the playback device / recording device 6 on the student side, and steps S171 to S178 are operations of the server 2 mainly managed by the correspondence education provider side.

In step S161, the reproducing / recording device 6 on the student side sets the user ID of the user (student)
The data is transmitted to the server 2 via the Internet 4. The user ID from the student-side reproducing / recording device 6 is stored in step S
At 171, it is received by server 2.

In step S161, the playback device / recording device 6 on the student side requests the server 2 to transmit the task tune, similarly to the processing shown in FIG. 4, and in response thereto, the server 2 transmits in step S172. The segment data and the music score data of the task music that has been set are received.

At step S173, the server 2
The difficulty level (level) is acquired from the database 1 using the musical score ID of the task music. In step S174, the server 2 checks the user ID received in step S171.
Using D, the number of downloads of the student is acquired from the database 1. In step S175, the server 2
A new number of downloads is calculated using the level of the subject music and the number of downloads. In step S176, the server 2 registers the new download number in the database 1. In step S177, the correspondence education provider charges a download fee to the student. In response to this request, the student pays a download fee to the distance learning provider.

[0120] The correspondence education provider receives the download fee from the student in step S178.

It should be noted that regarding the change in student data and the operation related to billing that occur when the student makes a correction request,
This is explained by replacing the “number of downloads” in the above description with the “number of correction requests”. The same applies to the change in teacher data and the operation related to billing that occur when the teacher corrects the data, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 35, of an operation relating to a change in teacher data and a reward that occurs when the teacher provides (uploads) the task music. Note that, in the figure, steps S181 to S184 are mainly operations of the music composition device 8 on the teacher side, and are performed in step S191.
Steps S198 to S198 are mainly operations of the uploader 3 managed by the correspondence education provider.

In step S181, the music composition device 8 on the teacher side transmits the user ID of the user (teacher) to the uploader 3 via the Internet 4. The user ID from the music composition device 8 on the teacher side is stored in step S191.
, Is received by the uploader 3.

In step S 182, the music composition device 8 on the teacher side transmits all the segment data and music data constituting the music to the uploader 3 via the Internet 4, similarly to the processing shown in FIG. . The unit data and the music score data from the music composition device 8 on the teacher side are stored in step S1.
At 92, it is received by the uploader 3 and registered in the database 1.

In step S183, the music composition device 8 on the teacher side transmits the difficulty level of the music composition transmitted in step S182 to the uploader 3 via the Internet 4. The difficulty level of the music from the music generation device 8 on the teacher side is received by the uploader 3 in step S193.

In step S194, the uploader 3 registers the difficulty level of the music received in step S193 in the database 1. In step S195, the uploader 3 receives the user ID received in step S191.
Is used to acquire the teacher's assignment provision number from the database 1. In step S196, the uploader 3
Using the level of the task music and the number of task music provisions, a new number of task music provisions is calculated. In step S197, the uploader 3 registers the new task music provision number in the database 1.

In step S198, the correspondence education provider pays the teacher a reward for providing the assignment music. The teacher receives the reward from the distance learning provider in step S184.

It is not necessary to execute the billing and the payment of the reward every time the download or the provision of the music piece is performed.
For example, it may be executed every month.

Note that the billing and payment of the download fee need not be executed every time the download is performed.
For example, it may be executed every month. Alternatively, the student may pay the download fee or the like several times in advance. Further, the reward for providing the assignment music to the teacher may be made in proportion to the number of times the student has downloaded the assignment music.

Further, the data (segment data and music score data) of the task music may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and sold to the students.

Incidentally, the series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software includes a dedicated server 2, an uploader 3, a reproducing / recording device 6, a segment generating device 7, a music generating device 8, Alternatively, the computer is installed in a computer incorporated in the correction device 9 or a general-purpose personal computer that can execute various functions by installing various programs.

Next, referring to FIG. 36, regarding a medium used to install a program for executing the above-described series of processes in a computer and to make the computer executable, the computer uses a general-purpose personal computer. The following is an example of the case.

The program is, as shown in FIG.
Hard disk 302 or semiconductor memory 303 as a recording medium built in personal computer 301
Can be provided to the user in a state where it is installed in advance.

Alternatively, the program may be arranged as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, floppy disk 311 and CD-ROM (Com
pact Disc-Read Only Memory) 312, MO (Magneto Op)
tical) Disc 313, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)
314, a magnetic disk 315, a semiconductor memory 316, or other such storage media, which can be temporarily or permanently stored and provided as package software.

Further, as shown in FIG. 36 (C), the program is transmitted from the download site 321 to the satellite 3 by radio.
22 or via a network 331, such as a local area network or the Internet, by wire or wirelessly to the personal computer 301.
02 or the like.

