JP2009163765A - Terminal device, information processing system, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technical configuration for achieving the operation of a system that easily makes content created by secondarily using content as a literary work available to the public. <P>SOLUTION: Primary content data being a literary work, or secondary content data are requested to a server, received and acquired. A music edition-sharing application performs editing by secondarily using the content data to newly create secondary content data. The secondary content data are not obtained by directly processing the primary content data used as an editing material but is made to be reproduction control information for instructing a reproduction aspect of the secondary content data. The secondary content data are uploaded to a secondary content server 2 to be disclosed to the public. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system capable of performing, for example, music distribution or file sharing via a network, and a terminal device constituting the information processing system. Moreover, it is related with the information processing method in an information processing system and a terminal device. The present invention also relates to a program executed by the terminal device .

As one aspect of network utilization, so-called content distribution has been widely performed. For example, taking an audio content distribution system as an example, the distributed audio content is, for example, a song such as an artist, and the digital audio data as the audio content is stored and managed by a server. Then, for example, a user who has an information processing terminal device such as a personal computer installs application software (client software) having a client function corresponding to content distribution. Then, for example, the audio data as the desired audio content is downloaded from the server by operating the client software after performing an appropriate purchase procedure. The data as audio contents downloaded in this manner is normally stored and managed in a storage device in the information processing terminal device by client software. After that, the user can listen and enjoy it as sound by performing an operation of reproducing the audio data as the audio content stored in the information processing terminal device with the client software.
On the other hand, there is also known application software (editing software) that can capture and process audio data and video data as materials, and create new music, especially in recent years. The situation is widespread not only at home, but also for general users who do not perform full-fledged music activities, from simple to complex operations.
As described above, such editing software can execute processing by giving changes for editing to actual data (audio / video data) as content. For this reason, for example, in the case of audio, it is possible to easily process and edit a part of an existing musical piece as a material, such as sampling and mashup. In fact, for example, a lot of music created by such a method has been announced among professional musicians.

JP 2004-310464 A JP 2006-18753 A

With the above as a background, among general users, not only watching and enjoying content data obtained by downloading using content distribution, but also performing secondary editing with editing software It seems that there are not a few people who want to create new works and publicize them.
However, in the case of general users who are not engaged in full-fledged music activities, for example, finding a place to publish content, and then publishing their own work requires considerable effort and has a threshold. It seems that there are many things that tend to feel expensive and actually stop. This situation can be seen as an obstacle to more people enjoying music production.
Therefore, in the present invention, for example, a general user secondarily uses data of distribution contents to edit and create subsidiary contents, and the contents thus created are made public. However, we propose a technical configuration to realize the operation of a system that can be performed more easily, easily, and has high utility value.

In view of the above-described problems, the present invention is configured as a terminal device as follows.
In other words, secondary content comprising use primary content information that specifies primary content that is the original editing material and playback control information that instructs playback of the primary content specified by the use primary content information is stored and held. Subsidiary content storage means, primary content holding means for holding primary content composed of data that reproduces substantial content details, and reproduction control information possessed by the subsidiary content stored and held in the subsidiary content storage means The content content as the subsidiary content is reproduced by reproducing the primary content specified by the used primary content information among the primary contents held by the primary content holding means. By content reproduction means and the subsidiary content reproduction means When the primary content specified by the usage primary content information possessed by the subsidiary content to be produced is not held in the primary content holding means, it is not held in the primary content holding means for the primary content server. A primary content transmission request is transmitted for transmitting primary content download request information for requesting download of primary content, and the primary content transmitted from the primary content server is received in response to transmission of the primary content request information by the download request transmission unit. And a primary content reception holding control means to be held in the primary content holding means.

The terminal device is configured as follows.
In other words, on the secondary content network comprising: primary content information for specifying primary content that is the original editing material; and playback control information for instructing playback of the primary content specified by the primary content information for use. The storage location information indicating the storage location in the storage location acquisition means for receiving and acquiring via the network, and the secondary content server on the network storing and holding the subsidiary content based on the received and acquired storage location information Secondary content storage means for downloading and storing content, primary content holding means for storing primary content specified by the used primary content information of the received secondary content, and storage holding by the secondary content storage means Playback system of the above-mentioned subsidiary content Subsidiary content playback means for playing back the content content as subsidiary content by playing back the primary content specified by the use primary content information held by the primary content holding means based on the information; It was decided to prepare.

The information processing system is configured as follows.
  That is, a primary content storage unit in a server that is composed of a primary content server and a terminal device that communicate via a network, and that is provided in the primary content server and stores primary content composed of data that reproduces substantial content details, and the terminal device Secondary content comprising: primary content information for use to identify primary content that is the original editing material, and playback control information for instructing playback of the primary content specified by the primary content information for use. In-terminal subsidiary content storage means for storing, in-terminal primary content holding means for holding primary content, and in-terminal auxiliary content storage means provided in the terminal device, and stored in the in-terminal subsidiary content storage means The subsidiary content that has Based on the control information, by reproducing the primary content specified by the used primary content information among the primary content held by the primary content holding unit, the content content as the subsidiary content is reproduced. A primary content specified by the primary content information included in the subsidiary content reproducing means and the terminal content provided in the terminal device and to be reproduced by the subsidiary content reproducing means is stored in the in-terminal primary content holding means. A download request transmitting means for transmitting, to the primary content server, primary content download request information for requesting downloading of the primary content not held in the in-terminal primary content holding means, and the terminal device; In Primary content reception holding control means for receiving the primary content transmitted from the primary content server and holding the primary content holding means in the primary content holding means in response to transmission of the primary content request information by the download request transmission means. It was.

The information processing system is configured as follows.
  In other words, it is composed of a subsidiary content server, a personal information transmission service server, and a terminal device that communicate via a network, provided in the subsidiary content server, and used primary content information for identifying primary content that is an original editing material; A secondary content storage means for storing and storing secondary content, and a server for personal information transmission service, the playback control information for instructing playback of the primary content specified by the used primary content information And a process for providing an environment for a personal information transmission service on a network that can disclose storage location information indicating a storage location of subsidiary content stored and stored in the subsidiary content storage means in the server. Provided in the environment provision processing means and the terminal device, the personal information The storage location acquisition means for receiving and acquiring the storage location information disclosed in the environment of the transmission service via the network and the terminal device are provided, and the subsidiary content is stored based on the received and acquired storage location information. An in-terminal subsidiary content storage unit that downloads and stores subsidiary content from subsidiary content servers on the network to be retained, and the terminal device that is specified by the used primary content information included in the received subsidiary content Based on reproduction control information possessed by the subsidiary content stored in the terminal subsidiary content storage means and provided in the terminal device. One of the above usages held by the content holding means By reproducing the primary content specified by the content information, reproduces the content contents serving as the subsidiary content, it was decided and a subsidiary content playback unit.

  Depending on the information processing system and the information processing device (terminal device) configured as described above, it is possible for the terminal device to allow the primary content indicated by the primary content information or the secondary content acquired by downloading to exist locally. Yes. Then, editing processing using the primary contents and subsidiary contents that exist locally in this way is performed, new subsidiary contents are created, and the created subsidiary contents are uploaded to the subsidiary content server. It is possible. The subsidiary content created in this way is uploaded to the subsidiary content server, which makes it possible to publish the subsidiary content on the subsidiary content server. In the present invention, the subsidiary content is the reproduction control information of the content instructing the reproduction of the primary content used as the original editing material. That is, the subsidiary content in the present invention is merely reproduction control information, and is not a modification of the primary content data itself that is the original editing material.

In this way, the present invention can provide a system that first creates subsidiary content by secondary use of distribution content data, and publishes it by uploading it on a network. That is, for a general user, by using the system based on the present application, it is possible to easily create and publish content. In addition, the substance of the subsidiary content data is reproduction control information including contents instructing how to reproduce the primary content used for reproduction. As a result, for example, subsidiary content can be used for various purposes other than simply playing and viewing rather than having the actual data as primary content processed. Can also provide high entertainment.
In addition, the user of the terminal device can notify the terminal device that uploaded the subsidiary content information from the subsidiary content server side by notifying the storage location information of the subsidiary content. Can be notified to the user of the other terminal device by some means, so that an acquaintance or the like can positively know that the subsidiary content created by the user is published. In other words, a communication mode in which a user who is a creator notifies an acquaintance of the release of subsidiary content can be performed by, for example, communication on a network. Thereby, the usefulness, entertainment, etc. of the network system corresponding to this application further increase.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a music editing / sharing system supported by an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a procedure of the system usage corresponding to this with the basic utilization aspect of the music editing and sharing system of embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the flow of the subsidiary content preparation which the user terminal device of embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows typically the flow of the subsidiary content reproduction | regeneration which the user terminal device of embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows the example of a utilization aspect of edit material content in producing subsidiary content. It is a figure which shows the internal structural example of a primary content server. It is a figure which shows the example of an internal structure of a subsidiary content server. It is a figure which shows the internal structural example of a communication server. It is a figure which shows the internal structural example of a user terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of the information content which should be memorize | stored in HDD of a user terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a program structure as a content edit management tool of a music edit / share application with a functional block. It is a figure which shows typically the structural example of a subsidiary content reproduction | regeneration control file. It is a figure which shows the structural example of utilization primary content information and utilization edit material content information in a subsidiary content reproduction | regeneration control file. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of the reproduction | regeneration control information in a subsidiary content reproduction | regeneration control file. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a primary content file typically. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for allowing a music editing / sharing application to reflect a use permission range setting of editing material content on a UI in subsidiary content editing processing. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process sequence until a music edit / sharing application produces a subsidiary content reproduction | regeneration control file as subsidiary content editing processing. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a processing procedure of the upload of subsidiary content by a user terminal device, and the subsidiary content server according to this. It is a flowchart which shows the download of subsidiary content by a user terminal device, and the example of a processing procedure of the subsidiary content server according to this. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a reproduction processing procedure of the subsidiary content by a user terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of the exchange between copyright managers regarding the upload of subsidiary content in the system of an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process sequence for implement | achieving the operation | movement of the subsidiary content upload notification with respect to a copyright manager's terminal shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process sequence for implement | achieving operation | movement of the subsidiary content server according to reception of the deletion request / warning request from the terminal of the copyright manager shown in FIG. As a modification, it is a figure which shows the example of a system structure at the time of making it possible to manage and share also the subsidiary content as audio data, and the example of a procedure of the system operation corresponding to this.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an information processing system corresponding to the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment).
As shown in this figure, the information processing system according to the present embodiment first has a primary content server 1, a subsidiary content server 2, a communication server 3, and a large number of user terminal devices 4 via a network 5. It can be seen as formed by connecting.
The information processing system of the present embodiment realizes a music distribution / sharing system with such a device configuration. That is, so-called music distribution (primary content distribution) on the network and sharing of content created by the user (subsidiary content) between users is realized.

