JP2001167104A - System and method for retrieving folder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and method capable of simply retrieving another folder related with a selected folder or another folder including a file related with a file included in the folder. SOLUTION: This folder retrieving system for retrieving a desired folder from plural folders respectively having at least one file or from plural folders respectively showing at least one file registers information on the file and the folder in a management table respectively as at least one kind of attributes. The selection of the folder is accepted and the selection of the file belonging to the folder or the file shown by the folder is accepted. Then, the file having attribute related with the attribute belonging to the accepted file is retrieved by referring to the managing table and the folder belonging to the retrieved file or the folder showing the file is retrieved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a system for searching for a file storing information such as music and a folder indicating the file.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to judge the value of a large number of products arranged on a display shelf at a CD store or rental store, a customer listens to music recorded on such products. Listening systems that can do this are known. Such a trial listening system has a music search function. For example, in the trial listening system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-182837, a bar code attached to a product package is input at a trial listening terminal. The song recorded in the product is searched and reproduced, and the customer can easily listen to the desired song.

In a karaoke system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-274981 as a system for searching for such a song, a customer wants to sing by inputting a song title, a singer's name, a part of lyrics, and the like. Search and play songs.

[0004]

However, in the conventional retrieval system, the customer can listen to the song by inputting the information on the song or song that the customer wants to listen to. You cannot easily listen to another song that has a specific relationship with the song.

[0005] By the way, when a customer listens to a recorded song (file) in a product (folder) brought to a listening terminal by a customer and finds that only one favorite song is recorded, the favorite song is recorded. And you'll want to find another product that has a lot of different songs you like. In such a case, the customer has to return to the product display shelf and search for such another product.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to include another folder related to a selected folder or a file related to a file included in the folder. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method capable of easily searching for another folder.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 has at least one
A method of searching for a desired folder from a plurality of folders having one file, or a plurality of folders each indicating at least one file, wherein the information on the file and the folder are each provided as at least one type of attribute. Registering in a management table, receiving the selection of the folder, and searching for a folder having an attribute related to the attribute of the received folder by referring to the management table. The configuration is as follows.

According to the folder search method configured as described above, information on a plurality of folders having at least one file or indicating a file is registered as an attribute of the folder in the management table, and a desired folder is registered. When selected, the management table is referred to and a folder having an attribute related to the attribute of the selected folder is searched.

Therefore, another folder related to the selected folder can be easily searched, and another interesting folder can be quickly searched.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for searching for a desired folder from a plurality of folders each having at least one file or a plurality of folders each showing at least one file,
Registering the information about the file and the folder as at least one type of attribute in a management table, accepting the selection of the folder, and displaying the file or the file of the accepted folder. Accepting the selection of the file, and searching for a file having an attribute related to the attribute of the accepted file by referring to the management table, and a folder having the searched file, or Searching for a folder in which the file is indicated.

According to the folder search method configured as described above, information on a plurality of folders having at least one file or indicating a file is registered as an attribute of the folder in the management table. Further, information on the file is registered as an attribute of the file in the management table. When a desired file is selected, the management table is referred to, and a file having an attribute related to the attribute of the selected file is searched. Then, a folder having the file or a folder indicating the file is searched.

Therefore, a folder having another file related to the selected file can be easily searched, and another folder containing a file of interest can be quickly searched.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a folder search system for searching a desired folder from a plurality of folders each having at least one file or a plurality of folders each showing at least one file. A management table in which information on the file and the folder are registered as at least one type of attribute, a unit for receiving selection of the folder, and a folder having an attribute related to the attribute of the received folder. And means for searching with reference to the management table.

Therefore, another folder related to the selected folder can be easily searched, and another interesting folder can be quickly searched.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a folder search system for searching a desired folder from a plurality of folders each having at least one file or a plurality of folders each showing at least one file. The information about the file and the folder are respectively indicated in a management table registered as at least one type of attribute, a unit for accepting the selection of the folder, and a file included in the accepted folder or the folder. Means for accepting selection of a file, means for searching for a file having an attribute related to the attribute of the accepted file by referring to the management table, and a folder having the searched file, or The folder where the file was shown And search means, configured to include.

Accordingly, a folder having another file related to the selected file can be easily searched, and another folder containing a file of interest can be quickly searched.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to another album related to a folder selected by a customer (hereinafter, corresponding to an "album" of a CD) or a file included in the album (hereinafter, a CD). (Equivalent to the "song data" of the song.) Can be easily searched for another album including the song data related to the song.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a preview system 100 including a folder search system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a trial listening system 100
Comprises a plurality of terminals 1 and a store server 2. Terminal 1
Has a function as a folder search system according to the present invention. The store server 2 includes a store database 3. Each terminal 1 is connected to a LAN 4
(Local Area Network) and is connected to the store server 2.

Next, each component of the listening system 100 will be described.

First, the configuration and functions of the terminal 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2 or FIG.

The terminal 1 is directly operated by the user. In response to input of a code of an album in which the user wants to listen to a song, the terminal 1 stores song data for a preview corresponding to the song recorded in the album for a store. It is loaded from the server 2 and reproduced. In addition, the terminal 1 has a function of allowing the user to easily search for a desired album when previewing a song. FIG. 2 shows functional blocks of the terminal 1, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 1 has a CPU 11
, A bar code reader 12, a key input unit 13, a liquid crystal panel (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) 14, a font ROM 15, a flash memory 16, and a RAM (Ra
ndom Access Memory) 17, decoder 18, and LAN
It is configured to include a controller 19.

