JP2002073052A - System and apparatus for servicing music site - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and apparatus for servicing a music site by which management of music data provided on a network is made simple for both sides of a music data listener and a music data provider. SOLUTION: In a system 1 for servicing a music site, a server 2 (music site service device) opens an individual music site on a network 4 according to a request from a user terminal 3 connected through the network 4, registers music data that the user desires on the opened individual music site, and transmits the registered music data in accordance with a reproduction request from the user terminal 3 to the user terminal 3. Besides, the usage deadlines of the music data registered on the individual music site are sequentially confirmed, and then the registration of music data that satisfies deletion conditions is deleted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a music site providing system and a music site providing apparatus for providing music data to a user via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There has been proposed a music distribution system for distributing music data from a music distribution server to a user terminal via a network. In the conventional music distribution system, the server storing a plurality of music data sets up a music data distribution site on a network, reads out target music data according to a request from a user terminal accessing the music distribution site, For example, MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Laye
The music data is distributed to the user terminal in a data format such as rIII). The user terminal stores the downloaded music data in a storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory and executes music reproduction processing such as decompression processing corresponding to the music data to reproduce music.

[0003] By utilizing such a music distribution system, a user can easily obtain and listen to various music data without going to a store.

[0004]

However, in the conventional music distribution system, the user stores the downloaded music data in the user terminal owned by the user. It is necessary to provide a storage medium having a very large storage capacity, and its management is not easy. Further, once the music data is stored on the user terminal side, it is not easy for the music data provider and the composer to manage the music data, and there is a concern that the music data may be illegally copied.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a music site providing system and a music site providing apparatus in which management of music data provided on a network is easy for both a music data listener and a music data provider. is there.

[0006]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server for distributing music data, a plurality of user terminals connected to the server via a network, and (For example, music site providing system 1 shown in FIG. 1)
, The server opens a portal site on the network, receives a request for opening a personal music site from each user terminal at the portal site, and opens a personal music site unique to each user on the network in response to the request. Opening means (for example, CPU 2 shown in FIG. 2)
1, a personal music site opening process shown in FIG. 12) and a registration unit that searches for music data in response to a request from each user terminal and registers the music data in each personal music site opened by the opening unit (for example, FIG. 2). CPU 21 shown in FIG. 15 and a music data search process shown in FIG. 15), and a transmitting unit (S) for transmitting music data registered in each personal music site by the registration unit to the user terminal in response to a reproduction request from each user terminal ( For example, the CPU 21 shown in FIG. 2 and the music data reproducing process shown in FIG. 17) and a deletion unit (for example, the CPU 21 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 18) for deleting music data corresponding to a predetermined deletion condition from the personal music site. Music data deletion processing shown in FIG. 1), wherein the user terminal requests establishment of a personal music site on the portal site (for example, CPU 31 shown in FIG. 8, personal music site opening process shown in FIG. 9) and a registration request for requesting the server to search for desired music data and requesting registration of the music data to the personal music site. Means (for example, CPU 31 shown in FIG. 8, music data search processing shown in FIG. 13) and reproduction request means for requesting the server to reproduce music data registered in the personal music site (for example, FIG. CPU 31 shown in FIG. 16, C1 to C9 of the music data reproduction process shown in FIG. 16, and reproduction means for receiving and reproducing the music data transmitted by the transmission means of the server (for example, music reproduction device 38 shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 16 music reproduction processes C10 to C11).

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the user terminal requests the establishment of the user-specific music site at the portal site established by the server by the establishment requesting means and the registration requesting means. Search and registration of desired music data can be requested on the personal music site established in response to the request. Also, if the reproduction request means and the reproduction means request reproduction of the music data registered in the personal music site, the music data can be received from the server and reproduced. On the other hand, the server includes an opening unit, a registration unit,
By transmitting means, by opening a personal music site on the network in response to a request from the user terminal, register the music data desired by the user in the opened personal music site,
The registered music data is transmitted to the user terminal according to the reproduction request from the user terminal. Also, music data satisfying a predetermined deletion condition is deleted from the personal music site by the deletion means.

Accordingly, the user can delegate management such as storage (registration) and deletion of music data to the server. In addition, since the server centrally manages the search, registration, transmission, and deletion of music data at each personal music site,
The music data provider can easily monitor the handling of the provided music data. Therefore, both the user (music listener) and the music data provider can easily manage the music data. Further, there is no need to store music data in the user terminal, and a large-capacity storage medium is not required on the user terminal side. It is also useful from the viewpoint of copyright protection of music data.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a music site providing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the music site providing system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the music site providing system 1 is connected to a server 2 (music site providing device) that distributes music data via a network 4 and the server 2 via the network 4.
It comprises a plurality of user terminals 3, 3,... Which receive distribution of music data from the server 2. Here, the network 4 includes various networks such as a telephone line network, an ISDN line network, a dedicated line, a mobile communication network, a communication satellite line, and a CATV line network.

