JP2006004152A - Searching apparatus, searching method, information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform user-friendly and efficient period search. <P>SOLUTION: The year of birth of a user is input, as well as age or grade of the user at the time to be searched in substitution for the period. When inputting the age or the grade of the user, for inputting the age or the grade corresponding to the period to be searched, period ranges sectioned by a prescribed meaning such as, for example, "high school age" or "early 10s" can be specified. Thereby, the period other than one-year unit can be specified for the period search. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a search device, a search method, and an information processing system for performing search processing, for example, for searching for a target that matches a search condition from a plurality of search targets, and in particular, a configuration for specifying a search condition , Is involved in the procedure.

  In recent years, personally owned devices called so-called music home servers have become widespread. This music home server has, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) that can secure a large capacity at a low cost under the present circumstances as a storage medium, and stores a huge number of music content data (music data) in this HDD. To be kept. Then, arbitrary music data can be selected from the HDD and can be reproduced as a musical sound.

  In recent years, music distribution systems using the Internet have actually been operated. In such a music distribution system, the distribution server side has a lot of music data for distribution, and for example, music data is distributed in response to a request from a terminal such as a personal computer connected to the Internet. Is done.

For example, a user who uses the music home server described above needs to find music data that he / she wants to reproduce from among a huge number of music data stored in the HDD. Similarly, the user of the terminal using the music distribution system needs to search for music data that he / she wants to download from among the enormous number of music data provided by the distribution server.
Therefore, a music home server music distribution system is generally provided with a search function for efficiently searching for music data required by the user.

As such a search function, for example, a search can be performed by inputting a song name, artist name, genre, age, etc. as search conditions.
Regarding the age, for example, “1992” is entered for the year in which the music was announced, and a specific year is entered. Alternatively, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, after setting the user's current age (or birth year), the user's age that is supposed to correspond to the target music, or a specific yearly academic year By inputting, a specific year is specified as a search condition. A search that includes this age as a search condition can be said to be effective in searching for past music.

JP 2003-140669 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-282871

However, assuming that the user actually searches for music data using the age as a search condition, the user must know what year the music data that he / she wants to search for and what age It can be said that it does not always accurately remember whether it is a thing of the time or even when it was in school days.
As described above, when the year corresponding to the target music data is ambiguous in this way, as described above, in the age search method of designating and inputting a specific year, the user can approximate This means that you can select and enter one age for registration and search. For this reason, if the desired music data does not appear in the search results, you must repeat the era input several times, such as selecting another era and searching. It's not very efficient.
In other words, it can be said that there is still room for efficient search when the age is used as a search condition.

In view of the above-described problems, the present invention is configured as a search device as follows.
That is, the reference information input operation means for performing the operation of inputting the birth year or the current age of the user as the reference information for obtaining the search condition, and the birth year or the current age input by the reference information input operation means are indicated. The reference information setting means for setting information as reference information, and the operation for specifying and inputting the user's age or school year as the specified information for obtaining the search condition is performed. Also, the designation information input operation means that enables an input operation that specifies a time range delimited by a predetermined meaning, and information that indicates the age or school year that is input by this designation information input operation means is set as the designation information Based on the specified information setting means, the reference information set by the reference information setting means, and the specified information set by the specified information setting means. Comprising and age calculating means for calculating, and a search condition output means for outputting the age calculated by the age calculation means as a search condition.

  In addition, as a search method, a reference information input procedure for inputting a user's birth year or current age as reference information for obtaining a search condition according to a predetermined operation, and the reference information input procedure A reference information setting procedure for setting information indicating the input birth year or current age as reference information, and an input specifying a user's age or school year as designation information for obtaining a search condition is performed according to a predetermined operation. In any case where age or school year is input, a specified information input procedure that allows input specifying a time range delimited by a predetermined meaning, and input by this specified information input procedure Specified information setting procedure for setting information indicating a specified age or school year as specified information, the reference information set by the reference information setting procedure, and the specified information setting procedure And age calculation procedure for calculating the age on the basis of the set specified information, it was decided to configured to perform a search condition output procedure to output the age calculated by the age calculation procedure as a search condition.

The information processing system is configured as follows.
An information processing system according to the present invention includes a server device and a terminal device connected via a network.
Then, the reference information input operation means for performing the operation for inputting the user's birth year or current age as the reference information for obtaining the search condition in the terminal device, and the input by the reference information input operation means In the terminal device, a reference information setting means for setting information indicating the birth year or current age as reference information, and an operation for specifying and inputting the user's age or school year as designation information for obtaining a search condition are performed. In any case of entering age or school year, it is made possible to perform an input operation specifying a time range separated by a predetermined meaning, and when entering a school year Designated information input operation means that enables an input operation designating a predetermined grade range, and the age or school entered by the designated information input operation means Specified information setting means for setting the information indicating the age as the specified information, age calculating means for calculating the age based on the reference information set by the reference information setting means and the specified information set by the specified information setting means, and this age Search condition output means for outputting the age calculated by the calculation means as a search condition; search execution means for executing a search for a search target in the server device in accordance with the search condition output by the search condition output means; The search result transmitting means for transmitting the search result obtained by the search execution means from the server device to the terminal device via the network is provided.

According to each of the above configurations, according to the present invention, based on the user's birth year or current age, which is the reference information, and the user's age or school year, which is designated information for obtaining the search condition, Has been output. In other words, the user inputs his / her birth year or current age and inputs his / her age or school year corresponding to the age in order to specify the age to be searched. Is done. The age is specified according to these information inputs, and the specified age is used as a search condition.
In such a configuration, first enter age-specific elements that are more likely to be remembered, such as your own age or school year, even if you do not know exactly the age of what you are searching for. By doing so, the search can be performed using the age as the search condition. In other words, the search is simpler and more efficient than the case of specifying and inputting the year or year of the year as the age search.
In addition, according to the present invention, when inputting the age or school year corresponding to the age to be searched, it is possible to specify a time range delimited by a certain meaning. In other words, the age and school year are not simply specified in units of one year, but for example, an age period and school year longer than one year or less than one year can be specified.

In this way, the present invention allows the user to specify the time range for performing the search by inputting the user's age or school year corresponding to the age to be searched, for example, the user himself / herself corresponding to the search target Even if you don't remember the age and school year of your child, you can search in a wider range than a year.
In addition, under the concept of the present invention, the time range may be less than one year. Conversely, the user's own age and school year corresponding to the target object are more accurate in a certain year. If the time is also remembered, this can be used as search specification information to perform a more narrow search.
In this way, the present invention can provide an age search function that is more convenient and efficient for the user than before.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the search device and search method according to the present invention is a music data recording / playback device alone called a music home server, or a server that distributes music data as content, and the music data from this server. The present invention is applied to a content distribution system composed of terminals (music home servers) that receive distribution.
The following description will be given in the following order.

