JP2002366167A - Music retrieval system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a music retrieval system which can be opened on the Internet to make more music open to the public compared with a conventional one and makes it possible to easily retrieve and listen to desired music among many pieces of music. SOLUTION: A person who desires to register music is registered as a music registerer and various items attached to music that the music registerer desires except music data are registered as work information; and part of the music data is registered as test listening data and the whole of the music data is registered as main body music data. When a person who desires to retrieve music retrieves music according to desired work information, corresponding music is retrieved from the registered music and the test listening data of the retrieved music are enabled to be listened to by test; when the person desires to listen to the main body music data of the music, the main body music data are enabled to be listened to after the main body music data are permitted to be listened to.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention, which is established on the Internet in particular, promotes the release of more songs than before, and makes it easier to search for and listen to desired songs among many songs. The present invention relates to a music search system that can be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when searching for a desired song via the Internet, the user inputs a song title, artist name, label name, singer name, etc. on a keyboard of a personal computer terminal or the like, and searches for a desired song. The only way was to go.

[0003] This is because the conventional music search system is based on a technical method of creating a search database based on at least music already published externally, such as music converted into a CD. In other words, songs published by relatively major music publishers, etc. and indie artists are also trying to make songs into CDs, etc., and songs published externally are edited, and a search database is created based on these songs. Because it is.

[0004]

However, there are many unpublished songs in addition to songs that have already been published externally, and there is a favorite song that one seeks in these. There are many cases.

[0005] The present inventor has focused on the fact that various information searches utilizing the Internet are rapidly spreading today, and there are a number of undeveloped issues in music search, so that a wider range and a larger number of songs can be searched. We researched a technology that makes searching easier.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a purpose thereof is to function especially on the Internet, and even when the title of a song or an artist name is not known, the work information of the song can be obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a music search system capable of searching for a desired music by a search based on work image information in the above.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a music registration applicant is registered as a music registrant, and In addition to registering various items such as the song name related to the song to be played as work information of the song, registering a part of the song data of the song as sample song data, and registering all of the song data as the main song data, When the search applicant performs a search based on the desired work information, the corresponding music is searched from among the registered music, and the trial music data of the searched music can be heard. When the user wants to listen to the main song data, the user is allowed to listen to the main song data after permission to listen to the main song data is provided.

[0008] Further, as described in claim 2, registration as a music registrant is performed when it is determined that music registration is qualified, and a person who wants to listen to the main music data can listen to the main music data. Is characterized by the fact that it can be heard by being qualified.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sample music data is music data obtained by extracting an appropriate portion of the main music data in about 30 seconds.

[0010] As described in claim 4, the preview music data is separated from a main server storing the main music data or a personal computer terminal managed by each music registrant, and directly outputs a sound signal. It is characterized by being stored separately in the streaming server.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the search based on the work information is characterized in that the search can be performed based on the work image information of the music, such as a pop-based music on the theme of the sea.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a music search system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the music search system according to the present invention is configured as follows. That is, a user (music registration applicant) A who wants to register a music,
The user accesses the Web server 1 according to the present invention from his / her own personal computer terminal or various terminals such as i-mode (hereinafter simply referred to as personal computer terminal or the like), and obtains various consent items such as a license as a music registrant. Work information including basic personal information and other work-related information such as artist information, basic work information, and work image information related to the music to be registered, along with the music data of the music,
Apply for registration to the Web server 1.

The music data of the music is separated into main music data, which is the whole music, and sample music data, which is a part of the music. The main body music data is full data which is the whole music, but the trial music data is not full data, and an appropriate part of the main body music data is processed as data extracted in less than 45 seconds: preferably around 30 seconds. .

The artist information in the work-related information is, as listed in FIG. 3, the artist name (age / sex / attribute, etc.), the type of artist such as a solo or a group of two or more people, the affiliation production (Name / address / contact, etc.), genre, central activity area, etc.

The work basic information, as listed in FIG. 4, means information such as a music title, matters related to the type and form of the work, a composer name and matters related to the composer, and the like.

