JP2004191701A - Music data distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide music data distribution service, by which not only the music data known to a user, but also unknown music data can be retrieved. <P>SOLUTION: The music data distribution system consists of a music distribution server 10 having a music information database 10a and a user terminal device 20 which is connected to the music distribution server 10 via a network 100. The user terminal device 20 searches the music information database 10a, with search items of one, two, or more of the title of music, the player, the performance period of time, the music collection, the music selecting person, and the image of music, and downloads the music data found according to the result of the retrieval from the music distribution server 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and a method for distributing music data via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Up to now, many systems for distributing music data and other digital contents have been proposed.
[0003]
For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2001-273298 (Patent Literature 1) proposes a digital content distribution system that searches digital content that meets a customer's request from a huge amount of digital content and distributes the digital content to the customer. In this digital content distribution system, the display screen of the user terminal device displays a keyword input area, a keyword list area, and a main area for displaying search results. The keyword input area is provided with selectable tags for designating the attributes of the keyword to be input. The input keywords are sequentially moved to the keyword list area, and a content search is performed by the keywords stored in the keyword list area. Is
[0004]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-63187 (Patent Document 2) proposes a content distribution method that enables efficient search of digital content. In this content distribution method, when content is transmitted from a content provider terminal used by a content provider, the content distribution device registers the content and receives a content provision request from the content user terminal. Then, the content information or the sample content relating to the content is transmitted to the content user terminal. The content user terminal attaches content attribute information that expresses the characteristics of the content information or the sample content to a part or all of the content character string, and transmits the content attribute information to the content distribution device. The content distribution device registers the content attribute information and transfers the content attribute information to the content provider terminal. The content provider terminal uses the content attribute information for content search.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-273298 A
[0006]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-63187
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, taking distribution of music data using a network as an example, selection of music data targets music by a known player or known music, and rarely targets unknown to a user.
[0008]
The distribution systems described in the above two publications also select or distribute those known to the user, and do not target those unknown to the user.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and provides a music data distribution system and a music data distribution method capable of searching not only music data known to a user but also unknown music data. The purpose is to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the present invention is a music distribution service system including a music distribution server including a music information database, and a plurality of user terminal devices connected to the music distribution server via a network, The user terminal device has a function of accessing the music information database and searching for music data information and a function of downloading music data from the music distribution server.The music distribution server, according to the search information received from the user terminal device, A music information database is searched, and a list of music data information matching the search information is transmitted to the user terminal device, and music data is transmitted to the user terminal device according to a request of the user of the user terminal device. A music data distribution system is provided.
[0011]
In the present music data distribution system, the music data information can be searched, for example, by any one or more of the title of the music, the player, the playing time, the music collection, the music selector, and the image of the music. .
[0012]
The present invention provides not only a music distribution service using a network but also a format such as selection by music or one CD. For example, a celebrity can arbitrarily select and create a music collection. By setting an image-like search key such as a drive, it is possible to select and download music by image.
[0013]
In addition to the music collection created by the celebrity, the user of the user terminal device can arbitrarily select and create the music collection and register it in the music information database via the network. Also in this case, similarly, by setting a search key based on an image and registering it as a music collection, another user can use it as an existing music collection in the same manner as a music collection created by a celebrity.
[0014]
Furthermore, when another user downloads a music collection created by the user himself / herself to the user terminal device via the network, points are given to the user, and the user can use the points at the next purchase of music data information. It is also possible to substitute for the price.
[0015]
Further, the present invention is a music data distribution method in a music distribution service system including a music distribution server having a music information database, and a plurality of user terminal devices connected to the music distribution server via a network, A first process in which the user terminal device accesses the music information database and searches for music data information, and a second process in which the user terminal device transmits search information indicating the searched music data information to the music distribution server. A third step in which the music distribution server searches the music information database according to the received search information and transmits a list of music data information matching the search information to the user terminal device; and A fourth step of transmitting music data to the user terminal device according to a request of the user of the terminal device; But, to provide a music data distribution method comprising: a fifth of the process of downloading the music data from the music distribution server, the.
[0016]
In the first step, the user of the user terminal device can search for music data information by any one or more of a song title, a player, a performance time, a song collection, a song selector, and a song image.
Further, the present music data distribution method can include a step in which a user of the user terminal device registers a music collection created by the user himself / herself in a music information database via a network.