The CPU 11 controls the terminal 1 as a whole, and performs data management,
Performs data input / output processing and log management.

The bar code reader 12, as shown in FIG. 3, is for reading a bar code 32 attached to an album 31 containing a song that the user wants to listen to.
The barcode 32 is a POS assigned to each album.
(Point Of Sale) code. In addition, from the card or booklet on which the POS code is printed, the PO
The S code may be read. PO read
The S code is transmitted to the store server 2 via the LAN controller 19 and the LAN 4. The album 31
Here, the bar code reader 12 is used as a method of recognizing the album 31. However, the album 31 itself may be photographed with a video camera, and the album 31 may be recognized based on the photographed image. Method (for example,
The user reads the code of the album 31),
A method of inputting a key from the keyboard 28 may be adopted.

Here, an album is a compact disc (CD) having a diameter of 120 mm and containing several to several tens of songs.
Not only that, but also includes a so-called single CD, a compact disc (CD) having a diameter of 80 mm and containing about one to three songs.

The PLAY section shown in FIG.
Key 22, REV / SkipR key 23, FWD / Sk
ipF key 24, UP key 25, DOWN key 26, S
A TOP key 27 key is included, and the keys are used by the user to select, play, rewind, fast-forward, stop, and the like a song that the user wants to listen to among the songs displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14. The REV / SkipR key 23 is
If the button is kept pressed, the playing portion is rewound. If the button is pressed for a short time, the song immediately before the song being played is selected from the song data stored in the flash memory 16 of the terminal 1 and reproduced. The music data may not be stored in the flash memory 16 in advance, and may be configured to be fetched and reproduced from the store server 2 every time the REV / SkipR key 23 is pressed. Also, the FWD / SkipF key 24
Press and hold to fast-forward through the playing area.
From the music data stored in the flash memory 16 of the terminal 1, the music immediately following the music being played is selected and reproduced.

When the UP key 25 is kept pressed, a list of recommended albums of the store is displayed, and when the DOWN key 26 is kept pressed, a list of album hit charts is displayed. The user selects an album to be auditioned from the recommended album list of the store or the album displayed in the album hit chart list using the UP key 25 or the DOWN key 26, and the PLAY key 22
When you press, the POS code of the selected album is
The data is transmitted to the store server 2. The albums to be displayed in the recommended album list and the album hit chart list can be arbitrarily set at the store, and are automatically analyzed and set by the store server 2 based on the collected and aggregated data. You can also. If the STOP key 27 is pressed while the music is being reproduced, the reproduction of the music is stopped. On the other hand, when the music is not being played, the STOP key 2
When 7 is pressed, the state is reset to the state before the POS code was read by the barcode reader 12 or the like.

The key input unit 13 also includes keys provided on a keyboard 28 connected to the main body 21 of the terminal 1. By using the keys provided on the keyboard 28, the user can directly input the POS code of the album 31 or the title of the album in which the song to be auditioned is recorded, regardless of the barcode reader 12.

The keyboard 28 allows the user to input an ISRC code of a desired song, a song title, an artist, and the like.

The key input unit 13 includes a search selection key 29, a return key 30, and a purchase key 34 shown in FIG.

The search selection key 29 is a key for selecting an item displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14 at reference numeral 14f, reference numeral 14g, and reference numeral 14h. Items indicated by reference numerals 14f, 14g, and 14h are related album search items according to the present invention.
This is for searching for the album selected by the user and other albums related to the song data. In particular,
The item "another album containing this song" 14f is designated by the symbol 14b
This is an item for searching for another album that includes a song displayed in a highlighted manner (a display in which the display mode is visually distinguishable from other items) among the songs displayed in the section. The item "Another album for this artist" 14g
This is an item to search for another album related to the artist indicated by the reference numeral 14d, for example, another album in which a song sung by the artist indicated by the reference numeral 14d is recorded. The item "another album released in the same year as this album" 14h is an item for searching for another album released in the same year as the album indicated by reference numeral 14a.
In addition, among the songs displayed in the reference numeral 14b, an item for searching for another album that includes a songwriter or a song related to the composer of the highlighted song, or an item having the same sales source. There is an item to search for an album. Further, there is an item for searching another album that does not include the highlighted song.

By depressing the search selection key 29, the item "another album containing this song" 14f is highlighted as shown in FIG. 4 (A). The item in the highlighted display is the currently selected item, and when the PLAY key 22 is pressed in this display state, the CPU 1
1 performs a related album search process corresponding to the item. When the search selection key 29 is pressed in the display state shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), the item is shifted right by one, and the item "another album of this artist" 14g is selected. When the search selection key 29 is pressed in the display state shown in FIG. 4B, the highlight display shifts right by one as shown in FIG. Is selected. Further, FIG.
When the search selection key 29 is pressed in the display state shown in (C), the search item is scrolled, and as shown in FIG. 4D, the item "another album of this composer" is highlighted in the portion 14h. Is done.