First, the internal configuration of the server 2 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. Server 2 has a CPU (Cent
ral Processing Unit) 21, display unit 22, input unit 2
3, RAM (Random Access Memory) 24, storage device 2
5, a storage medium 26, and a transmission control unit 27, and each unit except the storage medium 26 is connected by a bus 28.

The CPU 21 stores, in a work memory in a RAM 24, an application program designated from among various application programs corresponding to the server 2 stored in the storage device 25 and various instructions input from the input unit 23. In accordance with the input instruction and the input data, various processes are executed in accordance with the application program stored in the RAM 24, and the processing results are stored in the RA 24.
M2 is stored in the work memory in the
2 is displayed. Then, the processing result stored in the work memory is stored in a storage destination in the storage device 25 specified by the input unit 23.

The CPU 21 is a personal music site (FIG. 1) that allows the user to search, register, and reproduce music desired by the user.
4) is established on the network 4 (see FIG. 10). Then, in response to an instruction from the user terminal 3 that has accessed the portal site, a personal music site opening process (see FIG. 12), a music data search process (see FIG. 15), and a music data reproduction process (see FIG. 17) described below are performed. Execute. In addition, in order to manage the expiration date of the personal music site creator (member) and the expiration date of music data registered on the personal music site, music data deletion processing (see FIG. 18) and expiration date update processing (to be described later) 19 (see FIG. 19).

That is, in the personal music site opening process, the CPU 21 creates a personal music site unique to the user in response to a personal music site opening request from the user terminal 3 that has accessed the portal site, and stores the created personal music site as described below. In the personal music site file 263 (see FIG. 6). In addition, the user who has requested the creation of the personal music site is a member, and the member information (member code, user ID, password, name, member expiration date) is stored in a member information file 261 (see FIG. 4) described later.

[0015] When a new personal music site is opened, a download course can be selected according to the usage form of the member (see Fig. 11). The server 2 provides different services for each download course selected at the user terminal 3 and imposes a basic charge and a use charge on the member according to the download course, and billing information (download course, basic fee, billing settlement date, etc.). Is stored in a billing file 262 (see FIG. 5) described later in association with the member code.

Also, music data search processing (see FIG. 15)
In, the CPU 21 performs an authentication process based on the authentication information input from the user terminal 3 that has accessed the portal site, and permits the access to the personal music site unique to the user when the authentication is successful. When a search keyword or a search request is received from the user terminal 3 that has accessed the personal music site, music data is searched from the music database 264 described later based on the search keyword, and list information of the song title is transmitted to the user terminal 3. Further, when a song title selected by the user terminal 3 from the list information is received, information (song ID, song title) corresponding to the song title is read out from a music database 264 described later, and whether or not an advertisement is selected, the expiration date, etc. The music related data is added and registered in the personal music site file 263.

Here, "music data" is data obtained by compressing and encoding a music by a predetermined encoding method, and "music-related data" is additional information (music ID, music title, advertisement) of the music. Selection, use period, etc.). When music-related data is added to music data, the music-related data is included in the music data.

Also, music data reproduction processing (see FIG. 17)
When the CPU 21 receives the song name information of the music-related data selected in the user terminal 3 from the music-related data registered in the personal music site and the reproduction request thereof, the CPU 21 stores the music data corresponding to the song name information in the music database 264. And sends it to the user terminal 3. If the advertisement selection flag is set in the music data requested to be reproduced, in order to give a predetermined advertisement fee to the user,
The CPU 21 sets an advertisement fee in an accounting file 262 described later. Then, the music data with the advertisement in which the advertisement message is inserted into a part of the music data (for example, a prelude or an interlude) is read from a music database 264 described later, and transmitted to the user terminal 3. The advertisement fee may be provided according to the number of times the music data with advertisement is reproduced, or may be provided according to the number of songs to be registered.

Also, music data deletion processing (see FIG. 18)
In, the CPU 21 checks the membership expiration information set in the membership information file 261, and deletes the expired member's personal information site from the personal information site file 263. Further, the CPU 21 checks the expiration date information of the music-related data 263d registered in the personal music site file 263, deletes the music-related data whose expiration date has expired from the personal music site file 263, and cancels the registration. Further, the member is notified by e-mail that the personal music site and the music-related data have been deleted.

When the member receives the notification of the expiration date update, the expiration date data update process (see FIG. 19) is executed according to the instruction of the operator, and the update of the expiration date of the member information file 261 or the personal music site file 2 is performed.
For example, processing for updating the usage period of the music data for 63 is performed.

The display unit 22 is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tub).
e) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc., and performs screen display of various display data according to display instructions input from the CPU 21.

The input unit 23 includes a keyboard provided with cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a mouse. The input unit 23 outputs to the CPU 21 a pressing signal pressed by the keyboard and a mouse position signal.

The RAM 24 has a memory area for storing designated application programs, input instructions, input data, processing results, and the like.

The storage device 25 has a storage medium 26 in which programs, data, and the like are stored in advance, and the storage medium 26 is constituted by a magnetic or optical storage medium, or a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor. The storage medium 26 is fixedly provided in the storage device 25 or is detachably mounted. The storage medium 26 includes a system program of the server 2, various processing programs corresponding thereto, and The data and the like processed by the program are stored.