[0136] The medium in this specification means a broad concept including all these media.

For example, as shown in FIG. 37, the personal computer 301 has a CPU (Central Processing
it) 342. An input / output interface 345 is connected to the CPU 342 via a bus 341. The CPU 342 receives a command from an input unit 347 including a keyboard, a mouse, and the like via the input / output interface 345 from a user. Accordingly, a ROM (Read Only) corresponding to the semiconductor memory 303 in FIG.
Memory) 343, the program stored in the satellite 32
2 or the communication unit 3
48, and the program installed on the hard disk 302 or the floppy disk 311, CD-ROM 312, M
The program read from the O disk 313, the DVD 314, or the magnetic disk 315 and installed on the hard disk 302 is stored in a RAM (Random Access Memory).
y) Load to 344 and execute. Further, the CPU 342
Sends the processing result to, for example, the input / output interface 3
An output is provided to a display unit 346 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) via the LCD 45 as necessary.

[0138] In this specification, the step of describing a program provided by a medium may be performed in a chronological order according to the described order. This also includes processes executed individually.

In this specification, the system is
It represents the entire device composed of a plurality of devices.

[0140]

As described above, according to the audio data generating device according to the first aspect, the audio data generating method according to the third aspect, and the program of the medium according to the fourth aspect, the audio signal is transmitted to the predetermined audio signal. Since the segment data is generated and transmitted by dividing each unit, only the segment data can be registered in the database.

According to the audio data generating apparatus of the fifth aspect, the audio data generating method of the seventh aspect, and the program of the medium of the eighth aspect, the audio signal is divided into predetermined units. To generate the music piece data, and to generate the music score data indicating the reproduction order of the music piece data, and to transmit the music piece data and the music score data, so that the music piece data constituting the music and the music score data corresponding to the music piece data are transmitted. Can be registered in the database.

Further, according to the audio data generating apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the audio data generating method according to the tenth aspect, and the program of the medium according to the eleventh aspect, in parallel with the process of reproducing music. In such a way that the audio signal is divided into predetermined units to generate additional segment data, additional score data indicating the reproduction order of the additional segment data is generated, and the additional segment data and the additional score data are transmitted. Thus, for example, audio data played by the user while listening to the accompaniment can be registered in the database as additional segment data and additional score data.

According to the audio data supply device of the twelfth aspect, the audio data supply method of the fourteenth aspect, and the program of the medium of the fifteenth aspect, the musical score data specifying information from the user terminal can be used. The corresponding score data is read from the database, and the segment data corresponding to all the segment data specifying information described in the score data is read from the database and transmitted to the user terminal via the network. Therefore, it is possible to supply information of the music desired by the user to the user terminal.

Further, according to the audio data storage device described in claim 16, the audio data storage method described in claim 19, and the program of the medium described in claim 20, the additional music data transmitted by the user terminal can be stored in the additional music data. New music data is generated by updating the music data based on the music data, so it is possible to partially replace the additional segment data with the music or register the added music as a new music in the database Becomes

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an audio data distribution system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining segment data and music score data registered in a database 1 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a reproducing apparatus 5 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of communication between a playback device 5 and a server 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of segment data and music score data supplied from a server 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a reproducing apparatus / recording apparatus 6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of segment data and music score data transmitted by a reproducing / recording device 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the musical score data generation circuit 23.

9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a segment generation device 7 in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a first configuration example of a segment extracting circuit 22;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the first configuration example of the segment extracting circuit 22;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a second configuration example of the segment extraction circuit 22;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the second configuration example of the segment extraction circuit 22;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a third configuration example of the segment extraction circuit 22;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the third configuration example of the segment extraction circuit 22;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of communication between the segment generating device 7 and the uploader 3;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a first configuration example of the music composition device 8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of communication between the music composition generating device 8 and the uploader 3;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a second configuration example of the music generation device 8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of communication between the second configuration example of the music generation device 8 and the server 2.

21 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a correction device 9 in FIG.