1. Configuration of music home server 2. Procedure of age search Processing for age search 4. Content distribution system

1. Music home server configuration

First, as a first embodiment, a description will be given of a configuration in which a search device and a search method according to the present invention are completed and executed in a music home server.
FIG. 1 shows an internal configuration example of a music home server 1 according to the present embodiment. The music home server 1 is generally owned and used by an individual end user, and stores and manages an enormous number of audio data (music data) in units of music, as will be understood from the following description. It is possible. Then, the user selects desired music data from the music data stored and managed in this way, and reproduces, outputs, and listens to it.

  In FIG. 1, a media drive 11 is a drive capable of reading at least information corresponding to a predetermined medium (recording medium). Note that the media that the media drive 11 should actually support is not particularly limited, but in the present situation, for example, a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and the like can be mentioned.

  In this case, the media drive 11 can read and reproduce digital audio data managed in units of music from the media. The digital audio data read in this way, for example, in the PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) format is transferred to the compression processing unit 12.

  In the compression processing unit 12, the input digital audio data is subjected to compression processing according to a predetermined audio compression method, and compressed audio data in a predetermined format is output. The audio data is compressed in this way because the storage capacity of the HDD for storing the music data is saved and used effectively, and when the audio data is recorded on the external recording device. The purpose of this is to make it possible to efficiently record compressed audio data as it is without performing format conversion or the like. The compressed audio data output from the compression processing unit 12 is input to the encryption processing unit 13.

  The encryption processing unit 13 encrypts the compressed audio data input from the compression processing unit 12. The encryption processing of the encryption processing unit 13 is performed for the purpose of copyright protection. That is, the music data is encrypted and stored in the HDD 14, so that the music data stored in the HDD 14 is managed by the music home server 1. A device other than the server 1 cannot generate a proper decryption key and decrypt it properly. This prevents unauthorized copying of music data as digital information and protects the copyright.

  The compressed audio data (encrypted compressed audio data) encrypted by the encryption processing unit 13 is transferred to the HDD 14 and stored therein. In the HDD 14, one piece of music data (encrypted compressed audio data) is managed as one piece of music by the music database.

  In the media drive 11, as described above, the digital audio data managed in units of music is read from the medium, and additional information recorded on the medium accompanying the digital audio data for each music unit is also read. It is possible. In this case, for example, the control unit 24 takes in the additional information read out in this way. Then, the control unit 24 associates the acquired additional information with the music data read from the media drive 11 and stored in the HDD 14 together with the additional information, and manages the music data stored in the HDD 14. To be built.

An example of the structure of the music database is shown in FIG.
As shown in this figure, the music database is roughly divided into an index information group and a music data group. Each piece of music data that forms a music data group is encrypted and compressed audio data for each music piece, and is recorded in the HDD as one data file.
Each piece of index information is associated with a different piece of music data. For example, as shown in the figure, at least an address ([adr_n]) on the HDD 14 where the associated music data is recorded as an information item. ), A music ID assigned so as to be unique to each music, and various necessary additional information. Here, as additional information, for example, a song title, artist name, performance time, age information, and the like are shown. Here, as the age information, for example, the year when the music was released / announced, the year when it was recorded, the year when it was in a predetermined rank or higher on the hit chart, and the like are stored.
As the additional information, in addition to this, for example, information on the genre and the album including the music (album title, playback order in the album, etc.) is defined. Information items in the additional information are not particularly limited.

Returning to FIG.
In reproducing the music data stored in the HDD 14, first, operations for designating music data and starting reproduction are performed as operations on the operation unit 23. At this time, the control unit 24 causes the display unit 22 to display a music selection list or the like for designating music data. The user operates the operation unit 23 to designate a desired music piece from the music selection list. If the search for starting reproduction is performed, the control unit 24 searches the index information corresponding to the designated music by using the music ID or the like by referring to the music database in response to this operation. To recognize the address. Then, this address is accessed, and reading from the HDD 14 is executed. Thus, the music data (encrypted compressed audio data) of the designated music is read from the HDD 14. The music data read out in this way is transferred to the decryption processing unit 15.

The decryption processing unit 15 executes a process for decrypting the input music data (encrypted compressed audio data) using a predetermined decryption key to obtain compressed audio data that has been decrypted. . The compressed audio data is output to the decompression processing unit 16.
The decompression processing unit 16 performs decompression (decoding) processing on the input compressed audio data in accordance with the compression encoding format to obtain, for example, PCM data (digital audio data) in a predetermined format, and a reproduction processing unit 17 is output.

The reproduction processing unit 17 performs, for example, gain setting, sound quality adjustment, volume adjustment, and other necessary signal processing on the input digital audio data, and converts it into an audio signal suitable for the output format from the music server 1 and outputs it. Configured as follows. For example, if the output from the music server 1 is output as digital audio data in a predetermined format, digital audio data having a sampling frequency and a quantization bit number suitable for the format is finally generated and output.
Alternatively, if it is output as an analog audio signal, it is finally subjected to D / A conversion, amplified as necessary, and output.
Further, if the output current is to be output as a drive current for driving the speaker, the audio signal is amplified by an amplifier circuit for generating the drive current and output.

  The control unit 24 includes a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, RAM, and the like, and executes various control processes in the music home server 1.

The network interface 19 is provided for data transmission / reception via the network.
When data is transmitted from the music home server 1 via the network, the transmission data is transferred to the network interface 19 under the control of the control unit 24. The network interface 19 encodes the transmission data into a data format suitable for data transmission via the network such as packetization, and transmits the data to a device connected to the network.
Further, when the interface 19 receives data transmitted via the network, the interface 19 executes a required decoding process such as unpacketization. Then, in accordance with the control of the control unit 24, the data obtained by decoding is transferred to a predetermined internal function part.

  The data interface 18 is provided to perform data transmission / reception with an external device in correspondence with a data interface of a predetermined system other than the network, for example. The operation for data transmission / reception in the data interface 18 is also controlled by the control unit 24.

Here, in the present embodiment, the digital audio data in units of music obtained by data communication via the network via the network interface 19 or data communication via the data interface 18 is also managed by the music database in the HDD 14. In this way, it can be stored as music data.
For example, it is assumed that music data is downloaded from another terminal or a server that provides music data by data communication via a network. This music data is received and acquired by the network interface 19. In this case, for example, the control unit 24 transfers the music data acquired by the network interface 19 to the HDD 14 via the network interface 19 and writes and stores it as one data file. Further, the additional information transmitted together with the music data is received and acquired, and index information is newly created for the music data newly stored in the HDD 14 this time using this additional information. To be rebuilt.

The display unit 22 includes a predetermined display device, and performs display according to display control by the control unit 24.
The operation unit 23 collectively indicates, for example, various required operators and a detector that generates an operation command by detecting an operation performed on the operator. The control unit 24 executes a required control process according to the operation command output from the operation unit 23.
The operation unit 23 may include a remote controller attached to the music home server 1 and a reception unit that receives and demodulates an operation command transmitted from the remote controller and transfers the operation command to the control unit 24. .

