JP2006243397A - Sound information distribution system, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the degree of satisfaction of a user by distributing musical contents adaptable to a terminal. <P>SOLUTION: The sound information distribution system is provided with a distribution request receiving means which receives the distribution request information of sound information contents transmitted from a user's terminal and the terminal information of the user's terminal, a conversion information storing means which stores the conversion contents information expressing the conversion contents that fits the sound information contents to the user's terminal while relating the conversion contents information to the terminal information, a conversion analyzing means which specifies the conversion contents information corresponding to the terminal information based on the stored information of the conversion information storing means and a sound information converting means which reads the sound information contents specified by the distribution request information and converts the sound information contents based on the conversion contents information specified by the conversion analyzing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sound information distribution system, and more particularly to a system for distributing sound information data to a user information processing terminal via a network.

  In order to distinguish incoming calls from other mobile phones when a mobile phone arrives, there is an incoming melody service that notifies the user of the incoming call with a favorite melody. Furthermore, “Chaku-Uta” that downloads high-quality music and uses it as an incoming melody, and services for enjoying music on the mobile phone itself are also popular. As described above, the user can listen to the music to be distributed by customizing it as desired.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a system that customizes a favorite phrase, tempo, and volume when downloading an incoming melody, and that can be edited and downloaded by a distribution server. Patent Document 2 discloses a system that can download sound quality setting data that the user likes together when downloading music, and can adjust the sound quality from the sound quality setting data during reproduction. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a system in which specifications of a user terminal are transmitted to a server that distributes music, and data is converted and distributed in accordance with the terminal specifications.

JP 2004-145236 A JP 2004-134880 A JP 2002-135353 A

  However, the system in the conventional example has the following disadvantages. First, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, even if data is converted and distributed as desired by the user, customization according to the speaker equipped with the terminal and the music playback performance should not be considered There is also a problem that sound quality deteriorates unless a codec for compressing music is selected according to the performance of the terminal and sound characteristics are corrected by an attached speaker. In particular, in Patent Document 2, music adjustment on the terminal side is premised, but since there is no such adjustment function in the mobile terminal, it is impossible to listen as desired. In addition, when the adjustment function is used, the load on the terminal increases, which is a problem in the mobile terminal.

  Further, in the system disclosed in Patent Document 3, data is converted and distributed so as to be compatible with the user's terminal, but information indicating the specifications of the terminal must be transmitted from the terminal, and detailed specification information Appropriate music data cannot be acquired when a terminal that does not have the function of transmitting up to is used. Furthermore, a server that cannot recognize the specifications of the user's terminal may not be able to properly convert music data and may not be able to distribute data that can be properly played back on the user terminal.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to distribute music content adapted to a terminal without causing troublesome operations to the user and to improve user satisfaction. It is another object of the present invention to provide music content with a desired sound effect to a desired user so that the user can enjoy it more.

Therefore, a sound information distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention is
A sound information distribution system comprising: sound information storage means for storing sound information content; and sound information distribution means for distributing sound information content to user terminals via a network,
A distribution request receiving means for receiving the distribution request information of the sound information content transmitted from the user terminal and the terminal information of the user terminal;
Conversion information storage means for storing the conversion content information representing the conversion content for adapting the sound information content to the user terminal in association with the terminal information;
Based on the information stored in the conversion information storage means, conversion analysis means for specifying the conversion content information corresponding to the terminal information,
A sound information conversion unit that reads out the sound information content specified by the distribution request information from the sound information storage unit, and converts the sound information content based on the conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis unit;
It is characterized by having.

  According to the above invention, first, the conversion content information representing the conversion content of the sound information content is specified by the conversion analysis unit based on the terminal information transmitted together with the distribution request information from the user terminal. Since the sound information content is converted based on the specified conversion content information, the sound information content that can be appropriately reproduced by the user terminal is generated and transmitted to the user terminal. Thus, since the sound information distribution system includes the conversion information storage means, it is possible to respond to the sound information distribution request from any user terminal, and the user can appropriately reproduce sound information on his / her terminal. Data can be acquired.

In addition to the above configuration,
The distribution request accepting unit receives a conversion parameter for designating the conversion content of the sound information content desired by the user transmitted from the user terminal together with the terminal information,
The conversion information storage means stores second conversion content information representing the conversion content of the sound information content specified by the conversion parameter in association with the conversion parameter,
The conversion analysis means specifies the second conversion content information corresponding to the conversion parameter,
The sound information conversion means converts the sound information content based on the conversion content information and the second conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means;
It is characterized by that.

  Thereby, the conversion content corresponding to the conversion parameter transmitted from the user terminal is specified, and the sound information content is converted according to the conversion content. At this time, as described above, the sound information content is also converted so as to conform to the specifications of the distribution destination user terminal. Therefore, since the sound information content that can be appropriately reproduced on the user terminal and arranged as desired by the user is generated and distributed, the user can acquire the desired sound information content.