In this manner, each time the search selection key 29 is pressed, the search item changes, and the next item after the last item returns to the original item, and this is repeated cyclically. A plurality of these items may be highlighted, and an item that can be searched for a condition that is an AND condition or an OR condition of the plurality of items may be added next to the last item.

The return key 30 is a key for returning the screen currently displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14 to the previous screen. When the return key 30 is momentarily pressed (for example,
When the screen returns to the previous screen and is continuously pressed (for example, 5 seconds or more), the screen returns to the first screen.

The purchase key 34 is a key for purchasing an album displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14. For example,
In the display state shown on the liquid crystal panel 14 in FIG.
Is pressed, the album "Do T
The POS code “hexx” is transmitted from the terminal 1 to the store server 2 or the POS terminal. This allows
The clerk at such a store can immediately recognize the product purchased by the user, and can prepare for the cashier if the user does not bring the actual product. In other words, the user can check the stock of the product, and if there is no stock, can reserve the product on the spot.

In the related album search according to the present invention, the title of the searched album is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14.
By pressing the purchase key 34 in the state selected above (for example, in a state in which the title of the album "My OO" indicated by reference numeral 141 in FIG. 10B is highlighted). Then, the POS code of the album is transmitted from the terminal 1 to the store server 2 or the POS terminal. Thus, the user can purchase the product (album) prepared by the clerk at the cash register without bringing the actual product (album) to the cash register. As another method, when a printer is connected to the terminal 1 and the user presses the purchase key 34, paper on which the product code or the like of the product (album) to be purchased is output from the printer is output. Can also. Thus, the user can bring the paper output from the printer to the cash register and purchase a product (album).

The liquid crystal panel 14 displays the title of the album 31 and the title of the album 31 in addition to the above-described album search items according to the present invention.
It displays the title of the song recorded therein, the artist, and the like.

The display on the liquid crystal panel 14 in FIG. 3 shows one example. Here, reference numeral 14a indicates the title of the album. Reference numeral 14b indicates the title of a song recorded in the album, and four songs are displayed on the panel 14. Also, reference numeral 14c
As shown in the section, the currently selected song is highlighted, and when the PLAY key 22 is pressed in this state, the song is reproduced from the speaker 33 shown in FIG. Also, the song indicated by reference numeral 14e is currently
This is the music being reproduced from the speaker 33.

When five or more songs are included in the album, the fifth and subsequent songs are scrolled and displayed by pressing the DOWN key 26. Also, U
When the P key 25 is operated, the operation is reversed. In addition, 1
The number of songs displayed on the screen may be set to be 5 or more.

In a state where the music indicated by the reference numeral 14e is being reproduced from the speaker 33, the user inputs the title of another music by using the UP key 25 or the DOWN key 2.
When the PLAY key 22 is selected and the PLAY key 22 is pressed, such another music is reproduced from the speaker 33, and the title of the music is displayed in the reference numeral 14e.

Reference numeral 14d indicates the artist of the highlighted song among the songs displayed in the reference numeral 14b. For example, when the highlighted song is a popular song, The singer will be displayed.

The liquid crystal panel 14 may be of a touch panel type. In such a case, selection and execution of an album search item can be performed by directly touching the liquid crystal panel 14. For example, when the user touches any of the album search items on the liquid crystal panel 14, the search item is highlighted, and when the user touches the highlighted search item again, the search item is executed. In the present embodiment, the titles of songs and albums are displayed on the liquid crystal panel.
Other characters may be displayed.

The font ROM 15 stores character pattern data to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14.

The flash memory 16 stores
The music data (music data) taken from the store server 2 is stored in accordance with a user's instruction.

The RAM 17 stores a management table prepared for performing a related album search according to the present invention. All information related to album and song data managed by the store server 2 is registered in the management table. This table is divided into three stages for convenience, and as shown in FIG.
There is an album index table 61 and a song information table 62.

The album information table 60 is a table for managing information on albums for each album.
The information managed there includes "POS code", "product code", "title", "subtitle", "main artist", "release date", etc., which are managed as attributes unique to the album. ing. The album information tables 60 exist for the number of albums managed by the system 100. The “POS code” is a code assigned to each album as described above.
The barcode is printed on the CD package. “Product code” refers to a catalog number assigned by a manufacturer to a CD package.

The album index table 61 is also a table for managing information on albums for each album. Specifically, the album index table 61 manages which songs are included in which albums. Information managed in the album index table 61 includes “ISR
C code "," Set No. "," Song order No. "
They are also managed as attributes unique to the album. Here, the “ISRC code” is a code given to the music data in the unit of recording of the music, and even if the music name is the same, the code is different if the artist, instrument, and version are different. Conversely, even if they are recorded in different albums, such codes are the same if they are the same recording. “Set No.” indicates which CD is set when multiple CDs are stored in the same package.
Is a code indicating whether or not the song is recorded. "Song order No." indicates the order of songs in one CD, and usually corresponds to the track number in which the song is recorded.

It should be noted that the contents of the album index table 61 shown in FIG. 5 are merely examples, and in fact, all the songs recorded in the album are listed in the order of the disks and the order of the recording.

The music information table 62 is a table for managing information on music for each recording. The information managed there includes "title", "artist", "lyricist", "composer", "arrangement". , "Performance", "deletion flag", and the like, which are managed as attributes unique to the song.