The work image information is roughly classified into image information 1 to 6, as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, the image information 1 indicates a chronological image / sound of a sound, a regional image of a musical instrument, and the like. The image information 2 indicates a sound image / melody impression and the like as listed in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the image information 3 indicates the type of musical instrument used, the quality of voice, and the like. As shown in FIG. 8, the image information 4 indicates a genre image of the sound and a use / purpose image of the work. As shown in FIG. 9, the image information 5 indicates lyrics and the theme of the lyrics. As shown in FIG. 10, the image information 6 indicates a word representing a feature of the work, a keyword representing a TPO (temporal, locational, action / thing, etc.) image of the work, and the like.

The above classifications, terms, and the like represent one embodiment of the music search system according to the present invention, and can be recombined into appropriate classifications and terms as long as they can represent a work image.

On the other hand, a user B who wants to search for a music (music search user) uses his / her personal computer terminal or the like to search for a music having a desired music image.
The user accesses the web server 1 and searches for a desired music by searching based on the work information. In this case, if the artist information and the basic work information are known, the search can be performed based on the artist information and the basic work information.

However, if the artist information or the basic work information is not specifically known, a search can be performed based on the work image information. For example, a search based on the selection or designation of a word in the work image information can be performed, such as a "pop-based song with a sea theme". When the user wants to listen to the searched music, the user can listen to the trial music data of the music from the Web server 1.

Further, when the user wants to listen to the main song data, which is the whole of the music, he / she sends a request to listen to the main song data to the Web server 1 and, after the permission to listen to the main song data is given. It is possible to listen to the main body music data.

The Web server 1 may store the preview music data, the main body music data, and the work information in one Web server. However, in order to quickly perform the function, the trial music data is converted to a sound signal. It is preferable that the music data is separately stored in the streaming server 1b that directly outputs the music data, and that the main body music data and the work information are stored in the content server (main body server) 1a.

The functions of the web server 1 described above are performed by each means as shown in FIG. That is,
A music registrant accepting means 10 for accepting the music registration applicant A as a music registrant. Registration of artist information, work basic information, work information including work-related information such as work image information, music data that is a part of the music, and body music data that is the whole music that the music registrant wants to register And music registration receiving means 11 for receiving and processing the music. Music information storage means 12 for storing various pieces of information relating to the accepted work information, preview music data and main body music data. A music search receiving means 13 for searching for a music desired by a user who is a music search user based on the work information, and for enabling the user to listen to the sample music data and the main body music data of the searched music. When a music search requester wants to listen to the main song data, a music purchase accepting unit 14 that enables the user to listen to the main song data after accepting it as a music purchaser. Music purchaser information storage means 15 for storing various information on music purchasers; Charge settlement processing means 16 for performing a billing process for each of the music registrant and the music purchaser. It is broadly divided into an integrated control unit 17 of each of the above-mentioned means for performing transmission and reception with the outside and performing the function of the web server 1.

Next, a procedure for registering a music registrant will be described with reference to FIG. The music registration applicant A accesses the music registrant registration screen of the web server 1 from his / her personal computer terminal or the like, and applies for registration as a music registrant.

Therefore, the music registrant accepting means 10
Various consent matters processing unit 10a such as license for music registration, personal information processing unit 10b for confirming basic personal information of music registration applicant A, and payment settlement for music registration A registration fee settlement confirmation unit 10c to be executed is prepared.

The registration fee payment confirmation unit 10c provides a registration requester A whose input information of personal information has been confirmed to be "suitable" for various consent items relating to the registration of the music, through a payment information input screen. The settlement method at the time of registration is determined and the settlement state is determined. The payment method at the time of music registration is based on a credit card, and the payment information such as the type and number of the credit card is determined by checking payment information required for payment.

When the settlement information is confirmed to be "suitable" by the registration fee settlement confirmation unit 10c, the registration procedure of the music registrant is completed. Issue a password.

