JP2003006456A - Music gift distribution system and program for music gifting and distribution processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute music from a music distributing server to a terminal of another user by instruction from a user terminal connected via a communication network. SOLUTION: The user terminal 3 sends a music gift request signal to the music distributing server 2 connected via the communication network 1 to request the server to send music as a gift to another user terminal 3. The music distributing server 2 reads music data corresponding to the name of the music gift request signal out of a music database 4 and sends them to the user terminal 3 as the gift destination.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a music gift distribution system and a music gift distribution processing program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A music distribution system for distributing music data of music music via a communication network such as the Internet is becoming widespread. In such a system, between the user terminal connected via the communication network and the music distribution server,
When the user requests distribution of a desired music piece from the terminal, the music distribution server transmits screen information for inputting self-identification information including the price of the requested music piece and the user's ID. When the user approves the offered price and sends the approval information together with his / her identification information, the music distribution server sends the music data of the requested music music to the user terminal. For example, the song data is transmitted to the mailbox of the provider with which the user has a contract. The user stores the music piece data received from the mailbox in the memory and reproduces the music piece data by an operation. Therefore, the user can download and enjoy the desired music piece in the terminal while he / she stays.

[0003]

However, in the conventional music distribution system, although the user can download the desired music music to the terminal, the user can download it to his / her terminal as a gift for another person. It was not possible to download music songs. For example, I couldn't give song data as a gift for that person's birthday. An object of the present invention is to enable a music distribution server to distribute a music piece to another user's terminal according to an instruction from a user terminal connected via a communication network.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a music gift distribution system, which is a music distribution server connected via a communication network (corresponding to the music distribution server 2 in FIG. 1A in the embodiment). From a list of music songs received by the receiving unit (corresponding to the communication unit 17 of FIG. 1B in the embodiment) that receives a list of music songs for gift giving from the user. Name information of the presented music piece for gift giving, and transmission destination identification for identifying the user terminal (corresponding to the user terminal 3 of FIG. 1 (1) in the embodiment) of the gift giving destination for transmitting the music piece for gift giving A transmitting means (corresponding to the communication unit 17 in FIG. 1B in the embodiment) that transmits a music gift request signal including information (corresponding to the destination mail address in the embodiment) to the music distribution server. Has a configuration There.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a program of a music distribution server connected via a communication network (corresponding to the music distribution server 2 of FIG. 1A in the embodiment) is used as a gift music piece. The step of receiving the list, the title information of the gift music piece selected from the list of the received music pieces, and the user terminal of the gift recipient who sends the gift music piece (in the embodiment, FIG. 1). User terminal 3 of (1)
(Corresponding to (1)) is transmitted to the music distribution server, a music gift request signal including transmission destination identification information (corresponding to the transmission destination mail address in the embodiment).

According to the invention of the music gift distribution system of claim 1 and the program of music gift distribution processing of claim 10, the user terminal transmits the music song for gift to another user terminal. To the music distribution server.

[0007] The music gift distribution system according to claim 4 is
Music title information of a music piece for gift giving and a customer terminal of the gift giving destination (in the embodiment, from a customer terminal (corresponding to the user terminal 3 in FIG. 1A in FIG. 1) in the music delivery request, which is connected by a communication network. Is transmission destination identification information (corresponding to the transmission destination mail address in the embodiment) for identifying the user terminal 3 of FIG. 1A, and transmission source identification for identifying the customer terminal of the music distribution request. Receiving means for receiving a song gift request signal including information (corresponding to the sender's email address in the embodiment) (in the embodiment,
(It corresponds to the receiving function of the music distribution server 2 in FIG. 1A)
And notification information indicating that the music gift is presented to the customer terminal corresponding to the destination identification information of the music gift request signal received by the receiving means (corresponding to the mail opening screen of FIG. 20, in the first embodiment, The second embodiment has a configuration including a transmission unit (corresponding to the transmission function of the music distribution server 2 of FIG. 1A in the embodiment) for transmitting the mail opening screen of FIG. 33). ing.

[0008] A program for music piece gift distribution processing according to claim 11 is a customer terminal for a music piece distribution request connected by a communication network (in the embodiment, the user terminal 3 in Fig. 1 (1)).
(Corresponding to the above) to the song name information of the music piece for gift giving, the destination identification information (in the embodiment, corresponding to the customer terminal of the gift recipient (corresponding to the user terminal 3 in FIG. 1A) in the embodiment). , Corresponding to the destination email address), and source identification information (corresponding to the source email address in the embodiment) identifying the customer terminal of the song distribution request, and receiving a song gift request signal. Notification information indicating that the music gift is presented to the customer terminal corresponding to the transmission destination identification information of the received music gift request signal (corresponding to the mail opening screen of FIG. 20 in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, (Corresponding to the mail opening screen in FIG. 33) is executed.