The program, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 26 are partially or entirely received from an external device such as a server or a client from a transmission control unit 27 via a transmission medium such as a network line. The storage medium may be configured to be stored, and the storage medium 26 may be a storage medium of a server constructed on a network. Further, the program may be configured to be transmitted to a server or a client via a transmission medium such as a network line and installed on these devices.

Here, data stored in the storage medium 26 of the server 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage medium 26 of the server 2 includes:
The data on music data distribution is stored in the member information file 2
61, billing file 262, personal music site file 2
63, and stored in a file format or a database format like a music database 264.

FIG. 4 shows the data structure of the member information file 261. The member information file 261 stores information such as a member code 261a, a user ID 261b, a password 261c, a name 261d, and a member expiration date 261e of a member registered on the portal site. For example, for a member whose member code 261a is "JPMR123456",
"09012345678", which is the mobile phone number of the member, is registered as the user ID 261b, "ABC1234" is registered as the password 261c, and the name 261d is changed to "Sato ○
"Men" and the member expiration date 261e is registered as "2000/12/31".

FIG. 5 shows the data structure of the accounting file 262. The billing file 262 stores information such as a member code 262a, a download course 262b, a basic fee 262c, a billing settlement date 262d, and an advertising fee 262e for each member. In addition to this information,
Information related to settlement, such as a member's credit card number and account number, may be stored. For example, a member whose member code 262a is “JPMR123456” has contracted for a download course 262b of “A” and has a basic charge 26
2c is "10,000 yen" and billing settlement date 262d is "1999/12 /
31 ". An advertisement fee 262e is given according to the number of times (3 times) the member has listened to the music data with advertisement.

FIG. 6 shows the data structure of the personal music site file 263. In the personal music site file 263,
As shown in FIG. 6A, the member code 263a, site name 263b, and screen configuration information 263 of each personal music site
c, registered music data 263d (including music-related data 263d '), and the like. For example, in the case of the personal music site shown in FIG. 14 (details will be described later), as shown in FIG. 6B, "JPMR123456" is used as the member code 263a, "XX's music site" is used as the site name 263b, As the screen configuration information 263c, "XX
Music data 2 such as "Music site of Mr." and "List of song names"
As 63d "ENKA123456 It is out in the old XX",
“ENKA456789 XX plain”, “JPOP789012 XX necklace” and the like are stored.

The music data 263d registered in the personal music site includes music-related data 263d 'shown in FIG.
Is added. The music-related data 263d 'is the song ID 263da of the registered music data 263d, and the song title 2
63 db, advertisement selection flag 263 dc, expiration date 263
dd and other information. The advertisement selection flag 263dc is "0
"1" indicates "Ad selection", "00" indicates "No advertisement selection"
Means The use period 263dd means a period during which the music data can be reproduced.
Deletes the music data from the personal music site.

It should be noted that the music data itself may be registered in the personal music site without storing the music data itself. In this case, the music data of the music is read from the music database 264 using the music ID 263da included in the music-related data 264d 'as link information.

In the music database 264, music data of a plurality of music pieces and music data with advertisement are compressed and encoded by a predetermined audio encoding method and stored. Information such as a song ID, a song title, an artist name, and a genre is added to each music data as index data, and is referred to when searching for a song based on a search keyword. The music data with advertisement is, for example, music data provided from a record company for the purpose of promoting CD sales, or music data provided for the purpose of advertisement from a sponsor company, and an advertisement message is inserted in all or a part of the music. By inserting an advertisement into a song, a record company or a sponsor company can efficiently attain the purpose of sales promotion and advertisement for music listeners, and the operating company of the server 2 can also obtain advertisement income. In addition, if an advertisement fee is given to the user each time the user listens to music data with an advertisement, the user can reduce or offset the cost required for downloading the music data with the advertisement fee.

The transmission control unit 27 has a modem (MODEM:
MOdulator / DEModulator) or a terminal adapter (TA), and controls communication with an external device (user terminal 3) via the network 4. The modem modulates the digital data processed by the CPU 21 into an analog signal in the frequency band of the telephone line in order to communicate with an external device such as a personal computer via the telephone line,
The terminal adapter is a device that demodulates an analog signal input via a telephone line into a digital signal. The terminal adapter converts an existing interface into an ISDN in order to communicate with an external device such as a personal computer via an ISDN line. This is a device for converting to an interface corresponding to.

Next, the internal configuration of the user terminal 3 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. The user terminal 3 is, for example, a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digit
al Assistants) or a mobile phone terminal, or any other device having a function of accessing the server 2 via the network 4 and performing data communication.

The user terminal 3 includes a CPU 31, a display unit 32,
It comprises an input unit 33, a RAM 34, a storage device 35, a storage medium 36, a transmission control unit 37, and a music playback device 38 including a speaker 38a. Each unit except the storage medium 36 and the speaker 38a is connected by a bus 39. I have.