At this time, the conversion parameter is, for example, information that specifies the file format and compression method of the sound information content, or information that specifies a part of the sound information content. Further, the conversion parameter is characterized in that it is information that specifies the sound quality of the sound information content and the acoustic effect at the time of reproduction of the sound information content. Thereby, the user can acquire the sound information content customized in detail according to his / her wish.
Further, in addition to the above-described configuration, a charge amount determination unit that determines a charge amount for the user terminal based on the sound information content converted by the sound information conversion unit is provided. At this time, the charge amount determination means determines the charge amount based on the conversion contents of the sound information content by the sound information conversion means and the data capacity to be converted. As a result, the charge amount imposed on the user is set based on the charge contents, capacity, etc., so that it is possible to collect an appropriate expense according to the processing load of the system that performs the conversion.

Another form of the sound information distribution system according to the present invention is as follows.
A sound information distribution system comprising: a sound information distribution server connected to a user terminal via a network; and a sound information conversion server connected to the sound information distribution server and having sound information storage means for storing sound information contents. There,
The sound information distribution server
A distribution request receiving means for receiving the distribution request information of the sound information content transmitted from the user terminal and the terminal information of the user terminal and notifying the conversion server;
Sound information distribution means for distributing the sound information content transmitted from the sound information conversion server to the user terminal,
Sound information conversion server
Conversion information storage means for storing the conversion content information representing the conversion content for adapting the sound information content to the user terminal in association with the terminal information;
Conversion analysis means for identifying conversion content information corresponding to terminal information received from the sound information distribution server based on information stored in the conversion information storage means;
Sound information that is read from the sound information storage means specified by the distribution request information received from the sound information distribution server, and that is converted based on the conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means Conversion means;
Sound information content transmitting means for transmitting the converted sound information content to the sound information distribution server;
It is characterized by having.

In addition, the distribution request accepting unit included in the sound information distribution server receives a conversion parameter specifying the conversion content of the sound information content desired by the user transmitted from the user terminal together with the terminal information, and notifies the conversion server,
The conversion information storage means of the conversion server stores second conversion content information representing the conversion content of the sound information content specified by the conversion parameter in association with the conversion parameter,
The conversion analysis means possessed by the conversion server specifies the second conversion content information corresponding to the conversion parameter received from the sound information distribution server,
The sound information conversion means of the conversion server converts the sound information content based on the conversion content information and the second conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means.
It is characterized by that.

  By separating the sound information distribution server and the sound information conversion server in this manner, the sound information distribution server that is the access destination of the user terminal can be integrated into one site, while the sound information content The sound information conversion servers that are heavily loaded by the conversion process can be distributed to a plurality of units, and an efficient operation can be realized.

In addition, a sound information conversion server according to another embodiment of the present invention,
A sound information conversion server connected to a sound information distribution server connected to a user terminal via a network and having sound information storage means for storing sound information content,
A distribution request receiving means for receiving distribution information of sound information content received from the user terminal by the sound information distribution server and terminal information of the user terminal;
Conversion information storage means for storing the conversion content information representing the conversion content for adapting the sound information content to the user terminal in association with the terminal information;
Conversion analysis means for identifying conversion content information corresponding to the terminal information received from the sound information distribution server based on the information stored in the conversion information storage means;
Sound information that is read from the sound information storage means specified by the distribution request information received from the sound information distribution server, and that converts the sound information content based on the conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means Conversion means;
Sound information content transmitting means for transmitting the converted sound information content to the sound information distribution server so as to distribute to the user terminal;
It is characterized by having.

In addition to the above configuration,
The distribution request receiving means receives from the sound information distribution server a conversion parameter that specifies the conversion content of the sound information content desired by the user transmitted together with the terminal information from the user terminal,
The conversion information storage means stores second conversion content information representing the conversion content of the sound information content specified by the conversion parameter in association with the conversion parameter,
The conversion analysis means identifies second conversion content information corresponding to the conversion parameter received from the sound information distribution server;
The sound information conversion means converts the sound information content based on the conversion content information and the second conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means;
It is characterized by that.

In addition, a sound information conversion program according to another aspect of the present invention is
A sound information conversion server connected to a sound information distribution server connected to a user terminal via a network and having sound information storage means for storing sound information contents,
A distribution request receiving means for receiving distribution information of sound information content received from the user terminal by the sound information distribution server and terminal information of the user terminal;
The conversion content corresponding to the terminal information received from the sound information distribution server based on the information in the conversion information storage means in which the conversion content information representing the conversion content for adapting the sound information content to the user terminal is stored in association with the terminal information Conversion analysis means for identifying information;
Sound information that is read from the sound information storage means specified by the distribution request information received from the sound information distribution server, and that converts the sound information content based on the conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means Conversion means;
Sound information content transmitting means for transmitting the converted sound information content to the sound information distribution server so as to distribute to the user terminal;
The sound information conversion program for realizing the above is adopted.

The above program
To the sound information conversion server,
A distribution request receiving means for receiving, from the sound information distribution server, a conversion parameter for designating conversion details of the sound information content desired by the user transmitted from the user terminal together with the terminal information;
The conversion parameter received from the sound information distribution server based on the information in the conversion information storage means in which the second conversion content information representing the conversion content of the sound information content specified by the conversion parameter is stored in association with the conversion parameter The conversion analysis means for specifying the second conversion content information corresponding to:
Sound information conversion means for converting the sound information content based on the conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means and the second conversion content information;
The structure for realizing is adopted.

Furthermore, the sound information delivery method according to another aspect of the present invention is as follows.
A method of delivering sound information content to a user terminal using a computer connected to the user terminal via a network,
A distribution request receiving step in which the computer receives the distribution request information of the sound information content transmitted from the user terminal and the terminal information of the user terminal;
A conversion analysis step for identifying the conversion content information corresponding to the terminal information based on the information in the conversion information storage means in which the conversion content information representing the conversion content for adapting the sound information content to the user terminal is stored in association with the terminal information; ,
A sound information conversion step of reading out the sound information content specified by the distribution request information from the sound information storage means and converting the sound information content based on the specified conversion content information;
A sound information distribution step of distributing the converted sound information content to the user terminal via the network;
It is characterized by having.

And in the above method,
The distribution request receiving step receives a conversion parameter that specifies the conversion content of the sound information content desired by the user transmitted together with the terminal information from the user terminal,
The conversion analysis step corresponds to the conversion parameter based on the information in the conversion information storage means in which the second conversion content information representing the conversion content of the sound information content specified by the conversion parameter is stored in association with the conversion parameter. Identify the second conversion content information to be
The sound information conversion step converts the sound information content based on the conversion content information specified in the conversion analysis step and the second conversion content information.
It is characterized by that.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that after the sound information distribution step, a charge amount determination step for determining an amount charged to the user terminal based on the sound information content converted by the sound information conversion step is provided.

  Even the sound information conversion server, the sound information conversion program, and the sound information conversion method configured as described above operate in the same manner as the sound information conversion system described above, and thus the object of the present invention can be achieved.

  Since the present invention is configured and functions as described above, according to this, it is possible to distribute sound information that can be appropriately reproduced by the user terminal in response to a sound information distribution request from any user terminal. The user satisfaction can be improved.

  The present invention is characterized in that, in a system for distributing music content to a user terminal via a network, conversion content information for converting the music content to be compatible with the user terminal is stored in advance. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described in detail. In the following, music will be described as an example of content to be distributed, but the content is not limited to music, and may be content including sound information such as news.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a music distribution system. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the music distribution server. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a music distribution system (sound information distribution system) is configured by a music distribution server 1 (sound information distribution server), which is connected to the music distribution server 1 via a network such as the Internet. Terminal 2 (user terminal) is connected. First, an outline of each device 1 and 2 will be described.

  The terminal 2 is an information processing apparatus such as a mobile phone operated by a user who desires music distribution, and has a function of accessing the music distribution server 1 and downloading music content (sound information content). The music content may be one piece of music content or a part of music content like a ringtone of a mobile phone. The content is not limited to music, and may be content mainly composed of sound, such as news, rakugo, and language education content.

  A user uses the terminal 2 to receive a list of music contents that can be downloaded from the music distribution server 1. The user selects the desired music content and makes a download request to the music distribution server 1. The terminal 2 has a function of transmitting terminal information together with a request to the music distribution server 1.

  The music distribution server 1 receives a download request from the terminal 2. Since the download request from the terminal 2 includes the terminal information, the music distribution server 1 adapts the music content to the terminal 2 so that the music distribution server 1 can listen to the music content with good sound quality when played back on the terminal 2. Convert as follows.

  Then, the music distribution server 1 transmits the converted content to the terminal 2. Accordingly, the terminal 2 can store the received music content in the storage device, and can enjoy the music content with sound quality adapted to the terminal at any time.

  Next, a more detailed configuration and operation will be described with reference to FIGS. The music distribution server 1 includes a transmission / reception unit 11 (distribution request reception means, sound information distribution means) that receives a music distribution request from the terminal 2 and distributes music data to the terminal 2, and music adapted to the terminal 2. A conversion parameter analysis unit 12 (conversion analysis unit) for specifying conversion content information representing the content of music conversion from the terminal information of the terminal 2 and parameters (conversion parameters) requested by the user to convert data, music data (sound information content ), A music DB 14 (sound information storage means) for accumulating music data read from the music converter 13, and a conversion parameter analysis unit 12 as terminal information and parameters. A terminal DB 15 (conversion information storage means) that stores conversion content information representing the corresponding conversion content is provided. Although not shown, the music distribution server 1 includes a billing processing unit (billing amount determining means) that determines a billing amount for the terminal 2 and performs billing processing. The units 11 to 13 are constructed by incorporating a sound information distribution program into an arithmetic device such as a CPU of the music distribution server 1. Each DB 14 and 15 is formed in a storage device such as a hard disk.

  Further, the terminal 2 transmits / receives a music distribution request to the music distribution server 1 and the music data distributed from the server 1, a storage device 22 for storing the received music data, and And a terminal information DB 23 for transmitting information on the terminal itself when a music distribution request is made.

  Hereinafter, processing contents when the user downloads music content will be described. First, the user uses the terminal 2 to perform user authentication processing for downloading music content (steps S10 and S20).

  When the user authentication is permitted, the terminal 2 downloads a list of music contents that can be downloaded (steps S11 and S21). The user selects music content to be downloaded from the music content list (step S12). The selected content may be downloaded as a whole piece of music content, or may be downloaded only for a certain phrase such as a ringing melody.

  The transmission / reception unit 21 makes a download request to the music distribution server 1 according to the user's selection. At this time, the terminal 2 reads out its own terminal information from the terminal information DB 23, attaches the terminal information to a download request message to the music distribution server 1, and transmits it (steps S13 and S14). Here, the transmission / reception unit 21 of the terminal 2 does not specify the protocol of the request to be transmitted to the music distribution server 1, but generally uses HTTP (Hypertext Transmission Protocol). The data described in the terminal information DB 23 may be a model name because the terminal and hardware can be specified by the model name in the case of a mobile phone. In the case of a device other than a mobile phone, the characteristics of the hardware used by the terminal 2 for music playback are described. For example, information such as a file format that can be used for music playback, a codec format, frequency characteristics that can be played back by speakers and headphones used for music playback, and a volume level are described. If the reproduction hardware to be used is a well-known model, the model name of the reproduction hardware may be described in the same manner as the mobile phone.

When requesting by HTTP using a mobile phone, the model name is described in the header of the HTTP message. For example, in the case of a mobile phone of NTT DoCoMo, it is described as follows.
GET [Music data URI] HTTP / 1.1 <Line feed>
User-Agent: DoCoMo / 2.0 [Model name] <Line feed>
Here, the [music data URI] is a URI (Universal Resource Indicator) for specifying music data to be downloaded, [model name] is the model name of the mobile phone, and <new line> is a new line code. For simplicity, headers other than User-Agent are not described, but since terminal information is described in the User-Agent header, the terminal 2 can be identified by such information.

  The URI of the music data is not limited as long as the music content managed by the music DB 14 of the music distribution server 1 can be uniquely specified, but generally the file name in the music DB is used. In addition, when a request is made to download only a certain phrase instead of the entire music content, information on the phrase number, start time (IN point), and end time (OUT point) is also included in the URI.

  In cases other than mobile phones, the model name may not be input to User-Agent, so a header describing the characteristics of the hardware used by the terminal for music playback is added. The contents of the header are the reproducible frequency characteristics and model name of the reproduction hardware described in the terminal information DB 23.

  The terminal information DB 23 also includes codec information indicating how to compress and receive music, and is used for a request to the music distribution server 1. In the case of a mobile phone, file format information can be distinguished by User-Agent, but may be added as information for identifying music content such as a URI of music data. It is possible to distinguish by the file extension of the music content specified by the URI. For example, if it is “.3GP”, it is possible to distinguish such as transmission in a 3GP file format. It is also possible to expand the header to specify the file format, codec format, phrase number for downloading only a certain phrase, IN point / OUT point.

  The request from the transmission / reception unit 21 of the terminal 2 is received by the transmission / reception unit 11 of the music distribution server 1 (step S22). The transmission / reception unit 11 analyzes the content of the request and specifies the music content (step S23). In the conventional music content distribution, the specified music content is simply read from the music DB 14 and transmitted to the terminal 2. In the present invention, the specified music content is converted and transmitted. The music content is converted from the music content specified by the music conversion unit 13 and the terminal information transmitted from the terminal.

  Then, the music content is converted by the music conversion unit 13. In the present invention, when the data described in the terminal information is the model name of the mobile phone or the model name of the playback hardware, how to convert it Since it is not known, the conversion parameter analysis unit 12 refers to the terminal DB 15 and acquires information such as the reproducible frequency characteristics of the reproduction hardware of the terminal 2 (step S24). That is, the conversion content information indicating the conversion content indicating how to convert the music content so that it can be appropriately played back on the terminal 2 is acquired. As a result, the music conversion unit 13 acquires the frequency characteristics from the conversion parameter analysis unit 12 and the music content from the music DB 14 and converts them according to the characteristics suitable for the playback hardware of the terminal 2 and the playable codec ( Step S25).

  The music content converted by the music conversion unit 13 is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 11 to the terminal 2 (step S26). In the terminal 2, the data is received by the transmission / reception unit 21 and stored in the storage device 22 (steps S15 and S16). After the download is completed, the server 1 determines the amount to be charged to the user for the download of the terminal 2, and performs a charging process using settlement means such as electronic money or credit (step S27). The billing process may be performed according to the converted music data, that is, the contents of the music data alteration process, the converted data capacity, and the like. For example, it is based on the value of music data, such as a high price when converting with high sound quality, a low price when converting with low sound quality, or a high price when the length or file size of the converted music content is large. You may be charged.

  Next, specific processing contents of the music conversion unit 13 and the conversion parameter analysis unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. That is, FIG. 3 details the processing contents of steps S24 and S25. Here, a description will be given on the assumption that there is a request for music content from a mobile phone by HTTP.

When the music conversion unit 13 receives a music content conversion request, it passes a request message such as the URI or User-Agent of the music content to the conversion parameter analysis unit 12. The conversion parameter analysis unit 12 analyzes the request message. Analysis is performed as follows.
1. The file format in which the music content is to be output is specified by the extension of the URI of the music content (step S241, means M241). For example, file format examples: MP3 file, 3GP file, MP4 file, etc.
2. When a part of the music content is downloaded based on the URI of the music content, a place where the music content is cut out from the phrase number and the IN point / OUT point is specified (step S242, means M242).
3. The type of compression method (codec) that can be played back by the mobile phone is specified by the mobile phone model described in User-Agent (step S243, means M243). However, the above 1. In this case, the codec is not specified, or in this case, the conflict between the specified codec and the codec obtained from the file format is checked. For example, codec examples: MP3 format, AAC format, AMR format, etc.
4). A filter for music content conversion processing obtained from the speaker characteristics of the mobile phone is specified according to the mobile phone model described in User-Agent (step S244, means M244).
5. The specified information is passed to the music conversion unit 13.

  The music conversion unit 13 converts music content using the information analyzed by the conversion parameter analysis unit 12. First, the above 2. The music content is cut out using the information specified in (Step S251, means M251).

  Next, the above 4. The music content is converted using the conversion processing filter obtained in step S252 (step S252, means M252). Conversion of music content is performed according to speaker characteristics, particularly when enjoying music content with a speaker in a limited space such as a mobile phone. As a simple example, if the mobile phone has only one speaker, it is possible to convert stereo music content to monaural. It is also conceivable to perform conversion according to a sampling frequency that can be reproduced by the mobile phone. The original music content is thought to be mostly music with a high sampling frequency of about 48kHz or 44.1kHz, but some mobile phones can only play low sampling frequencies such as 32kHz or 16kHz. For distribution of music content to such mobile phones, sampling frequency conversion is necessary.

In the case where a smaller speaker is equipped, the small speaker generally has a poor sound quality as compared with a large speaker. Therefore, it is conceivable to convert the small speaker so that the sound quality is as good as possible. For example, small speakers generally have the following characteristics.
-Almost no low frequency components can be heard in the frequency domain-If the low frequency range is not audible with a speaker of a mobile phone with a narrow volume range that can reproduce the sound, a process of removing the low frequency components of the music content is performed. When compressing data using a music codec, a method of allocating the amount of data to reproduce low frequency components that cannot be heard by the speaker, and mid and high frequency components that can be heard by the speaker by removing the low frequency components before data compression. Comparing the methods for allocating the data amount to each other, when the same data amount is used, the sound quality is improved because the reproducibility of the mid-range and high-frequency components is good when listening through the speaker of the mobile phone. In addition, when the same data amount is assigned to the mid-range and high-frequency components, the sound quality is the same, but since the low-frequency components are not distributed to the mobile phone, there is an advantage that the data amount is reduced.

  When the volume range in which the sound can be reproduced with the speaker of the mobile phone is narrow, a process of compressing the volume range according to the volume range is performed. By performing this processing, it is possible to listen to music content with a mobile phone speaker without causing the phenomenon that a phrase with music content is low in volume and very difficult to hear, and a phrase with high volume and sound is broken. it can.

In addition to processing to match the characteristics of mobile phone speakers,
・ The volume of music starts, gradually increasing (fade in)
・ Processing to gradually reduce the volume at the end of music (fade out)
・ Song parts (voice frequency components) are emphasized and frequency components are converted (equalizing) as in concert venues according to the music content.
It is also possible to perform acoustic processing such as.

  Although the above-described conversion processing has been mainly described with respect to music content distribution using a mobile phone, such processing may be performed by a high-performance terminal such as a PC. As described in Patent Document 2, in the case of a high-performance terminal such as a PC, it is possible to reproduce the sound quality that matches the characteristics of the speaker immediately before reproduction, but the hardware performance of a mobile phone or the like Since the sound quality conversion at the terminal cannot be performed with a terminal having a low level, the effect of this conversion processing is enhanced.

  The music conversion unit 13 converts the music content in accordance with the terminal, and then compresses the music content using the compression method requested by the terminal or the compression method reproducible by the terminal 2 (step S253, means M253). The file format or the file format that can be played back by the terminal is output (step S254, means M254). At this time, a flag such as copy prohibition for copyright protection may be included in the file.

  It is checked whether or not the file output in this way can actually be reproduced by the terminal 2 (step S255). For example, the file size is checked, and an inspection is made as to whether it is larger than the size allowed by the terminal 2. As a result of the inspection, if it can be determined that the data cannot be reproduced by the terminal 2 or the sound quality can be further improved because the specified data amount is insufficient, the parameters are changed and the encoding process is performed again.

  As described above, when the music distribution system of the present embodiment is used, when a user requests music content, terminal information is transmitted to the music distribution server 1 and the terminal 2 is reproduced based on the terminal information. It is possible to convert and distribute music content with parameters suitable for. Therefore, the user can enjoy music content with good sound quality.

  On the other hand, if the content distribution side does not prepare music contents that can be reproduced with good sound quality on the user's terminal one by one, it is automatically suitable for the user terminal if the original music contents are prepared. Since it can be converted into music content, distribution of music content is facilitated.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4, the music distribution system of the present embodiment includes a music distribution server 1 and a music conversion server 3 (sound information conversion server) connected to the music distribution server 2 and converting music content. Yes. A terminal 2 is connected to the music distribution server 1 via a network such as the Internet.

  In the second embodiment, when a user downloads music content from the music distribution server 1 using the terminal 2, the user inputs his / her desired parameters and designates a desired sound quality, phrase and sound effect. It has a function that can. In the first embodiment, the music distribution server 1 converts the music content. However, the present embodiment is different in that the music conversion server 3 is used separately from the music distribution server 1. First, an outline of the configuration in the present embodiment will be described.

  The music distribution server 1 receives a request from the terminal 2, issues a music conversion request to the music conversion server 3, receives a conversion result, and distributes it to the terminal 2 (distribution request receiving means, sound information distribution) Means). The terminal 2 receives a music distribution request from the music distribution server 1 and receives / receives music data distributed from the music distribution server 1, and a storage device 22 for storing the received music data. A terminal information DB 23 that transmits information of the terminal itself when making a music distribution request, and a conversion parameter input unit 24 that can receive input from the user and input conversion parameters desired by the user. .

  The music conversion server 31 includes a transmission / reception unit 31 that receives a music content conversion request from the music distribution server 1 and distributes music data to the music distribution server 1. The terminal information of the terminal 2 and the user for converting the music content Conversion parameter analysis unit 32 for specifying the conversion contents for performing music conversion from the conversion parameters input by the user, music conversion unit 33 for converting music data, and music DB 34 for storing music data and reading from music conversion unit 33 The conversion parameter analysis unit 32 includes a terminal DB 35 that stores conversion content information representing conversion information specified by terminal information and conversion parameters.

  Next, an operation when the user downloads music content will be described with reference to FIG. First, the user uses the terminal 2 to perform user authentication processing for downloading music content (steps S30 and S40). When the user authentication is permitted, the terminal 2 downloads a list of music contents that can be downloaded (steps S31 and S41). Then, the user selects music content to be downloaded from the music content list (step S32). After selecting the music content to be downloaded, the user inputs a conversion parameter indicating what sound quality the music content is to be converted into (step S33).

As conversion parameters that can be specified by the user, for example, information specifying the file format of the music content, the compression method, information specifying a part of the music content, the sound quality of the music content, and the playback of the music content There is information to specify sound effects. More specific description will be given below.
(1) Specify whether you want to download the entire music content or only a part of it. If you want to download only a part, specify which part of the music content you want to download. When specifying a part, it is possible to take a method of downloading the entire music content in advance and specifying the start point and end point while listening to music. In addition, a menu is provided so that the content provider can easily select a chorus portion of a song in advance, and the user can also select from the menu.
(2) Specification regarding the sound quality of music. Specify parameters for equalizing processing to increase or decrease the volume of music content in the frequency domain. For example, make the bass strong and powerful, make it easier to hear the song, delete the song and use it as a karaoke with music only, or feel like being in a concert venue Set. For this setting, parameters of typical settings are prepared in advance in the music distribution server 1, and the user can specify parameters only by selecting typical settings. It is also possible to provide detailed settings for parameters such as frequency components and sound delays for users who have set more details.
(3) Specification regarding music effect. Effects such as gradually increasing the volume at the start of music (fade in) and gradually decreasing the volume at the end of music (fade out) and parameter settings can be performed.

  The user may set his / her favorite sound quality, or may not set the sound quality if he / she wants to download with a predetermined original setting. The specified content is an example, and is not limited to the above content.

  When the user designates music content and sets conversion parameters representing sound quality and the like, the transmission / reception unit 21 makes a download request to the music distribution server 1. At this time, the terminal information is read from the terminal information DB 23, and the terminal information and the conversion parameter are added to the download request message and transmitted to the music distribution server 1 (steps S34 and S35). Here, it is assumed that the transmission / reception unit 21 uses the same protocol as that of the first embodiment for the music distribution server 1. The request from the transmission / reception unit 21 of the terminal 2 is received by the transmission / reception unit 11 of the music distribution server 1 (step S42).

  For the conversion of the music content, the music distribution server 1 makes a conversion request to the music conversion server 3 (steps S43 and S50). This request is generally made using a protocol used for a web service or the like. In addition, when the music distribution server 1 and the music conversion server 3 are divided in this way, a plurality of music conversion servers 3 can be prepared, and a large number of music contents can be converted at the same time. By setting so that only communication with the distribution server 1 can be performed, there is an advantage that it becomes strong against unauthorized access from the outside.

  The music conversion server 3 operates in the same manner as the music distribution server described in the first embodiment. The transmission / reception unit 31 analyzes the content of the request and specifies the music content (step S51). Further, the music content is converted from the music content specified by the music conversion unit 33, the terminal information transmitted from the terminal, and the conversion parameter designated by the user. Prior to that, the conversion parameter analysis unit 32 obtains the conversion content information of the music content from the terminal information and the conversion parameter designated by the user (step S52). For example, when the data described in the terminal information is the model name of the mobile phone or the model name of the playback hardware, information such as the reproducible frequency characteristics of the playback hardware of the terminal 2 is acquired from the terminal DB 15. Further, in the case of a conversion request with a preset parameter such as “I want to strengthen the low frequency” or “I want an effect like listening at a concert venue”, the acoustic effect of the conversion parameter specified by the user from the terminal DB 15 An acoustic filter (such as frequency characteristic information) is acquired.

  Then, when downloading only a part of the music, the music conversion unit 13 cuts out the specified cutout position from the specified music content. In addition, in the case of the cutout position provided in advance by the content provider as a menu, the cutout position may be cut out from the music content, or the music content cut out at the cutout position from the beginning may be prepared. Also, the frequency characteristics from the conversion parameter analysis unit 12 and the music content from the music DB 14 are acquired, and the characteristics suitable for the playback hardware of the terminal 2 and the acoustic effects of the parameters specified by the user are added. Conversion is performed (step S53). The music content converted by the music conversion unit 13 is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 31 to the music distribution server 1 (steps S54 and S46). Note that the conversion process is not specified as described above, and involves other conversion processes.

  The music distribution server 1 transmits the received music content to the terminal 2 (step S45). In the terminal 2, it receives by the transmission / reception part 21 (step S36). After reception, the user confirms whether the conversion parameter specified by the user meets the user's request (step S37). If it is not something you imagined, you can change the parameters again and try to convert the music again. At this time, the conversion can be discarded and the download can be canceled (step S38). If it is an image of itself, it is stored in the storage device 22 of the terminal 2 (step S39), and the server performs billing processing (step S46).

  As described above, when the music distribution system according to the present embodiment is used, when the user requests music content with desired sound quality, the terminal 2 transmits the terminal information and the conversion parameter desired by the user to the music distribution server 1. Thus, based on the terminal information and the conversion parameter desired by the user, the music content can be converted and distributed with the sound quality desired by the user and the parameters suitable for playback on the terminal 2. Therefore, the user can enjoy the music content with the sound quality desired by the user and with the good sound quality suitable for the terminal.

  In addition, the content distribution side is automatically suitable for the user terminal if the original music content is prepared without having to prepare one piece of music content that the user may desire for each user terminal. Since it can be converted into music content, distribution of music content is facilitated.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used as a distribution server or conversion server for a carrier or a trader that provides a service for distributing sound information such as music content to a terminal such as a mobile phone, and has industrial applicability. Have.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a system in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of a music delivery server. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the system in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a system in a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a system in a second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Music distribution server (sound information distribution server)
2 terminal (user terminal)
3 Music conversion server (sound information conversion server)
11 Transmitter / receiver (distribution request accepting means, sound information distributing means)
12 Conversion parameter analysis unit (conversion analysis means)
13 Music converter (sound information converter)
14 Music DB (sound information storage means)
15 Terminal DB (conversion information storage means)

Claims (21)

A sound information distribution system comprising: sound information storage means for storing sound information content; and sound information distribution means for distributing the sound information content to user terminals via a network,
Distribution request reception means for receiving distribution request information of the sound information content transmitted from the user terminal and terminal information of the user terminal;
Conversion information storage means for storing conversion content information representing conversion content for adapting the sound information content to the user terminal, in association with the terminal information;
Conversion analysis means for identifying the conversion content information corresponding to the terminal information based on the information stored in the conversion information storage means;
Sound information conversion means for reading the sound information content specified by the distribution request information from the sound information storage means and converting the sound information content based on the conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means When,
A sound information distribution system characterized by comprising: The distribution request accepting unit receives a conversion parameter that specifies a conversion content of sound information content desired by the user transmitted from the user terminal together with the terminal information,
The conversion information storage means stores second conversion content information representing the conversion content of the sound information content specified by the conversion parameter in association with the conversion parameter;
The conversion analysis means specifies the second conversion content information corresponding to the conversion parameter;
The sound information conversion means converts the sound information content based on the conversion content information and the second conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means;
The sound information distribution system according to claim 1.   The sound information distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the conversion parameter is information specifying a file format of the sound information content.   4. The sound information distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the conversion parameter is information specifying a compression method of the sound information content.   5. The sound information distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the conversion parameter is information for designating a part of the sound information content.   6. The sound information distribution system according to claim 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the conversion parameter is information that specifies sound quality of the sound information content.   7. The sound information distribution system according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherein the conversion parameter is information specifying an acoustic effect at the time of reproduction of the sound information content.   The charge amount determination means for determining the amount to be charged to the user terminal based on the sound information content converted by the sound information conversion means. The sound information distribution system according to 5, 6 or 7.   The sound information distribution system according to claim 9, wherein the billing amount determination unit determines the billing amount according to a conversion content of the sound information content by the sound information conversion unit.   The sound information distribution system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the charge amount determination means determines the charge amount based on a data capacity to be converted by the sound information conversion means of the sound information content. . A sound information distribution system comprising: a sound information distribution server connected to a user terminal via a network; and a sound information conversion server connected to the sound information distribution server and having sound information storage means for storing sound information contents. There,
The sound information distribution server is
A distribution request receiving means for receiving the distribution request information of the sound information content transmitted from the user terminal and the terminal information of the user terminal and notifying the conversion server;
Sound information distribution means for distributing the sound information content transmitted from the sound information conversion server to the user terminal, and
The sound information conversion server is
Conversion information storage means for storing conversion content information representing conversion content for adapting the sound information content to the user terminal, in association with the terminal information;
Conversion analysis means for identifying the conversion content information corresponding to the terminal information received from the sound information distribution server based on the information stored in the conversion information storage means;
The sound information content specified by the distribution request information received from the sound information distribution server is read from the sound information storage means, and the sound information content is converted into the conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means. Sound information conversion means for converting based on;
Sound information content transmitting means for transmitting the converted sound information content to the sound information distribution server;
A sound information distribution system characterized by comprising: The distribution request receiving means included in the sound information distribution server receives a conversion parameter specifying the conversion contents of the sound information content desired by the user transmitted from the user terminal together with the terminal information and notifies the conversion server of the conversion parameter. With
The conversion information storage means of the conversion server stores second conversion content information representing the conversion content of the sound information content specified by the conversion parameter in association with the conversion parameter;
The conversion analysis means included in the conversion server specifies the second conversion content information corresponding to the conversion parameter received from the sound information distribution server,
The sound information conversion means of the conversion server converts the sound information content based on the conversion content information and the second conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means.
The sound information distribution system according to claim 11. A sound information conversion server connected to a sound information distribution server connected to a user terminal via a network and having sound information storage means for storing sound information content,
A distribution request receiving means for receiving distribution request information of the sound information content received from the user terminal by the sound information distribution server and terminal information of the user terminal;
Conversion information storage means for storing conversion content information representing conversion content for adapting the sound information content to the user terminal, in association with the terminal information;
Conversion analysis means for specifying the conversion content information corresponding to the terminal information received from the sound information distribution server based on the information stored in the conversion information storage means;
The sound information content specified by the distribution request information received from the sound information distribution server is read from the sound information storage means, and the sound information content is converted into the conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means. Sound information conversion means for converting based on;
Sound information content transmitting means for transmitting the converted sound information content to the sound information distribution server to distribute to the user terminal;
A conversion server characterized by comprising: The distribution request receiving means receives from the sound information distribution server a conversion parameter for designating conversion details of sound information content desired by the user transmitted from the user terminal together with the terminal information,
The conversion information storage means stores second conversion content information representing the conversion content of the sound information content specified by the conversion parameter in association with the conversion parameter,
The conversion analysis means specifies the second conversion content information corresponding to the conversion parameter received from the sound information distribution server;
The sound information conversion means converts the sound information content based on the conversion content information and the second conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means;
The sound information conversion server according to claim 13.   15. The sound information conversion according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising charge amount determination means for determining an amount to be charged to the user terminal based on the sound information content converted by the sound information conversion means. server. A sound information conversion server connected to a sound information distribution server connected to a user terminal via a network and having sound information storage means for storing sound information contents,
A distribution request receiving means for receiving distribution request information of the sound information content received from the user terminal by the sound information distribution server and terminal information of the user terminal;
The terminal information received from the sound information distribution server on the basis of information in conversion information storage means in which conversion content information representing conversion content for adapting the sound information content to the user terminal is stored in association with the terminal information Conversion analysis means for identifying the conversion content information corresponding to
The sound information content specified by the distribution request information received from the sound information distribution server is read from the sound information storage means, and the sound information content is converted into the conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means. Sound information conversion means for converting based on;
Sound information content transmitting means for transmitting the converted sound information content to the sound information distribution server to distribute to the user terminal;
Sound information conversion program for realizing In the sound information conversion server,
The delivery request accepting means for accepting, from the sound information delivery server, a conversion parameter for designating conversion details of the sound information content desired by the user transmitted from the user terminal together with the terminal information;
Based on the information in the conversion information storage means in which the second conversion content information indicating the conversion content of the sound information content specified by the conversion parameter is stored in association with the conversion parameter, the sound information distribution server The conversion analysis means for specifying the second conversion content information corresponding to the conversion parameter received from
The sound information conversion means for converting the sound information content based on the conversion content information and the second conversion content information specified by the conversion analysis means;
The sound information conversion program according to claim 16 for realizing the above. In the sound information conversion server,
Charge amount determining means for determining an amount to be charged to the user terminal based on the sound information content converted by the sound information conversion means;
The sound information conversion program according to claim 16 or 17, for realizing the above. A method for delivering sound information content to a user terminal using a computer connected to the user terminal via a network,
A distribution request receiving step in which the computer receives distribution request information of the sound information content transmitted from the user terminal and terminal information of the user terminal;
The conversion content information corresponding to the terminal information is identified based on the information in the conversion information storage means stored in association with the terminal information, the conversion content information representing the conversion content for adapting the sound information content to the user terminal. Conversion analysis process to
A sound information conversion step of reading out the sound information content specified by the distribution request information from a sound information storage unit and converting the sound information content based on the specified conversion content information;
A sound information distribution step of distributing the converted sound information content to the user terminal via a network;
A sound information distribution method comprising: The distribution request receiving step receives a conversion parameter that specifies a conversion content of sound information content desired by a user transmitted together with the terminal information from the user terminal,
The conversion analysis step is based on information in the conversion information storage means in which second conversion content information representing the conversion content of the sound information content specified by the conversion parameter is stored in association with the conversion parameter. , Specifying the second conversion content information corresponding to the conversion parameter,
The sound information conversion step converts the sound information content based on the conversion content information and the second conversion content information specified in the conversion analysis step.
The sound information delivery method according to claim 17. The charge amount determination step of determining a charge amount to the user terminal based on the sound information content converted by the sound information conversion step after the sound information distribution step. Or the sound information delivery method of 20.

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