According to the invention of the music gift distribution system described in claim 4 and the program of music gift distribution processing described in claim 11, the music distribution server uses the music title information of the music music for gift giving from any customer terminal. When the destination identification information for identifying the customer terminal of the gift recipient is received, the notification information indicating the gift of the song is transmitted to the customer terminal corresponding to the destination identification information.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the first
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 (1) is a diagram showing a configuration of a music gift delivering system according to the first embodiment.
In the figure, a communication network 1 is a communication network including a public telephone line and the Internet. The music distribution server 2 is a server that distributes music data via the communication network 1. The user terminal 3 is a terminal that is also connected to the communication network 1 to perform transmission / reception of mails and other communication processing via the music distribution server 2, and is composed of, for example, a personal computer. The music distribution server 2 has a database for song data (song DB).
4, a music distribution database (music distribution DB) 5, a mail database (mail DB) 6, and a charging database (charging DB) 7 are connected. The function of each database will be described later.

FIG. 1 (2) is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the user terminal 3 in FIG. 1 (1).
11 is a ROM 1 connected via a system bus 12
3, commands and data are exchanged with the RAM 14, the operation unit 15, the display unit 16, and the communication unit 17, and the entire user terminal 3 is controlled. The ROM 13 has a CPU
The control program executed by 11 and initial data are stored in advance. The RAM 14 is a work area of the CPU 11 and is provided with areas for various registers, flags, and pointers necessary for executing the control program, and an area for storing music data distributed from the music distribution server 2. ing. The operation unit 15 is composed of various switch groups, a mouse, and the like. A user operates a switch to input commands and data, and an operation of the mouse specifies an icon on the screen of the display unit 16. The display unit 16 displays a mail screen received from the communication network 1 and data including characters and numbers input from the operation unit 15. The communication unit 17 connects to the communication network 1 by a predetermined protocol according to a communication command of the CPU 11 and executes mail transmission / reception and other communication processing.

Although not shown in the figure, the user terminal 3 is provided with an interface section for connecting a sound source device such as a MIDI device or an electronic keyboard musical instrument to the RA.
The music data read from M14 can be output to the sound source device or electronic keyboard instrument to enjoy the performance of the music. In this embodiment, L for displaying the score and the keyboard
By connecting an electronic keyboard instrument equipped with a display device such as a CD, a musical score navigation function is realized not only for listening to the performance of a song but also for viewing the musical score of the song and practicing the keyboard performance.

FIG. 2 shows a data structure in the first embodiment stored in the music DB 4, the music distribution DB 5, and the mail DB 6 in FIG. 1 (1). Many pieces of music data to be distributed are stored in the music DB so that music numbers 1, 2, 3, ... Can be designated. The music distribution DB has an area for storing a plurality of music distribution data. Each area is composed of an area for storing a plurality of data such as a reception number, a music number, a destination mail address, a message, a transmission date, a source mail address, a user's address and name, and an expiration date. The mail DB has an area for storing a plurality of mails to be transmitted to the user terminal 3, and each area has constituent elements of the stored mails, that is, a destination mail address, a sender mail address, a message, song data, and a valid data. It consists of a deadline data area. Although not shown in the figure, the charging DB has an area for storing the name of the user registered in the music distribution DB and information (account number, password, etc.) of the financial institution with which the user has a transaction.

FIG. 3 shows the user terminal 3 shown in FIG.
3 shows a music data area and a mail area provided in the RAM 14. The song data area has an area for storing a plurality of song data. Further, the mail area has an area for storing a plurality of received mails, and each area has a constituent element of the mail, that is, a destination mail address,
There is a data area for sender email address, message, song data, and expiration date.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the music gift delivering system shown in FIG. 1A will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. First, the operation of the music gift distribution in the user terminal 3 will be described based on the flowchart of the CPU 11 and the screen of the display unit 16. Figure 4
Is a main flow of the CPU 11, and after a predetermined initialization process (step A1), a menu screen is displayed on the display unit 16 (step A2). FIG. 5 shows the menu screen. As shown in this figure, a mail icon, a music reproduction icon, and a music gift icon are displayed on the screen.

When the icon of FIG. 5 is turned on (designated) by the mouse of the operation unit 15, the operation relating to the designated icon is performed. That is, it is determined whether or not the mail icon is turned on (step A3), and when it is turned on, mail processing is executed (step A4). It is determined whether or not the music reproduction icon is turned on (step A
5) If it is turned on, a music reproducing process is executed (step A6). It is determined whether or not the music gift icon is turned on (step A7), and when it is turned on, music gift processing is executed (step A8). After executing any one of the processes, the process proceeds to step A2 to display the menu screen again.