The CPU 31 sends an application program designated from the various application programs corresponding to the user terminal 3 stored in the storage device 35 and various instructions input from the input unit 33 to the RAM 34.
In accordance with the input instruction and the input data, various processes are executed in accordance with the application program stored in the RAM 34, and the processing results are stored in the work memory.
The data is stored in the work memory in the AM 34 and displayed on the display unit 32. Then, the processing result stored in the work memory is stored in a storage destination in the storage device 35 specified by the input unit 33.

The CPU 31 accesses a portal site established by the server 2 to open a personal music site (see FIG. 9), a music data search process (see FIG. 13), and a music data reproduction process (see FIG. 16). ) And the like.

That is, when the user wants to receive music data distribution, he activates the WEB browser and
It controls the transmission control unit 37 to access the portal site opened by the server 2 and executes a personal music site opening process (see FIG. 9) described later. When a user inputs information necessary for opening a personal music site such as a user ID, a password, a name, and a desired download course on the portal site, the CPU 31 opens the personal music site on the server 2. When the personal music site is newly opened by the server 2, the personal music site is received and displayed on the display unit 32.

When searching and registering desired music data, music data search processing (see FIG. 13) is executed. That is, the CPU 31 controls the transmission control unit 37 to access the portal site, and transmits the authentication information input by the user to the server 2. When access to the personal music site is permitted by the server 2, the search keyword input by the user is transmitted to the server 2 together with the search request. When a list of song names as search results is received from the server 2, the list of song names is displayed on the display unit 32. When the user selects a desired song and further sets whether or not to insert an advertisement, the selected song is selected. The server transmits the song title information and the advertisement selection flag of the song to the server 2 and requests registration of the music data.

When the user wants to listen to music data registered in the personal music site, he or she needs to play music data (see FIG. 16).
See). That is, the CPU 31 accesses its own personal music site, receives a selection of desired music data from the music data registered in the personal music site, and transmits the song name information of the selected music data to the server 2. . When the music data of the selected song is transmitted from the music database 264 by the server 2, the music data is received by the transmission control unit 37 and the music playback device 3
8, the music data is expanded and reproduced, and the speaker 38a
From the sound.

The display section 32 is composed of a CRT or an LCD or the like, and performs screen display of various display data in accordance with a display instruction input from the CPU 31.

The input unit 33 includes a keyboard provided with a cursor key, numeral input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a mouse. The input unit 33 outputs a press signal pressed by the keyboard and a mouse position signal to the CPU 31.

The RAM 34 has a memory area for storing designated application programs, input instructions, input data, processing results, and the like.

The storage device 35 has a storage medium 36 in which programs and data are stored in advance, and the storage medium 36 is constituted by a magnetic or optical storage medium or a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor. The storage medium 36 is fixedly provided in the storage device 35 or is detachably mounted. The storage medium 36 includes a system program of the user terminal 3 and various processing programs corresponding thereto. And the like processed by the above program.

The program, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 36 are partially or wholly received from an external device such as a server or client from a transmission control unit 37 via a transmission medium such as a network line. The storage medium may be configured to be stored, and the storage medium 36 may be a storage medium of a server constructed on a network. Furthermore, the program may be configured to be transmitted to a server or a client via a transmission medium such as a network line and installed in these devices.

The transmission control unit 37 is constituted by a modem or a terminal adapter or the like, and performs control for performing communication with an external device (server 2) via the network 4.

The music reproducing device 38 is constituted by a music data decompression circuit, a D / A converter, etc., performs a predetermined decompression process on the digital music data received from the server 2, and performs analog music by the D / A converter. The signal is converted into a signal and emitted from the speaker 38a.

Next, the operation will be described. A program for realizing each function described in each flowchart described later is stored in the storage medium 26 of the server 2 or the storage medium 36 of the user terminal 3 in the form of a readable program code.
The CPU 21 of the server 2 or the CPU 31 of the user terminal 3 sequentially executes the operation according to the program code. Further, the CPU 21 or the CPU 31 can also sequentially execute an operation according to the program code transmitted via the transmission medium. That is, an operation unique to the present embodiment can be executed using a program / data externally supplied via a transmission medium in addition to a storage medium.

Next, the operation will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, processing executed when opening a personal music site will be described.

First, the processing on the user terminal 3 side will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the music site establishment system 1, a portal site for establishing a personal music site is established on the network 4 by the server 2. Further, the user terminal 3 activates the WEB browser stored in the storage medium 36 and waits for an instruction input from the input unit 33.

In the user terminal 3, the CPU 31 controls the transmission control unit 37 in accordance with an instruction to the input unit 33,
Access the portal site via the network 4 (step A1). When the access is completed, the CPU 31 receives the data for displaying the menu screen 51 of the portal site and displays the data on the display unit 32 (step A2).

FIG. 10 shows a display example of the menu screen 51. On the menu screen 51, a name display 51a of “MUSIC BOX”, which is the name of the portal site,
A "new registration" button 51b and a "personal music site" button 51c are displayed as selectable menus.