Next, the procedure for registering music will be described. The music registrant accesses the music registration screen of the web server 1 and registers a desired music. Therefore, the music registration receiving means 11 is provided with a work information processing unit 11a for receiving registration of work information, a trial music data processing unit 11b for receiving trial music data, and a main music data processing unit 11c for receiving main music data. I have.

In any case, the music registrant B who wants to register a music uses his / her personal computer terminal or the like to register the main music data (for example, MP3 format data) and sample music data (for example, MP3 format data). , MP3 format data, less than 45 seconds: usually 30 seconds).
The music data may be converted to MP3 format data or WAV format data, and various music data description language data conversion means may be employed.

When the music registrant executes the final confirmation of music registration, the settlement routine 17 of the music registrant is called, and the registrant enters an ID and a password, and performs a payment procedure. Processing routine 1
7, if it is determined to be “suitable”, all the information relating to the music registration is stored in the music information storage means 12.

The music information storage means 12 includes a registrant information storage unit 12a for storing music registrants and work information, a trial music data storage unit 12b for a part of music, and a main music data storage unit for the entire music. 12c are prepared.

In this embodiment, the registrant information storage unit 12a, the trial music data storage unit 12b, and the main body music data storage unit 12c are not provided in one Web server, but store work information other than music data. The registrant information storage unit 12a to be stored is located in the DB server area of the main server 1a, and the main music data storage unit 12c to store the main music data is located in the content server area of the main server 1a. Furthermore, the trial music data storage unit 12b for storing the trial music data is placed on a streaming server 1b different from the main server 1a. As a result, the listening of the trial music data is transmitted from the streaming server 1b which directly outputs a sound signal, so that the trial music data can be promptly distributed.

Next, a procedure for searching for music will be described. The music search can be performed on the homepage 1c of the site, and the music search applicant B accesses the music search screen of the site from his / her personal computer terminal or the like, inputs the music conditions, and performs the search.

For this reason, the music search receiving means 13 includes a music list search section 13a for performing a search based on work information from a music search applicant, and a music search requester specified by the music search applicant based on the searched music list. A trial music data search unit 13b for instructing to listen to the trial music data of the music, and a main music data search unit 13c for searching the main music data designated by the music search applicant are prepared.

In the search for music based on work information, search by music image is particularly possible. Therefore, even if artist information or basic work information is not known, a desired music can be selected from many music by inputting a music image. Refine search can be performed easily. Any third party can search for music, and can listen to sample music data that is part of the music. However, the listening of the main body music data is performed only after the music purchase described later is authorized.

Next, the procedure of music purchase (listening of the main music data) will be described. The music purchase accepting means 14 is activated when the music registrant wishes to listen to the main body music data which has already been applied and registered. That is, the user can listen to the music data of the searched music only when the music searcher purchases the music.

Accordingly, the music purchaser accesses the music purchase processing screen of this site and performs a procedure for requesting music purchase. Therefore, music purchase receiving means 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a processing section 14a for various consent items such as a license for purchasing music, a personal information processing section 14b for confirming basic personal information of the user B, and a purchase fee settlement for confirming settlement of a fee for registration of music. A confirmation unit 14c is prepared.

The purchase fee settlement confirmation unit 14c determines the settlement method related to the purchase of the music and determines the settlement state for the purchase applicant B who has been determined to be “suitable” when purchasing the music.
That is, it is configured to input information necessary for settlement such as the type and number of the credit card. It should be noted that a payment method for purchasing music is basically a credit card.

When the music purchaser executes the final confirmation as a music purchaser, the payment processing routine 18 of the music purchaser is called to perform the payment procedure, and the payment processing routine 18 determines that the payment is appropriate. When it is determined, the music purchase procedure is completed.

When the music purchase procedure is completed, various information on the music purchaser is stored in the music purchaser information storage means 15. For this reason, the music purchaser information storage means 15 includes a purchaser information storage unit 15a, a main body music data storage unit 15b,
A point number management unit 15c is prepared.

As described above, the settlement method for purchasing music is basically based on a credit card. However, for business-related purchases by music-related businesses, etc., a billing / transfer method is used. A method (described later) can be selected.