[0017]
The music data distribution method further includes a step of giving a point to the user when the user downloads a music collection created by the user himself / herself to the user terminal device via the network. In this case, the user can substitute the points for the next purchase of the music data information.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a music data distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0019]
The music data distribution system according to the present embodiment includes a music information database 10a, a music distribution server 10 for a music data provider to distribute music data, and a user accessing the music distribution server 10 for music information distribution. It comprises a user terminal device 20 for searching the database 10a and obtaining desired music data, and the Internet and other networks 100 for interconnecting the music distribution server 10 and the user terminal device 20.
[0020]
The user terminal device 20 includes a personal computer and other information processing terminal devices.
[0021]
The user terminal device 20 accesses the music information database 10a provided in the music distribution server 10 in addition to the function of receiving the music data provided by the music distribution server 10 via the network 100, and It has a function of searching for information related to music data registered above (hereinafter referred to as “music data information”) and displaying the music data information on a screen.
[0022]
The music data information includes the title of the music, the player, the performance time, the music collection, the music selector, the image of the music, and other information on the music data. In addition to music-specific information, music collections created by celebrities in various fields are also included.
[0023]
The user terminal device 20 further has a function of transmitting a search key for a search of a tune, a player, an image, a music selector, and the like to the music distribution server 10 when searching for music data information. It has a function of transmitting personal information such as a payment method to the music distribution server 100 via the network 100.
[0024]
The music distribution server 10 is used by a provider of a music distribution service, and includes a workstation server and other information processing devices.
[0025]
The music distribution server 10 has a function of receiving a search key sent from the user terminal device 20 by a user operation, and performs a search of the music information database 10a based on the received search key. And a function of transmitting to the user terminal device 20 a music collection and a list of music collections matching the above, and a function of transmitting music data desired by the user of the user terminal device 20 to the user terminal device 20.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the music data distribution system according to the present embodiment having the above-described structure. Hereinafter, the operation of the music data distribution system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0027]
In the following description, it is assumed that the network 100 is the Internet.
[0028]
First, the user of the user terminal device 20 accesses a music data distribution homepage established on the Internet 100 by the music data provider via his / her own user terminal device 20 (step A1).
[0029]
In response, the music distribution server 10 sends a menu screen to the user terminal device 20 (step A2).
[0030]
The menu screen transmitted from the music distribution server 10 is displayed on the user terminal device 20 (step A3).
[0031]
An example of the menu screen 30 is shown in FIG. On the menu screen 30, a user name 31, a point column 32 (described later) acquired by the user so far are displayed, and an image search button 33 and an individual music selection button 34 are displayed.
[0032]
The user of the user terminal device 20 notifies the music distribution server 10 that the image search is selected by clicking the image search button 33 on the menu screen 30 displayed on the screen of the user terminal device 20 (step A4). ).
[0033]
When the image search is selected, the music distribution server 10 transmits an image search screen to the user terminal device 20 (Step A5).
[0034]
The user terminal device 20 receives the image search screen transmitted from the music distribution server 10 and displays it on the user terminal device 20 (step A6).
[0035]
An example of the image search screen 40 is shown in FIG. On the image search screen 40, a search key 41 for performing an image search, a music selector key 42, and a music list 43 are displayed in addition to the user name 31, the acquisition point column 32, and the image search button 33. Further, the image search screen 40 is provided with a return button 44, a purchase button 45, and a cancel button 46.
[0036]
The user of the user terminal device 20 operates the user terminal device 20 and inputs search conditions (step A7).
[0037]
As the search condition, both or one of the search key and the music selector can be input. In the example shown in FIG. 3, “entrance to school” is selected as the image search item, and “each world celebrity” is selected as the search item by the song selector.
[0038]
The user of the user terminal device 20 transmits the search condition to the music distribution server 10 by clicking the image search button 33 on the screen displayed on the user terminal device 20 and simultaneously searches the music distribution server 10 for music data information. (Step A8).
[0039]
The music distribution server 10 searches for music data information according to the given search condition (step A9).
[0040]
The music distribution server 10 transmits the music list of the music collection and the commentary of each music collection obtained as a result of the search to the user terminal device 20 (step A10).
[0041]
The user terminal device 20 sequentially displays the tune list and the commentary transmitted from the music distribution server 10, and the user checks the contents of the tune collection by watching the display (step A11).
[0042]
When the user decides the music collection to purchase, the user notifies the music distribution server 10 of the purchase decision by clicking the purchase button 45 (step A12).
[0043]
When receiving the notification of the purchase decision from the user terminal device 20, the music distribution server 10 sends out a purchase screen to the user terminal device 20 (step A13).
[0044]
The user terminal device 20 displays the purchase screen transmitted from the music distribution server 10 (Step A14).