When the "new registration" button 51b is clicked (step A4; Yes), the CPU 31 transmits a new registration request to the server 2 via the transmission control unit 37 (step A5). Then, a new registration screen is received from the server 2 and displayed on the display unit 32 (step A6).

When member information such as a user ID, a password, and a name is entered on a new registration screen (not shown) (steps A7 to A9), the CPU 31 displays a confirmation display for allowing the user to confirm the input contents. Perform (Step A10). If the confirmation OK instruction has not been input (step A11; No), re-input of the user ID, password, and name (step A9) is accepted. Confirmation OK
Is input (step A11; Yes), the input member information is transmitted to the server 2 (step A1).
2).

Here, a download course is selected and set. FIG. 11 shows a display example of the download course setting screen 53. After transmitting the member information, the user terminal 3 further transmits a download course setting request to the server 2. When receiving the data for displaying the download course setting screen 53 from the server 2, the CPU 31 displays the download course setting screen 53 on the display unit 32,
Accept the selection of a download course.

On the download setting screen 53, a plurality of download courses are displayed so as to be selectable. The types of courses are roughly divided into "A. Download Viking"
(Hereinafter referred to as course A) and "B. Download by course" (hereinafter referred to as course B) can be selected, and course B includes "a. Fixed 100 songs stored for one month" (hereinafter referred to as course Ba). "B. Fixed 50 songs, free 30
There are a course (hereinafter referred to as a course Bb), a "c. 30 free songs" (hereinafter referred to as a course Bc), and a "d. Complete freedom" (hereinafter referred to as a course Bd).

Course A is a service in which a user can freely select and register desired music for a one-month period at a fixed price, and the use period (reproducible period) of the registered music is one week after registration. Course Ba is a service that can register 100 fixed songs whose usage period is fixed to one month. In the course Bb, in addition to 50 fixed songs, up to 30 free songs for which the user can freely set the use period can be registered. For free songs, the usage period can be extended. 30 free songs in course Bc
You can register songs. In the course Bd, any number of songs desired by the user are registered, and the expiration date is freely set, but a fee is charged for each song.

When a download course desired by the user is selected on the download course setting screen 53, the selected course information is transmitted to the server 2.

When the member information and the course information input at the user terminal 3 are transmitted to the server 2 as described above, a personal music site unique to the user is generated by the processing on the server 2 side. The user terminal 3 receives the data for displaying the personal music site and displays the data on the display unit 32 (step A13; see FIG. 14).

Next, the music site opening process executed by the server 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The CPU 21 of the server 2 waits for access to the portal site from the user terminals 3, 3,... (Step A21). Data for displaying the screen 51 is transmitted (step A).
22), wait for an instruction (step A23). Upon receiving a new registration request from the user terminal 3 (step A24;
Yes), the CPU 21 reads data for displaying a new registration screen from the storage medium 26, and
(Step A25).

Further, the CPU 21 waits for reception of data transmitted from the user terminal 3 (step A27), fetches the member information and course information input on the user terminal 3 side from the received data, and there is no deficiency in the input information. Judge. If the input information is incomplete (step A28; N
o) For example, the user terminal 3 is requested to re-input information and receives the re-input information. If there is no deficiency in the input information (Step A28; Yes), the fetched member information is stored in the member information file 261 of the storage medium 26. Here, the CPU 21 issues a member code for the input information, sets a member expiration date (for example, one year from the date of new registration), and stores it in association with the member information. Further, the member code of the new member and its course information are additionally stored in the charging file 262, and the set basic fee and the charging settlement date are confirmed and recorded.

Thereafter, the CPU 21 creates a personal music site (step A29) and newly registers it in the created personal music site file 263 (step A30). Furthermore,
The generated personal music site is transmitted to the connection-source user terminal 3 (step A31).

Next, music data search processing executed when music data is searched for and registered at a personal music site will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the processing in the user terminal 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the user terminal 3, the CPU 31 controls the transmission control unit 37 in response to the instruction to the input unit 33, and accesses the portal site via the network 4 (step B1). When the access is completed and the authentication information such as the user ID and the password is input, the CPU 31 transmits the authentication information to the server 2 (step B2).

Thereafter, when data on the success or failure of the authentication is received from the server 2 and the authentication fails (step B
3; No), an error is displayed on the display unit 32. When the authentication is successful (Step B3; Yes), the data for displaying the personal music site unique to the user is received and displayed on the display unit 32 (Step B4).

FIG. 14 is a display example of the personal music site 52. In the personal music site 52, a name list 52b of the currently registered music is displayed in addition to the name display 52a of the site "Mr. XX's personal music site". At the bottom of the screen, a “search” button 52 that is a link to the search screen is displayed.
c, a "play" button 52d that is clicked when the registered music is played is displayed.

In this personal music site 52, when the "search" button 52c is clicked (step B5;
Yes), the CPU 31 transmits a search request to the server 2 (step B6). Thereafter, when a search screen (not shown) transmitted from the server 2 is received, the search screen is displayed on the display unit 32 (step B7).

