JP2001202368A - Music information retrieving device to be functioned as www server on the internet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a music information retrieving device, with which a user can easily access desired music out of music distributed by plural Internet radio stations. SOLUTION: Concerning the music information retrieving device to be functioned as WWW server on that internet, this device has a first storage means for registering and storing plural music transmitting stations together with ID data containing the URL of music transmitting sites of the relevant music transmitting stations and a second storage means for acquiring a music program table from the music transmitting site registered in the first means and storing it and can acquire the music program table of the music transmitting site from a client.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a music information retrieval apparatus, and more particularly to a WWW on the Internet.
The present invention relates to a music information search device functioning as a (world wide web) server.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various information providing services utilizing the Internet are rapidly penetrating the general society through a distributed information system called WWW. Software that provides files and data to WWW clients is WWW
Server, and the WWW server is a URL (Unif
orm Resource Locator). The client is the Internet
Using a WWW browser such as Explorer or Netscape Navigator, search and browse information provided by a WWW server.

[0003] Music distribution sites that distribute music information and / or multimedia information on the Internet are well known.
Internet radio is a typical example of a music distribution site. Internet radio can provide past music data files to users for download on a WWW server. Recently, Internet radio uses stream media files as music data files, and enables clients to play back data while downloading data files even if the download is not completed. Stream software corresponding to a stream media file is also well known. Such stream software includes Windows Media,
There are players, real players and flashes.

On the Internet, various WWW
Information is streamlined by linking to the site. It is generally understood that a linking operation that simply describes a URL does not cause a problem in copyright law or other intellectual property law because it is not a copy of the linked content, and is frequently performed on the Internet. Asta Vista, Yahoo, Lycos, Infoseek, etc. have dedicated search systems (search engines), and are often used as the first portal site to visit when accessing the Internet for these search functions. .

[0005] Internet radio stations exist innumerably in Japan and overseas, and are connected to, for example, a radio guide site that links a plurality of Internet radio stations in Japan and overseas.
A typical radio guide site can also be accessed, for example, from a Windows Media Player. Many radio stations publish their broadcast programs. Since the radio guide site describes the URL of each radio station, the user can select a desired radio station.

[0006]

However, conventional Internet radio guide sites and search engines only list the URL of each radio station, and the user can select a desired radio from a huge number of domestic and foreign radio stations. The desired music of the station could not be directly and efficiently accessed from the radio guide site. Therefore, there is a problem that the user hesitates to access the radio station, and the radio station cannot effectively increase the audience. Further, the user may give up searching for a large number of radio stations using the radio guide site and stop using the radio guide by bookmarking an appropriate radio station. Was also inconvenient.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a new and useful music information retrieval apparatus which solves such conventional problems.

[0008] More specifically, the present invention exemplifies providing a music information retrieval apparatus which enables a user to easily reach desired music from music distributed by a plurality of Internet radio stations. Purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, a music information search device functioning as a WWW server on the Internet according to the present invention includes a plurality of music transmission stations connected to the Internet, the music transmission stations of the music transmission stations. URL
And a second storage unit for acquiring and storing a music program table from the music transmission site registered in the first unit, and storing the same together with ID data including And enabling the client to obtain the music program guide of the music transmission site. Such a music information search device can provide a wider range of services than a conventional radio guide site in order to obtain music program information from a registered music transmission site. In addition, by making the music transmission site a registration system, problems in copyright law and other intellectual property laws are avoided.

[0010] Other objects and further features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A music information retrieval apparatus 100 of the present invention functioning as a WWW server on the Internet 30 will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. here,
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a music distribution assistance system using a music information search device 100 of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of exemplary various databases stored in a data storage device 200 of the music information search device 100.
The music information search device 100 includes the user client 10
And various music transmission sites 20 via the Internet 30.

The client 10 may be an individual or a corporation, regardless of whether it is installed in Japan or overseas.
Refers to a computer operated by an individual user or software stored therein. In this embodiment, the client 10 has or is connected to a voice input device 12 such as a microphone. In the voice input device 12, the user can input a song title, an artist name, and the like of music in Japanese, English, and the like, and also can input a characteristic phrase of the song. The phrase of such a song is used for a hamming search described later.

The music transmission site 20 can include a plurality of Internet radio stations, television stations, animation distribution stations, and other multimedia stations in Japan and overseas. In the present embodiment, the following description will be given by taking an Internet radio station as an example. I do. Note that the music transmission site 20 may, of course, broadcast non-music programs such as university lectures, audio novels, plays, documents, news, weather forecasts, and varieties in part or all of the day. .