In the first embodiment, the search processing unit 21 executes a process for searching for music data stored in, for example, the HDD 14 in the music home server 1.
Here, the search processing unit 21 is shown as one independent functional circuit unit. However, in practice, for example, the CPU in the control unit 24 stores a program stored in the ROM (or the HDD 14). It is a function realized by executing.
Further, as the search processing unit 21, for example, it is possible to perform a search by inputting a song name, artist name, genre, etc., which are well known so far, as search conditions. It is also possible to search by setting the age as a search condition. That is, so-called age search. In the present embodiment, as described later, the input setting of the age when performing this age search is considered to be more convenient and efficient than before.

2. Steps for age search

Next, an operation procedure to be performed by the user in order to execute the age search when the music home server 1 configured as described above performs the search for music data will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the user shifts to the age search mode in which the age search should be executed by a predetermined operation on the operation unit 23. In response to this, on the display unit 22, as shown in FIG. 3, an age search initial screen is displayed as an operation screen. In the following description of FIGS. 3 to 9, as operations on the operation unit 23, operations for selecting items by moving the cursor 100 and operations for determination and cancellation are possible. Assuming that.
On the initial search screen, an initial setting item AR1 indicated as “initial setting>” and an age search item AR2 indicated as “age search>” are displayed. The user selects an item by moving the cursor 100 between these two items by a predetermined operation on the operation unit 23.
If the initial setting item AR1 is selected and the determination operation is performed, the operation screen for initial setting under the age search mode is displayed. If the age search item AR2 is selected and the determination operation is performed, the operation screen for input setting for actually performing the age search is displayed.

FIG. 4 shows a display mode example of an operation screen (initial setting screen) for initial setting.
The initial setting in this case is to input and set the user's birth year. As will be understood from the following description, the information on the birth year of the user is a standard for specifying the age.
In response to this, on the initial setting screen shown in FIG. 4, an input box 101 showing an input numerical value as a birth year, an up key display 102, and a down key display 103 are displayed.
When an operation equivalent to pressing the up key display 102 is performed by operating the operation unit 23, the numerical value displayed in the input box 101 increases. On the other hand, when an operation equivalent to pressing the down key display 103 is performed, the numerical value shown in the input box 101 becomes smaller. The user performs an operation so that the numerical value shown in the input box 101 is the birth year of the user. Then, after confirming that the numerical value in the input box 101 is the birth year of the user, if the determination operation is performed, the initial setting content is confirmed and, for example, the screen returns to the age search initial screen of FIG. The
In addition, as a change of the item in the input box 101 according to the operation with respect to the up key display 102 and the down key display 103, it is a cyclic change assuming that the first (minimum) and last (maximum) items are connected. Can be done. That is, in the case of FIG. 4, when the up key display 102 is further operated in a state where the maximum birth year is selected, the minimum birth year is selected. On the contrary, when the down key display 103 is further operated in a state where the minimum birth year is selected, the maximum birth year is selected. This is the same when the input box 101, the up key display 102, and the down key display 103 are displayed on the operation screen described below.

Further, as described above, when the item of the age search item AR2 is selected and determined on the age search initial screen shown in FIG. 3, an input setting screen for age search is displayed thereafter. FIG. 5 shows an age search execution screen that is displayed first as a result of the selection determination operation for the item of the age search item AR2 of FIG. 3 as an input setting screen for this age search.
In this age search execution screen, as items, for example, a search method item AR11 described as “search method: search by grade>”, a age specification item AR12 described as “age specification: high school year 1>”, and “search Three items of search execution items labeled “execution>” are displayed. In the age search execution screen, an operation for moving the cursor 100 between these three items can be performed to select an item, and a determination operation can be performed for each.

The search method item AR11 shown in FIG. 5 is a search method in the age search (a method for obtaining search conditions (specifying age)), and the type of information (designated information) specified for specifying the age is “school year”. Indicates that it is currently set. In the present embodiment, as a search method in the age search, the designated information type includes “age” in addition to the above “school year”.
In addition, the age designation item AR12 indicates that, as the above-described search method, “school year” is designated, and the designated age is “high school first year”.
That is, the age search initial screen of FIG. 5 indicates that the current setting state is the year (year) when the user's school year is the first year of high school as the search condition.
Then, when the search execution item AR13 is selected and determined, depending on the currently set contents of the designated information type indicated in the search method item AR11 and the designated information (age designation) indicated in the age designation item AR12. The search is started using the required age as a search condition.
When the age search execution screen of FIG. 5 is first displayed, what kind of display the specified information type and the specified contents of the age specified in each of the search method item AR11 and the age specifying item AR12 is displayed. For example, the content that is a predetermined initial value may be displayed, or the content that is selected based on the input history up to the previous time may be displayed.

Here, when the user wants to change the setting of the search method, the search method item AR11 is selected and determined on the age search execution screen shown in FIG. Then, the search method selection screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.
This search method selection screen is an operation screen for the user to arbitrarily select and set a search method from candidates. In this case, as described above, corresponding to the fact that the designated information includes “grade” and “age”, the grade item AR21 marked “search by grade” and “search by age” are marked. Two items of the age item 22 are displayed, and the item can be selected by moving the cursor 100 between these items.
Here, it is assumed that the user wants to designate “school year” as designated information, and selects the grade item AR21 and performs a determination operation. In response to this, the screen returns to the age search initial screen of FIG. 5. At this time, the item of the search method item AR11 is “search method: search by grade>” as shown in FIG. Is displayed, indicating that “school year” is set for the specified information type.
On the other hand, if the user wants to set the designated information type to “age” and selects the age item AR22 in FIG. 6 and performs a determination operation, when the user returns to the age search initial screen in FIG. The item AR11 is displayed as “search method: search by age>” and indicates that the designated information type is “age”. At this time, the age specified in the age specification item AR12 below it may be, for example, a predetermined age set as an initial setting or an age selected based on the history up to the previous time may be indicated. .

  For example, after setting the search method (specified information type) as described above, when it is desired to change the age (specified information) specified under the set search method (specified information type), FIG. The age designation item AR12 is selected and the determination operation is performed.

When the selection for the age specification item AR12 is made, the search method item AR11 is displayed as “search method: search by grade>”, so that “school year” is set for the specified information type. Shifts to the grade input setting screen shown in FIG.
In the grade input setting screen, an input box 101, an up key display 102, and a down key display 103 are displayed. In this case, the input box 101 displays characters indicating the grade content as the age, and this grade content is assumed to have been displayed on the up key display 102 and the down key display 103. It is changed by operation.