When a search keyword such as a song title, an artist name, a genre, or a music data providing company is input on the search screen, the CPU 31 transmits the input search keyword to the server 2 and waits for reception of a search result ( Step B9). After that, when a list of music titles searched by the search processing in the server 2 is received, it is displayed on the display unit 32 (step B10). When a song name desired by the user is selected by an instruction from the input unit 33 (step B1)
1), the CPU 31 extracts the selected song name information (step B12), and further selects whether or not to insert an advertisement into the song (step B12). When an instruction to insert an advertisement is input (step B13; Yes), the advertisement selection flag is set to "01" and added to the song title information (step B14), and transmitted to the server 2 together with the song title information. Requests registration of music data (step B1)
5). If an instruction to insert no advertisement is input (step B13; No), the song name information is transmitted to the server 2,
Request registration of the music data.

The search is repeated as described above, and a search end instruction is input (step B16). When a logout instruction is input, the connection is disconnected (step B17), and the process is terminated.

Next, a music site opening process executed in the server 2 during the execution of the music data search process in the user terminal 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

The CPU 21 of the server 2 waits for access to the portal site from the user terminals 3, 3,... (Step B21), and when there is access, the authentication information transmitted from the user terminal 3 of the connection destination. Is received and an authentication process is executed (step B22). If the authentication has failed (Step B23; No), an NG signal is transmitted to the user terminal 3. If the authentication is successful (step B23; Yes), the member code of this member is acquired from the member information file 261, and the personal music site file 2 is obtained.
The personal music site data corresponding to the member code is read from 63 and transmitted to the user terminal 3 (step B2).
4) Wait for an instruction (step B25).

When a search request is received from the user terminal 3 (step B26), the search screen data is read from the storage medium 26 and transmitted to the user terminal 3 (step B2).
7) Wait for reception of a search keyword input in the user terminal 3 (step B28). Upon receiving the search keyword, the CPU 21 executes music data search processing based on the received search keyword (step B).
29). That is, music data including the search keyword is searched from the music database 264, and the music title information of the music data is extracted to generate music title list data. Thereafter, the generated song name list data is transmitted to the user terminal 3 (step B30).

The CPU 21 waits for the reception of the song title information transmitted from the user terminal 3 (step B31). When the song title information is received, the advertisement selection flag “01” is added to the song title information.
Is checked (step B32).
If the advertisement selection flag “01” is added (step B32; Yes), the advertisement is set to be inserted into the music data (step B33), and the music data corresponding to the music title information is read from the music database 264. (Step B34). If the advertisement selection flag “01” is not added to the song title information received from the user terminal 3 (step B32; No), the music data corresponding to the song title information is stored in the music database without setting to insert an advertisement. 264 (step B34).

Next, the CPU 21 adds music-related data (song ID, song title, advertisement selection flag,
(Period of use), and the personal music site file 263
(Step B35). Thereafter, if the search keyword is received continuously, Step B28 to Step B35
Is repeated. Then, when the logout instruction is received (step B36), the process ends.

Next, the music data reproducing process executed when reproducing the music data will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, the processing in the user terminal 3 will be described. In order to select music to be reproduced on the user terminal 3 on the personal music site, the CPU 31 executes step B in FIG.
In the same process as Steps 1 to B4, the user first accesses the portal site, receives the menu screen 51, inputs and transmits authentication information, and performs display according to the authentication result. If the authentication is successful, the personal music site is received and displayed on the display unit 32 (steps C1 to C5).

In the personal music site, a song name list 52b
When a song name is selected from among (see FIG. 14) (Step C6; Yes), the CPU 31 sets the selected song (Step C7), and further clicks a "play" button 52d and inputs a playback instruction. (Step C8; Ye
s) The tune name information and the reproduction request of the set selected tune are transmitted to the server 2 (step C9), and the reception of the corresponding music data is awaited (step C10).

When music data is received from the server 2, the CP
The U31 transfers the received music data to the music playback device 38, executes music playback processing, and emits sound corresponding to the music data from the speaker 38a (step C11). If there is still a selection of a song name, steps C6 to C11
Is repeated to play music. Thereafter, when a reproduction end instruction is input (Step C12; Yes), the server 2 logs out to the server 2 and disconnects the connection.

Next, the music data reproducing process executed in the server 2 during the music data reproducing process in the user terminal 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

The CPU 21 of the server 2 first authenticates the user terminal 3 that has accessed the portal site (steps C21 to C23) in the same processing as steps B21 to B23 in FIG. The site is read from the personal music site file 263, transmitted to the user terminal 3, and waits for an instruction (step C2).
4-C26).

When a reproduction request and music title information are received from the user terminal 3 (step C27; Yes), the CPU 21 fetches music title information from the received data (step C2).
8) The corresponding music data is read from the music database 264 (step C29) and transmitted to the user terminal 3 (step C30). Thereafter, the process shifts to an instruction waiting state, and in response to a reproduction request from the user terminal 3, step C2 is performed.
7 to C30 are repeated. Then, when a logout instruction is received (step C31), the processing is terminated.

Next, the music data deletion processing executed in the server 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Music data deletion processing is performed, for example, once a day.
Times at a predetermined time.