The music information search device 100 includes a CPU 110
, Communication port 120, RAM 130, ROM 14
0, a voice recognition device 150, a recording permission device 160,
And a data storage device 200. The music information search device 100 can function not only as a WWW server but also as a mail server or a news server. The CPU 110 widely includes a processing device having any name, such as an MPU, and controls each unit of the music information search device 100. The CPU 110 can provide various services between the music transmission site 20 and the client 10 using various databases stored in the data storage device 200 in relation to the present invention. Alternatively, the music information search device 100 may include the CPU 1
10 and may include a dedicated processing device for processing various databases of the data storage device 200.

The communication port 120 is connected to the Internet 30
And a public telephone line network, an ISDN, and various dedicated lines including a USB port and an IEEE 1394 port that can be connected via a modem, a terminal adapter (TA), or the like. The RAM 130 includes the ROM 140 and the data storage device 2.
00 or data read from the data storage device 200
And temporarily store the data to be written. ROM14
0 stores various software, firmware, and other software necessary for the operation of the CPU 110.

The voice recognition device 150 is connected to the client 10
In particular, voice information such as a phrase of a song input from the voice input device 12 is recognized. The recording permission device 160 enables the client 10 to record all or a part of the music program of the music transmission site 20 immediately or by reservation.

Referring to FIG. 2, data storage device 200
Is the transmission station registration list 205, the music program table database 2
10, music ID database 215, personal member registration list 220, program search and scheduling database 2
25, an individual preference database 230, a billing database 235, a translation database 240, a karaoke database 245, a music accessory information database 250, and a ranking database 255, but are not limited thereto, and one or more of these. A plurality may be selectively omitted.

The transmitting station registration list 205 stores names (trade names), trade names, addresses, and the like of the transmitting stations that manage the music transmitting site 20.
Phone number, fax number, e-mail address, UR
L, a person in charge, a place of origin, a user name, a password, an encryption key, a registration date, an expiration date, and other ID information are stored. As will be described later, the music information search apparatus 100 partially reproduces the content of each music transmission site 20, so that a registration system is adopted in order to obtain reproduction permission from each transmission station. The registration of the originating station can be done online or offline.

The music program table database 210 stores the music transmission sites 20 registered in the transmission station registration list 205.
Music program table is preferably stored for a plurality of days. The music program guide includes broadcast time and music programs (such as titles), and each music program includes a jockey, a broadcasted song and an artist name, an orchestra name, a conductor name, a music genre, and other music information. .

The music ID database 215 includes jazz,
All music, such as classical music and rock music, are managed with unique ID numbers. If such an ID number is added to the beginning of a song, it can be used as a synchronization trigger when recording the song. The music ID database 215 can also assign a unique ID to the karaoke version of each music.

The personal member registration list 220 includes the name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, user name, password, age, bank account number, credit card account number, gender, birthday, encryption key, It stores the registration date, expiration date, and other ID information. Registration of the client 10 can be performed online or offline.

The program search and scheduling database 225 is mainly used by the client 10 to search for a desired music from a music program table of the music transmission site 20, and schedules the time for the client 10. Can also. For example, classical music is played from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and jazz music is played from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Based on such information, the client 10 can directly connect to the music transmission site 20 through a search screen described later at that time. Alternatively, the music information search device 100 may automatically transmit information from the WWW server to the client 10 using a push technology if the client 10 desires.

The personal preference database 230 stores search information entered by the client 10 in the past and information on music originating sites accessed in the past so that they can be corrected and updated.

The accounting database 235 stores the bank account, credit card account and other financial accounts of the client 10 particularly when recording all or a part of a music program of the music transmission site 10 or when recording a karaoke version of music. Will be used if needed to charge the.

The translation database 240 translates a music program guide of a music transmission site and other foreign languages into a language desired by the client 10.

The karaoke database 245 stores a karaoke version of the music selected by the client 10, or stores information for accessing a database of a company that owns the karaoke version.

The music accessory information database 250 includes a song name, lyrics, musical score, artist name (singer, composer, arranger, etc.), orchestra name, conductor name, and other artist information (artist activity history, music) of the music. Video such as video, event information such as live, affiliated office name, destination of fan club, etc.) are stored.

In the ranking database 255, in addition to the popular music rankings by various ranking organizations, the popularity ranking of the music transmission site 20, the music, the artist, and the like desired by the client 10 to the music information search device 100 is formed by the number of accesses. This is stored.