FIG. 7B shows an example of a candidate list of grade contents set on the grade input setting screen in the present embodiment.
As shown in this figure, as a list of school year contents, “first year of elementary school” is the youngest, and “university 4th year” is arranged as a list according to grade classification of one year.
Further, in the present embodiment, as a list subsequent to “4th year of university”, for example, “elementary school lower grade”, “elementary school upper grade”, “junior high school age”, “high school age”, and “university age” are further added. A list of two grades has been added. For example, in the case of “elementary school lower grades”, these five lists indicate three consecutive years of elementary school 1 year, elementary school 2 years, and elementary school 3 years. It refers to the three consecutive years of the year. In other words, these added lists are divided by school period in the period of education, whereas the list from "1st grade of elementary school" to "4th grade of university" is 1 year. Depending on the situation, it has a predetermined time range greater than one year.

The user can select an arbitrary age from the ages shown in the list shown in FIG. 7B by operating the up key display 102 and the down key display 103 on the grade input setting screen.
If this is compared with the display content of FIG. 7A, in FIG. 7A, the item “High School Year 1” is selected and displayed in the input box 101 in the list shown in FIG. 7B. It will be in the state that has been done. From this state, by performing an operation on the up key display 102, it is possible to change the age selection in a retroactive direction, such as “second year of middle school”, “second year of middle school”,. Further, by performing an operation on the down key display 102, it is possible to sequentially change the age selection in the direction of “second year of high school”, “third year of high school”,. In this embodiment, by such an operation, a period having a period other than one year such as “elementary school lower grade”, “elementary school upper grade”, “middle school age”, “high school age”, “university age”, etc. This item can also be selected.
In this way, if the user performs a determination operation in a state where the desired age is selected and displayed in the input box 101, the screen returns to the age search execution screen of FIG. At this time, in the age designation item AR12, the age determined by the operation on the grade input setting screen of FIG. 7 is displayed. As a specific example, if “elementary school lower grade” is selected and determined by the operation on the grade input setting screen of FIG. 7, the age designation item AR12 of the age search execution screen of FIG. Is displayed.

Further, when the selection for the age designation item AR12 is made, when the search method item AR11 at that time is “Search method: search by age>”, that is, “age” is set for the designated information type. If it has been set, the screen shifts to an age input setting screen shown in FIG.
Also on this age input setting screen, an input box 101, an up key display 102, and a down key display 103 are displayed. In this case, the input box 101 displays characters indicating the age content as the age. This age value is changed by an operation performed on the up key display 102 and the down key display 103.

FIG. 8B shows an example of a candidate list of age contents set on this age input setting screen.
As shown in this figure, in the list of ages, first, “0 year old” to “32 year old” are shown as the age of one year. In this case, the maximum age is “32 years old”, which corresponds to the current age of the user. The current age of the user can be obtained by using information on the user's birth year that is input and set as an initial setting, and information on the current year, for example.

Further, in the present embodiment, as a list subsequent to “32 years old” which is the current age, for example, “before teenage (0-9 years)”, “early teenage (10-14 years)”, “ "Late teens (15 to 19 years old)", "Early 20s (20 to 24 years old)", "Late 20s (25 to 29 years old)" and "Ear 30s" are shown.
In other words, even when the designated information type is age, the designated information content (age) is prepared in this case having a predetermined time range greater than one year according to the age generation division. ing.
In this case, since the current age of the user is 32 years old, a list corresponding to the age of “late 30's” or higher is not created as a list by age generation division based on this. In this way, the age that is larger than the current age of the user is not included in the list so that, for example, when the user is specifying the age, there are no unnecessary options for the user. Consideration.

Also in this case, the user can perform the operation shown in FIG. 8B by operating the up key display 102 and the down key display 103 on the age input setting screen, as described above with reference to FIG. Any age can be selected from the ages shown in the list.
When the user selects a desired age and performs a determination operation, the screen returns to the age search execution screen of FIG. At this time, in the age designation item AR12, the age determined by the operation on the grade input setting screen of FIG. 8 is displayed. For example, if “late teenage (15 to 19 years old)” is selected and determined by an operation on the age input setting screen of FIG. 8, the age designation item AR12 of the age search execution screen of FIG. : Late teens> ”.

Through the operations described so far, the user first inputs his birth year as an initial setting, and then sets a desired designated information type (either “school year” or “age”) as a search method. Under the set search method, a desired grade and age are set as the age designation.
Then, after the setting is made in this way, if the user sees the setting contents shown in the age search execution screen of FIG. 5 and determines that this is acceptable, the user performs a selection determination operation on the search execution item AR13. To be done.

In response to this, for example, the search processing unit shown in FIG. 1 uses the set user's birth year and the specified information such as the school year and age information, and the age (for example, the Christian era) that is the actual search condition. Specific year, such as 1975). Then, the music database in the HDD 14 is accessed to search for index information having age information that matches the age specified as the search condition.
For example, if the user's birth year is 1967 and the designated information is junior high school two years, the junior high school second year is 14 years old, and the age as a search condition is obtained as 1981 (= 1967 + 14). As a search process, index information whose value indicated in the age information matches that of 1981 is recognized. Since the index information is generated corresponding to each piece of music data stored in the HDD 14, it can be considered that the music data is searched by searching the index information.
Further, in the present embodiment, it is possible to set the designation information of the grade and age whose time range is expanded from one year, but when such designation information is set, the following is performed. .
For example, in the same manner as described above, it is assumed that the user's birth year is 1967 and the designated information is in high school. In the high school days, the age as the search condition is 1983 (= 1967 + 16), 1984 (= 1967 + 17) by associating in advance that the age is 16 to 18 years from high school 1 to high school 3. It is the logical sum of the three ages in 1985 (= 1967 + 18). Therefore, as a search process, index information (music data) whose value indicated in the age information matches any of 1983, 1984, and 1985 is recognized.

When the search process is executed as described above and a search result is obtained, a search result screen showing the search result is displayed on the display unit 22, for example, as shown in FIG.
On the search result screen shown in this figure, a music list is displayed. That is, the song names of the song data that are considered to match the search condition are shown as a list in the order according to the predetermined rule. This song name can be displayed by using the song name information described as additional information in the index information recognized as the search result. For example, as described above, assuming that the user's birth year is 1967, and the designated information is in high school, the search result screen includes music data stored in the HDD 14 based on the age information. In 1983, 1984, and 1985, the names of the song data that have been released, recorded, or ranked higher than the predetermined order in the hit chart are displayed as a list.

  The cursor 100 is also displayed on the search result screen, and an operation for moving the cursor 100 between music list items can be performed. This makes it possible to select music data. When the cursor 100 is placed on and selected from the song name item of the desired song data and an operation for determination is performed, the selected song data is read out from the HDD 14 and is sent from the music home server 1. It will be played back.