In the music data deletion process, the server CP
U21 first reads the member information file 261 (step D1), and reads out the member expiration date information for each member (step D2). The CPU 21 compares today's date with each member expiration date information to determine whether the expiration date has expired (step D3). If the period has expired (step D3; Yes), the personal music site of the member is deleted from the personal music site file 263 (step D4).

When the member expiration date check is completed (step D5; Yes), an e-mail notifying that the personal music site has been deleted is created and transmitted to the member who has deleted the personal music site in step D4 (step D4). Step D
6). The member's email address is the member information file 261
It shall be registered in.

Next, the CPU 21 reads the personal music site file 263 (step D7), and
The use expiration date information is read from d (step D8). CP
U21 compares the current date with the expiration date information of each music data to determine whether the expiration date has expired (step D9). If it has expired (step D
9; Yes), the music data is deleted from the personal music site file 263 (step D10).

When the check of the expiration date of the music data is completed (Step D11; Yes), an e-mail notifying the member who owns the personal music site whose music data has been deleted in Step D10 that the music data has been deleted. Is created and transmitted (step D12). When the mail transmission is completed, a series of music data deletion processing ends.

If the member who received the notification mail for deleting the personal music site or the notification mail for deleting the music data has an intention to continue using the personal music site, or wants to extend the expiration date of the music data, the server 2 becomes a member. The extension of the term and the processing of the change are performed according to the application from.

The term data updating process executed by the server 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It is assumed that the member has notified the server 2 of the intention to change the expiration date, such as continuation of the expiration date of the member or extension of the expiration date of the music data, by e-mail or access to the portal site.

The CPU 21 of the server 2 starts the time limit data update processing program, first displays a menu on the display unit 22 (step E1), and the operator inputs the menu to the input unit 2 (step E1).
3 (step E).
2).

When the member expiration date update menu is selected on the menu screen (step E3; Yes), and the member code is further input (step E4), the CPU 21 reads out the member information file 261 (step E5) and inputs the update expiration date. When this is done (step E6), the member information corresponding to the member code is updated according to the input update period (step E7).

When the member term renewal menu is not selected on the menu screen and the use term renewal menu is selected (step E8; Yes), the input of the member code is accepted (step E9), and the individual of the inputted member code is accepted. The music data 263d registered in the music site is read from the personal music site file 263, and displayed in a list on the display unit 22 (step E10). Then, music data whose usage period is to be updated is selected according to an instruction of the operator (step E11), and when the update period is input (step E11).
12) Update the expiration date (step E13). Thereafter, when an instruction to end the time limit data update processing is input, a series of time limit data update processing ends.

As described above, the music site providing system 1 includes the server 2 for distributing music data, and the plurality of user terminals 3, 3,... Connected to the server 2 via the network 4. The user terminal 3 can request the establishment of a personal music site unique to the user at the portal site established by the server 2, and can establish the personal music site in response to the request. Also, the user can search for desired music data in the established personal music site and request registration. The registered music data is stored in the personal music site file 263 of the server 2, and by transmitting a reproduction request to the server 2 by designating a song,
And the music data can be reproduced by the music reproduction device 38 of the user terminal 3.

On the other hand, the server 2 opens a personal music site on the network 4 in response to a request from the user terminal 3,
The music data desired by the user is registered in the established personal music site, and the registered music data is transmitted to the user terminal 3 according to a reproduction request from the user terminal 3. The member expiration date set in the member information file 261 and the music data 26 registered in the personal music site file 263 are set.
The usage period of 3d is checked one by one, and personal music sites satisfying the deletion conditions are deleted, or registration of music data is deleted.

Therefore, the user registers desired music data in a user-specific personal music site established on the network 4 and, if he / she wants to listen to music, uses the user terminal 3
Can access the server 2 by accessing the personal music site, and receive and reproduce the registered music data.
Further, since management such as storage and deletion of music data is entrusted to the server 2, the user can easily manage the music data. Further, the server 2 side manages registration, search and transmission of music data in each personal music site in a centralized manner, automatically deletes music data satisfying a predetermined deletion condition from the personal music site, Since the music data provider itself is deleted, it becomes easier for the music data provider to monitor the handling of the provided music data.

Also, since a personal music site is established on the network 4, the user limits the devices that receive and reproduce music data, such as accessing from a personal computer at home or from a portable device while away from home. The user can download desired music data without having to do so. In order to listen to music on the go, there is no need to carry around a recording medium (CD, memory card, etc.) in which music data is recorded in advance.

Further, the user can select whether or not to insert an advertisement into the music data. When the user selects the music data with advertisement, the user inserts the advertisement into a part of the music (for example, a prelude or an interlude). The user can listen to the music and can get a predetermined advertisement fee. Advertisers can efficiently realize the purpose of advertisement for music listeners.

In the music site providing system 1 of the embodiment described above, music data is distributed.
The present invention is not limited to this, and lyrics data may be added to music data for distribution, or the content to be distributed may be a movie, a net distribution program, an advertisement, a homepage, a document, art, or the like. Also in this case, similarly, the use period of the content is set, registered in the personal site, and when the user wants to reproduce, the user accesses the personal site and reproduces it.