22 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI of the correction device 9. FIG.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of communication between the playback device / recording device 6 and the uploader 3;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a plurality of forms in the case of partially replacing music.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing segment data and music score data of a music piece partially replaced.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of additional segment data and additional score data transmitted from the playback / recording device 6, and corresponding segment data and score data registered by the uploader 3;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of additional segment data and additional score data transmitted from the playback / recording device 6 and corresponding segment data and score data registered by the uploader 3;

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of additional segment data and additional score data transmitted from the playback / recording device 6, and corresponding segment data and score data registered by the uploader 3;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of additional segment data and additional score data transmitted from the playback / recording device 6 and corresponding segment data and score data registered by the uploader 3;

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of additional segment data and additional score data transmitted from the reproducing / recording device 6, and corresponding segment data and score data registered by the uploader 3;

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of additional segment data and additional score data transmitted from the reproducing / recording device 6 and corresponding segment data and score data registered by the uploader 3;

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of additional segment data and additional score data transmitted from the playback / recording device 6 and corresponding segment data and score data registered by the uploader 3;

FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining student data, teacher data, and music score data registered in the database 1 when realizing distance learning using the audio data distribution system.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of communication between the playback device / recording device 6 as a student terminal and the server 2 in the distance learning.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of communication between the music generating device 8 as a terminal on the teacher side and the uploader 3 in distance learning.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a program stored in a personal computer 301.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a medium used to install the program into an executable state.

FIG. 37 is a diagram for describing a personal computer 301.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 database, 2 server, 3 uploader, 4 internet, 5 playback device, 6 playback device and recording device, 7 segment generation device, 8 music generation device, 9 correction device, 22 segment extraction circuit,
23 Music score data generation circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G10L 13/04 G10L 5/02 J 19/00 9/00 N (72) Inventor Minoru Tsuji Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 6-7-35 Kitashinagawa F-term in Sony Corporation (reference) 2C028 AA09 BB04 BB06 BC02 BD02 CA12 DA07 5D378 AD01 AD07 BB02 MM13 MM22 MM55 MM62 NN02 NN27 QQ01 QQ34 QQ38 9A001 BB04 CC07 HH15 JJ09 JJ74