In this embodiment, as described above, it is possible to perform the age search, but for the “school year” and “age” that are the designated information, a predetermined year unit or more respectively. Items classified by time range can be selected.
Thus, for example, the user wants to search for a certain piece of music, but can roughly know the time when that piece of memory is remembered, but it can remember exactly which school year or age. Even if you are uncertain, you can make a search in a relatively wide range of years.
For example, in this situation, if it is impossible to search by specifying the grade and age of a year, you must repeat the search by entering the grade and age again until the desired search results are obtained. In other words, the user is forced to perform troublesome work.
In the present embodiment, it is highly likely that such a situation can be avoided by performing a search by specifying a school year or age within a time range of one year or more. Therefore, it can be said that it is more efficient as a age search and is also easier to use.
Note that Patent Document 2 also discloses that a search is performed by designating an age range of one year or more, for example, in the twenties. However, in Patent Document 2, for example, content that people in their twenties in the world prefer is searched, and search is performed based on the user's individual age as in this embodiment. It does not use the technique of calling. For this reason, for example, Patent Document 2 does not perform the processing procedure of calculating the age as the search condition in accordance with the individual's past school year and age input.

  It should be noted that the display mode of the operation screen for age search shown in FIGS. 3 to 9 and the operation mode as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) are considerably appropriate for the convenience of explanation. It is simplified, and in practice, the visual effect may be higher, or it may be changed to a mode with a large amount of information. For example, in the search result screen of FIG. 9 or the like, search conditions are specified, and various information of additional information such as artist name, genre, performance time, album title, etc., in addition to the song name, in the song data list item. For example, more information may be shown for each piece of music data.

3. Processing for age search

Processing operations for realizing the age search operation including the user interface shown in FIGS. 3 to 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.
The flowchart of FIG. 10 shows the entire processing operation for age search. The processing shown in this figure is executed by the search processing unit 21, but actually, as described above, for example, in the control unit 24, the CPU stores a program stored in the RAM (or HDD 14). It is supposed to be obtained by executing.

  First, in step S101 of FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the age search mode is set as the operation mode. Here, for example, when an operation for setting the age search mode is performed as an operation to the operation unit 23 by the user, the age search mode should be shifted according to the operation command, and a positive determination is made in step S101. The result is obtained and the process proceeds to step S102 and subsequent steps.

In step S102, display control processing for displaying the age search initial screen shown in FIG. In the state in which the age search initial screen is displayed in step S102, the control unit 24 also executes display control for moving the cursor 100 between selected items in accordance with an operation command instructing a cursor moving operation. That is, when an operation for moving the cursor is performed on the operation unit 23, an operation command that instructs to move the cursor 100 in the moving direction corresponding to the operation is output from the operation unit 23. In response to this operation command, the control unit 24 (CPU) changes the screen display by moving the cursor 100 in the required direction.
In step S103, the operation waits for an operation for determining item selection as an operation for the initial search screen displayed as described above, and when the determination operation is performed, the determination is made. It is determined whether or not the selection item is the initial setting item AR1.

If an affirmative determination result is obtained in step S103 that the initial setting item AR1 has been selected and determined, the process proceeds to step S104, and display control for displaying the initial setting screen shown in FIG. 5 is executed.
Step S105 is processing according to an operation input in a state where the initial setting screen is displayed. That is, display control for changing the birth year displayed in the input box 101 is executed in accordance with the input operation of the birth year (operation on the up key display 102 and the down key display 103). Then, according to the determination operation, the birth year input at that time is set as one of information values (reference information value) used for the age search. That is, for example, the data indicating the birth year displayed in the input box 101 at the time of the determination operation is stored in the internal RAM.
When the process of step S105 is completed, the process returns to step S102, and the age search initial screen is displayed again.

  In step S103, if the selected item is not the initial setting item AR1, that is, if a negative determination result is obtained that the selected item is the age search item AR2, the process directly proceeds to step S106. Then, control processing for displaying the age search execution screen shown in FIG. 5 is executed. Even in the state where the age search execution screen is displayed and output, the control unit 24 performs display control for moving the cursor 100 between the selected items in accordance with an operation command instructing cursor movement from the operation unit 23. Execute.

In addition, in step S107, the process waits for selection determination for the item displayed on the age search execution screen, and when the selection item determination operation is performed, the determined selection item is searched. It is determined whether the item is an item AR11, an age specification item AR12, or a search execution item AR13.
If the determined selection item is the search method item AR11 as a result of determination in step S107, the process proceeds to step S108 to display the search method selection screen shown in FIG. In the next step S109, display control is executed so that the cursor 100 is moved between the grade item AR21 and the age item AR22 in accordance with the cursor movement operation. Then, the search method (specified information type) is set in accordance with the determination operation for the selection item. That is, in response to the operation of selecting and determining the grade item AR21, the designated information type in the age search is set to “school year”, and in response to the operation of selecting and determining the age item AR22, the specified information type is set to “Age”. To "". When the process of step S109 is completed, the process returns to step S106 to display the age search execution screen again.

If it is determined in step S107 that the determined selection item is the age designation item AR12, the process proceeds to step S110.
In step S110, the currently set search method (specified information type) is determined. If it is determined that the specified information type is “school year”, the process proceeds to step S111.
In step S111, a control process for displaying the grade input setting screen described with reference to FIG. 7 is executed. In the next step S112, the grade input (displayed) in the input box 101 is changed according to the operation performed on the up key display 102 and the down key display 103. Then, according to the determination operation, the school year input at that time is set as a designated information value used for the age search. When the process of step S112 ends, the process returns to step S106, and the age search execution screen is displayed again.

If it is determined in step S110 that the currently set search method (specified information type) is “age”, the process proceeds to step S113.
The process of step S113 is a preparation process for displaying the age input setting screen described with reference to FIG. 8, and an age selection list is created. The age selection list here refers to a list of ages that are selection candidates (input candidates for the input box 101) described with reference to FIG. In order to create an age selection list, first, the user's birth year information set in step S105 is read and acquired. Further, for example, the current year (for example, the year) is recognized by a value indicated by a clock provided as a function of the control unit 24. The current age of the user is calculated based on the information on the birth year and the current year. Then, according to the calculated age, as an age selection list shown in FIG. 8B, first, an upper limit for an age list item in units of one year is determined. In addition, an upper limit is set for the age list items classified by age generation. For example, if the calculated user's current age is 24 years old, the age list items in units of 1 year are “0 years old” to “24 years old”, and the age list items are classified by age generation. Is, for example, from “Before teenagers (0 to 9 years old)” to “Early 20s”.
In the next step S114, a control process for displaying the age input setting screen shown in FIG. 8B is executed. In the subsequent step S114, the age input (displayed) in the input box 101 is changed according to the operation performed on the up key display 102 and the down key display 103. In changing the age, the age selection list generated in the previous step S113 is followed. In response to the determination operation, the age input at that time is set as a specified information value used for the age search. When the process of step S115 is completed, the process returns to step S106 to redisplay the age search execution screen.

If the determined selection item is the search execution item AR13 in step S107, the process proceeds to step S116, and the search process is executed based on the information set so far.
The search process as step S116 is executed as shown in FIG.

