JP2012168695A - Music piece distribution competition system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system which attains stable customer attraction and profitability by a music piece distribution system, allows many listeners to evaluate a variety of music piece copyrighters irrespective of professionals and amateurs, and enables ranking to be confirmed in real time.SOLUTION: There is provided a music piece distribution competition system which registers music piece files uploaded from artist terminals in a music piece registration table during a registration period, adds download points of each time to accumulated download points of an artist and records the point when a specified music piece file is downloaded to a listener terminal after payment of music piece purchase charge in a competition period, and determines an artist to be paid for a prize based upon a registration fee by an artist as a source material based upon the accumulated download points and a copyright fee etc., based upon music piece purchase charge as a source material based upon the accumulated download points.

Description

  The present invention relates to a music distribution competition system via a network, in which a music player uploaded to a server competes for ranking according to the number of times a listener has downloaded it from the server.

  Currently, services for distributing (downloading) contents such as music for free or for a fee in response to a distribution request from a terminal such as a mobile phone or a personal computer are provided on various websites (Patent Documents 1, 2, etc.) ).

Japanese Patent No. 3734661 Japanese Patent No. 3634742

However, the current paid music content distribution service system has the following problems.
・ We have not built a business model that has established stable customer attraction and profitability.
-Unlike CDs sold in stores, it is difficult to create rankings based on sales performance.
・ In the music industry, the boundary between professionals and amateurs has become ambiguous, but there is no place for these various artists (music copyright holders) to evaluate the music widely and fairly.
-The unit price of music is set exclusively by the distributor and cannot be set by the artist.

  In view of the above situation, the present invention achieves stable customer collection and profitability in a system for distributing music contents for a fee, and various music copyright holders are evaluated by a large number of listeners regardless of professionals and amateurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system in which the ranking can be confirmed in real time and the artist can set the unit price of the music.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following configurations.
The music distribution competition system according to the present invention has an operation server that can be connected to an artist terminal and a listener terminal via a network, and a music file of a song written by the artist is uploaded from the artist terminal, and the listener terminal requests it. A music distribution competition system that performs a process of downloading a music file according to the management server,
(A) During the music registration period, the registration information and music file uploaded from the artist terminal are received, the artist ID uniquely assigned to the artist is associated with the received registration information and music file, and the registration fee by the artist Means for registering the registration fee payment completion information in the artist song registration table after the payment of
(B) During a competition period, a download request for a music file designating an artist ID is received from the listener terminal, and after the music purchase fee has been paid by the listener, the music file associated with the designated artist ID is sent to the listener Means for downloading to the terminal;
(C) When a music file is downloaded to the listener terminal during the competition period, the download points per one time are added to the accumulated download points associated with the designated artist ID, and the result is added to the artist ranking management table. Means for recording;
(D) means for determining, during the result announcement period, an artist to which a prize is paid based on the registration fee by the artist based on the download point total recorded in the artist ranking management table;
(E) During the result announcement period, a copyright fee, etc. paid to each artist with a predetermined percentage of the music purchase fee by the listener as a source is determined based on the accumulated download points recorded in the artist ranking management table And means for carrying out the above.

  In the above system, (f) during the competition period, an artist ranking browse request is received from the artist terminal, the artist ranking management table is referenced, all artist IDs are rearranged based on the total download points, and the browse request is sent. It is preferable to further include means for displaying a rank corresponding to the artist ID of the performed artist.

  In the above system, (g) when a download request for a music file designating an artist ID is received from the listener terminal during the competition period, the listener ID uniquely assigned to the listener, the designated artist ID, and the download per time It is preferable to further comprise means for associating points and further associating the music purchase fee completion information with the listener point management table after completing the payment of the music purchase fee by the listener.

In the above system, (h) during the competition period, a purchase request for a support point designating an artist ID and a predetermined number of support points is received from the listener terminal, the listener ID uniquely assigned to the listener, the designated artist ID, and A means for associating a predetermined number of cheering points and further recording cheering point purchase fee completion information in association with the listener point management table after completion of payment of the cheering point purchase fee by the listener;
(I) When the predetermined number of support points are recorded in the listener point management table during the competition period, at the same time, the predetermined number of support points is added to the total support points associated with the designated artist ID. To record in the artist ranking management table,
(J) means for determining a cheering fee to be paid to each artist using the cheering point purchase fee by the listener as a source during the result announcement period based on the cheering point total recorded in the artist ranking management table; It is suitable to provide.

  In the above system, (k) during the competition period, a point ranking browsing request is received from the listener terminal, the listener point management table is referenced, the download points and the support points for each listener are totaled, and the total points are used. It is preferable to further include means for rearranging all the listener IDs and displaying the order corresponding to the listener IDs of the listeners who have made browsing requests.

In the above-described system, (l) download point conversion information for specifying a conversion amount per point of the download point is received from the artist terminal during the registration period, and is registered in the point setting registration table in association with the artist ID. Further comprising means,
(M) means for determining a copyright fee, etc. paid to each artist during the result announcement period based on the download point total recorded in the artist ranking management table, referring to the point setting registration table; It is preferable to determine based on the point conversion information.

In the above system, (n) during the registration period, support point conversion information specifying the converted amount per point of the support points is received from the artist terminal, and is registered in the point setting registration table in association with the artist ID. Further comprising means,
(O) Means for determining a support fee to be paid to each artist during the result announcement period based on the support point total recorded in the artist ranking management table refers to the point setting registration table and converts the support point It is preferable to make a decision based on information.