6 to 9 are flowcharts of the music gift giving process in the main flow. That is, when the song gift icon is turned on in the menu screen, the process moves to the flow of FIG. 6 and the authentication screen is displayed (step B1). FIG. 10 shows the authentication screen. On this screen, as shown in the figure, an ID which is the user's self-identification information, an area for displaying a password, and a transmission icon are displayed. Then, it is determined whether or not the ID and password data is input from the operation unit 15 (step B2), and when input, the input data is displayed on the screen (step B3). Next, it is determined whether or not the transmission icon is turned on (step B
4) When turned on, the ID, password, and song gift request signal are transmitted to the music distribution server 2 (step B).
5). Then, it is determined whether or not the data of the gift song list has been received from the music distribution server 2 (step B6).

When the gift list data is received,
It is displayed on the screen of the display unit 16 (step B7).
FIG. 11 shows a screen of the gift song list. It is determined whether any song name is clicked on this screen (step B
8) When clicked, the data of the song title is transmitted to the music distribution server 2 (step B9). Then, it waits for the reception of the gift confirmation screen data from the music distribution server 2 (step B10). When the data of the gift confirmation screen is received, the screen is displayed in step B11 of the flow of FIG. FIG. 12 shows the gift confirmation screen. On this screen, an OK (confirm) icon and a cancel icon are displayed along with the name of the song to be gifted, the price of the song, and a confirmation message.

Then, it is determined whether or not the OK icon is turned on (step B12), and if this icon is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the cancel icon is turned on (step B13). When the cancel icon is turned on, this flow is ended and the process returns to the main flow. On the other hand, when the OK icon is turned on, OK
A signal, that is, a confirmation signal is transmitted to the music distribution server 2 (step B14). Then, it waits for the reception of the data of the destination input screen from the music distribution server 2 (step B1.
5). When the data of the destination input screen is received, that screen is displayed (step B16).

FIG. 13 shows a destination input screen. This screen includes the recipient's mail address, which is the destination identification information for identifying the user terminal 3 that gives the song, the designated transmission date, the area for displaying the message, the OK icon, and the cancel icon. Then, it is determined whether or not the data of the mail address of the other party has been input (step B17), and when the data is input, the mail address is displayed in the corresponding area of the screen (step B18). It is determined whether or not the data of the designated transmission date is input (step B19), and when the data is input, the designated transmission date is displayed in the corresponding area of the screen (step B20). It is determined whether or not message data has been input (step B21), and when input, the message is displayed in the corresponding area of the screen (step B22).

Next, in step B23 of the flow of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the OK icon is turned on. When this icon is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the cancel icon is turned on (step B24), and when it is turned on, this flow is ended and the process returns to the main flow. If neither the OK icon nor the cancel icon is turned on, the process shifts to step B17 in FIG. 7 and it is determined whether or not there is data input. On the other hand, when the OK icon is turned on, the mail address displayed on the screen of FIG.
On the designated transmission date, the message data is transmitted to the music distribution server 2 (step B25). Then, it waits for the reception of data of the transmission source input screen from the music distribution server 2 (step B26). When the data of the sender input screen is received, that screen is displayed (step B27).

FIG. 14 shows a transmission source input screen. On this screen, the area for displaying the recipient identification information for giving the song, that is, the mail address, address, and name of the user, the OK icon, and the cancel icon are displayed. Then, it is determined whether or not the data of the mail address is input (step B28), and when the data is input, the mail address is displayed in the corresponding area of the screen (step B29).
It is determined whether address data has been entered (step B
30) When input, the address is displayed in the corresponding area of the screen (step B31). It is determined whether or not the name data has been input (step B32), and when input, the name is displayed in the corresponding area of the screen (step B33).

Then, in step B34 of the flow of FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the OK icon is turned on.
If this icon is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the cancel icon is turned on (step B35),
When turned on, this flow is ended and the process returns to the main flow. If neither the OK icon nor the cancel icon is turned on, the process shifts to step B28 in FIG. 8 to determine whether or not data has been input. On the other hand, when the OK icon is turned on, the data of the mail address, address, and name displayed on the screen of FIG. 14 are transmitted to the music distribution server 2 (step B36). Then, it waits for the data of the gift-completion screen from the music distribution server 2 (step B3).
7). When the data of the gift completion screen is received, the screen is displayed (step B38). FIG. 15 shows a gift completion screen. On this screen, the title of the song to be gifted, a message indicating the gift completion, and the TOP icon are displayed. And
It is determined whether or not the TOP icon is turned on (step B39). When the TOP icon is turned on, this flow is ended and the process returns to the main flow to display the top screen, that is, the menu screen.

16 to 18 are flowcharts of mail processing in the main flow. First, the authentication screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed (step C1), and it is determined whether the ID and password data has been input (step C).
2). When input, the input data is displayed in the corresponding area of the screen (step C3). Then, it is determined whether or not the transmission icon is turned on (step C
4) When turned on, the ID, password, and mail request signal displayed on the screen are transmitted to the music distribution server 2 (step C5). Then, it waits for reception of the mail reception list from the music distribution server 2 (step C6). When the mail reception list is received, the screen of the mail reception list is displayed (step C7).

FIG. 19 shows a mail reception list screen. On this screen, a list of received mails for this user terminal 3 stored in the mail DB of the music distribution server 2 is displayed, and a mail creation icon for creating a sent mail and a cancel icon are also displayed. . Then, it is determined whether or not the mail creation icon is turned on (step C8), and when it is turned on, mail creation processing is performed (step C9). Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the cancel icon is turned on (step C10), and when it is turned on, this flow is ended and the process returns to the main flow.

If neither the mail creation icon nor the cancel icon is turned on, step C1 of the flow shown in FIG.
In 1, it is determined whether or not any list name in the mail reception list displayed on the screen is clicked. When clicked, the list name is transmitted to the music distribution server 2 (step C12). Then, it waits for the reception of data of the mail opening screen of the list name from the music distribution server 2 (step C13). When the data of the mail opening screen is received, the screen is displayed (step C14).

FIG. 20 shows a mail opening screen. On this screen, the song title of the music gifted from the other user terminal 3 which is the sender and the message from the user are displayed, and the "Open attached document" icon for opening the attached document of the mail and the attached A close icon is displayed to close the email without opening the document. Then, it is determined whether or not the close icon is turned on (step C15),
If this icon is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the "open attached document" icon is turned on (step C16). When this icon is turned on, it is determined whether or not the attached document is music data (step C1).
7) If it is not music data, the document screen is displayed (step C18). Then, it is determined whether or not the close icon is turned on (step C19). If none of the list names is clicked in step C11, or if the close icon is turned on in step C15 or step C19, the process moves to step C7 in FIG. 16 to display the mail reception list screen.

If the attached document is music data in step C17 of FIG. 17, the current time is fetched in step C20 of the flow of FIG. 18 and the expiration date is fetched from the attached document (step C21). Then, it is determined whether or not the current time has passed the expiration date (step C22). If the expiration date has not passed, the song data is stored in the song data area of the RAM 14 (step C23), and a confirmation screen is displayed (step C2).
4). FIG. 21 shows the confirmation screen. A return icon is displayed on this screen together with a message indicating that the song data has been stored. Then, it is determined whether or not the return icon is turned on (step C25).
In step C7 of 6, the mail reception list screen is displayed.

In step C22 of FIG. 18, when the current time has passed the expiration date, the music data of the attached document is cleared (step C26) and the expiration date screen is displayed (step C27). FIG. 22 shows the expiration date screen. On this screen, a message indicating that the opened mail has expired and a return icon is displayed. Then, it is determined whether or not the return icon is turned on (step C28), and when it is turned on, the process proceeds to step C7 in FIG. 16 to display the mail reception list screen. The determination process for determining whether or not the current time has passed the expiration date is incorporated in the control program of the user terminal 3, but this determination process program may be added to the received mail. For example,
When the "open attached document" is turned on, the discrimination processing program is first read, and when the discrimination processing program is executed and the expiration date has passed, an expiration date screen may be displayed.

FIG. 23 is a flow of the music reproducing process in the main flow. First, a song list screen of song data stored in the song data area of the RAM 14 is displayed (step D1). FIG. 24 shows the song list screen. A return icon is displayed on this screen together with the song list.
Then, it is determined whether or not the return icon is turned on (step D2), and when it is turned on, this flow is ended and the process returns to the main flow. If the return icon is not turned on, it is determined whether any song title has been clicked (step D3). When it is clicked, a music reproduction screen for displaying the music score, keyboard image, fingering image, etc. of the music title is displayed (step D4). A start icon, a stop icon, and a return icon are displayed on this screen.

When any one of the icons is turned on, the process corresponding to the icon is executed. It is determined whether or not the start icon is turned on (step D
5) When it is turned on, the designated song is played (step D).
6). That is, the music data is output to the electronic keyboard instrument (or tone generator device) connected to the user terminal 3. It is determined whether or not the stop icon is turned on during the reproduction of the music (step D7), and when it is turned on, the reproduction of the designated music is stopped (step D8). Further, it is determined whether or not the return icon is turned on while the music reproduction is stopped (step D
9) If it is turned on, the process proceeds to step D1 to display the music list screen again.

As described above, in the first embodiment,
The user terminal requests the music distribution server to transmit the gift music piece to another user terminal. Therefore, according to an instruction from the user terminal 3 connected via the communication network 1, the music distribution server 2 can distribute the music piece to the terminal 3 of another user.

In this case, since the music gift request signal includes the transmission date / time designation information for designating the date / time at which the music distribution server 2 transmits the gift music tune, that is, the designated transmission date data in FIG. The music distribution server 2 transmits a gift music piece on the designated transmission date. Therefore, it is possible to give a music piece in good timing in time with the anniversary of the other user.