  As a search process, first, in step S201, data (reference information value) indicating the birth year set in step S105 of FIG. 10 is fetched and set as a birth year value birthyear, and the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, it is determined whether the search method (specified information type) set in step S109 of FIG. 10 is “school year” or “age”.
If it is determined in step S202 that the search method (specified information type) is an academic year, the process proceeds to step S203, [school_mode] is set as the search method flag, and the process proceeds to step S205.
On the other hand, when the determination result that the search method (specified information type) is age is obtained in step S202, [age_mode] is set as a search method flag by the process of step S204, and the process proceeds to step S205. To go forward.

In step S205, as a result of the processing so far, it is determined whether [school_mode] or [age_mode] is currently set for the search method flag, and it is determined that [school_mode] is set. Then, the process proceeds to step S206.
In step S206, the information value of the school year set in the previous step S112 is fetched and set as a parameter value of school year: schoolyear.

In the next step S207, for example, a grade-age correspondence table stored in a ROM (or the HDD 14) provided in the control unit 24 is referred to. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the grade-age correspondence table is a table showing the correspondence between the school year: schoolyear and the age value: age. In step S207, the age value: age associated with the school year: schoolyear set in step S206 is acquired in the grade-age correspondence table. For example, if the school year set in step S206 indicates school year 1, the school year-age correspondence table is referred to, and as an age value corresponding to this school year 1 school year, You can get age = 13. Also, in the present embodiment, there are grade parameters according to the division of school age. For example, if the school year indicates school grade, age = 10, age = 11, age = 12. As a result, three age values are obtained.
The process of step S207 is a process of converting grade information into age information. When the process of step S207 ends, the process proceeds to step S209.

If it is determined in step S205 that age_mode is set for the search method flag, the process proceeds to step S208.
In step S208, the age value: age parameter is set based on the age set as the specified information value in step S115 of FIG. In this case, if the age set in step S115 is in units of one year, the set age value is set as age value: age as it is. That is, for example, if the age set in step S115 is “18 years old”, the age value: age = 18 is set.
Further, when the age set in step S115 has a time range corresponding to the age generation division, a plurality of age values: age are set. For example, if the age set in step S115 is “early 20s”, age = 20, age = 21, age = 22, age = 23, and age = 24 are set.

At the stage of reaching step S209, the specified information value is set to the age value: age regardless of whether the “school year” or “age” is set for the specified information type.
In step S209, the age: searchyear is calculated using this age value: age. This search age: searchyear is the search condition for the age search.
In this case, in calculating the search age: searchyear, using the birth year: birthyear set in the previous step S201 and the age value currently acquired: age, simply,
searchyear = birthyear + age
It can obtain | require by the formula represented by these.
As described in steps S207 and S208, in this embodiment, a plurality of age values: age may be set. In step S209, each age value: age is associated with this case. Multiple searchyears corresponding to are requested.

  In the next step S210, the search year: searchyear obtained in step S209 is set as a query. Then, this query is issued to the program that manages the music database.

FIG. 13 shows processing according to the music database management program in response to receiving the query. As the first embodiment, the processing shown in FIG. 13 is also obtained by the control unit 24 (CPU) executing the music database management program.
As processing shown in FIG. 13, first, it waits for a query to be received in step S301. Then, in response to the query being transmitted in the process of step S210 in FIG. 11, it is determined in step S301 that the query has been received, and the process proceeds to step S302 and subsequent steps.

In step S302, search year: searchyear is acquired from the received query.
In the next step S303, index information in which age information that matches the value indicated by the search age: searchyear acquired in step S302 is specified from the index information in the music database. From this process, the music that matches the search year: searchyear is substantially searched.
Further, in the present embodiment, there may be a time range in which the designated school year and age are more than one year, and accordingly, there may be a plurality of search years: searchyear as a query. In this case, index information is specified for each of a plurality of search years: searchyear.

  In the next step S304, search result list information is constructed by using the required information items in the index information specified in step S303, and in the subsequent step S305, the search result list obtained by this construction is For example, a response to query issuance is generated by storing in the payload. Then, this response is transmitted (passed) to the user interface program of the age search process in step S306.

Returning to FIG.
The response transmitted as described above is received as the process shown in step S211 of FIG. Then, in the next step S212, required information processing for the received response is executed. By this process, information of the search result list stored in the response is extracted. The processing shown in FIG. 11 is the search processing in step S116 in FIG.

When the search process as step S116 is completed, as shown as step S117 in FIG. 10, a process for outputting the search result is executed. As this process, for example, the search result screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed based on the search result list acquired by the process of step S212 in FIG. Therefore, as step S304 of FIG. 13, the search result list should be generated with a predetermined structure including the information contents shown on the search result screen.
Although the corresponding processing operation is not shown in FIG. 10, in the state in which the search result is displayed and output in step S117, as described above with reference to FIG. The display is changed by moving the cursor 100 between items. Further, when an operation for determination is performed, control for reading out and reproducing and outputting music data corresponding to the list item selected at that time from the HDD 14 is executed.

4). Content distribution system

The description so far corresponds to the first embodiment, and it has been assumed that the age search is completely executed in the music home server 1.
The music home server 1 according to the present embodiment includes the network interface 19 so that it can be connected to other devices connected to the network.
Therefore, based on this, for example, a content server that distributes music data as content on a network is installed, and the music home server 1 of the present embodiment downloads music data distributed from the content server. It is conceivable to construct a system.
When such a system is constructed, it is required that music data to be downloaded can be efficiently searched from music data that can be distributed by the content server. Therefore, as a second embodiment, age search based on the present invention is applied to a search system for searching for music data provided by a content server.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a procedure for downloading music data between the music home server 1 and the content server 2. In the figure, the order of procedures is indicated by the number in the circles.
As shown as procedure 1, in the music home server 1, first, a search condition is set according to an operation performed on the operation unit 23 by the user. Then, as shown as procedure 2, the music home server 1 transmits a search request to the content server via the network 3 so as to issue the set search condition as a query.
In response to the received search request, the content server that has received this search request executes a search on the music data database provided in the content server in accordance with the received search request. In this search, a query (search condition) received together with the search request is used.
When the search result is obtained, the search result information is transmitted according to the following procedure 4.

The music home server 1 that has received the search result information displays and outputs the search result as shown in step 5. The search result image displayed and output here is generated based on the received search result information. As the same procedure 5, as an operation for displaying the search result, a music selection and a determination operation for the selected music are input.
If it is determined that the operation of determining the selected music piece is performed in the procedure 5, the music home server 1 transmits a music data request for requesting the determined music data to the content server 2 in the procedure 6. .
In this case, the content server 2 that has received the music data request authenticates whether or not the music home server 1 that has requested this music data is properly registered as shown in step 7. Execute the process. This authentication process is performed by, for example, comparing the terminal ID transmitted from the music home server 1 together with the music data request with the registration information of the regular music home server 1 held on the content server 2 side. To be done.
If the authentication is successful, the requested music data is transmitted to the requesting music home server 1 as shown in step 8.
In the music home server 1 that has received the music data, the received music data is transferred to the HDD 14 and stored (saved) as shown in step 9.