Here, the points will be described. Points are, for example, 1 point 10 in this site.
It has a value such as a yen, and can be used to pay for some services provided on this site in addition to the music purchase service. In addition, it is necessary to purchase points using a credit card before using the services provided on this site. Further, the points are stored and managed as a remaining point number by a point number management unit 15c which is a payment information database in the Web server.

One example of a specific method of purchasing points is as follows. First, on the point purchase screen on the site, the number of points desired to be purchased is selected, and a purchase intention is displayed by clicking a button or the like. Next, the point purchase screen, which has confirmed the intention to purchase, requests input of a credit card number, the same expiration date, and other identification information (for example, a telephone number), and confirms the identity.

When the person is confirmed, the number of points desired to be purchased is added to the point balance of the purchaser. The usage status and remaining amount of points of the purchase applicant are stored and managed by the point number management unit 15c which is a payment information database in this site.

When the music purchase settlement of the music purchaser is determined to be “suitable”, the main music data is downloaded to the personal computer terminal of the music purchaser, and the music purchaser listens to the main music data. Can be.

As described above, a person who wishes to register music registers as a music registrant, and separates and registers the desired music into work information and sample music data, which is sound data, and body music data. Then, the music search applicant searches for the desired music by searching for artist information in the work information,
Since the search can be performed based on any of the basic information of the work and the image information of the work, even if the artist information and the basic information of the work are not known, the desired music can be searched by the work image information.

Next, the registration operation as a music registrant will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, a music registration applicant accesses this site, and the operation of the music registrant starts. Step 100: It is determined whether or not various necessary consents have been approved in order for a music registration applicant to be a music registrant. Step 101: It is determined whether or not a music registration applicant has applied for registration of personal information and the like necessary as a music registrant. Step 102: When a necessary registration application is made by a registration applicant, payment information relating to music registration is accepted, and a suitable / unsuitable confirmation process is performed on the payment information. Step 103: It is determined whether or not the confirmation processing of the payment information related to the music registration is appropriate. Step 104: If the payment information is appropriate, the items necessary for performing the payment, such as the type and number of the credit card, are accepted. The registration procedure is finalized. Step 105: When the registration procedure of the music registrant is determined, information on the music registrant is stored as payment management information as a payment ending person.

Next, the music registration operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The music registrant accesses this site and the music registration operation starts. Step 200: A music registrant who wants to register music prepares the music data of the music to be registered as main body music data and sample music data. Step 201: It is determined whether or not work information on a music piece to be registered has been input. Step 202: When it is determined that the work information has been input, it is determined whether or not the body music data and the sample music data have been input as the music data. Step 203: When the main body music data and the trial music data of the music are inputted as the music data, a payment acceptance processing of the registration price for the music registration is performed. Step 204: It is determined whether or not the payment of the registration fee has been correctly made. Step 205: If it is determined that the payment of the registration fee is appropriate, the work information, the main body music data of the music, and the trial music data are managed in a state in which disclosure is possible.

Next, the operations of music search and music listening will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The music search applicant accesses this site and the music search operation starts. Step 300: It is determined whether a search condition has been correctly input by a search applicant. Step 301: If the search condition is correct, search for a music to be searched and display the search result. Step 302: It is determined whether or not the music searcher desires to listen to the music from the search results. Step 303: If there is a request for trial listening, streaming playback of trial song data of the desired song is performed. Step 304: After listening to the trial song data, it is determined whether or not a request to listen to the main song data has been made. Step 305: If it is desired to listen to the main song data, a process of accepting payment for music purchase is performed together with confirmation of the name of the desired song. Step 306: It is determined whether or not the music purchase price has been successfully paid. Step 307: If it is determined that payment of the purchase price is appropriate, the main body music data is transmitted to the music purchaser. Step 308: It is determined whether or not the transmitted main body music data has been correctly transmitted. Step 309: If it is determined that the main song data has been transmitted correctly, purchase confirmation processing is performed, and the purchase management number (used when re-downloading the main song data if it has been damaged) is used by the music registrant. Send to If the music data has been damaged, the distribution procedure of the main music data is repeated again. In this case, the processing is performed based on the purchaser management number, whereby the music can be automatically re-downloaded. Step 310: It is determined whether or not the purchase confirmation processing has been completed. Step 311: When the purchase confirmation processing is completed,
The music purchaser information is stored and managed, and a series of operations ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the music registration applicant A applies for the registration of the work supplementary information,
The work information including work-related information such as artist information, work basic information, work image information, etc. accompanying the music desired to be registered is registered in the Web server. , And separately register the preview music data which is a part of the music. At this time, the main body music data is processed as full data which is the whole music, and the trial music data is processed as data obtained by extracting an appropriate part of the main body music data in less than 45 seconds: preferably around 30 seconds.