Further, the CPU 11 adds the function of the mail opening means for opening the received mail and the music data added as an attached document of the mail opened by this mail opening means to the opened mail. If the expiration date exceeds the current date and time, it has a function of opening restriction means that prohibits opening of attached documents for mail opening means, so if the expiration date exceeds the current date and time, Do not receive the song data that was sent. Therefore, although the purpose is to give a music piece in synchronism with the other user's anniversary, if the time is missed, useless gifts can be avoided. For example, if the email of the gift gift of "Happy Birthday Two You" is opened much later than the birthday of the other user's birthday, the unnecessary gift can be avoided.

The operation of the music gift distribution according to the first embodiment realizes the invention as a music gift distribution processing program independent of hardware, as is clear from the flowchart of the CPU 11. That is, the program for this song gift distribution processing is executed on a personal computer or the like via a storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD, a magneto-optical disk, or the communication network 1 such as the Internet shown in FIG. It can be installed on a general-purpose information device to have a song gift distribution function.

The program is a music distribution server (in the embodiment, FIG. 1 (1)) connected via a communication network.
(Corresponding to the music distribution server 2 of the present invention), a step of receiving a gift music list from the list, music title information of the gift music selected from the received music list, and the gift music. And a step of transmitting a music gift request signal including transmission destination identification information (corresponding to a transmission destination mail address in the embodiment) for identifying the user terminal of the gift receiving destination to which the music delivery server is transmitted.

Next, FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram of data transmission / reception between the user terminal 3 and the music distribution server 2.
28 to 28, the operation of the music distribution server 2 in the music gift distribution system according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 25
At, when the user terminal transmits the data of the ID, password, and song gift request signal to the music distribution server (PC
1), the music distribution server that has received the data authenticates the song gift request (SV1). Then, the data of the song gift list screen is transmitted to the user terminal (SV2). The user terminal transmits the data of the song name designated by the operation from the song gift list screen to the music distribution server (P
C2). The music distribution server receiving this data transmits the gift confirmation screen data to the user terminal (SV3). When the user terminal receiving this data transmits the data of the OK signal to the music distribution server (PC3), the music distribution server receiving this data transmits the data of the destination input screen to the user terminal (SV4).

In FIG. 26, when the user terminal transmits the data of the destination mail address, the designated transmission date, and the message to the music distribution server (PC4), the music distribution server which receives this data sends the data of the transmission source input screen to the user. Send to the terminal (SV5). The user terminal receiving this data sends the data of the sender's mail address, address, and name to the music distribution server (PC5). Upon receiving this data, the music distribution server stores the data in the music distribution area (SV6) and charges the sender (SV).
7). Next, a receipt number is created (SV8), and the data of the gift completion screen is transmitted to the user terminal (SV9).

In FIG. 27, the music distribution server counts the current time (SV10) and determines whether or not the current time has reached the designated date and time in the music distribution data (SV11).
When the designated date and time is reached, a mail is created based on the destination mail address, the sender mail address, and the message data (SV12). The designated music data is added as an attached document to the created mail (SV13), and the expiration date data is further added (SV14). Then, the created mail is stored in the receiving mail area of the destination (SV15).

In FIG. 28, the destination user terminal is I
When the data of D, the password, and the mail reception request signal are transmitted to the music distribution server (PC6), the music distribution server receiving this data authenticates the mail reception request (S).
V16). Then, the data of the received mail list screen is transmitted to the user terminal (SV17). The user terminal receiving this data transmits the data of the mail list name designated by the user to the music distribution server (PC7). The music distribution server that receives this data transmits the mail data to the user terminal (SV8).

As described above, in the first embodiment, the music distribution server 2 receives from the arbitrary user terminal 3 the song name of the music piece for gift giving and the destination mail address for identifying the user terminal 3 of the gift giving destination. At this time, the mail data is transmitted to the user terminal 3 corresponding to the destination mail address as notification information indicating that the music gift is being presented. In this case, the song data for gift giving is transmitted as an attached document of the mail data. Therefore, according to an instruction from the user terminal 3 connected via the communication network 1, the music distribution server 2 can distribute the music piece to the terminal 3 of another user.

As is apparent from the above sequence diagram, the operation of the music distribution server for music gift distribution according to the first embodiment realizes the invention as a music gift distribution processing program independent of the hardware of the music distribution server. To do. That is, the program for this song gift distribution processing is installed in a general-purpose server via a storage medium such as a floppy disk, a CD, a magneto-optical disk, or the communication network 1 including the Internet shown in FIG. , It becomes possible to have a song gift distribution function.