[0045]
An example of the purchase screen 50 is shown in FIG. In the purchase screen 50, in addition to the user name 31, the acquired point column 32, and the return button 44, payment conditions 51 (purchase amount, points used this time, total payment amount (purchase amount-use points), payment method) , Remarks) are displayed. Further, the purchase screen 50 is provided with a decision button 52.
[0046]
The user of the user terminal device 20 inputs purchaser information based on the purchase screen 50 displayed on the user terminal device 20 (step A15).
[0047]
The user of the user terminal device 20 operates the user terminal device 20, confirms the input contents, and clicks the OK button 52 to send purchaser information to the music distribution server 10 (step A16).
[0048]
The music distribution server 10 performs a purchase acceptance process based on the received purchaser information (step A17).
[0049]
When the purchase acceptance is completed, the music distribution server 10 sends out the music data purchased by the user of the user terminal device 20 to the user terminal device 20 (Step A18).
[0050]
The user terminal device 20 receives the music data transmitted from the music distribution server 10 (step A19).
[0051]
Conventionally, only desired songs were collected from individually purchased CDs, or a medium in which songs were collected for each purpose was created by an individual. On the other hand, according to the music data distribution system according to the present embodiment, by creating and providing a collection of songs that can be searched by image, the purchaser can save time and effort in selecting songs, and Can also be selected.
[0052]
In addition, music can be purchased not only by directly searching for music and performers, but also by searching for images, which leads to a new fan base for the performers.
[0053]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a music data distribution system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0054]
The music data distribution system according to the present embodiment includes a music information database 10a and a customer information database 10b, and a music distribution server 10A for a music data provider to distribute music data, and a user for a music distribution server 10A. A first user terminal device 20a and a second user terminal device 20b for accessing, searching the music information database 10a, and obtaining desired music data; a music distribution server 10A; a first user terminal device 20a; And the Internet and other networks 100 interconnecting the terminal device 20b.
[0055]
The structures of the first user terminal device 20a and the second user terminal device 20b are the same as the user terminal device 20 in the first embodiment.
[0056]
In the music data distribution system according to the present embodiment, a point that a user creates and registers a music collection by himself and that another user downloads the music collection give points to the user who created the music collection. This is different from the music data distribution system according to the first embodiment.
[0057]
Reflecting this difference, the music distribution server 10A has a function of registering a music collection transmitted from the user terminal device 20a or 20b, as well as a function of performing music data distribution and charging management. And a customer management function for giving points to the first user when the second user downloads a music collection created by the user. To implement this customer management function, the music distribution server 10A is provided with a customer information database 10b in addition to the music information database 10a.
[0058]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a communication status between the music distribution server 10A and the user of the second user terminal device 20b in the music data distribution system according to the present embodiment.
[0059]
Hereinafter, the operation of the music data distribution system according to the present embodiment between the music distribution server 10A and the user of the second user terminal device 20b will be described with reference to FIG.
[0060]
First, the user of the second user terminal device 20b accesses the music data distribution homepage established on the Internet 100 by the music data provider via his / her second user terminal device 20b (step B1).
[0061]
In response, the music distribution server 10A transmits a menu screen 30 as shown in FIG. 2 to the second user terminal device 20b (step B2).
[0062]
The menu screen 30 sent from the music distribution server 10A is displayed on the second user terminal device 20b (step B3).
[0063]
The user of the second user terminal device 20b clicks the individual music selection button 34 on the menu screen 30 displayed on the second user terminal device 20b, and notifies the music distribution server 10A that the individual music selection has been selected (step B4). .
[0064]
When the individual music selection is selected by the second user terminal device 20b, the music distribution server 10A sends out an individual music selection screen (step B5).
[0065]
The second user terminal device 20b receives the individual music selection screen transmitted from the music distribution server 10A, and displays the individual music selection screen on the display screen (step B6).
[0066]
An example of the individual music selection screen 60 is shown in FIG. The individual song selection screen 60 includes a user name 31, an acquisition point column 32, a return button 44, an individual song selection button 34, a song list 43, a purchase button 45, a cancel button 46, and a registration button 61. Is displayed.
[0067]
The user of the second user terminal device 20b operates the second user terminal device 20b to select a song from the song list 43 (step B7).
[0068]
The user of the second user terminal device 20b operates the second user terminal device 20b, confirms the selected music content, and clicks the purchase button 45 to notify the music distribution server 10A of the purchase (step B8). .
[0069]
When receiving the notification of the purchase decision from the second user terminal device 20b, the music distribution server 10A sends the purchase screen 50 shown in FIG. 4 (step B9).
[0070]
The second user terminal device 20b displays the received purchase screen 50 on the display screen.