The primary content server 1 stores a large number of audio content data in a predetermined format as primary content so as to be managed in a database. Then, in response to a download request from the user terminal device 4 via the network, audio data as designated primary content is transmitted and output to the requesting user terminal device 4.
Note that the audio data as the primary content here has contents such as music provided by an affiliated label company or the like performed by an artist or the like.

The subsidiary content server 2 can store a large amount of subsidiary content reproduction control file data, which is data as subsidiary content, in a database.
As will be described later, the subsidiary content playback control file is uploaded from the user terminal device 4 to the subsidiary content server 2 via the network. The subsidiary content server 2 treats and stores the subsidiary content reproduction control file uploaded in this way as subsidiary content. Also, in response to a download request from the user terminal device 4 via the network, the designated subsidiary content playback control file is transmitted and output to the requesting user terminal device 4.

  The communication server 3 is an information transmission service by an individual user, such as SNS (Social Networking Service) or CGM (Consumer Generated Media) such as a blog, and has a function of providing a communication service between users. Server.

The user terminal device 4 is a network device used by a general user, and is actually a personal computer provided with a network communication function such as a LAN.
In these user terminal devices 4, an application program as the music editing / sharing application 100 is installed as will be described later. By operating the music editing / sharing application 100, the user downloads the primary content from the primary content server 1, and creates new subsidiary content by editing based on the downloaded primary content (and subsidiary content). Creation, upload of the created subsidiary content (that is, subsidiary content playback control file) to the subsidiary content server 2, downloading of subsidiary content (subsidiary content playback control file) from the subsidiary content server 2, communication server 3 It is possible to use an SNS service using, write / browse and use a blog.

  Next, a basic operation example of the information processing system of the present embodiment adopting the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described according to a basic usage example by the user of the user terminal device 4 with reference to FIG. explain. In the description of FIG. 2, the procedure and operation numbers indicated by alphanumeric characters in [] in the figure are performed. Here, user terminal devices 4A and 4B that are used by the two users A and B are shown as the user terminal device 4. Further, in this figure, the illustration of the network 5 that is interposed between the primary content server 1, the subsidiary content server 2, the communication server 3, and the user terminal device 4 is omitted.

Step 1
First, the user A searches the user terminal device 4A (music editing / sharing application 100) for the primary content that the user A wants to download and performs an operation for downloading the searched primary content. In response to this operation, the user terminal device 4A transmits a download request to the primary content server 1.

  In the music distribution / sharing system of the present embodiment, downloading of the primary content is basically charged, and when sending the download request to the primary content server 1 as described above, User A should perform the appropriate purchase procedure. Regarding this purchase procedure, for example, it may be a payment procedure for a fee set individually for each song unit or album unit, or it is a subscription type called a subscription that has been frequently used recently. It may be a procedure. It is possible to provide primary content free of charge. In this case, the user A does not need to perform a purchase procedure.

When the primary content server 1 receives the download request as described above, the primary content server 1 first performs authentication of the requesting user, confirmation of payment, etc., and determines whether or not the request is a valid download request. I do. If it is determined that the request is a valid download request, the primary content specified together with the download request is searched from the primary content stored by itself, and the data (primary content) as the searched primary content is searched. Data) to the requesting user terminal device 4. For confirmation, the primary content stored in the primary content server 1 while performing database management is, here, the audio data (primary content) of a predetermined format having the music content as the primary content. As the main body (main body information), and various related metadata (music title, artist, album title, genre, data format, File structure including data size). In other words, in the description of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the primary content data has a structure mainly composed of digital audio data from which the music contents can be obtained by performing sound reproduction output.
The primary content data transmitted from the primary content server 1 as described above is received by the user terminal device 4A. The user terminal device 4A (music editing / sharing application 100) stores and stores the received primary content data in a storage medium such as an internal HDD. The music editing / sharing application 100 has a function of managing the primary content data stored and saved in this way in a predetermined manner based on, for example, metadata and executing playback control in accordance with a user operation.
In this way, the primary content data stored in the primary content server 1 can be downloaded to the user terminal device 4 in principle in the form of purchase by the user. That is, as the procedure (operation) 1, so-called music distribution is performed.
The primary content data stored and saved in the user terminal device 4A can be reproduced by the music editing / sharing application 100 and listened to by an audio device connected to the user terminal device 4A, for example.

Step 2
By the way, in general, in music distribution via a network, use after downloading is limited to use such as reproduction after given certain digital audio data copy restrictions. In other words, the user who acquired the audio content by downloading is only permitted to use within a certain range, and for example, edits based on the acquired audio content and edits the music as a secondary creation. Usually, the right to create is not given.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in principle, the primary content is permitted to be used as a material for secondary creation within a preset range (secondary use, secondary editing). Audio content. For confirmation, the secondary usage of the primary content in the present embodiment is set within the range of authority approved by the author of the music as the primary content.
Then, the music editing / sharing application 100 according to the present embodiment uses the primary content managed (stored and stored) by itself as an editing material, and executes an editing process in response to a user operation. Thus, it is possible to create audio content as a new musical piece. Further, for example, in editing such audio content, plug-in data corresponding to a predetermined special effect provided in the effect database 6 can be acquired and edited using the plug-in data. Similarly, the audio material provided in the material database 7 can be acquired and edited by adding it. Note that the effect database 6 and the material database 7 may be installed on a network or may exist locally on the user terminal device 4A.
Also, here, the audio content created in this way is referred to as subsidiary content, and is distinguished from primary content. As a procedure (operation) 2, an operation is performed on the user terminal device 4 </ b> A that is activating the music editing / sharing application 100 to create a certain subsidiary content.

Note that the substance of the data as the subsidiary content created by this procedure (operation) 2 is not the digital audio data having the contents of the music like the primary content but mainly the reproduction control information. . In other words, playback control that describes the designation of effects (special effects), including instructions on which part of digital audio data as secondary-used audio content (editing material content) should be played back and output at what timing Information.
That is, as a flow of secondary editing by the music editing / sharing application 100, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, the editing material contents A, B, and C that are secondary usage targets are used to perform user operations. As a result of performing the editing process in response to this, subsidiary content playback control information not including audio data but including playback control information is created and output.

  The subsidiary content data (that is, subsidiary content playback control information) as the playback control information can be significantly reduced in data size as compared with audio data, for example. Thereby, it is possible to save the storage capacity of the storage medium such as the HDD in which the subsidiary content data is stored in the subsidiary content server 2 and use it effectively. Also, when transmitting and receiving subsidiary content data over a network, the amount of transmission data is small, so traffic is not compressed, for example.

  Creating secondary works as new music by editing existing music as material like secondary editing in this embodiment is said to be sampling, mashup, etc. Often done. Against this background, it is natural that there is a desire and demand among ordinary people to create music as a secondary work in the same way. However, at present, it is very difficult for ordinary people to create a music piece as a secondary work after properly clearing the copyright problem.

Therefore, in the music distribution / sharing system according to the present embodiment, first, a general user can legally perform secondary editing using the distributed music, so that the entertainment for the user can be further improved. Aimed to do so.
For this reason, the primary content is positioned as audio content that the user who has downloaded (purchased) is permitted to secondary use within the range of authority approved by the copyright holder. In other words, the music distribution service by the primary content server 1 of the present embodiment distributes audio content that is actively licensed for secondary use. However, in the case of the present embodiment, the editing work as the secondary use of the primary content is at least a user on the music editing / sharing application 100 developed corresponding to the music editing / sharing system of the present embodiment. The operation should be limited to, for example, it cannot be performed by other editing software unrelated to the music editing / sharing system of the present embodiment. A mechanism for this will be described later.

Step 3
The subsidiary content playback control file as subsidiary content created by the user A in the above procedure 2 is stored only in the user terminal device 4A of the user A, and music editing is performed as will be described later with reference to FIG. It is possible to perform processing by the playback function of the shared application 100 to play back the sound of the music content as the subsidiary content.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the subsidiary content created by the user is published on the network so that the user receiving the service of the music editing / sharing application 100 of the present embodiment can share the content. .
It is assumed that the user A wants to share the subsidiary content created in the previous procedure 2. Therefore, the user A performs a predetermined operation on the music editing / sharing application 100 and uploads the subsidiary content created in the procedure 2 to the subsidiary content server 2. This is procedure 3.
As described above, the substance of data as subsidiary content is a subsidiary content reproduction control file. Therefore, depending on the uploading of the subsidiary content as the procedure 3, the user terminal device 4A (music editing / sharing application 100) transmits and outputs the subsidiary content reproduction control file together with the upload request.

Step 4
When the subsidiary content server 2 receives the upload request as described above, in principle, the subsidiary content server 2 newly registers the subsidiary content reproduction control file, which is the subsidiary content data transmitted together with the request, in the database. To save. At this time, the subsidiary content server 2 sets the storage location (expressed by an address such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), for example), and then stores the subsidiary content playback control file and registers it in the database. To be done.
The subsidiary content server 2 is assumed to have a public function for subsidiary content registered in the database. That is, the subsidiary content server 2 can publish, for example, by presenting a list of subsidiary contents registered in the database in response to access from the user terminal device 4 (music editing / sharing application 100). it can. Further, it is also possible to transmit and output the subsidiary content disclosed in this manner in response to a download request from the user terminal device 4 (music editing / sharing application 100) as described later.

Step 5
When the subsidiary content server 2 stores and manages the subsidiary content playback control file as described above, the subsidiary content (subsidiary content playback control file) that has been uploaded to the user terminal device 4A that has made the upload request. In order to notify the storage location, an address indicating the storage location (storage location address) is transmitted.
The music editing / sharing application 100 of the user terminal device 4A receives the above-mentioned storage location address, stores it in a predetermined storage medium, and manages it. The user A can output the storage location address of the subsidiary content uploaded by the user 2 at any time by a predetermined operation on the music editing / sharing application 100.

Step 6
Then, the user A who has acquired the storage location address as described above notifies the other content server 2 that his / her subsidiary content has been released to other users by several means. It can be carried out.
Step 6 corresponds to one of the means for this public announcement. As shown in the figure, the communication server 3 is accessed and, for example, it is created on its own page in SNS or on its own blog. The fact that the subsidiary content has been released is written. At this time, the URL as the storage location address acquired in step 5 is pasted so as to be written together.

Step 7
After user A performs writing as in step 6 above, for example, user B operates the music editing / sharing application 100 installed in the user terminal device 4B, and the user A's page in SNS, When the user A's blog is accessed and browsed, the user A knows that the subsidiary content of the user A has been newly released. That is, the user B in this case has indirectly received the notification about the new release of the subsidiary content created by the user A through the SNS and the blog. Procedure 7 indicates that such an indirect announcement of subsidiary content is performed.

Step 8
This procedure 8 is given as another means of public announcement. As this procedure 8, for example, by creating and sending a mail using a mail function provided in the SNS, the user B side is notified that the created subsidiary content has been released. To be. This is a more direct aspect of the notification according to the flow of procedure 6 and procedure 7.
Further, when notification is made by e-mail or the like in this way, for example, the storage location address of the subsidiary content is pasted in the text.

Step 9
As described above, the user B can receive the notification that the subsidiary content created by the user A is newly disclosed indirectly or directly, and can know this. When the user B wants to listen to the newly released subsidiary content of the user A, first, the subsidiary content is downloaded by the music editing / sharing application 100. This is procedure 9.
In downloading the subsidiary content, for example, a click operation is performed on a storage location address indicated as a link in the SNS diary page or the blog text. For confirmation, when writing to an SNS diary page or blog, when writing address information such as a URL, this string part will be published as a link. It has become.
In response to the click operation on the storage location address as described above, the music editing / sharing application 100 accesses the storage location address. That is, among the addresses on the subsidiary content server 2, an address indicating a location where the subsidiary content file (subsidiary content playback control file) created and published by the user A is stored is accessed. Then, the subsidiary content playback control file stored in this storage location is transmitted to the user terminal device 4B. Then, the subsidiary content playback control file sent in this way is received on the user terminal device 4B side, and is stored and managed under the control of the music editing / sharing application 100. In this way, the subsidiary content is downloaded.

Step 10
When the subsidiary content of the user A is stored and managed as described above, the subsidiary content can be reproduced by the music editing / sharing application 100 of the user terminal device 4B. The procedure 10 is a procedure for reproducing and outputting the music as the subsidiary content as sound in response to a reproduction instruction operation on the music editing / sharing application 100 by the user B.
Here, the concept of reproduction of subsidiary content by the editing / sharing application 100 is shown in FIG.
In reproducing the subsidiary content, first, the music editing / sharing application 100 interprets the subsidiary content playback control file that is the entity data. As a result of this interpretation, for example, at least which audio content is used as editing material content, and which part of each editing material content is used in which playback time and how is used. can do. In this figure, it is assumed that the audio contents of the editing material contents A, B, and C are used as editing materials corresponding to FIG. 3 described above. Then, in accordance with the recognition result, the music editing / sharing application 100 executes playback control using at least the actual audio data as the editing material contents A, B, and C. As a result, the music content as subsidiary content is reproduced as sound.

  In addition, according to the description of FIG. 4 above, reproduction of subsidiary content requires actual audio data as audio content (editing material content) used secondary to the subsidiary content. become. That is, in order to reproduce the subsidiary content, it is necessary that the actual audio data of the editing material content exists on the same local area as the music editing / sharing application 100, even temporarily. Therefore, when the subsidiary content is to be reproduced, if the editing material content is not stored locally, it is necessary to acquire these and present them locally.

Step 11
Therefore, in the above case, it is necessary to perform a procedure for downloading and acquiring editing material content that does not exist locally. The procedure 11 in FIG. 2 is a procedure to be performed for this purpose in the process of content reproduction according to the procedure 10.
As understood from the above description, the editing material content is actual audio data, so that the editing material content is in principle the primary content. Therefore, as the procedure 11, the primary content server 1 is accessed, and the primary content necessary for reproducing the subsidiary content according to the current procedure 10 and not existing locally is downloaded. By this download, all the editing material contents necessary for reproducing the subsidiary contents exist locally, and it becomes possible to normally execute the reproduction output as described with reference to FIG.

Note that there are several possible states of the audio data of the primary content that will be present locally as a result of downloading in step 11.
First, in the same way as in the case of normal download according to the procedure 1, it is possible to consider an aspect that exists locally in a state of being stored and saved in an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD. The other is temporarily stored in a main storage device such as a RAM, and is erased when the music editing / sharing application 100 capable of reproducing the subsidiary content is no longer in a state, for example. Such a mode can also be considered. For example, the primary content is described as paying in principle, but in the latter case, it is possible to operate it free of charge or set a fee that is cheaper than normal download.

In addition, according to the description of FIG. 2 above, the creation of subsidiary content in the present embodiment uses primary content as editing material content. However, editing material content includes not only primary content but also subsidiary content. Next content can also be included. This point will be supplemented with reference to FIG. FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C each show a case where one subsidiary content is created by secondary use of two editing material contents for editing.
First, FIG. 5A shows a case where the editing material contents A and B are primary contents, respectively, as in the example of creating subsidiary contents described with reference to FIG. That is, a case is shown in which secondary content is created by executing editing processing with primary content A being editing material content A and primary content B being different primary content being editing material content B. In this case, the subsidiary content includes at least a part of the primary content A and the primary content B as shown in the figure. That is, primary contents A and B are used as the original editing material (original editing material).
FIG. 5B shows an editing material content A that is the same primary content as FIG. 5A and an editing material content C that is a subsidiary content created by secondary use of the primary contents C and D. It shows that subsidiary content can be created by secondary editing. In this case, the subsidiary content includes at least a part of the primary content A included in the editing material content A and at least a part of each of the primary contents C and D included in the editing material content C. To be formed. That is, the original editing material is the primary contents A, C, and D. Therefore, when the new subsidiary contents shown in FIG. 5B are reproduced, these primary contents A, C are used. , D must be placed locally.
FIG. 5C shows that a subsidiary content can be newly created by secondary editing of two editing material contents C and D, which are subsidiary contents. In this case, the newly created subsidiary content includes at least a part of each of the primary contents C and D included in the editing material content C and at least a part of each of the primary contents E and F included in the editing material content D. The contents of the music are formed. Therefore, when the new subsidiary content shown in FIG. 5C is reproduced, the primary contents C, D, E, and F, which are the original editing materials, need to be placed locally.
When using subsidiary content as editing material content for creating subsidiary content as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, first, the user handles the primary content as editing material content. Similarly to the case, in order to place the subsidiary content as the editing material content locally, for example, it is downloaded and stored in the user terminal device 4.

2, when the subsidiary content server 2 transmits subsidiary content data in response to a subsidiary content download request, the subsidiary content data is encrypted. This encryption can be decrypted by the music editing / sharing application 100 of the authorized user, but the music editing / sharing application 100 reproduces only the subsidiary content data decrypted through the encryption processing, for example, The secondary content data not originally encrypted or the secondary content data encrypted by another method or algorithm is operated so as not to be reproduced. That is, the music editing / sharing application 100 reproduces only the subsidiary content data acquired from the outside by downloading from the subsidiary content server 2.
Therefore, for example, network communication by P2P (Pier to Pier), attachment of e-mail files, direct communication between user terminal devices by FTP (File Transport Protocol), etc., or users using removable media Even if the users exchange the subsidiary content files directly, such as between each other, the files obtained by the users are not encrypted by the subsidiary content server 2, so it is appropriate To be unable to play. In other words, in the present embodiment, the subsidiary content of another person cannot be properly reproduced unless it is downloaded from the subsidiary content server 2. Thus, in the music editing / sharing system of the present embodiment, illegal secondary contents that violate copyright are prevented from being distributed and propagated on the network. Thereby, for example, the rights of the copyright holder of the primary content and the subsidiary content can be protected.

  As described above, as can be understood from the description of FIGS. 2 to 5, the music distribution / sharing system according to the present embodiment can first download the primary content. In other words, the user can download (purchase) a favorite music piece and listen to it through normal music distribution. On top of that, the usage rights are set so that the secondary content can be used as editing material for the primary content, so the user can edit the primary content into the material and create his own work. It can be done. Furthermore, the subsidiary content, which is a work created in this way, can be opened to the public using communication technologies such as SNS and blog. In other words, ordinary users who have been legally difficult due to copyright issues, etc., create new audio contents (sub-contents) by editing copyrighted music as material. In addition, it is possible to appropriately perform public presentation of the subsidiary content.

Further, in the present embodiment, the content of the subsidiary content is mainly composed of playback control information formed including at least a description instructing playback of the primary content that is the original editing material used by the subsidiary content. It is said to be a thing.
The music editing / sharing application 100 has a subsidiary content playback function, but also has an editing function for creating subsidiary content. For this reason, as an aspect of reproduction of subsidiary content, not only processing for audio reproduction is performed, but the editing content of the subsidiary content to be reproduced is reflected in, for example, the user interface of the editing function described above. Can do. In other words, as a benefit of the fact that the subordinate content of the subsidiary content is used as the playback control information, the user can edit the downloaded subsidiary content using the editing function of the music editing / sharing application 100. You can know in detail what is being done.

Next, an example of a technical configuration for realizing the usage mode and operation of the music distribution / sharing system according to the embodiment described so far will be described.
First, FIG. 6 shows an example of the internal configuration of the primary content server 1. As shown in this figure, the primary content server 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an authentication processing unit 13, a search processing unit 14, a database management unit 15, a settlement processing unit 16, an encryption processing unit 17, a network interface. 18 is provided.

The control unit 11 is a part that performs various control processes in the primary content server 1 in an integrated manner.
The storage unit 12 includes an HDD or the like, for example, and stores a primary content database 12a. The primary content database 12a is an information unit in which audio data files as primary content to be distributed are databased. Note that the audio data file as the primary content has a predetermined format with various metadata attached in addition to the actual data as the audio data.

  For example, when a download request is made, the authentication processing unit 13 uses the user ID and password included in the request to execute a required authentication process regarding whether or not the user is a legitimate user. Only when the authentication processing result is OK, the primary content in response to the request is transmitted.

The search processing unit 14 cooperates with the database management unit 15 to access the primary content database 12a and execute a process of searching for a desired primary content.
The database management unit 15 manages the primary content database 12a. For example, when new primary content is supplied, the new primary content is updated and registered in the primary content database 12a accordingly. Similarly, when the primary content is to be deleted, the primary content data is deleted and the database is updated accordingly.

  The payment processing unit 16 executes processing such as payment for payment on the user side for paid primary content.

  The encryption processing unit 17 is a part that executes processing for performing predetermined encryption on primary content data to be transmitted from the primary content server 1 to the user terminal device 4.

  The network interface 18 is a part for performing communication via the network 5. For example, the network interface 18 receives a download request and transmits primary content data according to the download request according to the control of the control unit 11. This is realized by executing communication processing.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the internal configuration of the subsidiary content server 2. As shown in this figure, the subsidiary content server 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an authentication processing unit 23, a search processing unit 24, a settlement processing unit 25, a storage location setting processing unit 26, and an encryption processing unit 27. , An inappropriate subsidiary content correspondence processing unit 28 and a network interface 29 are provided.

The control unit 21 is a part that performs various control processes in the subsidiary content server 2 in an integrated manner.
The storage unit 22 includes, for example, an HDD and stores a subsidiary content database 22a. The subsidiary content database 22a is an information unit in which subsidiary content playback control files, which are entity data as subsidiary content to be disclosed here, are databased.

  For example, when a subsidiary content download request is made, the authentication processing unit 23 uses a user ID, a password, or the like included in the request to perform a required authentication process regarding whether or not the user is a legitimate user. Execute.

The search processing unit 24 is a part that, in cooperation with the database management unit 25, accesses the subsidiary content database 22a and executes a process of searching for the target subsidiary content.
The database management unit 25 manages the subsidiary content database 22a. For example, when a subsidiary content (subsidiary content playback control file) is newly uploaded, the uploaded subsidiary content is updated and registered in the subsidiary content database 22a. Similarly, when subsidiary content (subsidiary content playback control file) is to be deleted, a deletion process for this purpose and a database update according to the deletion result are performed.

  The encryption processing unit 27 is a part that executes processing for performing predetermined encryption on the subsidiary content data to be transmitted from the subsidiary content server 2 to the user terminal device 4. Further, depending on the operation of the system, it is considered that the subsidiary content data may be encrypted and transmitted from the user terminal device 4 when uploading the subsidiary content. In this case, the encryption process is performed. The unit 27 is also configured to execute processing for decrypting the encryption.

  The inappropriate subsidiary content correspondence processing unit 28 is a part that executes a required process corresponding to the inappropriate subsidiary content. An example of the processing content will be described later.

  The network interface 29 is a part for performing communication via the network 5. For example, the network interface 29 communicates under the control of the control unit 21 for receiving subsidiary content and download requests that are uploaded and transmitting subsidiary content data (subsidiary content playback control file) in response to the download request. This is realized by executing the process.

  FIG. 8 illustrates an internal configuration example of the communication server 3. As shown in this figure, the communication server 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an authentication processing unit 33, a blog operation processing unit 34, an SNS operation processing unit 35, and a network interface 36. In this case, the communication server 3 is assumed to provide a blog and SNS communication service.

The control unit 31 is a part that controls and executes various control processes in the communication server 3.
The storage unit 32 includes, for example, an HDD and stores a blog database 32a and an SNS database 32b. For example, the blog database 32a is an information unit in which blog data opened by a user is databased. The SNS database 32b is an information unit in which page contents and the like for each SNS user are databased.

  In this case, the authentication processing unit 33 executes authentication processing using a user ID, a password, or the like included in the request in response to a login for updating a blog or a request to log in to the SNS. If this authentication processing result is OK, the login is successful.

  The blog operation processing unit 34 executes various required processes for properly operating the blog. For example, in response to a request to access a blog from the user terminal device 4 or a request for a regular blog writing screen, processing such as transmission of data on the blog screen or transmission of a blog writing screen is executed. Also, processing for managing the blog database 32a is executed, such as updating the blog database 32a so that writing to the blog is reflected.

  Similarly, the SNS operation processing unit 35 is a process of transmitting the data of the page in response to an access request to the SNS page, or updating the SNS database 32b to reflect writing such as a diary. Processing for properly operating the SNS such as database management is executed.

The network interface 36 is a part for performing communication via the network 5. This makes it possible to transmit page data in response to an access request to a blog or SNS.
Here, the communication server 3 is provided corresponding to the SNS and the blog, but different servers may be constructed for the SNS and the blog, for example. In addition, for example, it is configured to provide a CGM-related service that allows an individual user to send information other than the SNS or blog, such as a personal site operation that is well known before the SNS or blog, such as a homepage. May be.

FIG. 9 illustrates an internal configuration example of the user terminal device 4. In this case, it is assumed that the hardware as the user terminal device 4 is a personal computer.
First, the user terminal device 4 includes a network interface 44 in order to perform communication via the network 5. By providing the network interface 44, it is possible to communicate with the primary content server 1, the subsidiary content server 2, the communication server 3, and other user terminal devices 4 via the network 5, for example.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41 can execute various processes according to, for example, an OS (Operating System) installed in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 48, various application programs, and programs stored in the ROM 42. The In the present embodiment, an application program as the music editing / sharing application 100 is installed.
The RAM 43 is a work area for the CPU 41, and appropriately stores data, programs, and the like necessary for the CPU 41 to execute various processes.

In this case, an input device 46 such as a keyboard or a mouse is connected to the input / output interface 45, and an operation signal output from the input device 46 is converted into a signal adapted to the CPU 41. Are output to the CPU 41.
A media drive 47 is connected to the input / output interface 45. The media drive 47 is a drive device configured to be able to record and reproduce data corresponding to a removable medium having a predetermined format.

The input / output interface 45 is connected to an HDD 48 having a hard disk as a storage medium. The CPU 41 is configured to be able to record or read data, programs, and the like with respect to the hard disk of the hard disk drive 48 via the input / output interface 45.
The input / output interface 45 is also connected to a display monitor 49 for displaying images.

FIG. 10 shows an example of data contents stored in the HDD 48 in association with the use of the music editing / sharing system of the present embodiment.
As shown in this figure, in relation to the music editing / sharing system of the embodiment, first, the music editing / sharing application 100 is stored as application program data. Note that the music editing / sharing application 100 is stored in the HDD 48 by an installation process. Also, one or more primary content files (primary content file group 103) and one or more subsidiary content playback control files (subsidiary content playback control file group 104) are controlled by the music editing / sharing application 100 as application files. Remembered.

  In this case, the music editing / sharing application 100 can be roughly divided into a program part as the content management / editing tool 101 and a program part as the communication tool 102 in terms of its functions. The content management / editing tool 101 downloads a primary content file (consisting of audio data and metadata) and a subsidiary content playback control file, a primary content file of the primary content file group 103, and a subsidiary content playback control file group 104. A file operation for the subsidiary content playback control file is executed. Also, an editing process according to the editing operation, a subsidiary content reproduction control file creation process according to the editing result, and the like are executed. The communication tool 102 accesses the communication server 3 and executes processing for operating a blog or SNS.

  FIG. 11 schematically shows the program configuration of the content management / editing tool 101 in units of functional blocks. As shown in the figure, the communication control unit 111, the primary content acquisition processing unit 112, and the primary content storage are shown. Management processing unit 113, subsidiary content acquisition processing unit 114, subsidiary content storage management processing unit 115, subsidiary content transfer processing unit 116, subsidiary content reproduction control file generation / interpretation processing unit 117, subsidiary content editing / creation processing It can be viewed as comprising a unit 118, an encryption / decryption processing unit 119, and an audio reproduction signal processing unit 120.

  The communication control unit 111 is a part mainly composed of programs necessary for executing communication with the primary content server 1 and the subsidiary content server 3 via the network in relation to content management / editing.

  The primary content acquisition processing unit 112 is a part composed of a program necessary for downloading and acquiring primary content. The primary content acquisition processing unit 112 provides a user interface for downloading the primary content. Also, a control for issuing a command as a download request and transmitting the command by the communication control unit 111, or a process for receiving a packet of data of the primary content received by the communication control unit 111 and restoring the data format as the primary content Are also executed by the primary content acquisition processing unit 112.

  The primary content storage management processing unit 113 is a part that executes processing for storing the primary content file acquired by the primary content acquisition processing unit 112 in the HDD 48 and processing for managing the stored primary content file. For example, the primary content storage management processing unit 113 realizes music management such as sorting according to artist name, album unit, genre, and the like.

The subsidiary content acquisition processing unit 114 is a part composed of a program necessary for downloading and acquiring subsidiary content.
The subsidiary content storage management processing unit 115 stores the subsidiary content playback control file acquired by the subsidiary content acquisition processing unit 114 in the HDD 48 and manages the stored subsidiary content playback control file. This is a part for executing processing.

  The subsidiary content transfer processing unit 116 is a process for appropriately executing the transfer processing for uploading the subsidiary content reproduction control file to the subsidiary content server 2 via the communication control unit 111. Execute.

The subsidiary content creation processing unit 117 is a part that executes editing using the editing material content shown in FIG. 3, that is, processing related to creation of music content as subsidiary content. For example, a user interface for editing operation is also realized by the subsidiary content creation processing unit 117.
The subsidiary content playback control file generation / interpretation processing unit 118 first generates a subsidiary content playback control file in which the music content as the subsidiary content created by the subsidiary content creation processing unit 117 is reflected. Execute. Further, when reproducing subsidiary content, the interpretation processing for the subsidiary content playback control file shown in FIG. 4 is executed to determine the sequence of playback processing using the editing material content.

  In the present embodiment, the primary content file is encrypted and transmitted from the primary content server 1. The subsidiary content playback control file is also encrypted when it is transmitted from the subsidiary content server 2 to the user terminal device 4 in correspondence with the download. Even when the subsidiary content data is uploaded to the content server 2, it may be sent after being encrypted. The encryption / decryption processing unit 119 executes a process for decrypting the encrypted primary content file and subsidiary content playback control file when it is necessary to operate for playback, editing, etc. To do. Also, when it is necessary to encrypt and transmit the subsidiary content playback control file, the encryption processing is executed.

  The audio reproduction signal processing unit 120 is a part for executing necessary signal processing to be performed in a digital stage in a signal processing process for reproducing digital audio data as audio. For example, when the primary content file is compressed and encoded when the primary content file is reproduced, a decoding process corresponding to the compression encoding is performed, for example, a digital audio signal in a predetermined PCM format is converted. To get. Further, when reproducing subsidiary content, the data portion of the primary content file as the editing material content is reproduced according to the reproduction processing sequence determined by the subsidiary content reproduction control file generation / interpretation processing unit 118. The playback process as a sequencer is executed.

  By the way, when reproducing the subsidiary content, the result of interpreting the reproduction control information by the subsidiary content reproduction control file generation / interpretation processing unit 118 is an editing operation which is a GUI provided by the subsidiary content creation processing unit 117. It can be reflected on the screen. That is, the content of the playback instruction indicated by the playback control information is displayed in a manner that the user can recognize on the editing work screen. By viewing this, the user can confirm in detail how the subsidiary content was created. This means that it is possible to obtain accurate information on how the creator created the subsidiary content. For example, in the case of content using a digital audio signal, in order for a general user to know how the content was created, it is only possible to infer from the acoustic contents that can be actually played back and heard . In this way, in the case of the present embodiment, it is possible to grasp how the subsidiary content is created in more detail and specifically. And by sharing such subsidiary content among users, it is expected that the knowledge and technology related to music production of users who use the music editing / sharing system of this embodiment will be dramatically improved. The In this way, the system according to the present embodiment has very high entertainment and utility value for users who are interested in music production.

Next, an example of the structure of the subsidiary content playback control file will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in this figure, the subsidiary content playback control file has at least each information part of usage primary content information, usage editing material content information, playback control information, and this content usage permission range information. It is assumed that the portion is stored by a predetermined structure. Of these information parts, the playback control information is the main information (main body information) as the subsidiary content playback control file, and other information (usage primary content information, usage editing material content information) , And the content usage permission range information) are metadata (additional information).

The used primary content information is information indicating what is the primary content (this is the used primary content) required to play the music content as the subsidiary content corresponding to the current subsidiary content playback control file. is there. In other words, it is information indicating what is the primary content that will eventually be used to create the current subsidiary content.
If it corresponds to FIG. 5, the information indicating the primary content indicated as forming the subsidiary content newly created by the editing process is the use primary content information. That is, in the usage primary content information, the primary contents A and B are shown in the case of FIG. 5A, the primary contents A, B, and C are shown in FIG. 5B, and FIG. ), Primary contents C, D, E, and F are shown.

As a possibility, it is considered that there is a case where a certain primary content included in the editing material content is deleted in the music content as the subsidiary content created by editing the editing material content. In the case of FIG. 5B, for example, primary contents A and C are used as sound sources as new subsidiary contents obtained by editing using editing material contents A and B, for example. It is possible to consider the possibility that the music content is not used for the elements of the primary content D. In this case, the primary content audio data necessary for reproduction of the subsidiary content is only the primary content A and C, and the primary content D is unnecessary.
It is about what kind of contents of the used primary content information corresponding to such a case, but one should reflect only the primary content that is actually necessary for reproducing the subsidiary content Based on the idea that the primary contents A and C are only shown, the primary contents D may not be presented.
Another possibility is to use the contents indicating all the primary contents A, C, and D as primary contents. In other words, in this case, although the primary content D is not currently used, in the process up to the creation of the secondary content, the music content as the primary content D is affected by a considerable amount. Therefore, it is based on the idea that it is potentially equivalent to using it. In this case, as a result, all the primary contents that have been used even once until the generation when the subsidiary contents are created are included in the used primary content information.
Note that the usage primary content information includes metadata of a predetermined content related to each primary content shown here.

Further, the used editing material content information is information indicating what editing material content (used editing material content) is directly used to create the subsidiary content corresponding to the current subsidiary content playback control file. The Taking FIG. 5 as an example, the usage editing material content information of the subsidiary content after the editing process shown in FIG. 5A shows information indicating actual primary content files as the editing material contents A and B. Will be. Also, the used editing material content information after the editing process shown in FIG. 5B includes a primary content file that is editing material content A and subsidiary content that is editing material content C (subsidiary content playback control). File) is stored.
Note that the used editing material content information also includes accompanying information with a predetermined content related to each editing material content shown here.

  The reproduction control information is an information part that describes a processing sequence for reproducing the music content as the current subsidiary content in a predetermined language. As an element of the description content that forms the playback control information, for example, first, a description indicating primary content as actual audio data used for playback, and actual playback of secondary content from the audio data as the primary content are used. For example, a description indicating a data portion to be reproduced, a description indicating a time for reproducing the data portion, and the like. Also, for example, a description for reflecting so-called effects and special effects such as fade-in, fade-out, overlap, equalizing (sound quality adjustment), reproduction speed magnification, reverb, delay, and the like is performed.

  The content usage agreement range information is information on the usage agreement range set for the current subsidiary content. This structure may be based on the usage permission range information in the usage content structure example described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the structure of usage primary content information and usage editing material content information.
As shown in this figure, the used primary content information / used editing material content information is largely composed of unit file information concatenation. Each unit file information corresponds to one used primary content and used editing material content. For the sake of simplifying the description, in the description of FIG. 13, when there is no particular distinction between the used primary content and the used editing material content, it is referred to as “used content”.

In the unit file information, for example, information items of a file ID, an artist name, a song name, and usage permission range information are provided.
The file ID indicates an identifier (ID) assigned so as to be unique to the content file of the corresponding usage content. That is, a file ID as a primary content file that is used content or a file ID as a subsidiary content reproduction control file that is used content is stored. These file IDs are assigned by the primary content server 1 for the used primary content, and are assigned by the subsidiary content server 2 for the subsidiary content playback control file.
The artist name information item indicates the name of the performer or creator who is assumed to have played or created the corresponding usage content.
The information item of the song name indicates the song name for the corresponding usage content.

Information on the use permission range (use permission range information) is formed by a set of one or more use items 1 to n.
The usage items 1 to n are assigned so as to correspond to predetermined usage contents related to editing. There are various examples of usage content assigned to usage items.
・ Contents related to whether or not this content can be used for secondary use ・ Contents related to the use of an artist different from this content for other content used as editing material ・ If this content belongs to other content used as editing material Content related to using an album that is different from the album to be edited • Content related to the use of specific effects and special effects • Content related to the use of specific plug-in modules • Extract a part from the entire song to be used as editing material ,
・ Permissions for audio data part to be extracted when extracting a part from the whole song as editing material ・ Number of generations that can be used (for example, if primary content is allowed to be used up to grandchildren, this primary Child subsidiary content that uses content and grandchild subsidiary content that uses this subsidiary content can be created, but this grandchild subsidiary content cannot be edited on the part that uses the corresponding used content. Can not)
・ Contents related to the number and types of content that can be used in combination with this content.
For each of these usage items, for example, information indicating the contents regarding the usage permission set for each usage item is described, including permission / non-permission. As the usage permission range information, the permission setting contents described in each of these usage items are combined to indicate the usage permission range for the corresponding usage content.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the content of the playback control information in the subsidiary content playback control file.
In this figure, a description part enclosed by [] indicates a certain reproduction control content for one used content.
An example of the playback control content in units of usage content shown in FIG. 14 will be described.
First, as the playback control content of the used content unit shown at the top in the figure,
[
file_id = AAAAAA;
time = 00: 00-00: 10;
position = vv-zz
]
It is described. This is the usage content specified by the file ID = AAAAAA, and the playback time of the current subsidiary content using this usage content is from 00:00 (start time) to 00:10 (playback time 10 seconds). Yes, it is specified that the data section of the used content used in the reproduction time is a range corresponding to the address vv to the address zz.
Subsequent playback control details for each used content are as follows:
[
file_id = AAAAAA;
time = 00: 10-00: 15;
position = ss-tt
]
It is described. This is because the used content is specified by the file ID = AAAAAA, and the playback time of the current subsidiary content using this used content is 00:10 to 00:15, and the used content used in this playback time The data section of is designated as a range corresponding to the address ss to the address tt.
The following playback control details for each used content are as follows:
[
file_id = BBBBBB;
time = 00: 15-00: 20;
position = ss-tt
]
It is described. This is because the used content is specified by the file ID = BBBBBB, and the playback time of the current subsidiary content that uses this used content is 00:15 to 00:20, and the used content that is used during this playback time The data section of is designated as a range corresponding to the address pp to the address uu.
For example, the audio playback signal processing unit 120 of the music editing / sharing application 100 according to the present embodiment sequentially interprets the playback control content in units of usage content enclosed in [] in this way, and according to the interpretation result. By actually executing the reproduction control, the subsidiary content is reproduced and output as an audio signal.

The structure of the primary content file will be described.
As described above, the primary content file has a file structure composed of audio data of a predetermined format having the music contents as the primary content and various metadata related thereto as shown in FIG. It is supposed to have. Note that the audio data may be subjected to predetermined audio compression encoding, and the data size is reduced by performing audio compression encoding so that the primary content server 1 can store the primary content. The storage capacity can be saved, which is advantageous for transmission on the network.
In addition to the information generally associated with audio data, such as the song title, artist, title of the album to which it belongs, genre, data format, data size, etc. The use permission range information described in FIG. 13 is also included.

The primary content in this embodiment is premised on the secondary usage being permitted, but this usage permission is obtained by the agreement of the copyright holder of the primary content (such as an artist). It is. Then, the content, range, etc. of usage that the copyright holder can permit change naturally depending on the copyright holder's way of thinking about the music. Therefore, in this embodiment, as respecting the concept of the copyright holder, the use permission range information, which is the information for which the use permission range is set for the primary content, is incorporated as metadata, Thus, the intention of the copyright holder is reflected. Of course, as a method of operation, it may be possible to set the use permission range of the primary content uniformly, but the copyright holder can set different use permission ranges for each primary content as in this embodiment. It is more effective for the music editing / sharing system to operate more smoothly.
Note that the contents of the use items forming the use permission range information in the metadata of the primary content file need not be the same as those in the subsidiary content playback control file shown in FIG. 13, and are used as the primary content. It is only necessary to set the content of the item.

  Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17, an example of a procedure related to main processing relating to editing of subsidiary content will be described. The processing shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is realized by executing a program as the content management / editing tool 101 in the music editing / sharing application 100.

Here, for example, it is assumed that the user of the user terminal device 4 is trying to edit the subsidiary content by starting the content management / editing tool 101 of the music editing / sharing application 100. Then, it is assumed that content used as a material for creating subsidiary content is searched and an operation of registering (determining) the content as editing material content is performed. In response to this, the subsidiary content creation processing unit 117 in the content management / editing tool 101 executes the processing shown in FIG.
In FIG. 16, first, in step S101, data of content registered as editing material content is fetched. For confirmation, if the registered editing material content is primary content, the data of the file as the primary content is fetched, and if it is secondary content, the corresponding secondary content playback is performed. The control file data is imported.

  In step S102, the usage permission range information is further read from the data fetched in step S101. As a result, the contents of the various use licenses set for the content registered as the editing material content this time are recognized based on the contents of the use items 1 to n in the use permission range information. Therefore, in the subsequent step S103, settings are made so that the contents of the use permission recognized in accordance with step S102 are reflected in the user interface (UI) for editing subsidiary content. By this processing, the operation as the subsidiary content creation processing unit 117 is obtained in such a way that the editing operation cannot be performed on the editing material content that exceeds the preset usage permission range.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a processing procedure relating to generation of a subsidiary content playback control file that is actual data as subsidiary content. The processing shown in this figure is also realized by, for example, the CPU 41 executing a program as the content management / editing tool 101. Here, first, in step S201, the processing corresponding to the operation input for editing should be performed. An editing process is to be executed. For example, the subsidiary content creation processing unit 117 provides a GUI (Graphical User Interface) by which a user performs an editing operation for creating subsidiary content by using the program. The user performs an editing operation for creating subsidiary content using this GUI, and the processing as step S201 is executed in accordance with this operation.
In the course of performing the editing process as described above, if it is determined in step S202 that an operation for saving the editing results so far has been performed, the process proceeds to step S203. In step S203, a subsidiary content reproduction control file corresponding to the music content as the subsidiary content obtained as a result of editing so far is generated, and stored in an appropriate directory in the HDD 48, for example, in the next step S204. Execute control as you do. If the procedure of step S204 is completed, the process returns to step S201.
Although not shown here, for example, when an operation for closing a GUI screen for creating subsidiary content is performed, the process shown in this figure is skipped and the process proceeds to another required process. To be done.
Further, when the subsidiary content playback control file is created, the contents of the content usage permission range information are created. How to set the contents of this content usage agreement range information is, for example, a predetermined rule within a range that does not exceed the minimum determined by combining the usage agreement range information of each primary content that is the original editing material. It is conceivable to automatically set (contents for each use item) according to Further, it is conceivable that the setting is made in accordance with a designation operation related to the contents of the content usage permission range information that is assumed to be performed by the user so that the user's intention is reflected. However, even when setting in accordance with the user operation in this way, the setting is made so as not to exceed the minimum determined based on the total use permission range information of each primary content as the original editing material. The use permission range (contents for each use item) beyond this cannot be set.

  Next, with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 18, an example of a processing procedure related to uploading subsidiary content by the user terminal device 4 and an example of a processing procedure of the subsidiary content server 2 in response to the upload will be described. The processing on the user terminal device 4 side in this figure is realized mainly by programs as the subsidiary content storage management processing unit 115 and the subsidiary content transfer processing unit 116. The processing of the subsidiary content server 2 is executed by each unit shown in FIG. 7 in cooperation. For example, actually, the computer system (CPU) constituting the subsidiary content server 2 executes the program. It can be viewed as being realized by execution.

  On the user terminal device 4 side, it waits for a command to instruct uploading of the subsidiary content playback control file to be obtained in step S301. Here, for example, it is assumed that the user created the music editing / sharing application 100 stored in the HDD 48 as an application file of the music editing / sharing application 100 as an operation for the GUI provided by the content management / editing tool 101. Suppose that one or more subsidiary contents desired to be uploaded are selected from the subsidiary contents (that is, subsidiary content playback control file), and an upload execution operation is performed. In response to this, a command for instructing upload of the subsidiary content playback control file corresponding to the subsidiary content selected on the GUI is generated, and the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S302, the subsidiary content designated to be uploaded, that is, the subsidiary content reproduction control file is read from a predetermined directory. Then, in the next step S303, control is performed to transmit and output the read subsidiary content playback control file to the subsidiary content server 2 along with an upload request via the network.

The subsidiary content server 2 waits for an upload request to be received in step S401. When the upload request is received, the procedure from step S402 is executed. In order to actually move to step S402 after receiving the upload request, it is confirmed that the request is from a legitimate user, for example, through an authentication process. Such processing procedures are omitted.
In step S402, the storage location (URL) of the subsidiary content playback control file received together with the upload request is set.
In step S403, a communication process for notifying the user terminal device 4 that is the transmission source of the current upload request of the storage location of the uploaded subsidiary content (subsidiary content playback control file) is executed. Is done.

  The user terminal device 4 that has made the upload request in step S303 waits for the storage location information to be received in step S304. When the storage location information is received, the received storage location (URL) information is stored in an appropriate directory in step S305. As a result, information on the storage location of subsidiary content can be called up by a predetermined operation on the content management / editing tool 101 thereafter. If the storage location is a URL, for example, a character string as a URL is displayed in response to a call operation.

The flowchart of FIG. 19 shows a processing procedure example regarding downloading of subsidiary content by the user terminal device 4 and a processing procedure example of the subsidiary content server 2 according to this. The processing on the user terminal device 4 side in this figure is also mainly realized by programs as the subsidiary content storage management processing unit 115 and the subsidiary content transfer processing unit 116.
First, the user terminal device 4 waits for a command to instruct downloading of the subsidiary content playback control file in step S501. Here, for example, in a state where the user accesses the subsidiary content server 2 as an operation for the GUI provided by the content management / editing tool 101 and browses a list of subsidiary contents stored and managed here, Suppose that one or more subsidiary contents to be downloaded are selected and a download execution operation is performed. Accordingly, a positive determination result is obtained as step S501, and the process proceeds to step S502.

  In step S502, a download request is transmitted to the subsidiary content server 2 in response to the download instruction being obtained. Note that the download request includes, for example, information specifying the directory (storage location) of the subsidiary content selected at the time of operating the download execution instruction. It is also conceivable that the download request is made by designating the file ID of the subsidiary content playback control file that is the entity of the subsidiary content instead of the storage location.

The subsidiary content server 2 waits for a download request to be received in step S601. When an upload request is received, the procedure of step S602 is executed. It should be noted that although an authentication process or the like is performed when the download request is received and the process actually moves to step S402, such a processing procedure is also omitted here.
In step S602, the subsidiary content database 22a of the storage unit 22 is accessed to search the designated subsidiary content (subsidiary content playback control file), and the searched subsidiary content playback control file is searched for the requesting user. It is transmitted to the terminal device 4.

  In step S503, the user terminal device 4 that has transmitted the download request in step 502 waits for reception of the subsidiary content playback control file corresponding to the download request. When it is determined that the subsidiary content playback control file has been received, the received subsidiary content playback control file is stored and managed in an appropriate directory in step S504.

  The flowchart of FIG. 20 shows an example of a processing procedure for reproducing subsidiary content acquired (stored in the HDD 48) by the user terminal device 4 by downloading. The processing on the user terminal device 4 side in FIG. This is realized by a program as a subsidiary content storage management processing unit 115, a decryption processing unit 119, and an audio reproduction signal processing unit.

  First, in step S701, it waits for an instruction to start playback of subsidiary content stored in the HDD 48 by downloading. Here, for example, as an operation for the GUI realized by the subsidiary content storage management processing unit 115, an instruction for selecting one subsidiary content from the subsidiary contents stored in the HD 48 and starting playback is given. If so, the process proceeds from step S701 to step S702.

In step S702, the subsidiary content reproduction control file corresponding to the designated subsidiary content is read from the HDD 48.
Here, it is assumed that the subsidiary content data acquired by downloading is stored in the HDD 48 while being encrypted at the time of transmission. Therefore, in the next step S703, processing for decrypting the read subsidiary content data is executed.

In step S704, it is determined whether or not the decryption process in step S703 has been successful.
For example, if the subsidiary content data designated to be played back in step S701 this time is properly downloaded from the content server 2, the decryption process in step S703 has succeeded and the appropriate subsidiary content data has been successfully downloaded. Will be restored.
On the other hand, for example, in the case of subsidiary content data obtained by means other than downloading from the subsidiary content server 2, encryption by another method or algorithm is performed, or encryption is performed. Absent. In this case, depending on the decryption process in step S703, normal subsidiary content data cannot be restored, or it is not necessary to execute the decryption process. That is, the result of the decryption process in step S703 can be regarded as a failure, including the case where the decryption process is unnecessary.

If an affirmative determination result is obtained in step S704 that the decoding process is successful, the process proceeds to step S705 to start the reproduction control process for this subsidiary content. On the other hand, if a negative determination result is obtained in step S705 that the decoding process has failed, the process proceeds to step S706 to execute an error handling process. As the error handling process, first, the reproduction control process for the subsidiary content designated for the current reproduction is not started, and for example, the subsidiary content designated for the current reproduction is invalid. A control process for notifying on the GUI that reproduction is impossible is executed.
For example, by executing such processing, as the present embodiment, in the user terminal device 4, the subsidiary content information acquired from the outside is properly downloaded and acquired from the subsidiary content server 2. Only the content is reproduced, and the copyright of the primary content or the subsidiary content is more fully protected.
Note that there are other possible mechanisms for reproducing and outputting only the subsidiary content that is legitimately downloaded from the subsidiary content server 2. For example, when the user terminal device 6 receives and acquires it as a download, the encryption is decrypted in advance, and the decrypted result information is attached to the HDD 48 and stored in the HDD 48. It is also conceivable to make a determination as to whether or not to reproduce the subsidiary content with reference to FIG. Further, at the time of reproduction from the subsidiary content server 2, a special code indicating that it has been transmitted for downloading is embedded in the subsidiary content as processing on the subsidiary content server 2 side. In the user terminal device 4, the presence / absence, contents, etc. of this code may be confirmed, and a determination may be made as to whether or not playback should be started.

By the way, the music editing / sharing system according to the present embodiment, as described above, enables secondary use of the primary content of the original, so that secondary content can be created by general users. Can be done. Information on the use permission range is also embedded in the primary content, and the content management / editing tool 101 sets the type of editing processing and whether to execute the content according to this information. As described above, in the next use, use beyond the range set by the copyright holder is prohibited.
However, since music is only sensuous, even if it is subsidiary content created by editing within the preset license agreement as described above, the actual content of the music However, it is natural that there is a situation where the copyright holder's intention is not met.
It is not preferable that such subsidiary contents (referred to as “inappropriate subsidiary contents”) remain open to the subsidiary content server 2. This is because such inappropriate secondary content is within the range of use restricted by the license information, but as a result, does not match the intention of the copyright holder. This is because there is a possibility of conflict with copyright.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the following configuration is adopted in order to prevent such inappropriate subsidiary content from being disclosed as much as possible and to protect the rights of the copyright holder of the primary content. To be done.
FIG. 21 schematically shows an example of operation on the system for preventing inappropriate subsidiary content from being disclosed. Note that this figure will also be described according to the procedure numbers shown in [].

  Here, first, as a procedure 1, subsidiary content is uploaded from the user terminal device 4 to the subsidiary content server 2.

  When the subsidiary content server 2 receives the uploaded subsidiary content (subsidiary content playback control file), the subsidiary content server 2 stores it in the subsidiary content database 22a as described above. At the same time, as shown in step 2, the copyright manager (actually the terminal of the copyright manager) of the primary content used for the subsidiary content is specified. Here, the copyright manager refers to a person who manages the copyright on the primary content used for the music editing / sharing system of the present embodiment. Also, the copyright manager's terminal refers to, for example, a network terminal device prepared by the copyright manager for exchanging information with the music editing / sharing system of the present embodiment. A configuration for the subsidiary content server 2 to specify the copyright manager will be described later.

  As the procedure 3, the subsidiary content server 2 uses the primary content managed by the copyright manager as the primary content used for the terminal 10 of the copyright manager specified in the procedure 2 above. The secondary content is notified that it has been uploaded (ie, published). For this notification, for example, it is transmitted together with the storage location of the subsidiary content to be notified.

By receiving the notification according to the above procedure 3 at the terminal 10 of the copyright manager, the copyright manager releases the secondary content using the primary content that manages the copyright as the primary content. You can find out with the storage location. Therefore, as a procedure 4, for example, the copyright manager actually accesses the notified storage location in the subsidiary content server 2 and downloads the subsidiary content, for example, actually plays it and listens to it. The content of the music is confirmed.
As a result of checking the contents of the subsidiary content in this way, if it can be determined that the work is not particularly in line with the intention of the copyright owner, the copyright manager does not need to take any action. Is done. On the other hand, if it is determined that the work does not conform to the intention of the copyright owner (inappropriate subsidiary content), as shown in the next step 5, the subsidiary manager 10 uses the copyright manager's terminal 10 to Request information for requesting deletion of inappropriate subsidiary content that has been notified to the public can be transmitted to the next content server 2. Alternatively, request information for requesting a warning to the author of inappropriate subsidiary content can be transmitted. Note that whether deletion request information or warning request information is to be transmitted may be determined appropriately according to the concept of the copyright manager, and a deletion request and a warning request are transmitted simultaneously. You may do it.

Here, when the deletion request information is transmitted to the subsidiary content server 2, the subsidiary content server 2 first responds to the reception of the deletion request information, as shown in step 6, A process for deleting the requested inappropriate subsidiary content from the content database 22a is executed. At the same time, a notification indicating that the deletion has been made from the subsidiary content server 2 is sent to the user (user terminal device 4) who is the upload source of the inappropriate subsidiary content this time, as shown in step 7. To be.
Further, when the subsidiary content server 2 receives the warning request information, the subsidiary content server 2, as shown in step 8, is the user (user terminal device 4) who is the upload source of the inappropriate subsidiary content this time. Will be warned. That is, the subsidiary content server 2 transmits information for notifying the warning, and the music editing / sharing application 100 on the user terminal device 4 side indicates that the user has been warned about the subsidiary content in response to the notification. The interface image of the content to be notified is displayed. The user can take an appropriate action by looking at the warning display. For example, the subsidiary file is recreated in accordance with the intention of the copyright holder, and the upload is attempted again. Alternatively, the current inappropriate secondary content is deleted from the subsidiary content database 22a by the management operation of the subsidiary content uploaded by the music editing / sharing application 100. .

  The flowchart of FIG. 22 shows an example of a processing procedure that is executed by the subsidiary content server 2 in response to the procedure 2 and procedure 3 described with reference to FIG. The processing shown in this figure is mainly realized by a program that realizes a function corresponding to the inappropriate subsidiary content correspondence processing unit 28 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 22, first, it waits for reception of a subsidiary content playback control file in step S801. Then, if the subsidiary content reproduction control file is received due to the uploading of the subsidiary content from the user terminal device 4, the procedure after step S802 is executed.

  In step S802, the usage primary content used as the original editing material in the subsidiary content is recognized by referring to the usage primary content information in the subsidiary content reproduction control file received in step S801. In order to recognize and specify the used primary content in step S802, for example, the secondary content database 22a is given a structure that indicates the relationship between the secondary content and the original editing material. It is also conceivable that the processing refers to the subsidiary content database 22a.

In the subsequent step S803, the terminal of the copyright manager of the primary usage content recognized in step S802 is specified.
For this purpose, for example, although not shown in FIG. 7, the storage unit 22 stores table information indicating the correspondence between the primary content stored and managed in the primary content server 1 and the terminal of the copyright manager. It is conceivable to adopt a configuration in which the table information is referred to. Alternatively, in the primary content database 12 a managed by the primary content server 2, information on the copyright manager's terminal is stored corresponding to each primary content, and then the secondary content server 2 performs the primary content server 2. It is also conceivable to perform communication such as accessing 1 and inquiring about the terminal of the copyright manager corresponding to the primary content used.

  If the copyright manager terminal of the used primary content is specified in step S803, the secondary content upload notification is sent to the specified copyright manager terminal in step S804. . In other words, the copyright manager transmits information notifying that a subsidiary content whose primary content is the primary content used for managing the copyright is newly uploaded. As described above, in the upload notification, information on the storage location of the uploaded subsidiary content is also transmitted.

  The flowchart of FIG. 23 shows an example of a processing procedure that is executed by the subsidiary content server 2 corresponding to the procedure 5 to the procedure 8 described with reference to FIG. The processing shown in this figure is executed by each functional unit including the inappropriate subsidiary content handling processing unit 28 shown in FIG. 7 in cooperation.

In this figure, first, in steps S901 and S904, the process waits for receipt of deletion request information or warning request information from the terminal 10 of the copyright manager. If deletion request information is received, the process proceeds from step S901 to step S902.
In step S902, a process for deleting the subsidiary content specified by the deletion request information from the subsidiary content database 22a is executed. In step S903, a notification that the subsidiary content has been deleted is transmitted to the user terminal device 4 of the user who uploaded the subsidiary content to be deleted. By receiving this notification on the user terminal device 4 side, a predetermined display is performed so as to notify the user that the subsidiary content data has been deleted on a predetermined GUI screen by the music editing / sharing application 100. To be done.

When the warning request information is received, the process proceeds from step S904 to step S905. In step S905, information (warning information) indicating that a warning has been issued from the copyright manager side is transmitted to the user terminal device 4 of the user who uploaded the subsidiary content to be warned. To be.
For example, information such as a warning message for the user can be embedded in the warning request information from the copyright manager's terminal. In step S905, warning information included in the warning request information is added to generate warning information and transmit it. Then, the music editing / sharing application 100 displays the warning text included in the received warning information on the GUI screen. In this way, the warning effect for the user becomes more effective.

  By the way, although the user terminal device 4 has been described as an example of a personal computer so far, for example, a portable device having a processing capability lower than that of a personal computer such as a mobile phone is used as a user. Use as the terminal device 4 is also conceivable. For example, if such a portable device is used as the user terminal device 4 in the system of the present embodiment, the system can be used closer to the user.

However, as described above, a portable device such as a cellular phone generally has a lower information processing capability than a personal computer or the like. Therefore, it is not realistic to provide such a portable device with a function of creating subsidiary content.
Accordingly, as a modification of the present embodiment, a system configuration as shown in FIG. 24 is shown. In this figure, parts that are the same as those in FIG. Also in this figure, the numbers in [] indicate the order of the procedure and operation in the system, and the same numbers are assigned to the same components as those in FIG.

In the system configuration shown in FIG. 24, first, in addition to the primary content server 1, the subsidiary content server 2, and the communication server 3, another subsidiary content server 2-1 is provided. However, the subsidiary content server 2 stores and manages the subsidiary content playback control file as the subsidiary content entity data, whereas the subsidiary content server 2-1 stores the subsidiary content reproduction control file. As entity data, a file (audio file) having actual audio data as a main body is stored and managed. Note that the actual audio data in the audio file managed by the subsidiary content server 2-1 is subjected to audio compression coding in a format that can be decoded by the user terminal device 4C as a portable device.
Further, in this figure, as the user terminal device 4, a user terminal device 4A such as a personal computer and a user terminal device 4C such as a mobile phone are shown. The music editing / sharing application 100 described so far is installed in the user terminal device 4A, but is not installed in the user terminal device 4C, and a simpler application for system use (simple application). Is installed. Depending on the simple application, it is possible to download and reproduce an audio file as primary content and subsidiary content in the audio file format. In addition, the blog and SNS services can be used by accessing the communication server 3. However, it is assumed that there is no editing function for creating subsidiary content.

The basic procedure and operation in such a system are as follows.
First, as steps 1 and 2, the user terminal device 4A downloads and stores the primary content from the primary content server 1 and performs secondary editing using the primary content in the same manner as in FIG. , So as to create subsidiary content. Here, as the procedure 2, the substance is to create a subsidiary content playback control file as the created subsidiary content. In the case of this modification, as the creation of subsidiary content, along with the creation of the subsidiary content playback control file in step 2, an audio data file having the same subsidiary content music content as shown in step 2-1. To be created.
Then, in step 3, the subsidiary content playback control file is uploaded to the subsidiary content server 2 in the same manner as in FIG. 2, and here, as shown in step 3-1, the subsidiary content server 2- 1, the audio data file of the subsidiary content created by the procedure 2-1 is also uploaded.
Subsequent notification from the user A who uses the user terminal device 4A that the subsidiary content has been uploaded to the user C who uses the user terminal device 4C is performed in the same procedures 6, 7 as in FIG. 8 or the like. However, in this case, the user terminal device 4C should be notified of the storage location of the subsidiary content in the subsidiary content server 2-1.

  When the subsidiary content is downloaded by the user terminal device 4C, the subsidiary content server 2-1 is accessed instead of the subsidiary content server 2, as shown as procedure 9-1. Then, in step 10-1, the downloaded subsidiary content is reproduced. At this time, the sequence playback of the primary content is not executed according to the subsidiary content playback control file, but the audio signal is played back by executing a decoding process for compression encoding of the audio data as the subsidiary content.

The invention of the present application is not limited to the configuration as the embodiment described so far, but can be variously considered.
For example, as the primary content, the digital audio data is assumed to be the subject (main body) in the entity, but it may have the same data format as the secondary content at the stage of the primary content. In other words, as the primary content, the creator first creates sound sources as some digital audio data, handles each of these sound sources as if it were editing material content, performs editing processing, and outputs the editing results as sub-data. A playback control file equivalent to the next content playback control file is created. The playback control file and a file in which digital audio data as the sound source is packaged are used as primary contents.
In this case, the data for reproducing the substantial content content as the primary content is the data of the reproduction control file.

  In the above description, a specific example of a GUI screen as the music editing / sharing application 100 is not shown, but the GUI configuration of the music editing / sharing application 100 can be variously considered.

Further, the configurations of the primary content server 1, the subsidiary content server 2, the communication server 3, and the user terminal device 4 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are examples, and may be changed as appropriate in practice. Further, at least one of the three servers may be distributed among a plurality of servers. Or conversely, at least two of these servers may be integrated.
Further, the functional configuration of the music editing / sharing application 100 is not limited to the contents described with reference to FIGS.
Also, the structure of the subsidiary content playback control file shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 is merely an example, and is conceptual, and may be changed or expanded as appropriate based on this.
Also, the processing procedures shown as flowcharts in FIGS. 16 to 19, 22, 23, and the like, that is, the program configuration is merely an example, and may be appropriately changed as an actual one.

  In the description so far, the content reproduced and reproduced by the primary content data and the subsidiary content data is audio content such as music, for example. May be. In this case, the data that reproduces the substantial content content as the primary content is video signal data (and audio signal data to be reproduced in synchronization with the video signal). Further, the present invention can be applied to still image contents such as photographs and images.

  1 primary content server, 2 ・ 2-1 subsidiary content server, 3 communication server, 4 (4A, 4B, 4C) user terminal device, 5 network, 6 effect database, 7 material database, 11 ・ 21 ・ 31 control unit, 12.22.32 storage unit, 12a primary content database, 22a subsidiary content database, 32a blog database, 32b SNS database, 13.23.33 authentication processing unit, 14.24 search processing unit, 15.25 database management unit, 16 payment processing unit, 17, 27, 36, 44 network interface, 26 storage location setting processing unit, 28 inappropriate subsidiary content handling processing unit, 34 blog operation processing unit, 35 SNS operation processing unit, 41 CPU, 42 ROM, 43 AM, 45 Input / output interface, 46 Input device, 47 Media drive, 48 HDD, 49 Display monitor, 100 Music editing / sharing application, 101 Content management / editing tool, 102 Communication tool, 103 Primary content file group, 104 Secondary content Playback control file group, 111 communication control unit, 112 primary content acquisition processing unit, 113 primary content storage management processing unit, 114 secondary content acquisition processing unit, 115 secondary content storage management processing unit, 116 secondary content transfer control unit, 117 subsidiary content creation processing unit, 118 subsidiary content playback control file generation, interpretation processing unit, 119 encryption / decryption processing unit, 120 audio playback signal processing unit

Claims (14)

A secondary content that stores and holds secondary content including primary content information that identifies primary content that is the original editing material, and playback control information that instructs playback of the primary content identified by the primary content information. Next content storage means;
  Primary content holding means for holding primary content composed of data that reproduces the actual content content;
  Based on the reproduction control information of the subsidiary content stored and held in the subsidiary content storage unit, the primary content held by the primary content holding unit is specified by the used primary content information. Subsidiary content reproduction means for reproducing the content content as subsidiary content by reproducing the primary content;
  When the primary content specified by the usage primary content information possessed by the subsidiary content to be reproduced by the subsidiary content reproduction means is not held in the primary content holding means, the primary content is sent to the primary content server. Download request transmission means for transmitting primary content download request information for requesting download of primary content not held in the holding means;
  Primary content reception holding control means for receiving primary content transmitted from the primary content server and holding the primary content holding means in the primary content holding means in response to transmission of primary content request information by the download request transmission means;
  A terminal device comprising: Storage of secondary content on the network, which includes primary content information for specifying primary content that is the original editing material and playback control information for instructing playback of the primary content specified by the primary content information for use. Storage location acquisition means for receiving and acquiring storage location information indicating a location via a network;
  Subsidiary content storage means for downloading and storing subsidiary content from subsidiary content servers on the network storing and retaining subsidiary content based on the received and acquired storage location information;
  Primary content holding means for holding primary content specified by the used primary content information included in the received secondary content;
  Based on the playback control information of the subsidiary content stored and held by the subsidiary content storage means, the primary content specified by the use primary content information held by the primary content holding means is played back. A subsidiary content playback means for playing back the content as the subsidiary content,
  A terminal device comprising: Secondary usage permission setting information, which is information indicating permission content set for secondary usage of the primary content, and the content set for secondary usage of the secondary content. In the usage range determined by the secondary usage permission setting information that is information, the primary content held by the primary content holding means, and the reproduction control information of the secondary content stored and held by the secondary content storage means, To create new playback control information by using the editing process, and to create a new secondary that sets the usage range based on the secondary usage permission setting information of the primary content and subsidiary content used in the editing process Create license agreement setting information, and use these new playback control information and new secondary license setting information. Further comprising an editing means for creating a subsidiary content,
  The terminal device according to claim 2. Subsidiary content uploading means for transmitting and storing the subsidiary content created by the editing means from the terminal device to the subsidiary content server through communication via a network is further provided.
  The terminal device according to claim 3. In response to the transmission of the subsidiary content by the subsidiary content uploading means, the content transmitted from the subsidiary content server is received and acquired, and the storage location of the transmitted subsidiary content in the subsidiary content server A storage location publishing means for publishing storage location information, which is information indicating the above, on the network using a personal information transmission service provided on the network;
  The terminal device according to claim 4. The storage location publishing means is:
  The received storage location information is made public in the environment of the personal information transmission service provided by the server for personal information transmission service on the network,
  The terminal device according to claim 5. Consists of a primary content server and a terminal device that communicate via a network,
  In-server primary content storage means for storing primary content comprising data that reproduces substantial content content provided in the primary content server;
  The terminal device is provided with the use primary content information for specifying the primary content that is the original editing material, and the playback control information for instructing the playback of the primary content specified by the use primary content information. In-terminal subsidiary content storage means for storing the next content;
  In-terminal primary content holding means provided in the terminal device and holding primary content;
  Of the primary contents held in the primary content holding means based on the reproduction control information of the subsidiary content provided in the terminal device and stored and held in the in-terminal subsidiary content storage means Subsidiary content reproducing means for reproducing the content content as subsidiary content by reproducing the primary content specified by the use primary content information;
  When primary content provided in the terminal device and specified by use primary content information included in subsidiary content to be played by the subsidiary content playback means is not held in the in-terminal primary content holding means, Download request transmission means for transmitting primary content download request information for requesting download of primary content not held in the in-terminal primary content holding means to the content server;
  Primary content reception holding control that is provided in the terminal device and receives primary content transmitted from the primary content server in response to transmission of primary content request information by the download request transmission unit and holds the primary content in the primary content holding unit. Means,
  An information processing system comprising: It consists of a subsidiary content server that communicates via a network, a server for personal information transmission service, and a terminal device,
  The primary content information provided in the secondary content server, which specifies primary content that is the original editing material, and playback control information that instructs playback of the primary content specified by the usage primary content information, In-server subsidiary content storage means for storing and storing subsidiary content comprising:
  Environment of the personal information transmission service on the network that is provided in the server for personal information transmission service and can disclose the storage location information indicating the storage location of the subsidiary content stored and stored in the subsidiary content storage means in the server Environment providing processing means for executing processing for providing
  A storage location acquisition means provided in the terminal device for receiving and acquiring the storage location information published in the environment of the personal information transmission service via a network;
  An in-terminal subsidiary content storage means provided in the terminal device for downloading and storing subsidiary content from a subsidiary content server on the network storing and retaining subsidiary content based on the received and acquired storage location information; ,
  In-terminal primary content holding means for holding primary content that is provided in the terminal device and that is specified by use primary content information included in the received subsidiary content;
  The used primary content information held by the primary content holding unit based on the reproduction control information of the subsidiary content stored in and held by the in-terminal subsidiary content storage unit provided in the terminal device Subsidiary content playback means for playing back the content as subsidiary content by playing back the primary content specified by
  An information processing system comprising: In order to store and hold subsidiary content comprising primary content information used to identify primary content that is an original editing material, and playback control information that instructs playback of the primary content specified by the primary content information used The subsidiary content storage procedure of
  A primary content retention procedure for retaining primary content comprising data that reproduces the actual content content;
  Based on the reproduction control information of the subsidiary content stored and held by the subsidiary content storage procedure, the primary content specified by the used primary content information among the primary contents held by the primary content holding procedure. A subsidiary content playback procedure for playing back content content as subsidiary content by playing back content,
  When the primary content specified by the usage primary content information possessed by the subsidiary content to be played back by the subsidiary content playing procedure is not held by the primary content holding procedure, the primary content is sent to the primary content server. A download request transmission procedure for transmitting primary content download request information for requesting download of primary content not held by the holding procedure;
  A primary content reception holding control procedure for receiving the primary content transmitted from the primary content server in response to transmission of the primary content request information by the download request transmission procedure and holding the primary content by the primary content holding procedure;
  Processing method for a terminal device that executes Storage of secondary content on the network, which includes primary content information for specifying primary content that is the original editing material and playback control information for instructing playback of the primary content specified by the primary content information for use. A storage location acquisition procedure for receiving and acquiring storage location information indicating a location via a network;
  A subsidiary content storage procedure for downloading and storing subsidiary content from a subsidiary content server on the network storing and retaining subsidiary content based on the received and acquired storage location information;
  A primary content holding procedure for holding the primary content specified by the used primary content information included in the received secondary content;
  Based on the playback control information of the subsidiary content stored and held by the subsidiary content storage procedure, the primary content specified by the used primary content information held by the primary content holding procedure is played back. A subsidiary content playback procedure for playing back content content as subsidiary content,
  Processing method for a terminal device that executes An information processing method for an information processing system including a primary content server and a terminal device that communicate via a network,
  A primary content storage procedure in the server for the primary content server to store primary content composed of data that reproduces substantial content details;
  The terminal device has secondary usage content information that specifies primary content that is the original editing material, and playback control information that instructs playback of the primary content specified by the primary usage content information. In-terminal subsidiary content storage procedure for storing content;
  The terminal device holds the primary content in the terminal for holding the primary content,
  The terminal device uses the primary usage of the primary content held by the primary content holding procedure based on the reproduction control information held by the secondary content stored and held by the in-terminal subsidiary content storage procedure. A subsidiary content playback procedure for playing back the content content as the subsidiary content by playing back the primary content specified by the content information;
  When the primary content specified by the usage primary content information possessed by the subsidiary content to be played back by the subsidiary content playback procedure is not held by the in-terminal primary content holding procedure, the primary content server A download request transmission procedure for transmitting primary content download request information for requesting download of primary content not held in the in-terminal primary content holding means;
  Primary content reception holding control that is provided in the terminal device and receives the primary content transmitted from the primary content server in response to the transmission of the primary content request information by the download request transmission procedure and holds the primary content by the primary content holding procedure. Procedure and
  Information processing method to execute. An information processing method of an information processing system comprising a subsidiary content server, a personal information transmission service server, and a terminal device that communicate via a network,
  The subsidiary content server has usage primary content information for specifying primary content as original editing material, and playback control information for instructing playback of the primary content specified by the usage primary content information. A secondary content storage procedure in the server for storing and storing the secondary content;
  The personal information transmission service server provides an environment for a personal information transmission service on a network where the storage location information indicating the storage location of the subsidiary content stored and stored in the subsidiary content storage means in the server can be disclosed. Environment provision processing procedure for executing the processing to be performed,
  A storage location acquisition procedure in which the terminal device receives and acquires the storage location information published in the environment of the personal information transmission service via a network;
  An in-terminal subsidiary content storage procedure for the terminal device to download and store subsidiary content from a subsidiary content server on the network that stores and retains subsidiary content based on the received and acquired storage location information; ,
  In-terminal primary content holding procedure in which the terminal device holds primary content specified by use primary content information included in the received subsidiary content;
  The terminal device is specified by the used primary content information held by the primary content holding procedure based on the reproduction control information held by the subsidiary content stored and held by the in-terminal subsidiary content storage procedure. A subsidiary content playback procedure for playing back the content as subsidiary content by playing back the primary content to be played,
  Information processing method to execute. In order to store and hold subsidiary content comprising primary content information used to identify primary content that is an original editing material, and playback control information that instructs playback of the primary content specified by the primary content information used The subsidiary content storage procedure of
  A primary content retention procedure for retaining primary content comprising data that reproduces the actual content content;
  Based on the reproduction control information held by the subsidiary content stored and held by the subsidiary content storage procedure, the primary content specified by the used primary content information among the primary contents held by the primary content holding procedure. A subsidiary content playback procedure for playing back the content as subsidiary content by playing back the content;
  When the primary content specified by the usage primary content information possessed by the subsidiary content to be played back by the subsidiary content playing procedure is not held by the primary content holding procedure, the primary content is sent to the primary content server. A download request transmission procedure for transmitting primary content download request information for requesting download of primary content not held by the holding procedure;
  A primary content reception holding control procedure for receiving the primary content transmitted from the primary content server in response to transmission of the primary content request information by the download request transmission procedure and holding the primary content by the primary content holding procedure;
  That causes a terminal device to execute. Storage of secondary content on the network, which includes primary content information for specifying primary content that is the original editing material and playback control information for instructing playback of the primary content specified by the primary content information for use. A storage location acquisition procedure for receiving and acquiring storage location information indicating a location via a network;
  A subsidiary content storage procedure for downloading and storing subsidiary content from a subsidiary content server on the network storing and retaining subsidiary content based on the received and acquired storage location information;
  A primary content holding procedure for holding the primary content specified by the used primary content information included in the received secondary content;
  Based on the playback control information of the subsidiary content stored and held by the subsidiary content storage procedure, the primary content specified by the use primary content information held by the primary content holding procedure is played back. A subsidiary content playback procedure for playing back content content as subsidiary content,
  That causes a terminal device to execute.

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