The program is a customer terminal for requesting music distribution connected by a communication network (in the embodiment, FIG.
(Corresponding to the user terminal 3 in (1)), the title information of the music piece for gift giving, the customer terminal of the gift recipient (in the embodiment,
Destination identification information (corresponding to the user terminal 3 in FIG. 1A) (corresponding to the destination mail address in the embodiment), and transmission source identification information (identifying the customer terminal of the music distribution request) ( In the embodiment, a step of receiving a song gift request signal including (corresponding to the sender's email address), and notification information indicating the song gift to the customer terminal corresponding to the destination identification information of the received song gift request signal (In the first embodiment, this corresponds to the mail opening screen of FIG. 20,
In the second embodiment, the step of transmitting (corresponding to the mail opening screen of FIG. 33) is executed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the music gift delivering system according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The internal configuration of the user terminal 3 in the second embodiment is also the same as the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 (2). Therefore, the music distribution server 2 is connected with the music DB 4, the music distribution DB 5, the mail DB 6, and the charging DB 7 as in the first embodiment. However, the data structure of the mail DB 6 is different from that of the first embodiment. Second in FIG. 29
The data structure of mail DB6 in embodiment is shown. As shown in this figure, each mail in the mail DB 6 is composed of only a destination mail address, a sender mail address, and message data, and does not include music data and expiration date data.

Next, the operation of the user terminal in the second embodiment will be described. The main flow of the user terminal is the same as the main flow in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Further, the music gift presenting process and the music reproducing process in the main flow are the same as those in the first embodiment. However, the mail processing in the second embodiment is different from the processing in the first embodiment. Also, regarding the screens of the display unit 16 in the second embodiment, the same ones as those in the first embodiment will be described in a timely manner with reference to the drawings of the first embodiment.

30 to 32 are flowcharts of the mail processing of the user terminal in the second embodiment. First, the authentication screen shown in FIG. 10 in the first embodiment is displayed (step E1), and it is determined whether or not the ID and password data is input (step E2). When input, the input data is displayed in the corresponding area of the screen (step E3). Then, it is determined whether or not the transmission icon is turned on (step E4), and when it is turned on, the ID, password, and mail request signal displayed on the screen are transmitted to the music distribution server 2 (step E5). Then, it waits for the reception of the mail reception list from the music distribution server 2 (step E6). When the mail reception list is received, the screen of the mail reception list is displayed (step E7).

This mail reception list screen is the same as that of FIG. 11 in the first embodiment, and the list of the reception mails addressed to this user terminal 3 stored in the mail DB of the music distribution server 2 is displayed, and A mail creation icon for creating a sent mail and a cancel icon are displayed. Then, it is determined whether or not the mail creation icon is turned on (step E8), and when it is turned on, mail creation processing is performed (step E9). Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the cancel icon is turned on (step E
10) When turned on, this flow ends and returns to the main flow.

If neither the mail creation icon nor the cancel icon is on, step E1 of the flow in FIG.
In 1, it is determined whether or not any list name in the mail reception list displayed on the screen is clicked. If not clicked, step E7 in FIG.
Move to and display the mail reception list. When the list name is clicked, the mail name is sent to the music distribution server 2
(Step E12). Then, it waits for the reception of data of the mail opening screen of the mail name from the music distribution server 2 (step E13). When the data of the mail opening screen is received, that screen is displayed (step E1).
4).

FIG. 33 shows the mail opening screen. On this screen, the song title of the music gifted from the other user terminal 3 that is the sender, the message from the user, and the download page address for downloading the song data are displayed. Also, a return icon is displayed. And
It is determined whether or not the download page address is clicked (step E15), and if it is not clicked,
It is determined whether or not the return icon is turned on (step E16). When this icon is turned on, the process proceeds to step E7 in FIG. 30 to display the mail reception list.

On the other hand, when the download page address is clicked, the download page address is transmitted to the music distribution server 2 (step E17), and the download page screen data from the music distribution server 2 is waited for.
(Step E18). When receiving the data, determine whether the received data is the download page screen.
(Step E19) If the received data is a download page screen, that screen is displayed (step E2).
0). FIG. 34 shows the download page screen.

If the received data is not the download page screen, that is, if it is the expiration date screen, that screen is displayed (step E21). The expiration date screen is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 22, and a message indicating that the expiration date has expired and a return icon are displayed. Then, it is determined whether or not the return icon is turned on (step E22), and when it is turned on, the process proceeds to step E7 in FIG. 30 to display the mail reception list.

On the download page screen shown in FIG. 34, a password input area is displayed together with a message prompting the user to input a password, and an OK icon and a cancel icon are displayed. In the flow of FIG. 32, it is determined whether or not a password is input (step E23), and when it is input, the input data is converted into, for example, an asterisk symbol "*" and displayed (step E24). next,
It is determined whether or not the OK icon is turned on (step E
25) If it is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the cancel icon is turned on (step E26). When the cancel icon is turned on, step E in FIG.
Move to 7 and display the mail reception list.