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An audio data generating apparatus for generating segment data used for composing a musical piece, comprising: an input unit for inputting an audio signal; and dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate the segment data. An audio data generating apparatus, comprising: a segment data generating unit that generates the segment data; and a transmitting unit that transmits the segment data. 2. The audio according to claim 1, wherein the unit data generation unit generates the unit data by adding temporary unit data identification information to the divided audio signal. Data generator. 3. An audio data generating method for an audio data generating apparatus for generating segment data used for composing a music, comprising: an inputting step of inputting an audio signal; and dividing the audio signal into predetermined units. An audio data generating method, comprising: a unit data generating step of generating the unit data; and a transmitting step of transmitting the unit data. 4. An audio data generating program for generating segment data used for composing a musical composition, comprising: an input step of inputting an audio signal; and dividing the audio signal into predetermined units. A medium for causing a computer to execute a program, comprising: a unit data generating step of generating the unit data; and a transmitting step of transmitting the unit data. 5. An audio data generating apparatus for generating a musical piece composed of a plurality of segment data, an input means for inputting an audio signal, and dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate the segment data. Segment data generating means, measuring means for measuring the timing at which the segment data is generated, and music score data for generating music score data indicating a reproduction order of the segment data using a measurement result of the measuring means. An audio data generating apparatus, comprising: generating means; and transmitting means for transmitting the segment data and the music score data. 6. An acquisition unit for acquiring the segment data from outside, and a designation unit for designating a reproduction timing of the segment data acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein the music score data generation unit includes: 6. The audio data generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the musical score data is generated using a reproduction timing of the segment data specified by a specifying unit. 7. An audio data generating method of an audio data generating apparatus for generating a musical piece composed of a plurality of segment data, comprising: an inputting step of inputting an audio signal; and dividing the audio signal into predetermined units. A segment data generating step of generating segment data; a measuring step of measuring a timing at which the segment data is generated; and indicating a reproduction order of the segment data using a measurement result of the processing of the measuring step. An audio data generating method, comprising: a musical score data generating step of generating musical score data; and a transmitting step of transmitting the segment data and the musical score data. 8. An audio data generating program for generating a musical piece composed of a plurality of segment data, comprising: an input step of inputting an audio signal; and dividing the audio signal into predetermined units. A segment data generating step of generating segment data; a measuring step of measuring a timing at which the segment data is generated; and a musical score indicating a reproduction order of the segment data using a measurement result of the processing of the measuring step. A medium for causing a computer to execute a program, comprising: a musical score data generating step of generating data; and a transmitting step of transmitting the segment data and the musical score data. 9. Reconstructing a plurality of segment data based on existing music score data, reproducing music, and generating additional segment data and additional music score data in parallel with the process of reproducing the music. In the audio data generating apparatus, an input unit for inputting an audio signal, an additional unit data generating unit for dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate additional unit data, and generating the additional unit data Measuring means for measuring the timing obtained, additional musical score data generating means for generating additional musical score data indicating a reproduction order of the additional segment data, using the measurement result of the measuring means, A transmitting unit for transmitting the additional musical score data. 10. A plurality of segment data are reconstructed based on existing music score data, a music piece is reproduced, and additional music piece data and additional music score data are generated in parallel with the music reproduction processing. In the audio data generating method of the audio data generating apparatus, an input step of inputting an audio signal; an additional unit data generating step of dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate additional unit data; A measurement step of measuring the timing at which the segment data is generated; and, using a measurement result of the processing of the measurement step, an additional score data generation step of generating additional score data indicating a reproduction order of the additional segment data, Transmitting the additional segment data and the additional music score data. Over data generation method. 11. Reconstructing a plurality of segment data based on existing music score data, reproducing music, and generating additional segment data and additional music score data in parallel with the process of reproducing the music. An audio data generating program, comprising: an input step of inputting an audio signal; an additional unit data generating step of dividing the audio signal into predetermined units to generate additional unit data; A measuring step of measuring a timing at which the piece data is generated; an additional music data generating step of generating additional music data indicating a reproduction order of the additional piece data using a measurement result of the processing of the measuring step; Transmitting the additional segment data and the additional musical score data to a computer. Medium for the row. 12. An audio data supply device connected to a user terminal via a network, a receiving means for receiving the music score data specifying information transmitted by the user terminal via the network, and corresponding to the music score data specifying information. First reading means for reading music data to be read from a database, extracting means for extracting all the piece data specifying information described in the music data, and all the piece data corresponding to the piece data specifying information A second reading unit for reading the music data from the database, the musical score data read by the first reading unit, and the segment data read by the second reading unit to the user terminal via the network. An audio data supply device, comprising: a transmission unit for transmitting. 13. A counting means for counting the number of transmissions of the transmission means for each user of the user terminal, and a registration means for registering the number of transmissions counted by the counting means in the database in association with the user. 13. The audio data supply device according to claim 12, further comprising: 14. An audio data supply method of an audio data supply device connected to a user terminal via a network, wherein the music data specifying information transmitted by the user terminal is received via the network; A first reading step of reading music data corresponding to data specifying information from a database; an extracting step of extracting all unit data specifying information described in the music data; and a reading step corresponding to the unit data specifying information. A second reading step of reading all the segment data from the database, the musical score data read in the process of the first reading step, and the segment data read in the process of the second reading step, Sending to the user terminal via the network Audio data supply method which comprises a step. 15. A program for supplying audio data connected to a user terminal via a network, comprising: a receiving step of receiving music data specifying information transmitted by the user terminal via the network; A first reading step of reading music data corresponding to specific information from a database; an extracting step of extracting all unit data specifying information described in the musical score data; A second reading step of reading the segment data of the musical score from the database; the music score data read in the process of the first reading step; and the segment data read in the process of the second reading step. Transmitting to the user terminal via a network. Medium to execute the program characterized bets on the computer. 16. An audio data storage device connected to a user terminal via a network, comprising: receiving music data specifying information, additional music data, or additional segment data transmitted by the user terminal via the network; Means, first registration means for registering the additional segment data received by the receiving means in a database, reading means for reading music data corresponding to the music data identification information from the database, and reading the music data in the database. An audio data storage device comprising: updating means for updating based on additional music data to generate new music data; and second registering means for registering the new music data in the database. 17. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first registering means replaces the temporary unit data identification information assigned to the additional unit data with a regular one and registers it in the database. 17. The audio data storage device according to item 16. 18. A counting unit for counting the number of registrations of the second registration unit for each user of the user terminal, and registering the number of registrations counted by the counting unit in the database in association with the user. 17. The audio data storage device according to claim 16, further comprising a third registration unit that performs the registration. 19. An audio data storage method for an audio data storage device connected to a user terminal via a network, wherein the music data specifying information, additional music data, or additional segment data transmitted by the user terminal is stored in the network. Receiving, via a first step, a first registering step of registering the additional segment data received in the processing of the receiving step in a database, and reading out a musical score data corresponding to the musical score data specifying information from the database. An update step of updating the music data based on the additional music data to generate new music data; and a second registration step of registering the new music data in the database. Audio data storage method. 20. A program for storing audio data connected to a user terminal via a network, the music data specifying information, additional music data, or additional segment data transmitted by the user terminal being transmitted via the network. A first registration step of registering the additional segment data received in the processing of the reception step in a database; and a reading step of reading out the music score data corresponding to the music score data specifying information from the database. An update step of updating the music score data based on the additional music score data to generate new music score data; and a second registration step of registering the new music score data in the database. A medium that allows a computer to execute a program.