[0071]
The user of the second user terminal device 20b inputs purchaser information based on the purchase screen 50 displayed on the second user terminal device 20b (step B10).
[0072]
The user of the second user terminal device 20b operates the second user terminal device 20b, confirms the input contents, and clicks the determination button 52. When the determination button 52 is clicked, the second user terminal device 20b sends the input purchaser information to the music distribution server 10A (step B11).
[0073]
The music distribution server 10A performs a purchase acceptance process based on the received purchaser information (step B12).
[0074]
When the purchase acceptance is completed, the music distribution server 10A sends out the music data specified by the user to the second user terminal device 20b (step B13).
[0075]
The second user terminal device 20b receives the music data transmitted from the music distribution server 10A (step B14).
[0076]
After receiving the music data, the second user terminal device 20b again displays the individual music selection screen 60 (see FIG. 7).
[0077]
The user of the second user terminal device 20b operates the second user terminal device 20b and clicks the registration button 61 to notify the music distribution server 10A of the registration of the created music list (step B15).
[0078]
Upon receiving the music list notification from the second user terminal device 20b, the music distribution server 10A sends out a music collection registration screen (step B16).
[0079]
The second user terminal device 20b receives and displays the music collection registration screen transmitted from the music distribution server 10A (step B17).
[0080]
FIG. 8 shows an example of the music collection registration screen 70. On the music collection registration screen 70, a registration button 71, a title column 72, a search key 73, and a comment column 74 are displayed in addition to the user name 31, the acquisition point column 32, the song list 43, and the return button 44. .
[0081]
The user of the second user terminal device 20b operates the second user terminal device 20b, and inputs necessary items into the search key 72 and the comment column 74 (step B18).
[0082]
Next, the user of the second user terminal device 20b operates the second user terminal device 20b, confirms the input contents, and clicks the registration button 71 to instruct the music distribution server 10A to register a music collection. (Step B19).
[0083]
When receiving the music collection registration instruction from the second user terminal device 20b, the music distribution server 10A registers the input music list in the music information database 10a and simultaneously registers the music collection creation information in the customer information database 10b. (Step B20).
[0084]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a communication status between the music distribution server 10A and the user of the first user terminal device 20a in the music data distribution system according to the present embodiment.
[0085]
Hereinafter, the operation of the music data distribution system according to the present embodiment between the music distribution server 10A and the user of the first user terminal device 20a will be described with reference to FIG.
[0086]
The user of the first user terminal device 20a accesses a music data distribution homepage established on the Internet 100 by the music data provider via his / her first user terminal device 20a (step C1).
[0087]
In response, the music distribution server 10A sends a menu screen 30 as shown in FIG. 2 to the first user terminal device 20a (step C2).
[0088]
In the first user terminal device 20a, the menu screen 30 sent from the music distribution server 10A is displayed on the display screen (step C3).
[0089]
The user of the first user terminal device 20a selects the image search on the music distribution server 10A by clicking the image search button 33 on the menu screen 30 displayed on the display screen of the first user terminal device 20a. Is notified (step C4).
[0090]
When the image search is selected, the music distribution server 10A transmits an image search screen to the first user terminal device 20a (Step C5).
[0091]
The first user terminal device 20a receives the image search screen transmitted from the music distribution server 10A and displays it on the display screen of the first user terminal device 20a (step C6).
[0092]
An example of the image search screen 80 is shown in FIG. The image search screen 80 is similar to the image search screen 40 shown in FIG. 3, and includes a user name 31, an acquisition point column 32, an image search button 33, a search key 41 for performing an image search, a music selector key 42, The music list 43 is displayed. Further, on the image search screen 80, a return button 44, a purchase button 45, and a cancel button 46 are provided.
[0093]
The user of the first user terminal device 20a operates the first user terminal device 20a and inputs search conditions (step C7).
[0094]
As the search condition, both or one of the search key 41 and the music selector key 42 can be input.
[0095]
The user of the first user terminal device 20a transmits the search condition to the music distribution server 10A by clicking the image search button 33 of the image search screen 80 displayed on the first user terminal device 20a, (Step C8).
[0096]
The music distribution server 10A performs a search according to the given search condition (step C9).
[0097]
The music distribution server 10A transmits, to the first user terminal device 20a, the music list of the music collection obtained as a result of the search and a description of each music collection (step C10).
[0098]
The first user terminal device 20a sequentially displays the music list and the description transmitted from the music distribution server 10A, and the user of the first user terminal device 20a confirms the content (step C11).