Hereinafter, the music information search method will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 3 shows an exemplary search screen transmitted by the music information search device 100 to the client 10. The music information that the music information search device 100 can search for the client 10 includes a music transmission site list, a music transmission site that matches the wishes of the client 10, and all or a part of a music program table of a predetermined music transmission site. , Music attachment information, and karaoke information. However, FIG.
The search screen shown in FIG. 1 covers a wide range of information derived from music, and sells and reserves goods such as various tickets, CDs, audio equipment, services, and the like. Information and other information can be obtained.

The search screen shown in FIG. 3 is configured in HTML format, and is stored in, for example, a program search and scheduling database 225. When the client 10 accesses the music information search apparatus 100 via the Internet 30 using a user name and a password, the client 10 shown in FIG.
The search screen shown in FIG.
It can be obtained via a browser (Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer, etc.).

The search screen shown in FIG.
In addition, search by music genre (jazz, classical music, etc.), artist name, character, numeric keypad, humming, etc. is enabled. In the humming search, a characteristic phrase (humming) of a song input to the client 10 via the voice input device 12 is input to the voice recognition device 150.
Is a scale converted into a musical scale, and the search is performed using this. The client 10 writes required search information on the search screen and returns it to the music information search device 100. Alternatively, the client 10 can prompt the CPU 110 to use the personal preference database 230 that stores past preferences. In other words, the search screen is the client 1
0 includes a button (not shown) for selecting whether to reuse the information input in the past. When the client 10 clicks the button, the CPU 110 executes a search based on the information.

The search information input by the client 10 is as follows:
If necessary, it is stored in the personal preference database 230 after asking the client 10 about the necessity of storage. In response, the CPU 110 searches the music program guide database 210 for a music program that broadcasts the music desired by the client 10 using the information stored in the personal preference database 230. The CPU 110 writes the search result in the lower right of the search screen shown in FIG. Since the search result is linked to the desired music transmission site 20, the client 10 can access the desired music transmission site 20 simply by clicking the music transmission site 20.

At that time, the CPU 110 converts the broadcast time of the music program into the time of the place where the client 10 is present, and displays it. The CPU 110 can calculate the time conversion from the time difference between the transmission place of the transmission station and the address of the client 10. If necessary, the CPU 110 can create and provide a music program from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm from the music program table of each music transmission site, for example, for the client 10. The client 10 may access the music transmission site 20 according to such a schedule, or the CPU 110 may automatically connect the client 10 to the music transmission site 20 using a push technology. The CPU 110 can charge the client 10 if necessary for this service. Thus, unlike traditional radio guide sites,
The client 10 can easily access desired music, and the transmitting station can effectively increase the audience rating.

When the client 10 is connected to the music transmission site 20, all or a part of the search screen is selectively combined with the music transmission site 20. Such a connection is convenient for recording and searching described later.

When the client 10 desires music-related information such as a specific song or artist, the search screen shown in FIG. 3 displays “Live concert”, “Live club”, “Karaoke”, “Gossip”, “ Click "Concert information", "Fan club", "Voice letter", "New music information", "This week's COOL", and other buttons. These buttons include a lyrics display, a score display, and a ranking (not shown). When the music attachment information is input to the search screen, the CPU 110 provides the karaoke file and the music attachment information by referring to the karaoke database 245, the music attachment information database 250, the ranking database 255, and the like.

If the client 10 wants to record,
The recording permission device 160 enables the client 10 to immediately or partially reserve a part or all of the music program. Consider a case where the client 10 has joined a part or all of the search screen to a desired music transmission site. In this case, the client 10 can immediately record the music that is currently being broadcast by clicking the “Record to Holder” button at the upper left of the search screen to record the desired song. For recording, for example, stream-based software can be used. Also, "My MU-S
By clicking on "E", the name of the song, artist name and other information of the music currently being broadcast can be obtained. In this case, the CPU 110 can obtain the song title and the artist name by referring to the music program guide database 210. Alternatively, if a music ID is given to the song, the song name and the artist name may be obtained by referring to the music ID database 215. "My MU-SE" is client 10
Are buttons for storing favorite songs and artists, and are linked to the personal preference database 230.
The client 10 can correct and change its own information stored in the personal preference database 230.

The recording permission device 160 is connected to the client 10
Is notified to the music transmission site 20 that the recording is permitted. Further, the CPU 110 uses the charging database 235 to charge the client 10 for the recording time. If the broadcast of the music transmission site 20 exists as a file, the recording permission device 160 may allow the client 10 to download the file.