On the other hand, the music search applicant B accesses the Web server from his / her personal computer terminal or the like in order to search for a music having the desired music image, and searches for the desired music by work information. Search for. In this case, if the artist information and the basic work information are known in the work information, the search can be performed based on the artist information and the basic work information.

However, if the artist information and the basic work information are not specifically known, a search can be performed based on the work image information. And
When it is desired to listen to the searched music, it is possible to listen to the trial music data of the music from the Web server.

Further, when the user wants to listen to the main song data, which is the entire music, he sends a request to the Web server to listen to the main song data, and after the permission to listen to the main song data is given, The user can listen to music data.

Therefore, even if it functions on the Internet and does not know the title of a song or the name of an artist,
A desired music can be searched based on a search for a music image in the work information.

Therefore, unlike a conventional music search system, it is not based on a technical method of creating a search database based on music that has already been published externally, such as a CD, etc. Announced songs can also be searched, and a wider range of songs, including indie artists, can be searched more easily.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, a search database is not created by editing a music that has been externally announced by converting the music into a CD or the like. Even songs are pooled for search,
In addition, since a desired music can be searched by music image search, more music can be searched more easily.

The retrieved music data is of a two-stage system in which the user listens to the trial music data and then listens to the main music data, so that the music can be released and sold efficiently and safely.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a music search system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing each means of a function for performing the music search system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of artist information.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of work basic information.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing image information-1.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing image information-2.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing image information-3.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing image information-4.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing image information-5.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing image information-6.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a registration operation of a music registrant.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a music registration operation.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing operations of music search and music purchase.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Web server 1a Main server 1b Streaming server 10 Music registrant receiving means 11 Music registration receiving means 12 Music information storage means 13 Music search receiving means 14 Music purchase receiving means 15 Music purchaser information storage means 16 Charge settlement processing means 19 General control section

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G06F 17/30 350 G06F 17/30 350C 370 370Z

Claims (5)

[Claims] Claims: A person who wishes to register a music is registered as a music registrant, and various items such as a music title relating to the music desired by the music registrant are registered as work information of the music, and a part of the music data of the music is registered. If the music data is registered as sample music data, and the entire music data is registered as the main music data, and a search is performed based on the work information desired by the music search applicant, the search is performed from among the registered music. In addition to searching for a song, the sample song data of the searched song can be listened to, and if it is desired to listen to the song data of the song, the permission to listen to the song data is given after the permission to listen to the song data has been given. A music search system characterized in that data can be heard. 2. Registration as a music registrant is performed when the music registration is determined to be qualified, and a person who wishes to listen to the main music data is determined to be eligible to listen to the main music data. 2. The music search system according to claim 1, wherein said music can be heard. 3. The music search system according to claim 1, wherein the sample music data is music data obtained by extracting an appropriate portion of the main music data around 30 seconds. 4. The sample music data is separated from a main server storing main music data or a personal computer terminal managed by each music registrant, and is stored separately on a streaming server which directly outputs a sound signal. The music search system according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein: 5. The search based on work information is searchable based on work image information of a music piece such as a pop-based music piece on the theme of the sea.
3. The music search system according to 3 or 4.