The block diagram of FIG. 15 shows a configuration example of the content server 2.
The content server 2 shown in this figure includes, for example, a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a search processing unit 33, an encryption processing unit 34, and a network interface 35. Each of these functional circuit units is a bus. It is connected so that information can be transmitted and received via the line.

  The control unit 31 is configured to include, for example, a computer device and executes control and various processes for each unit in the content server 2.

  The network interface 35 is provided for performing communication via the network 3.

The storage unit 32 includes, for example, a large-capacity recording medium and a drive for driving the recording medium. The storage unit 32 has a format in which a large number of music data serving as distribution data can be searched by the search processing unit 33. Stored in a database. That is, the storage unit 32 manages the music data by the music database. The music data stored in the storage unit 32 is in a data format that is compression-encoded in the same manner as the music data stored in the HDD 14 of the music home server 1, for example.
Also, the music database of the content server 2 may have the same management form and structure as described in FIG.
In addition to this, required information related to the distribution service, such as user-related data such as billing setting information, may be stored.
Here, regarding the medium as the storage unit 32, it is conceivable to employ an HDD or the like in the current state.

  The authentication processing unit 33 is provided to execute the authentication processing described as procedure 7 in FIG.

  The search processing unit 33 is a processing function unit for searching for required music data from music data stored in the storage unit 32 using a music database.

  In the present embodiment, the music data transmitted and output for distribution is encrypted. This prevents an illegal act such as reproduction of downloaded content data by the music home server 1 that cannot originally receive the distribution service of the content server 2, for example.

  The encryption processing unit 34 is provided for this purpose. In the encryption processing unit 34, for example, when the music data requested from the music home server 1 is transmitted, the content data retrieved and read from the storage unit 32 is input. Then, the input music data is encrypted according to a predetermined encryption method. At this time, an encryption key is generated using a terminal ID unique to each music home server 1 notified by the music home server 1 that has requested the music data, and encryption is performed using this encryption key. To be. When the music data is transmitted and output to the music home server 1, this encryption key is also transmitted. In the music home server 1, the decryption processing unit 15 performs a decryption process using this encryption key. In this embodiment, for example, even if the HDD 14 is taken out from the music home server 1 and connected to a personal computer for copying, for example, it is properly encrypted depending on other than the music home server 1 It will not be possible to play by solving. That is, copyright protection such as illegal copying is achieved.

By adopting such a configuration, the content server 2 can realize the operation described above with reference to FIG.
That is, first, when a search request is received by the network interface 35, the search processing unit 33 executes a search process according to a query (search condition) included in the search request, and information on the search result is obtained as a search request. Is transmitted to the music home server 1 of the transmission source. The process to be executed by the search processing unit 33 at this time may be based on the music database management program shown in FIG.
If a request for music data from the music home server 1 is received, the authentication processing unit 36 first performs authentication processing on the music home server 1 that is the transmission source of the request. When the authentication is established, the search processing unit 33 searches the music data designated by using the music database, and reads it from the storage unit 32.
Then, the read music data is encrypted to create download data. In addition to the encrypted and compressed audio data that is the actual music data, the download data includes various additional information including the music title and artist name of the music data. . As these additional information, various types of information as additional information stored in the index information of the music database may be used. Then, the download data created in this way is transferred to the network interface 35.
The network interface 35 converts the transferred download data into a data format compatible with the transmission protocol of the network 3 such as packetization. Then, the music home server 1 that has performed the music data is designated as a transmission destination via the Internet 4 for transmission. That is, the content data is uploaded.
Such an operation is realized by the controller 31 appropriately executing a required control process for each required functional circuit unit.

In the present embodiment, the search condition setting described as procedure 1 in FIG. 14 is configured based on the present invention.
That is, the user of the music home server 1 can also perform age search when searching for music data that can be distributed by the content server 2. As the age search, the music home server 1 executes the processing operations described above with reference to FIGS. As a result, as in the first embodiment, the user of the music home server 1 can search the music data that can be distributed by the content server 2 by following the operation procedure described with reference to FIGS. It will be good. In other words, enter your own birth year, and instead of entering a specific age, enter your own school year or age, which is supposed to correspond to the age as the search condition. The specific age will be automatically identified. For confirmation, in this case as well, when specifying the grade and age, it is also possible to select and specify items classified by a predetermined time range longer than a year unit. Then, according to the procedure 2 of FIG. 14, the specified age is transmitted to the content server 2 as a search condition (query).
As described above, the content server 2 executes a process according to FIG. 13 to create a search result that matches the query and transmit it to the music home server 1. Then, the music home server 1 executes the processing in steps S211 and S212 in FIG. 11 and step S117 in FIG. 10 to display the display unit based on the received search result information as shown in FIG. The search result screen is displayed on the screen 22.

In this case, in response to the music selection / decision operation performed on the search result screen displayed on the display unit 22, as described in step 6 of FIG. A data request is transmitted to the content server 2.
The operation of the content server 2 in response to the music data request is as described above. As a result, the music data transmitted from the content server 2 according to the procedure 8 in FIG. The format is encrypted and compressed audio data that has been encrypted. In addition, various required additional information is also added.

When the music home server 1 receives the music data transmitted as described above, the music data is stored in the HDD 14 as shown in step 9 of FIG. That is, music data is downloaded.
At this time, the downloaded music data is made into a database so as to be managed by the music database. That is, the encrypted compressed audio data that is actual data in the received music data is stored in the HDD 14 as music data managed in units of files. Further, by using various additional information included in the transmitted music data, index information corresponding to the music data newly stored this time is generated and stored in the HDD 14 so as to be incorporated into the music database.

  With such a system configuration, as a second embodiment, even when the music home server 1 receives distribution of music data from the content server 2, a predetermined time range longer than one year unit is used as the age search. The designation information of “school year” and “age” classified by the above can be selected, and this makes it possible to perform age search that is more efficient and easier to use than before.

In the second embodiment, in order to realize the operation procedure described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, information transmission / reception between the music home server 1 and the content server 2 is performed. In accordance with the operations on the various screens shown in FIG. 5, the setting of various information values for search processing, the age specification as a search condition, and the like may be executed on the content server 2 side.
That is, the content server 2 prepares the storage unit 32 by storing data (display control data) for displaying the various screens shown in FIGS. The display control data for displaying these various screens is not particularly limited in terms of format, structure, etc., as long as the control unit 24 of the music home server 1 can interpret and properly display the screen. Should not be done. As an example, the data for screen display is configured as a file in a markup description language represented by HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), XML (Extensible Markup Language), and the like, and the control unit 24 describes these descriptions. An engine function for interpreting the language and outputting it may be provided.