The album information table 60 and the album index table 61 store 1
Linked one-to-one. Further, the album index table 61 and the song information table 62 are linked m-to-one by an ISRC code.
When one song corresponding to the code is recorded in m albums, m album index tables 61 are linked to one song information table 62.

In the present invention, by referring to these management tables, an album having an attribute related to the attribute of the album selected on the liquid crystal panel 14 is searched. Also, a search is made for a song having an attribute related to the attribute of the song selected on the liquid crystal panel 14, and an album in which the song is recorded is searched. Here, the related attributes include the same attribute, an exclusive attribute, a combination attribute, and the like. Here, a case of searching for albums having the same attribute will be described as an example.

For example, when the user selects an album, the album index table 61 corresponding to the POS code of the album is specified. Then, some ISRC codes included in the album index table 61 are specified. The ISRC codes are attributes specific to the album, and have one or more of the ISRC codes.
That is, another album index table 61 having the same ISRC code (attribute) is searched, and the search target album (POS code) is specified.

As another example, when a song is selected, the song information table 62 corresponding to the ISRC code of the song is specified. Then, the artist included in the song information table 62 is specified. The artist is an attribute specific to the song and has the artist,
That is, another music information table 62 having the same artist (attribute) is searched, and the music (ISRC code) to be searched is specified. And I of the searched song
Album index table 6 with SRC code
1 is searched, and some albums (POS codes) are specified.

In the case of searching for an album having an exclusive attribute, the search is the reverse of the above, that is, a song having an undesired attribute among songs included in the selected album is stored in the song information table 62. The album may be specified by searching another album index table 61 which is specified and does not include those songs.

In the case of searching for an album having an attribute based on a combination, a plurality of attributes relating to the selected album or song are designated, and an AND of the plurality of attributes is specified.
The album index table 61 or the song information table 62 that satisfies the condition or the OR condition is searched to specify a related album.

When a new album or song is released, information on the album or song data is sequentially registered in the management table.

It should be noted that these tables may be managed by one table without being divided into three stages, or may be divided into tables having four or more stages.

The RAM 17 stores a history such as an operation log and an error log of the terminal 1. The operation log is the content executed on the terminal 1, that is, the operation of the key input unit 13 or the barcode 3 by the barcode reader 12.
2.History (recording) of reading operation and the like, and a history of operation time and the like required for each album and each song is stored. The error log refers to a history of errors that have occurred in the terminal 1.

Further, the RAM 17 stores the tune listened to on the terminal 1 as “ISRC code + POS code + set No. +
Song No. + Date time ”table format (hereinafter,
Such a table is referred to as a “listening music table”. ). Here, the tune listened is a tune determined to have a playback time of one second or more on the terminal 1 for at least L seconds. Such determination is performed by the CPU 11, and the specific numerical value of L seconds is determined by the operator. Can be set arbitrarily (for example, 10 seconds). In addition to this, the RAM 17 stores the listening time of the music for each music. In addition, the history such as the operation log and the error log stored in the RAM 17 and the data of the listened music are collected by the store server 2 periodically. Further, each time such data is generated, the data may be transmitted to the store server 2 in real time.

The decoder 18 fetches the music data from the store server 2 and stores the music data in the flash memory 16 into the C
In accordance with the instruction from the PU 11, the data is decoded, and the sound is reproduced on the speaker 33 (headphones in this case) shown in FIG. As a result, the user can select a song to be auditioned through the speaker 3.
3 can hear.

The music to be reproduced is basically displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14 described above, selected by the UP key 25 or the DOWN key 26, and selected by the PLAY key 22.
Is the song for which. However, among the songs recorded in the album corresponding to the code input by the user with the barcode reader 12 or the like, song data that is not stored in the store database 3 of the store server 2 is, in principle,
It cannot be imported to the terminal 1. The titles of the songs not stored in the store database 3 are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14.
It is lightly displayed on the top, cannot be selected by operating the UP key 25 and the DOWN key 26 (the lightly displayed tune passes), and the sound cannot be reproduced.

The terminal 1 has a playback priority function, which is a function for shortening the time from when the user inputs the POS code using the bar code reader 12 or the like until the user listens to the sample. Specifically, the user inputs a POS code using the barcode reader 12 or the like,
First 1 songs recorded on the album corresponding to the S code
When the music is taken into the terminal 1, the reproduction of the music starts. In other words, the first song indicated by reference numeral 14c in FIG. 3 is automatically reproduced even if the next song has not yet been loaded into the terminal 1 and the PLAY key 22 has not been pressed. is there. Then, during the playback of the song,
Other songs of the album are taken in and can be reproduced at any time.

The LAN controller 19 communicates with the terminal 1 and the LA
It is an intermediary for connecting the N4 and the N4, thereby enabling exchange of various data between the terminal 1 and the LAN4.

Next, the function of the store server 2 will be described below.

The store server 2 manages various data for each store and transmits / receives various data to / from the terminal 1 via the LAN 4. The store database 3 provided in the store server 2 stores a management table shown in FIG. 5 and music data to be transmitted to the terminal 1.

When there is a request from the terminal 1, that is, when the POS code of the album is received, the store server 2 refers to the album index table 61 corresponding to the POS code, and displays the ISRC code indicated therein. To identify. Then, the store server 2 sequentially reads out, from the store database 3, music data corresponding to ISRC codes of which the “deletion flag” indicated by reference numeral 62a in FIG. The data is transmitted to the terminal 1 via the LAN 4.