When music data is downloaded from the server 2, the storage of the user terminal 3 in the storage medium 36 may be prohibited, or when the storage in the storage medium 36 is permitted, a separate fee is charged. Is also good. By prohibiting storage in the user terminal 3, illegal copying can be prevented, which is also effective from the viewpoint of copyright protection.

Further, the deletion condition is a member expiration date or a music data usage expiration date, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, if this limit is reached, music data will be deleted, unauthorized content will be added on personal music site, or music data or personal music site will be deleted if member violates rules You may do so.

Other than the above, the music site providing system 1
The charging method, the specific display example of each site, the user authentication method, and the like can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0102]

According to the music site providing system of the present invention, the user can delegate management such as storage (registration) and deletion of music data to the server. Further, since the server centrally manages search, registration, transmission, and deletion of music data at each personal music site, the music data provider can easily monitor the handling of the provided music data. Therefore, both the user (music listener) and the music data provider can easily manage the music data.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the server registers the music data together with the expiration date information, so that the expiration date can be used as a condition for deleting the music data.
The expiration date conditions desired by the copyright holder can be easily set.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a user selects music data with an advertisement and requests registration, the server gives a predetermined advertisement fee to the user, and when the music is reproduced, Since the music data with the advertisement with the advertisement inserted is transmitted to the user terminal, the user can get the advertisement fee and listen to the desired music data with the advertisement.

According to the music site providing apparatus of the present invention, a personal music site unique to the user is established on the network in response to a request from the user terminal, and the user accesses the personal music site to access the music. Since data search, registration, transmission, deletion, etc. are performed, the management of music data can be entrusted to the music site providing device, and the music data provider only needs to monitor the handling of music data on the personal music site. In addition, music data management becomes easy for both the user and the music data provider.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a music site providing system 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a server 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing data stored in a storage medium 26 of the server 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a member information file 261.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a billing file 262.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a personal music site file 263.

FIG. 7 is music data 263 registered in a personal music site.
It is a figure showing music related data 263d 'given to d.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a user terminal 3.

FIG. 9 is a user terminal 3 in a personal music site opening process.
It is a flowchart for explaining the processing on the side.

FIG. 10 is a display example of a portal site menu display screen 51;

11 is a display example of a download course setting screen 52. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the server 2 side in the personal music site opening processing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the user terminal 3 side in music data search processing.

14 is a display example of a personal music site 52. FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the server 2 side in music data search processing.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the user terminal 3 side in music data reproduction processing.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the server 2 side in music data reproduction processing.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating music data deletion processing executed by server 2.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a term data update process executed by the server 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 music site providing system 2 server 21 CPU 22 display unit 23 input unit 24 RAM 25 storage device 26 storage medium 261 member information file 262 billing file 263 personal music site 264 music database 27 transmission control unit 3 user terminal 31 CPU 32 display unit 33 Input unit 34 RAM 35 Storage device 36 Storage medium 37 Transmission control unit 4 Network

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 504 G06F 17/60 504 H04H 1/02 H04H 1/02 F

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A music site providing system comprising a server for distributing music data and a plurality of user terminals connected to the server via a network, wherein the server establishes a portal site on the network. The portal site accepts a request for opening a personal music site from each user terminal, and in response to the request, an opening means for opening a personal music site unique to each user on the network, and in response to a request from each user terminal. To search for music data,
Registering means for registering at each personal music site established by the establishing means; and transmitting music data registered at each personal music site by the registering means to the user terminal in response to a reproduction request from each user terminal Transmission means, and deletion means for deleting music data corresponding to a predetermined deletion condition from the personal music site, the user terminal comprising: an opening request means for requesting opening of a personal music site on the portal site; Registration request means for requesting the server to search for desired music data, and requesting registration of the music data to the personal music site; music registered in the personal music site to the server A reproduction requesting unit for requesting data reproduction; and a reproduction unit for receiving and reproducing the music data transmitted by the transmission unit of the server. A music site providing system, comprising: 2. The registration means registers music data together with expiration date information, and the deletion means confirms expiration date information of the music data, and deletes music data whose expiration date has passed from the personal music site. The music site providing system according to claim 1, wherein 3. When a user selects music data with an advertisement and requests registration, the server grants a predetermined advertisement fee to the user, and plays music with the advertisement inserted when the music is reproduced. The music site providing system according to claim 1, wherein data is transmitted to the user terminal. 4. A music site providing apparatus which is connected to a plurality of user terminals via a network and provides music data to the user terminals. A request for opening a music site is accepted, an opening means for opening a personal music site unique to each user on the network in response to the request, and music data searched for in response to a request from each user terminal are opened by the opening means. Registration means for registering each personal music site that has been registered, and transmission means for transmitting music data registered in each personal music site by the registration means to the user terminal in response to a reproduction request from each user terminal, Deletion means for deleting music data corresponding to a predetermined deletion condition from the personal music site; A music site providing device comprising: