JP2006201389A - Play-back apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To play back two or more music data in order using a schedule data without spoiling association of music. <P>SOLUTION: In the schedule data 50, two or more attribute parameters showing attributes of music are defined in each play-back order as a selecting condition for selecting the music data 40 for play-back. A PC30 refers to the schedule data and selects the music data 40 matching the selecting condition in each play-back order out of the music data 40 stored in an HD308 and a server 10. Then, the PC30 sequentially plays back the music data 40 selected in each play-back order. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for reproducing a plurality of song data in order according to schedule data.

For example, Patent Document 1 receives a plurality of performance data for BGM (Back Ground Music) and schedule data that defines the BGM broadcast order, broadcast frequency, broadcast time zone, and the like from the distribution center 10 and schedules. A BGM device 21 that broadcasts BGM in order according to data is described.
JP 2001-358670 A

  By the way, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, as described in FIG. 2 or 4 of the same document, a unique identifier for each BGM such as “BGM1” to “BGM5” is used in the schedule data. Thus, the BGM broadcast order and the broadcast time zone are determined. Therefore, for example, although the schedule data and the performance data “BGM1” to “BGM3” can be normally received, the performance data “BGM4” and “BGM5” are received due to the congestion of the communication network or the failure of the distribution center 10. If not, the BGM device 21 cannot reproduce “BGM4” and “BGM5”. In such a case, the BGM device 21 skips to the next order when the order of broadcasting “BGM4” or “BGM5” comes when broadcasting the BGM in the order specified in the schedule data. Or select an alternative BGM from the BGM stored in the memory 21a and broadcast it.

  However, if skipping in the next order, the BGM connection (flow) before and after skipping may become unnatural. Also, when broadcasting alternative BGM, the schedule data includes only a unique identifier for each BGM, as described above, so that the tone of music is similar to “BGM4” or “BGM5”, for example. BGM cannot be selected. Therefore, as in the case of skipping in the next order, the connection of BGM may become unnatural before and after the alternative BGM is broadcast. If the BGM broadcasting order set in the schedule data cannot be maintained in this way, the atmosphere or the like intended to be given to the listener by sequentially broadcasting a series of BGMs intended by the person who created the schedule data is impaired. It will be.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and an object thereof is to enable a plurality of pieces of music data to be reproduced in order using schedule data without losing the connection of music.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a storage means for storing a plurality of song data to which attribute information indicating the attribute of a song is assigned, and a selection condition for selecting song data to be reproduced based on the attribute information. By referring to the schedule data determined for each reproduction order, and for each reproduction order, selection means for selecting music data that matches the selection condition from among the music data stored in the storage means, and the selection means There is provided a playback device comprising playback means for playing back music data selected for each playback order in order according to the playback order.

  In the above configuration, when the communication means that communicates with an external device that stores a plurality of song data to which the attribute information is assigned and the song data that matches the selection condition are not stored in the storage means, the selection is performed. Acquisition means for acquiring from the external device, using the communication means, music data that meets the selection condition for which music data could not be selected by the means, and the playback means is configured to use the selection means and the acquisition means. The music data selected or acquired for each reproduction order may be reproduced in order according to the reproduction order. The selection condition may include a condition that must be satisfied when music data is selected and a condition that may be approximated. Further, the playback apparatus may include an input unit for inputting the schedule data and a creation unit for creating the schedule data.

  According to the present invention, the playback device refers to the schedule data, selects the song data that meets the selection condition for each playback order from the song data stored in the storage means, and selects the plurality of selected song data. Play in order according to the playback order.

  In addition, the present invention provides a communication means for communicating with an external device that stores a plurality of pieces of song data to which attribute information indicating song attributes is assigned, and a selection condition for selecting song data to be reproduced based on the attribute information. Refers to the schedule data determined for each playback order, and acquires, for each playback order, music data that meets the selection condition from the external device using the communication unit, and the playback by the acquisition means. There is provided a playback device including playback means for playing back music data acquired in each order in order according to the playback order.

  According to the present invention, the playback device refers to the schedule data, acquires music data that matches the selection condition for each playback order from the external device, and plays back the plurality of acquired music data in order according to the playback order.

  Further, the present invention refers to schedule data in which a selection condition for selecting a piece of music data to be played back based on attribute information indicating a song attribute is determined for each playback order, and for each playback order, A selection unit that selects a plurality of song data that matches the selection condition from among the song data that is stored in the memory and that has the attribute information, and the song data that is selected for each playback order by the selection unit. A program is provided for functioning as a playback unit that plays back in order according to the playback order.

  Further, the present invention selects a computer based on the attribute information and communication means for communicating with an external device that stores a plurality of song data to which attribute information indicating the attribute of the song is assigned. Acquisition means for acquiring, from the external device, music data that matches the selection condition for each reproduction order, with reference to schedule data determined for each reproduction order, and for each reproduction order; Provides a program for causing the music data acquired for each playback order to function as playback means for sequentially playing back the music data according to the playback order.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reproduce a plurality of song data in order using schedule data without losing the connection of songs.

[A. Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system. In the figure, the server 10 stores a large number of song data 40 and schedule data 50. A PC (Personal Computer) 30 can download music data 40 and schedule data 50 from the server 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each piece of music data 40 stored in the server 10 includes a header consisting of a total of five attribute parameters of “brightness”, “tempo”, “age”, “genre”, and “country”. The information 40a and the music data body 40b are configured. Each attribute parameter represents the attribute of the song, and “brightness” and “tempo” indicate that the song is brighter or faster, as the value increases. . “Year” indicates the time when the song was announced. The parameter value is “90” if the song was released in the 1990s, and the parameter value is “00” if the song was released in the 2000s. " As shown in the figure, the song data main body 40b includes identification information (for example, song ID and song name information) for identifying the song. The header information 40a may be embedded in the music data body 40b using a tag, for example.

  The schedule data 50 stored in the server 10 is data that defines the reproduction order of the song data 40, but the song IDs and song name information are not arranged in accordance with the reproduction order, as shown in FIG. In addition, the data table includes a “No.” column, an “attribute parameter” column, and an “evaluation condition” column. Here, in the “No.” column, a numerical value indicating the reproduction order is stored. The “attribute parameter” field stores the values of five attribute parameters indicating the attributes of the music data 40 described above. The “evaluation condition” column stores an evaluation condition for each attribute parameter. The contents of the schedule data 50 are determined by, for example, a music coordinator. The schedule data 50 is downloaded from the server 10 to the PC 30 via the Internet 20, and the PC 30 refers to the schedule data 50 and displays the “attribute parameter” column and “ The music data 40 that meets the conditions defined in the “Evaluation conditions” column is selected.

  The evaluation condition defines whether or not each attribute parameter is an absolute condition for selecting the song data 40. In the case of “absolute”, the parameter value is completely identical to the parameter value. In the case of “approximate”, it is indicated that a relatively close value is sufficient even if it does not completely match the parameter value. For example, when the song data 40 having the first playback order is selected using the schedule data 50 shown in FIG. 3, the evaluation conditions are “absolute” because “genre” and “country”. The music data 40 in which “genre” is “jazz” and “country” is “Japan” is primarily extracted from a plurality of music data 40 downloaded from the server 10 in advance. Next, the PC 30 selects the song data 40 closest to “brightness” of “50”, “tempo” of “120”, and “age” of “90” from the song data 40 extracted primarily.

Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PC 30.
In the figure, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301 controls each part of the PC 30 by executing a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302 or an HD (Hard Disk) 308. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 303 is used as a work area of the CPU 301, and is used as a buffer for temporarily storing music data 40 and schedule data 50 downloaded from the server 10, for example. The communication interface 304 controls communication with the server 10 under the control of the CPU 301. The operation unit 305 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The display unit 306 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. The sound processing unit 307 includes a PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) sound source, a D / A (Digital / Analog) converter, an amplifier, and the like, reproduces music data 40, and outputs musical sounds and sounds from a speaker (not shown). .

  The HD 308 stores schedule data 50 downloaded from the server 10 in addition to application software (program) for controlling music selection processing (see FIG. 5) and playback processing (see FIG. 8), which will be described later. The music data storage area 308a is provided in the HD 308, and the music data 40 downloaded from the server 10 is stored in the music data storage area 308a. Each piece of music data 40 downloaded from the server 10 has the data structure shown in FIG. 2, and is given header information 40a.

Next, operations of the server 10 and the PC 30 will be described.
First, schedule data 50 (see FIG. 2) created by a music coordinator or the like is stored in the server 10. As for the creation of the schedule data 50, for example, first, a list in which specific song name information is arranged according to the playback order is created, and each song data 40 corresponding to the corresponding song data 40 is created for each playback order based on this list. The schedule data 50 can be created by examining the value of the attribute parameter.

  When the list data described above is input, the song data 40 is analyzed for each reproduction order to obtain parameter values for “brightness” and “tempo”, and detailed information about the individual song data 40 is accumulated. The server 10 may be provided with a function of automatically creating the schedule data 50 by acquiring parameter values for “age”, “genre”, and “country” from the server being used. The schedule data 50 stored in the server 10 in this way is downloaded to the PC 30 in response to a request from the PC 30 and stored in the HD 308. Further, the PC 30 can download the song data 40 from the server 10 and accumulates the downloaded song data 40 in the song data storage area 308a.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the music selection process executed in the PC 30. This music selection process is executed by the CPU 301 when the operation unit 305 is operated by the user and a reproduction process of the music data 40 using the schedule data 50 is instructed. As shown in the figure, first, the CPU 301 reads the schedule data 50 from the HD 308 (step S101). Next, the CPU 301 sets and initializes the reproduction order value N to “0” (step S102), and then increments the reproduction order value N (step S103). Thereafter, the CPU 301 acquires the Nth music selection condition in the reproduction order in the schedule data 50 (step S104). That is, the CPU 301 specifies information in the “attribute parameter” field and the “evaluation condition” field whose playback order is Nth in the schedule data 50, and acquires this.

  Next, the CPU 301 selects, from the song data 40 stored in the song data storage area 308a, the song data 40 having the Nth playback order using the song selection conditions acquired in step S104 (step S105). Here, the processing in step S105 will be specifically described. For example, when the song data 40 having the first reproduction order in the schedule data 50 shown in FIG. 3 is selected, the evaluation condition is “absolute” because “genre” ”And“ country ”, the CPU 301 firstly sets“ genre ”to“ jazz ”and“ country ”to“ Japan ”from the song data 40 stored in the song data storage area 308a. The music data 40 is primarily extracted. Next, the CPU 301 selects the song data 40 closest to “brightness” of “50”, “tempo” of “120”, and “age” of “90” from the song data 40 that has been primarily extracted.

  Here, when the song data 40 closest to “brightness” “50”, “tempo” “120”, and “age” “90” is selected from the song data 40 that has been primarily extracted, the CPU 301 For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a radar chart (graph) for “brightness”, “tempo”, and “age” is generated. In the drawing, a triangle 70A indicated by a bold line is a triangle representing “brightness” “50”, “tempo” “120”, and “age” “90” as selection criteria. Triangles 70B and 70C indicated by dotted lines are triangles representing “brightness”, “tempo”, and “age” of the primary extracted music data 40 (2 music). On the radar chart created in this way, the CPU 301 selects the music data 40 closest to the triangle 70A whose triangle shape and size are the selection criteria from the music data 40 extracted primarily. For example, in FIG. 6, the triangle 70C is closest in shape and size to the triangle 70A serving as a selection criterion. Therefore, this triangle 70C, that is, “brightness” is “40” and “tempo” is “100”. The song data 40 whose “age” is “90”, “genre” is “jazz”, and “country” is “Japan” is selected as the song data 40 to be reproduced.

  Of course, without using a radar chart as shown in FIG. 6, for a plurality of attribute parameters for which “approximate” is designated as the evaluation condition, a difference from the parameter value serving as a selection criterion is obtained for each attribute parameter, and the average is obtained. A configuration in which the music data 40 having the lowest value can be selected.

  If the music data 40 that meets the music selection conditions acquired in step S104 is not stored in the music data storage area 308a, the PC 30 transmits the music selection conditions to the server 10 and the music data 40 that meets the music selection conditions from the server 10. Can also be downloaded. In this case, the server 10 selects the music data 40 that meets the selection condition received from the PC 30 from among the stored music data 40 and transmits the music data 40 to the PC 30.

  When the music data 40 with the Nth playback order is selected in this way, the CPU 301 then acquires identification information (song ID or song name information) of the selected music data 40 and corresponds to the playback order value N. In addition, it is additionally registered in the reproduction order list 60 shown in FIG. 7 (step S106). After that, the CPU 301 compares the reproduction order value N with the last numerical value in the “No.” column defined in the schedule data 50, and plays the music until the last reproduction order defined in the schedule data 50. It is determined whether or not the selection of the data 40 has been completed (step S107). As a result, when the CPU 301 has not finished selecting the song data 40 until the last reproduction order (step S107: NO), the CPU 301 returns to step S103. When the CPU 301 has finished selecting the song data 40 until the last playback order (step S107: YES), the CPU 301 ends the music selection process.

  Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the reproduction process executed in the PC 30. This reproduction process is executed by the CPU 301 in parallel with the music selection process when the music data 40 having the first reproduction order is selected in the music selection process (see FIG. 5). As shown in the figure, when the reproduction process is started, the CPU 301 first reads out the reproduction order list 60 shown in FIG. 7 from the HD 308 (step S201). Next, the CPU 301 sets the reproduction order value M to “0” and initializes it (step S202), and then increments the reproduction order value M (step S203).

  Thereafter, the CPU 301 obtains the M-th song ID having the reproduction order from the reproduction order list 60, and reads the song data 40 corresponding to the song ID from the song data storage area 308a (step S204). Then, the CPU 301 transfers the read music data 40 to the sound processing unit 307, and starts the reproduction processing of the music data 40 using the sound processing unit 307 (step S205). Thereafter, the CPU 301 monitors whether or not the music data 40 has been reproduced (step S206). If the music data 40 has not been reproduced (step S206: NO), the music data 40 is subsequently reproduced. Monitor whether or not

  When the music data 40 has been reproduced (step S206: YES), the CPU 301 determines whether or not the content of the reproduction order list 60 has been updated by the music selection process performed in parallel (step S207). If the playback order list 60 has not been updated (step S207: NO), the process proceeds to step S209. If the playback order list 60 has been updated (step S207: YES), the CPU 301 reads the updated playback order list 60 from the HD 308 (step S208). Then, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the reproduction to the last song defined in the reproduction order list 60 has been completed (step S209). As a result, if the CPU 301 has not finished playing the final song (step S209: NO), the CPU 301 returns to step S203. In addition, when the CPU 301 has finished playing the final song (step S209: YES), the music selection process is finished.

  As described above, in the schedule data 50, as a selection condition for selecting the music data 40 to be reproduced, a plurality of attribute parameters indicating the attributes of the music are defined for each reproduction order. The PC 30 refers to the schedule data 50 and selects the music data 40 that meets the selection condition from the music data 40 stored in the music data storage area 308a for each playback order. Then, the PC 30 reproduces the song data 40 selected for each reproduction order in order according to the reproduction order.

  As described above, the PC 30 refers to the schedule data 50 and selects, from the song data 40 stored in the song data storage area 308a, the song data 40 having the same or similar tune or genre for each playback order. Therefore, even if the communication with the server 10 is interrupted due to congestion of the communication network or a failure of the server 10 and the music data 40 cannot be downloaded, the playback order is skipped or the music tone is changed. A completely different substitute song is never played. Therefore, a plurality of song data 40 can be reproduced in order using the schedule data 50 without losing the connection of the songs.

  In addition, in the schedule data 50, it is possible to individually specify whether a plurality of attribute parameters set as selection conditions are to be absolute conditions or approximate conditions, so various selection conditions can be easily set. Can be set. Of course, parameter values such as “brightness” and “tempo” may be configured such that values in an allowable range such as “50 to 80” can be determined.

  The PC 30 (computer) executes the music selection process (see FIG. 5) and the playback process (see FIG. 8) according to the present invention in accordance with the program installed in the HD 308. This program is transmitted to the PC 30 by communication. May be installed in the HD 308. The program may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[B. Modified example]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, basically, the music data 40 stored in the music data storage area 308a is selected as a selection candidate, and the music data 40 matching the selection condition is not stored in the music data storage area 308a. Only in such a case, the music data 40 that meets the selection condition is newly downloaded from the server 10 (external device). However, the configuration may be such that the song data 40 that meets the selection condition is not selected from the song data 40 stored in the song data storage area 308a, but is always downloaded from the server 10 and acquired.

(2) In addition to the attribute parameters shown in FIG. 2, for example, attribute parameters indicating the presence or absence of lyrics and the gender of the vocalist may be given to the music data 40. Further, a plurality of types of schedule data 50 may be prepared corresponding to time zones, days of the week, seasons, and the like. Moreover, the server which transmits the music data 40 and the server which transmits the schedule data 50 may be provided separately. Further, the communication between the server 10 and the PC 30 may be performed via a public switched telephone network or a dedicated line, or via a mobile packet communication network, a wireless public local area network (LAN), a communication satellite, or the like. May be. The present invention can also be applied to a mobile phone having a music data playback function and a portable MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3) player.

  In addition, the present invention is a playback device that is installed in a store such as a convenience store, receives schedule data together with a plurality of song data from a distribution center, plays back a plurality of song data in order according to the schedule data, and broadcasts BGM in the store Can be applied to. In addition, in a playback device that plays back music data streamed from a distribution center, schedule data 50 is stored in the playback device in case the streaming delivery is interrupted due to congestion of the communication network or failure of the delivery server. When the streaming distribution is interrupted, the music data 40 matching the selection condition is read from the music data storage area 308a for each reproduction order with reference to the schedule data 50, and the plurality of read music data 40 are sequentially ordered according to the reproduction order. You may replay it.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the schedule data 50 is received from the server 10 has been described. For example, the schedule data 50 is recorded and distributed on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. The schedule data 50 may be read from the medium and stored in the HD 308. Of course, in this case, the PC 30 needs to include a recording medium drive for reading the schedule data 50 recorded on the recording medium. Thus, the schedule data 50 can be input to the PC 30 by receiving from the server 10 (external device) or reading from the recording medium.

  Further, the PC 30 may have a function for creating the schedule data 50. That is, in the PC 30, the user can create the schedule data 50 shown in FIG. 2 while operating the operation unit 305. Also, for example, when list data in which specific song name information is arranged in order in accordance with the playback order is input, the PC 30 analyzes the corresponding song data 40 for each playback order and analyzes “brightness” and “tempo”. The schedule data 50 is created by obtaining parameter values for “age”, “genre”, and “country” from a server in which detailed information about individual song data 40 is accumulated, etc. May be. Further, when the schedule data 50 is created in the PC 30 as described above, the user operates the operation unit 305 to determine whether each attribute parameter set as the selection condition is an absolute condition or an approximate condition. Can be specified.

It is a figure which shows the structure of a communication system. 3 is a diagram showing a data configuration of song data 40. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the schedule data. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC30. It is a flowchart of the music selection process performed in PC30. It is a radar chart about a plurality of attribute parameters for which “approximation” is designated as an evaluation condition. 6 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a reproduction order list 60. FIG. It is a flowchart of the reproduction | regeneration processing performed in PC30.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Server, 20 ... Internet, 30 ... PC, 40 ... Song data, 40a ... Header information, 40b ... Song data main body, 50 ... Schedule data, 60 ... Playback order list, 301 ... CPU, 302 ... ROM, 303 ... RAM 304, a communication interface, 305, an operation unit, 306, a display unit, 307, a sound processing unit, 308, HD, 308a, a song data storage area.

Claims (8)

Storage means for storing a plurality of song data to which attribute information indicating the attribute of the song is assigned;
Reference is made to schedule data in which selection conditions for selecting music data to be reproduced based on the attribute information are determined for each reproduction order, and music data matching the selection conditions is stored in the storage means for each reproduction order Selection means for selecting from among the song data being recorded,
A reproducing apparatus comprising: reproducing means for reproducing the music data selected by the selecting means for each reproduction order in order according to the reproduction order. A communication unit that communicates with an external device that stores a plurality of pieces of music data to which the attribute information is attached;
If music data that matches the selection condition is not stored in the storage means, music data that meets the selection condition for which music data could not be selected by the selection means is acquired from the external device using the communication means. An acquisition means,
The playback device according to claim 1, wherein the playback unit plays back the song data selected or acquired by the selection unit and the acquisition unit in each playback order in order according to the playback order. The playback apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection condition includes a condition that must be satisfied when selecting music data and a condition that should be approximated. The playback apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising input means for inputting the schedule data. The playback apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a creation unit that creates the schedule data. A communication means for communicating with an external device that stores a plurality of song data to which attribute information indicating the attribute of the song is assigned;
Reference is made to schedule data in which selection conditions for selecting music data to be reproduced based on the attribute information are determined for each reproduction order, and for each reproduction order, music data that meets the selection conditions is used for the communication means. Acquiring means for acquiring from the external device;
A playback device comprising: playback means for playing back the song data acquired by the acquisition means for each playback order in order according to the playback order. Computer
Reference is made to schedule data in which the selection conditions for selecting the song data to be reproduced based on the attribute information indicating the attribute of the song are determined for each reproduction order, and for each reproduction order, the song data that meets the selection conditions is A plurality of selection means for selecting from among song data to which the attribute information is assigned, stored in a memory;
A program for causing music data selected by the selection means for each reproduction order to be reproduced in order according to the reproduction order. Computer
A communication means for communicating with an external device that stores a plurality of pieces of song data to which attribute information indicating a song attribute is assigned;
Reference is made to schedule data in which selection conditions for selecting music data to be reproduced based on the attribute information are determined for each reproduction order, and music data that meets the selection conditions is used for each reproduction order using the communication means. Acquiring means for acquiring from the external device;
A program for causing a piece of music data acquired by the acquisition unit for each reproduction order to function as a reproduction unit for reproducing the data in order according to the reproduction order.

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