The song for which the “deletion flag” is 1 is a song that has been automatically deleted from the shop database 3 as determined by the store server 2 that the terminal 1 has a low listening frequency. This is performed to secure the memory capacity of the store database 3. The store server 2
The "listening music table" transmitted from the plurality of terminals 1 is totalized, and the music data to be deleted is determined based on the totaling result.

However, since the song information table 62 for the song data deleted from the store database 3 is not deleted from the store database 3, the operator
If necessary, the deleted song data can be obtained from the distributor and stored in the store database 3 again.

When a new album is released, the store server 2 registers information about the distributed album and information about the song data in a management table stored in the store database 3. The song data for previewing the songs recorded in the album is stored in the store database 3.

It should be noted that, in the music information table 62, the ISRC
If the code already exists and the deletion flag is “0”, there is no need to store it.

When the store server 2 updates the management table by storing new song data in the store database 3 or deleting song data from the store database 3, the store server 2 transmits the management table to the LAN 4. Via the terminal 1 to the terminal 1.

The song data stored in the store database 3 is created by extracting and editing portions suitable for trial listening, such as the beginning of a song and a highlight portion. Also,
The length of such a preview song can be set freely, but here,
The length suitable for the audition was about 45 seconds. The length of each song may not be set to about 45 seconds, and the entire song may be previewed free of charge or free of charge. The music data of such music may be downloaded to a predetermined recording medium such as a floppy disk or a semiconductor memory.

The terminal 1 transmits the ISRC code of the music to the store server 2.
Reads the song data corresponding to the ISRC code from the store database 3 in the same manner as
It may be configured to transmit to.

Next, the operation of the preview system 100 when the user previews a song recorded in the album at the terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

First, the user brings a desired album from the merchandise display shelf of the store to the terminal 1 and places the bar code 32 of the album on the bar code reader 12 shown in FIG.
Section, the bar code reader 12 reads the POS code converted into the bar code 32 (S
1).

Next, the CPU 11 of the terminal 1
, The album corresponding to the read POS code is specified, the title of the album is read, and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14 (S2).

Next, the CPU 11 reads the read POS
The ISRC code indicated by referring to the album index table 61 corresponding to the code is specified. Then, the CPU 11 refers to the music information table 62 corresponding to the specified ISRC code, reads out a music title and an artist for each music information table 62, and displays them on the liquid crystal panel 14 (S3). Thus, the title of the album corresponding to the POS code read by the bar code reader 12 is changed to the reference numeral 14a shown in FIG.
The title of the song recorded in the album is displayed in the portion 14b shown in FIG. 3, and the artist of the highlighted song (the portion 14c) is displayed in the portion 14d. When the CPU 11 refers to the music information table 62 as described above, the title of the music corresponding to the ISRC code whose “deletion flag” is 1 is lightly displayed on the liquid crystal panel 12.

The CPU 11 operates the bar code reader 1.
The POS code read by the server 2 is transmitted to the store server 2 via the LAN controller 19 and the LAN 4 (S4).

Next, the store server 2 receives the POS code transmitted from the terminal 1 (S5), and specifies the album index table 61 corresponding to the POS code stored in the store database 3 (S5). S6).
Then, the shop server 2 specifies the ISRC code indicated in the specified album index table 61, and refers to the corresponding song information table 62,
An ISRC code whose “deletion flag” is 0 is specified (S7).

Next, the store server 2 stores the specified IS
The music data corresponding to the RC code (the ISRC code whose deletion flag is 0) is sequentially read from the store database 3 and transmitted to the terminal 1 via the LAN 4 (S8).

Next, the terminal 1 receives the music data transmitted from the store server 2 (S9). Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 11 of the terminal 1 reproduces the audio data of the earliest received music to the speaker 33 via the decoder 18 by the above-described reproduction priority function (S10), and The title of the song is displayed as indicated by the reference numeral 14e in FIG. In this way, the user can refer to reference numeral 14 in FIG.
The music displayed on the section e can be previewed on the speaker 33. Then, the CPU 11 of the terminal 1 prepares for reproduction for each piece of music data received from the store server 2,
For the next and subsequent songs, the system waits for reproduction at any time according to the user's instruction (operation of the key input unit 13).

Next, the listener listens to the UP key 25, DOWN
Another music is selected by the key 26, and a predetermined time, for example, 5
If the PLAY key 22 is pressed within seconds, the CPU 11
Reads the song data of the song from the flash memory 16 (S13), and outputs the song data to the speaker 3 via the decoder 18.
3. Play back the sound. In addition, REV / SkipR key 2
In the case of skipping to the previous song or the next song by 3 or the FWD / SkipF key 24, the song is displayed darkly on the liquid crystal panel 14 (the song whose deletion flag is not 1 in the song information table 62 shown in FIG. 5). Playback is performed immediately after skipping, and pressing of the PLAY key 22 is not required. The processing in step S14 will be described later.

If the operation of the key input unit 13 on the terminal 1 has not been operated for 5 seconds after the performance of the music reproduced from the speaker 33 of the terminal 1 has been completed, the processing is terminated (S1).
9). Note that this time may be set as appropriate.