When the OK icon is turned on, the password is transmitted (step E27), and the music distribution server 2
Waits for the data of the download screen from (Step E2
8). When this data is received, the download screen is displayed (step E29). FIG. 35 shows the download screen. On this screen, a download icon is displayed together with a message that the song data can be downloaded. Then, it is determined whether or not the download icon is turned on (step E30), and when it is turned on, a download request signal is transmitted (step E3).
1) Waiting for reception of music data (step E32).

When the song data is received, the song data is stored in the song data area of the RAM 14 (step E33). Then, when the storage of the music data is completed, an end signal is transmitted (step E34), and the reception of a response from the music distribution server 2 is waited for (step E35).
When the download completion screen is received from the music distribution server 2, that screen is displayed (step E36). Figure 3
6 shows a download completion screen. A return icon is displayed on this screen together with a message indicating that the download is completed and other messages. Then, it is determined whether or not the return icon is turned on (step E3
7) If turned on, the process moves to step E7 in FIG. 30 to display the mail reception list.

As described above, in the second embodiment,
The user terminal requests the music distribution server 2 to transmit the music piece for gift giving to the other user terminal 3, and the other user terminal 3 sends a mail from the music distribution server 2 as notification information indicating the music piece gift. When the data is received, the download page address added to the mail data is transmitted, and after the download page is received, the gift song data is downloaded from the music distribution server 2. Therefore, according to an instruction from the user terminal 3 connected via the communication network 1, the music distribution server 2 sends the terminal 3 of another user.
Can deliver music songs to.

Next, FIG. 37 is a sequence diagram of data transmission / reception between the user terminal 3 and the music distribution server 2.
39 to 39, the operation of the music distribution server 2 in the music gift distribution system according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 37
In, when the user terminal transmits the data of the ID, the password and the song gift request signal to the music distribution server (PC2
1), the music distribution server that has received the data authenticates the song gift request (SV21). Then, the data on the received mail list screen, which is the song gift list screen, is transmitted to the user terminal (SV22). The user terminal transmits the data of the mail name of the music title designated by the operation from the received mail list screen to the music distribution server (PC2
2). The music distribution server receiving this mail name transmits the mail data to the user terminal (SV23). When the user terminal receiving this mail data transmits the data of the download page address to the music distribution server (PC2
3) The music distribution server that receives this data specifies the corresponding music distribution data (SV24). Then, it is determined whether or not the current time has passed the expiration date of the music distribution data (SV25).

If the current time has passed the expiration date of the music distribution data, the data of the expiration date screen in FIG. 38 is transmitted to the user terminal (SV26). If the current time has not passed the expiration date of the music distribution data, the download screen data is transmitted to the user terminal (SV2
7). When the user terminal transmits the password to the music distribution server (PC24), the music distribution server receiving the password transmits the download screen data to the user terminal (SV28). The user terminal receiving this data transmits a download request signal to the music distribution server (PC
25). Upon receiving this request signal, the music distribution server specifies the music data corresponding to the music number of the music distribution data (S
V29), the music data is read and transmitted to the user terminal (SV30).

In FIG. 39, the music distribution server counts the current time (SV31) and determines whether or not the current time has reached the designated date and time in the music distribution data (SV32).
When the designated date and time is reached, the expiration date is calculated based on the transmission date (SV33). Next, a mail is created based on the destination mail address, the sender mail address, the reception number, and the expiration date (SV34). Then, the created mail is stored in the receiving mail area of the destination (SV
35).

As described above, in the second embodiment, the music distribution server 2 receives from the arbitrary user terminal 3 the song name of the music piece for gift giving and the destination mail address for identifying the user terminal 3 of the gift giving destination. At this time, the mail data, which is the notification information indicating the gift of the music, is transmitted to the user terminal 3 corresponding to the destination mail address. When the user terminal 3 that has received the mail data makes a download request for the song data, it is transmitted to the user terminal that has requested the download of the song data for gifts. Therefore, according to an instruction from the user terminal 3 connected via the communication network 1, the music distribution server 2 sends the terminal 3 of another user.
Can deliver music songs to.

[0060]

According to the present invention, a music piece can be distributed from a music distribution server to a terminal of another user according to an instruction from a user terminal connected via a communication network.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a music gift delivering system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a user terminal in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data configuration of each database in the music distribution server in FIG. 1 (1).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a RAM in FIG. 1 (2).

FIG. 4 is a main flowchart of the CPU of the user terminal in FIG. 1 (1).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a menu screen of a display unit of the user terminal according to the first embodiment.

6 is a flowchart of a music gift giving process in the main flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of music gift giving processing continued from FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of music gift giving processing continued from FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of music gift giving processing continued from FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an authentication screen on the display unit of the user terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a gift song list screen on the display unit of the user terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a gift confirmation screen on the display unit of the user terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a transmission destination input screen of the display unit of the user terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a transmission source input screen on the display unit of the user terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a gift completion screen on the display unit of the user terminal according to the first embodiment.