[0099]
The user of the first user terminal device 20a determines a music collection to be purchased, and notifies the music distribution server 10A of the purchase determination by clicking the purchase button 45 (step C12).
[0100]
Upon receiving the notification of the purchase decision from the first user terminal device 20a, the music distribution server 10A sends a purchase screen 50 as shown in FIG. 4 to the first user terminal device 20a (step C13).
[0101]
The first user terminal device 20a displays the purchase screen 50 transmitted from the music distribution server 10A (step C14).
[0102]
The user of the first user terminal device 20a inputs purchaser information based on the purchase screen 50 displayed on the display screen of the first user terminal device 20a (step C15).
[0103]
Next, the user of the first user terminal device 20a operates the first user terminal device 20a, confirms the input contents, and clicks the OK button 52 to transmit purchaser information to the music distribution server 10A. (Step C16).
[0104]
The music distribution server 10A performs a purchase acceptance process based on the received purchaser information (step C17).
[0105]
The music distribution server 10A performs a process of giving points to the music book creator following the purchase acceptance (step C18).
[0106]
When the point distribution process is completed, the music distribution server 10A transmits the music data and the acquired points to the first user terminal device 20a (Step C19).
[0107]
The first user terminal device 20a receives the music data transmitted from the music distribution server 10A. The points obtained by the user of the first user terminal device 20a are displayed in the point column 32 of each screen. The user of the first user terminal device 20a can use the points thus obtained as a fund for purchasing the next music data.
[0108]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the music data distribution system and the music data distribution method according to the present invention, not only a format such as selection by music or one CD, but also, for example, a celebrity arbitrarily selects and creates a music collection. By enabling music selection and setting a search key based on a specific image, music selection and download using an image can be performed.
[0109]
In addition to the music collection created by the celebrity, the user of the user terminal device can arbitrarily select and create the music collection and register it in the music information database via the network. Also in this case, similarly, by setting a search key based on an image and registering it as a music collection, another user can use it as an existing music collection in the same manner as a music collection created by a celebrity.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a music data distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image search screen.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a purchase screen.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the music data distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a music data distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an individual music selection screen.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a music collection registration screen.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image search screen 80.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the music data distribution system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the music data distribution system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 10A music distribution server
10a Music information database
10b Customer information database
20 User terminal device
20a first user terminal device
20b Second user terminal device
100 networks
30 Menu screen
40 Image search screen
50 Purchase screen
60 Individual song selection screen
70 Music Collection Registration Screen
80 Image search screen

Claims (8)

A music distribution server having a music information database;
A plurality of user terminal devices connected to the music distribution server via a network,
Music data distribution system comprising:
The user terminal device has a function of accessing the music information database, searching for music data information, and a function of downloading music data from the music distribution server.
According to the search information received from the user terminal device, the music distribution server performs a search of the music information database, and transmits a list of music data information that matches the search information to the user terminal device, A music data distribution system for transmitting music data to the user terminal device according to a request of a user of the user terminal device. The music according to claim 1, wherein the music data information is searchable by any one or more of a song title, a player, a performance time, a song collection, a song selector, and a song image. Data distribution system. 3. The music data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein a user of the user terminal device can register a music collection created by the user himself / herself in the music information database via the network. 4. . When another user downloads a music collection created by the user himself / herself to the user terminal device via the network, a point is given to the user, and the user receives the point for the next music data information. 4. The music data distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the music data distribution system can be used as a price when purchasing. A music distribution server having a music information database;
A plurality of user terminal devices connected to the music distribution server via a network,
Music data distribution method in a music distribution service system comprising:
A first process in which the user terminal device accesses the music information database and searches for music data information;
A second process in which the user terminal device transmits search information indicating the searched music data information to the music distribution server;
A third process in which the music distribution server performs a search of the music information database according to the received search information and transmits a list of music data information that matches the search information to the user terminal device;
A fourth step in which the music distribution server transmits music data to the user terminal device according to a request of a user of the user terminal device in advance;
A fifth step in which the user terminal device downloads music data from the music distribution server;
Music data distribution method comprising: In the first process, the user of the user terminal device searches for the music data information by any one or more of a song title, a player, a playing time, a song collection, a song selector, and a song image. The music data distribution method according to claim 5, wherein: The music data distribution according to claim 5, further comprising a step of registering a music collection created by the user of the user terminal device by the user himself / herself in the music information database via the network. Method. When another user downloads a music collection created by the user himself / herself to the user terminal device via the network, the music distribution server further includes a step of giving the user points. The music data distribution method according to claim 7, wherein the points can be used as a price when purchasing music data information next time.

Images