Next, the operation of the preview system 100 when the user performs the album search according to the present invention at the terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG.
In the state where the title of the album and the titles of the songs included in the album are displayed, the listener listens to the UP key 25, D
With the OWN key 26, a desired music is selected. For example,
“Do The ×” displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14 of FIG.
When the song "My OO" recorded in the album "X" is selected, the song "My OO" is highlighted as shown by reference numeral 14i in FIG.

In this state, as shown by reference numeral 14 e in FIG. 8, the song “Rock and Roll OO” is still being reproduced from the speaker 33.

Next, when the previewer presses the search selection key 29 shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 11, as shown in FIG.
It recognizes this (S14) and highlights the item "another album containing this song" 14f (S15). In this state, every time the search selection key 29 is pressed, the highlight display of the related album search item shifts to the right. In step S15, the item “another album including this song” 14
It is assumed that f is highlighted.

Next, when the previewer presses the PLAY key 22, the CPU 11 recognizes this (S16) and executes a related album search process ("another album including this song" search process) (S17). .

As shown in FIG. 9, when the related album search process is executed, the song highlighted on the liquid crystal panel 14, in this case, "My XX" shown by the reference numeral 14i in FIG. The album index table 61 having the ISRC code corresponding to the song (in the song information table 62 shown in FIG. 5, the ISRC code of “123E”) is searched. Then, the POS code corresponding to the album index table 61 is specified (S2).
0). In FIG. 5, the POS codes “1111” and “444”
4 "in the album index table 61.
E "is included.

Next, the CPU 11 refers to the album information table 60 stored in the RAM 17, reads out the "title" of the album corresponding to all the specified POS codes (S21), and displays it on the liquid crystal panel 14 (S21). S2
2). In this way, all the albums containing the song "My OO" highlighted in the portion 14i of FIG. 8 are searched, and the title of the album is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14 as shown in FIG. Will be displayed.
As described above, the album corresponding to the album index table 61 having the same attribute (here, the ISRC code) of the album index table 61 corresponding to the album selected by the listener is searched by the related album search process. The Rukoto.

In FIG. 10A, the titles of four albums are displayed. However, if five or more albums are searched, the titles of the fifth and subsequent albums are displayed using the UP key 25 and the DOWN key 26. Scroll to display. Also, the number of album titles displayed on one screen of the liquid crystal panel 14 can be set to five or more. When the title of the album is searched and displayed, the original album (the album brought from the product display shelf) is highlighted, as indicated by reference numeral 14j in FIG. 10A. . The artist indicated by reference numeral 14d in FIG. 10A is the main artist of the highlighted album.

Next, the listener listens to the album displayed in FIG. 10A (including the album displayed by scrolling).
The desired album is selected with the UP key 25 and the DOWN key 26. The title of the selected album is highlighted as indicated by reference numeral 141 in FIG. 10B.

Next, in the display state shown in FIG. 10B, when the previewer presses the PLAY key 22, the CPU 11
Recognizes it (S23). And the CPU 11
Refers to the album index table 61 corresponding to the POS code of the highlighted album, and specifies the ISRC code indicated there. And CP
U11 refers to the song information table 62 corresponding to the specified ISRC code, reads out the title and artist of the song for each such song information table 62, and
As shown in (C), the image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14 (S2
4).

The CPU 11 returns to the processing of step S4 shown in FIG. 6, and transmits the POS code of the selected album to the store server 2 via the LAN controller 19 and LAN4. In this way, in the related album search processing, the songs recorded in the searched album are obtained from the store server 2. And FIG.
In the display state shown in (C), the listener listens to the UP key 25, D
Another song is selected by the OWN key 26 (for example, FIG. 10
When the PLAY key 22 is depressed after selecting the song “Celebration” shown in (D)), the CPU 11 reads out the data of the song from the flash memory 16 and
And outputs the title of the song as shown in FIG.
It is displayed in the part 14e of (D).

Thus, the listener listens to the music while listening to the music.
The user can easily search the terminal 1 for another album that includes the songs recorded in the album brought from the product display shelf. In addition, another song recorded on such another album can be previewed. As a result, the listener can save the trouble of searching for a favorite album from the product display shelf.

[0097] In the above embodiment, when the album list shown in FIG. 10B is displayed, the listener selects the title of the album and presses the PLAY key 22 so that the POS code for the store is changed. Although sent to the server 2, as another method, as shown in FIG. 10C, in a state where the title of the song included in the album is displayed, the listener selects the title and presses the PLAY key 22. By doing so, the CPU 11 may be configured to transmit the ISRC code of the music to the store server 2. In such a case, the shop server 2 transmits the music data corresponding to the ISRC code transmitted from the terminal 1 to the terminal 1 via the LAN 4.

Next, a description will be given of an album search process when the item "another album of this artist" 14g is highlighted and the PLAY key 22 is pressed in step S15 in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the related album search process (the “alternate album of this artist” search process) is executed, the CPU 11 determines the artist of the song highlighted on the liquid crystal panel 14. Then, FIG.
Is searched for an ISRC code corresponding to the music information table 62 having "Kakuda OO" indicated by reference numeral 14d (S3).
0).