16 is a flowchart of mail processing in the main flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of mail processing subsequent to FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of mail processing following FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a mail reception list screen on the display unit of the user terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a mail opening screen of the display unit of the user terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a confirmation screen on the display unit of the user terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an expiration date screen of the display unit of the user terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of song reproduction processing in the main flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a music reproduction screen on the display unit of the user terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram of data transmission / reception between the user terminal and the music distribution server according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram following FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a sequence diagram following FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram following FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a view showing the data structure of a mail database of the music distribution server according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of mail processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of mail processing following FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of mail processing subsequent to FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a mail opening screen of the display unit of the user terminal according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a download page screen on the display unit of the user terminal according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a download screen of the display unit of the user terminal according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a download completion screen on the display unit of the user terminal according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a sequence diagram of data transmission / reception between a user terminal and a music distribution server according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a sequence diagram following FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a sequence diagram following FIG. 38.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 communication network 2 Music distribution server 3 user terminals 4 song database 5 song distribution database 6 mail database 7 Billing database 11 CPU 13 ROM 14 RAM 15 Operation part 16 Display 17 Communications Department

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. Receiving means for receiving a list of music songs for gift giving from a music distribution server connected via a communication network, and gift giving means selected from the list of music songs received by the receiving means. And a transmitting means for transmitting a music gift request signal including the music title information of the music music and the destination identification information for identifying the recipient's user terminal for transmitting the gift music music to the music distribution server. Gift delivery system. 2. The song gift requesting signal includes transmission date designation information that designates a date and time when the music distribution server transmits the gift music song. Song gift delivery system. 3. Music data for which a gift is requested by a mail opening means for opening the mail received by the receiving means, and the music distribution server added as an attached document of the mail opened by the mail opening means. In addition, when the expiration date added to the opened mail is past the current date and time, the mail opening means further includes opening restriction means for prohibiting the mail opening means from opening the attached document. The song gift distribution system according to claim 1. 4. The song title information of the music song for gift giving, the destination identification information for identifying the recipient customer terminal, and the song sending request customer terminal are identified from the song distribution request customer terminal connected by the communication network. Receiving means for receiving a song gift request signal including sender identification information, and notification information indicating that a song gift is given to a customer terminal corresponding to the destination identification information of the song gift request signal received by the receiving means. And a song gift distribution system having: 5. The reading means for reading the music data corresponding to the music title information of the music gift request signal received by the receiving means from a predetermined storage means, the transmitting means using the destination identification information. 5. The song gift distribution system according to claim 4, wherein the song data read by the reading means is transmitted to the corresponding customer terminal together with the notification information. 6. The read means for reading the music data corresponding to the music title information of the music gift request signal received by the receiving means from a predetermined storage means, and the transmitting means, the receiving means When the transmission request signal of the music data related to the notification information is received from the customer terminal that has received the notification information, the music data read from the storage means by the reading means is transmitted to the customer terminal that has received the notification information. The song gift distribution system according to claim 4, characterized in that. 7. The transmission means transmits the song data at a date and time designated by transmission date and time designation information included in the song gift request signal.
6. The song gift distribution system according to any one of 6 above. 8. The transmitting means includes the song data as an attached document of an email to be sent to a customer terminal corresponding to the destination identification information, and adds an expiration date for opening the attached document to the email. The song gift distribution system according to any one of claims 4 to 6. 9. A billing processing means for performing billing processing for the gift music piece to a customer terminal of the song distribution request based on the transmission source identification information of the song gift request signal received by the receiving means. The song gift distribution system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising: 10. A step of receiving a list of gift music songs from a music distribution server connected via a communication network, and song name information of the gift music songs selected from the received music song list. , And a step of transmitting a song gift request signal including destination identification information for identifying a recipient's user terminal that sends the gift music song, to the music delivery server. 11. The song title information of a music song for gift giving from a customer terminal of a song delivery request connected by a communication network, destination identification information for identifying the customer terminal of the recipient, and the customer terminal for requesting the song delivery. Receiving a song gift request signal including source identification information, and transmitting notification information indicating that the song gift is presented to the customer terminal corresponding to the destination identification information of the received song gift request signal, A song gift distribution processing program that executes. 12. A step of reading song data corresponding to the song name information of the received song gift distribution signal from a predetermined storage means, and song information read to a customer terminal corresponding to the destination identification information, the notification information. 12. The program of the music gift distribution process according to claim 11, further comprising: 13. A step of reading out music data corresponding to the music title information of the received music gift distribution signal from a predetermined storage means, and a request for transmitting music data related to the notification information from a customer terminal which has received the notification information. 12. The song gift distribution process according to claim 11, further comprising the step of, when a signal is received, a step of reading out song data related to the notification information from the storage means and transmitting the song data to the customer terminal that has received the notification information. Program of.