  In the music home server 1, for example, in response to a user operation, the content server 2 is accessed to request execution of the age search. In response to this request, the content server 2 transmits display control data for the age search initial screen shown in FIG. Then, in response to the selection item determination operation on the initial search screen, the music home server 1 transmits information notifying the contents of the selected item according to the description of the display control data. The In response to the reception of this information, the content server 2 transmits display control data for displaying, for example, the initial setting screen of FIG. 4 or the age search execution screen of FIG.

In the music home server 1 that has received the display control data of the initial setting screen or the age search execution screen, the initial setting screen or the age search execution screen is displayed on the display unit 22. And according to the determination operation performed with respect to these screens, the information which notifies the determined birth year or the content of the item similarly is transmitted.
In the content server 2 that has transmitted this information, for example, the notified content is set and held as information used for the age search.
For example, if the operation for determining the birth year is performed on the initial setting screen of FIG. 4, information indicating the determined birth year is transmitted from the music home server 1. The information shown is held.
In addition, if the selection determination operation for the search method item AR11 or the selection determination operation for the age designation item AR12 is performed on the age search execution screen of FIG. 5, the music home server 1 displays the search method selection screen. Or a command requesting an input setting screen (year grade input setting screen or age input setting screen) for specifying the age.
In response to receiving this request command, the content server 2 transmits display control data for the requested screen. Further, for example, for the age input setting screen, the display control data is reconstructed and transmitted so that the selection list contents according to the current age of the user are obtained. For this purpose, information on the birth year that is currently held is used.

  The music home server 1 displays a search method selection screen, a grade input setting screen, or an age input setting screen based on the received display control data. And according to the determination operation performed with respect to these screens, the information which notifies the determined content is transmitted to the content server 2. FIG. Also in this case, the notified content server 2 holds the notified information as an information item used for age search. In addition, the age search execution screen reflecting the settings so far is displayed, and the display control data is reconstructed and transmitted. As a result, the music home server 1 receives the display control data and displays the age search execution screen.

  Then, in response to an operation for selecting and determining a search execution item as an operation for the age search execution screen, the music home server 1 transmits a command requesting the search execution. In response to this, the content server 2 executes a search process. In other words, the process according to FIG. 13 is executed using the birth year and school year or age information as the specified information value that are set and held as of the figure, and the search result is obtained. Then, the search result information is transmitted to the music home server 1 as a response to the search request.

It should be noted that the present invention should not be limited to the configuration as the embodiment described so far.
For example, in the embodiment, the music home server 1 is used as a target device on which an operation for age search is performed, but various types of audio devices other than this may be used. In addition, the content to be searched is music data, that is, audio data in the embodiment. For example, video / audio source data, still image data to be reproduced and output in synchronization with video / audio, Is not limited to text-based data such as novels.
In the embodiment, the time range divided by the predetermined meaning prepared in the designation information of “school year” or “age” is, for example, “high school age” for school years, “10” for age. The period is longer than one year, such as “first half of generation”, but the concept of the present invention may be prepared by defining a time range shorter than one year. For example, it may be possible to classify according to the season within a year, such as “spring of the first year of junior high school (April to June)”. The effect of this is as described under the heading of the effect of the invention.
In the embodiment, the birth year is input as the reference information, but instead of inputting the current age, the current year (for example, the year of the year) and the current age are used for the birth year. Therefore, there is no problem in specifying the age of the search condition.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a music home server as embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the example of a management form of a music database. It is a figure which shows an age search initial screen as an operation screen for an age search. It is a figure which shows an initial setting screen as an operation screen for age search. It is a figure which shows an age search execution screen as an operation screen for an age search. It is a figure which shows the search method selection screen as an operation screen for age search. It is a figure which shows the grade input setting screen as an operation screen for age search. It is a figure which shows an age input setting screen as an operation screen for age search. It is a figure which shows a search result screen as an operation screen corresponding to age search. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation (1st Embodiment) for an age search. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing operation corresponding to execution of a search process in the process shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a grade-age correspondence table. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation corresponding to query reception. It is a figure which shows the music distribution system which consists of a music home server and a content server corresponding to 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the internal structural example of a content server.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Music home server 2 Content server 3 Network 11 Media drive 12 Compression processing unit 13 Encryption processing unit 14 HDD 15 Decryption processing unit 16 Decompression processing unit 17 Playback processing unit 18 Data interface unit , 19 Network interface, 21 Search processing unit, 22 Display unit, 23 Operation unit, 24 Control unit, 31 Control unit, 32 Storage unit, 33 Search processing unit, 34 Encryption processing unit, 35 Network interface

Claims (3)

Reference information input operation means for performing an operation of inputting a user's birth year or current age as reference information for obtaining search conditions;
Reference information setting means for setting, as reference information, information indicating a birth year or current age input by the reference information input operation means;
Time range that is delimited by a predetermined meaning in any case where the user enters the age or school year that is specified information for obtaining the search conditions. A specified information input operation means that enables an input operation specifying
Designation information setting means for setting information indicating the age or school year input by the designation information input operation means as designation information;
Based on the reference information set by the reference information setting means and the specified information set by the specified information setting means, an age calculating means for calculating the age,
Search condition output means for outputting the age calculated by the age calculation means as a search condition;
A search device comprising: In accordance with a predetermined operation, a reference information input procedure for inputting a user's birth year or current age as reference information for obtaining a search condition;
A standard information setting procedure for setting, as standard information, information indicating the birth year or current age input by the standard information input procedure;
According to a predetermined operation, an input specifying a user's age or school year as designation information for obtaining a search condition is performed. In any case of inputting the above age or school year, a predetermined meaning is given. Specified information input procedure that allows input specifying the time range separated by the attachment,
A designated information setting procedure for setting, as designated information, information indicating the age or grade entered by the designated information input procedure;
An age calculation procedure for calculating the age based on the reference information set by the reference information setting procedure and the specified information set by the specified information setting procedure,
A search condition output procedure for outputting the age calculated by the above-mentioned age calculation procedure as a search condition,
The search method characterized by performing. It consists of a server device and a terminal device connected via a network,
Reference information input operation means for performing an operation to input the user's birth year or current age as reference information for obtaining search conditions in the terminal device;
Reference information setting means for setting, as reference information, information indicating a birth year or current age input by the reference information input operation means;
The operation for designating and inputting the user's age or school year as designation information for obtaining the search condition is to be performed on the terminal device, and in any case of entering the age or school year. Specified information input that allows an input operation that specifies a time range that is delimited by a predetermined meaning, and that enables an input operation that specifies a predetermined grade range when entering a school year Operating means;
Designation information setting means for setting information indicating the age or school year input by the designation information input operation means as designation information;
Based on the reference information set by the reference information setting means and the specified information set by the specified information setting means, an age calculating means for calculating the age,
Search condition output means for outputting the age calculated by the age calculation means as a search condition;
Search execution means for executing a search for a search target in the server device in accordance with the search condition output by the search condition output means;
Search result transmission means for transmitting the search result obtained by the search execution means from the server device to the terminal device via the network;
An information processing system comprising:

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