When the client 10 makes a reservation for recording, the recording permission device 160 can contact the music transmission site 20 and request that the file of the broadcast content be transmitted to the client 10. Alternatively, the recording permission device 160
May control the client 10 to record the music program in the same manner as the instant recording together with the reservation time.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be variously modified or changed within the scope of the gist.

[0040]

The music information search apparatus of the present invention obtains a music program guide of a registered music distribution site, thereby eliminating the need for the client to access and acquire each music distribution site, and the client can obtain a desired music distribution site. It is possible to efficiently access a desired music program on a music distribution site.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a music distribution assistance system using a music information search device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of exemplary various databases stored in a data storage device of the music information search device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary search screen transmitted by the music information search device shown in FIG. 1 to a client.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 100 music information search device 110 CPU 150 voice recognition device 160 recording permission device 200 data storage device 205 originating station registration list 210 music program table database 215 music ID database 220 individual member registration list 225 program search and scheduling database 230 personal preference database 235 Billing database 240 Translation database 245 Karaoke database 250 Music auxiliary information database 255 Ranking database

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Matsuoka 1-88 Ushitora, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka F-term in Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. 5B075 ND14 ND20 PP03 PP07 PP13 PQ02 PQ05 5D015 KK02 5D108 BC12 BG06 5D378 MM12 MM52 MM97 QQ01 XX43

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A first storage means for registering and storing a plurality of music transmission stations connected to the Internet together with ID data including a URL of a music transmission site of the music transmission station, and registering in the first means. And a second storage unit for acquiring and storing a music program table from the music transmission site, and enabling a client to obtain the music program table of the music transmission site on a WWW server on the Internet. Music information search device that functions as a computer. 2. A third storage means for storing a search screen in which search information for a client to access a desired music program in the music program table is stored, and wherein the third storage means stores a search screen. Processing means for making the search screen available to the client, the music information including the music originating site and the music program in response to the search information input by the client to the search screen, to the second 2. The music information search apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a processing unit that searches using the third storage unit and makes the search result of the music information available to the client. 3. The music information search device according to claim 2, further comprising a recording permission unit that enables the client to record all or a part of the music program. 4. The music information search device according to claim 3, further comprising a charging unit that charges the client for each unit of recording when the music program is entirely or partially recorded. 5. The music information search device further includes a fourth storage unit that stores the search information transmitted from the client, wherein the search information is stored in response to the client accessing again. The method further comprises the step of determining whether or not the client can reuse the search information previously input by the client, wherein the processing unit executes a search based on the search information in response to the client selecting to reuse the search information. 2. The music information search device according to 2. 6. The search information includes voice information input via a voice input device connected to the client, and the music information search device further includes a voice recognition device for recognizing the voice information. The music information search device according to claim 2. 7. The music information search device enables a part of the search screen to be combined with the selected music transmission site when the client selects the music transmission site based on the search result. The search screen further includes information that includes a song name and an artist name of the music when clicked from the client when the selected music transmission site is transmitting music. 3. The music information search device according to claim 2, further comprising means for causing the music information to be searched. 8. The music information according to claim 2, wherein the music program table includes a broadcast time and a music program, and the processing means converts the broadcast time to a time desired by the client and transmits the converted time to the client. Search device. 9. The music information according to claim 2, wherein the music program table includes a broadcast time and a music program, and the processing unit converts the music program into a language desired by the client and transmits the language to the client. Search device. 10. The music information includes karaoke playing karaoke of music selected by the client.
The music information search device described in the above. 11. The music information search device according to claim 2, wherein the music information includes lyrics of music selected by the client. 12. The music information search device according to claim 2, wherein the music information includes a musical score of music selected by the client. 13. The music information search device according to claim 2, wherein the music information includes artist information on an artist of the music selected by the client. 14. The music information search device according to claim 14, wherein the artist information includes a video of the artist. 15. The music information search device according to claim 14, wherein the artist information includes event information of the artist. 16. The music information search device according to claim 14, wherein the artist information includes contact information of the artist. 17. The music information search device according to claim 1, further comprising a fifth storage means for storing ID data attached to music. 18. The music information search device according to claim 2, wherein the search information includes a ranking of the popular music transmission site formed based on the number of accesses to the music transmission site selected by the client. 19. The search information according to claim 2, wherein the search information includes a ranking of songs included in the music program table of the music transmission site formed based on the number of accesses to the music transmission site selected by the client. Music information search device. 20. The music information search device according to claim 2, further comprising a sixth storage unit for registering and storing the client ID data.