Next, the CPU 11 refers to the album index table 61 stored in the RAM 17 and searches the album index table 61 having the searched ISRC code. Then, the POS code corresponding to the album index table 61 is specified (S31). Next, the CPU 11 refers to the album information table 60 stored in the RAM 17, reads out the "title" of the album corresponding to all the specified POS codes (S32), and displays it on the liquid crystal panel 14 (S3).
3). In this way, all the albums related to the artist indicated by reference numeral 14d in FIG. 8 are searched, and the title of the album is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14 as shown in FIG. As described above, by the related album search processing, a song corresponding to the song information table 62 having the same attribute (here, an artist) in the song information table 62 corresponding to the song selected by the listener is searched. It will be. Then, the album having the searched music is further searched.

Next, the listener listens to the album displayed in FIG. 12A (including the album displayed by scrolling).
The user selects a desired album with the UP key 25 and the DOWN key 26. The title of the selected album is highlighted as indicated by reference numeral 141 in FIG. 12B.

Next, when the listener presses the PLAY key 22 in the display state shown in FIG.
Refers to the album index table 61 corresponding to the POS code of the highlighted album, and specifies the ISRC code indicated there. And CP
U11 refers to the song information table 62 corresponding to the specified ISRC code, reads out the title and artist of the song for each such song information table 62, and
As shown in (C), the image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14 (S3
5).

Also, the CPU 11 returns to the process of step S4 shown in FIG. 6 as in the case where the search process of the item “another album including this song” 14f in FIG. 8 is executed, and returns to the POS code of the selected album. Is transmitted to the store server 2 via the LAN controller 19 and the LAN 4. In this way, the music data to be included in the searched album is obtained from the store server 2.

In step S15 in FIG. 7, the item "another album released in the same year as this album" 14h is highlighted and the PLAY key 22 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. Similar to the processing, a related album search processing is performed, and a screen is developed on the liquid crystal panel 14 as shown in FIG.

As described above, when a plurality of items are selected (highlighted), the PLAY
When the key 22 is pressed, a related album search process is executed according to an AND condition or an OR condition of the search conditions for those items. For example, if the PLAY key 22 is pressed in a state where the item “another album of this artist” 14g and the item “another album released in the same year as this album” 14h are highlighted, the album that became the key is displayed. Albums of the same release year and of the same artist are searched (in the case where AND conditions are set).

Also, on any of the screens shown in FIGS. 10, 12, and 13, a desired related album search process can be executed by pressing the search selection key 29. For example, while the related album search process (search process for the item “another album included in this song” 14f) shown in FIG. 9 is being executed (the state where FIG. 10A is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14). When the search selection key 29 is pressed and the PLAY key 22 is pressed, a related album search process (search process for the item "another album of this artist" 14g) shown in FIG. 11 is executed.

That is, the related album search is performed one after another based on a newly set search element (album, song, artist, or the like), and the screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14 is sequentially switched.

As described above, as the related album search is repeated, it is not easy to return to the title list screen of the song of the album from which the barcode was read first. In this case, the barcode 32 of the album 31 brought to the terminal 1 is read again (return to the initial state,
That is, the song data imported from the store server 2 to the RAM 17 is reset), and the title list of the songs of the album may be displayed.
It is more convenient to display the title list of the songs of the album from which the barcode was read first by continuously pressing. By doing so, it is possible to maintain the music taken from the store server 2 into the RAM 17.
Also, when the REV / SkipR key 23 shown in FIG. 8 is shared and pressed for more than 5 seconds, the screen returns to the first screen, and when pressed for a moment (less than 0.5 second), the previous screen is displayed. It may be configured to return to.

In the embodiment described above, the search for music is performed based on the ISRC code unique to each music. For example, "my XX" shown by reference numeral 14i in FIG.
Is selected and the item "Another album with this song" 1
4f is selected, and the listener listens to the PLAY key 2
When 2 is pressed, the album index table 61 including the ISRC code corresponding to "my OO" is searched (step S20 in FIG. 9). It may be configured.

For example, "my circle" shown by reference numeral 14i in FIG.
With the “状態” selected and the item “another album containing this song” 14f selected, the PLAYER
When the key 22 is pressed, the CPU 11 refers to the music information table 62 stored in the RAM 17 and searches for all the ISRC codes of the music whose title includes the characters “my oo”. Then, the album index table 61 including the searched ISRC code may be searched to specify the POS code of the album. This allows songs with the same title but different versions (for example,
A song-containing version and a karaoke version) and ISRC codes of songs with the same name but different artists are searched, and a wider range of songs and albums can be searched than when searching based on the ISRC codes.

However, according to this, if a song having the same name but different melody or lyrics exists, an album that is completely unrelated is searched for, so that songs of an artist different from the artist of the selected song are excluded. To
A search screen as shown in FIG. 14 can be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 14 to set search conditions. Such a search,
This is a search for albums having attributes based on the combination of attributes.

For example, after a tune is selected on the liquid crystal panel 14, the search screen shown in FIG. 14 is displayed by operating the search selection key 29. Search items include the same song (same recording, that is, a song with the same ISRC code), the same title name (that is, the title matches the text), the same artist, the same lyricist, the same composer, the same arranger, For each of the same conductor, same release year, same release source..., The item is set to YES (state indicated by a black circle: “is”) or NOT (state indicated by a white circle: “..・ No ”) or the condition is not recognized for that item (both are in white circles). In addition, A between each search item
It is possible to select between ND condition (and) and OR (or). These settings are, for example, UP key 25,
Select an item with the DOWN key 26 and press REV / Skip.
Use the R key 23 and the FWD / SkipF key 24 to make a cyclic selection. In the state shown in the figure, those having the same title, the same artist, and not the same lyricist are searched. Each time a condition is set in this way, the number of albums (three in the example in the figure) is displayed. Then, when the previewer presses the PLAY key 22, if the number of the albums is appropriate, a list of the albums is displayed in the same manner as described above.

In the above embodiment, the related album search can be performed during the reproduction of the music. However, the music title can be highlighted and the relevant album can be searched without reproducing the music. You may comprise.

Further, in the above embodiment, the related album search processing according to the present invention was performed in the preview system, but the search processing is not limited to this, and the karaoke system and other information are searched. It can also be applied to systems.

[0115] In the present embodiment, the trial listening system targets music recorded on a CD, but may also target video images such as DVDs. Further, the present invention can be applied to search for all kinds of information as long as the information is managed in the relationship between files and folders. For example, the present invention can be applied to computer software, game software, and the like as long as they are managed in a file-folder relationship.

Further, in the above embodiment, the management table is stored in both the store server 2 and the terminal 1 and can be used respectively.
If the communication speed between them is sufficiently high, the management table may be stored only in the store server 2 and the terminal 1 may be configured to always refer to the management table stored in the store server 2 by communication.

The communication of the music data between the terminal 1 and the store server 2 may be performed by any of online and offline methods, and may use any type of line such as the Internet or a dedicated line. No matter whether wired or wireless.

In addition, any of real-time and batch processing methods may be used as the data transmission processing timing.

A plurality of terminals in a store may be divided into groups for performance, for pop, etc., and the above-described management may be performed for each group.

Also, the listening system 1 in the present embodiment.
00 may be installed in a plurality of stores, and the plurality of trial listening systems 100 may be connected to one management server via a WAN. In such a case, the management server collects the music data managed by all the store servers,
The new song data is distributed to all the store servers, and a command to delete the song data from the store database 3 (for securing the storage capacity of the store database 3) is transmitted to the store server as necessary. Can be configured.

[0121]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to easily search for another folder related to the selected folder or another folder including a file related to a file included in the folder.

For example, when the present invention is applied to a CD listening system, another album related to an album brought to a listening terminal in a store, and another album related to music data recorded in the brought album. Another album including the song data can be easily searched, and the searched song of the another album can be easily previewed on the terminal. Therefore, the previewer can search for and listen to the favorite album without going back and forth between the product display shelves.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a trial listening system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a terminal according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example on a liquid crystal panel of the terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a management table according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the preview system when previewing a song recorded in an album on the terminal according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the preview system when previewing a song recorded in an album on the terminal according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a terminal according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a related album search process (“alternate album including this song” search process) according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel when a related album search process (“alternate album including this song” search process) according to the embodiment is executed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a related album search process (“another album of this artist” search process) according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel when a related album search process (“another album of this artist” search process) according to the embodiment is executed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel when a related album search process (“search process for another album released in the same year as this album” search process) according to the present embodiment is executed. .

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a search screen when a search is performed using a song title in the related album search process according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Terminal 2 ... Store server 3 ... Store database 4 ... LAN 11 ... CPU 12 ... Barcode reader 13 ... Key 14 ... Liquid crystal panel 15 ... Font ROM 16 ... Flash memory 17 ... RAM 18 ... Decoder 19 ... LAN controller 21 ... Terminal body 22 ... PLAY key 23 ... REV / SkipR key 24 ... FWD / SkipF key 25 ... UP key 26 ... DOWN key 27 ... STOP key 28 ... Keyboard 29 ... Search and select key 30 ... Return key 31 ... Album 32 ... Bar code 33 speaker 34 purchase key 60 album information table 61 album index table 62 song information table

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method for searching for a desired folder from a plurality of folders each having at least one file, or a plurality of folders each showing at least one file, comprising the steps of: Registering at least one type of attribute in the management table, receiving the folder selection, and referencing the management table to a folder having an attribute related to the attribute of the received folder. And performing a search. 2. A method for searching for a desired folder from a plurality of folders each having at least one file, or a plurality of folders each showing at least one file, comprising: Registering in the management table as at least one type of attribute, accepting the selection of the folder, accepting the file of the accepted folder or the selection of the file indicated in the folder, respectively. A step of searching for a file having an attribute related to the attribute of the received file by referring to the management table; and a folder having the searched file, or
Searching a folder in which the file is indicated. 3. A folder search system for searching for a desired folder from a plurality of folders each having at least one file, or a plurality of folders each showing at least one file, the folder search system comprising: A management table in which information is registered as at least one type of attribute, means for accepting the selection of the folder, and a folder having an attribute related to the attribute of the accepted folder, refer to the management table And a means for performing a search. 4. A folder search system for searching for a desired folder from a plurality of folders each having at least one file, or a plurality of folders each showing at least one file, the folder search system comprising: A management table in which information is registered as at least one type of attribute, a unit for accepting the selection of the folder, and a unit for accepting a file of the accepted folder or a file indicated in the folder Means for searching for a file having an attribute related to the attribute of the accepted file by referring to the management table; and a folder having the searched file, or
Means for searching for a folder in which the file is indicated.