In the above system, (p) a listener uniquely assigned to a listener that receives information specifying an artist ID for downloading a music file and information specifying the number of presents related to a download for a gift from the listener terminal during a competition period Means for associating an ID with a designated artist ID and a download point corresponding to the designated number of presents, and further associating music purchase fee completion information with the listener point management table after completion of payment of the music purchase fee by the listener When,
(Q) Numbering present IDs corresponding to the designated number of presents, a means for associating the numbered present IDs with the designated artist IDs and recording them in the present ID registration table;
(R) During the competition period, a music file download request using a present ID is received from the present destination terminal, and the present ID registration table is referred to based on the present ID, and is associated with the corresponding artist ID. It is preferable to further include means for downloading the music file to the present destination terminal.

  In the music distribution competition system of the present invention, an artist uploads music to a server, pays a predetermined registration fee, and pays a competition prize using this registration fee as a source. In the competition, artist rankings are evaluated based on download points corresponding to the number of downloads by the listener. This will increase the willingness of artists to participate and provide a place where various music copyright holders can participate fairly and receive evaluation regardless of whether they are professional or amateur. In addition, since the copyright is paid to the artist using a part of the music purchase fee that the listener pays for downloading the music as the fund, the artist can surely get a reasonable price.

  During the competition period, every time a listener downloads music, the total number of download points is recorded in the artist ranking management table, so that the artist ranking can be calculated at any time. Therefore, the artist can browse his / her artist ranking in real time.

  In addition to downloading music, a listener can provide a support fee to an artist to support by purchasing support points. The total support points are also recorded in the artist ranking management table. During the competition, the listener can not only download and listen to the music, but also be more intimately engaged with the artist through the support points, and the listener's willingness to participate is improved. In addition, it will support the music activities of artists, leading to the activation of the music industry.

  During the competition period, every time a download point and a support point of the listener are generated, they are recorded in the listener point management table, so that the listener's point ranking can be calculated at any time. Therefore, the listener can browse his / her point ranking in real time.

  The artist can specify the converted amount of download points and / or support points. This allows the artist to set the unit price of the music.

  The download can be performed not only by the registered listener but also by a present partner designated by the listener. As a result, the system can be used in various ways, and the music can be widely known to contribute to the acquisition of new listeners.

It is a schematic block diagram of the music distribution competition system of this invention. It is a business model block diagram of the music distribution competition system of this invention. It is the figure which put together the flow of 1 cycle of a music distribution competition, and the process or operation which each participant performs. It is the figure which showed an example of the several table relevant to an artist among the various tables contained in the management database shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed an example of the several table relevant to an artist among the various tables contained in the management database shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed an example of the several table relevant to a listener among the various tables contained in the management database shown in FIG. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the registration process of the artist and music in a music registration period. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the registration process of a listener. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the music download process in a competition period. FIG. 8B is a flowchart continued from FIG. 8A showing an example of the music download process during the competition period. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the support point purchase process in a competition period. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the artist ranking display process in a competition period. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the listener's point ranking display process during a competition period. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the determination process of distribution totals, such as ranking totalization and prize money, during a result announcement period.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing one embodiment of the present invention.
The outline of the music distribution competition system according to the present invention is that an unspecified number of artists upload and register each of their copyrighted songs to the management server during the music registration period, and an unspecified number of listeners prefer the music during the competition period. This is a system in which an artist with a high number of downloads wins a prize after the competition period ends.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a music distribution competition system of the present invention. The music distribution competition system 10 of the present invention includes an operation server 1 that can be connected to the artist terminal 30 and the listener terminal 40 via the network 20. The network 20 is typically the Internet, and the management server 1 has a web server function, and is connected to the artist terminal 30 and the listener terminal 40 via the website and transmits information to each other. The present destination terminal 41 is a modified form of the listener terminal 40 in one embodiment, and will be described later.

  The management server 1 is substantially a server program that is mounted on an appropriate computer and implements each function of the present system. Each of the processing units 1A to 1F in FIG. 1 schematically represents program processing by function. The music distribution competition system 10 includes a management database 2 that stores various data related to the system, and a music database 3 that stores music files uploaded from the artist terminal 30. In the management database 2, a plurality of tables linked to each other are constructed.

  The artist / music registration processing unit 1A performs processing of storing the artist personal information and the music information received from the artist terminal 30 and the music file in a predetermined table of the management database 2 and the music database 3 during the music registration period.

  The listener registration processing unit 1B performs processing for storing the listener's personal information in a predetermined table of the management database 2.

  The music download processing unit 1 </ b> C receives a music download request from the listener terminal 40 or the present destination terminal 41 during the competition period, and performs a process of downloading the music file of the designated artist. It also performs download point recording processing.

  The support point processing unit 1D receives a support point purchase request from the listener terminal during the competition period, and performs a recording process of the support points of the designated artist.

  During the competition period, the artist ranking display processing unit 1E receives an artist ranking browsing request from the artist terminal, and performs processing for displaying the ranking of the artist's current download points. The artist ranking can also be displayed in response to a browsing request from the listener terminal.

  The point ranking display processing unit 1F receives a point ranking browsing request from the listener terminal during the competition period, calculates the current download points and support points of the listener, and calculates the ranking of the listener's current points total. Process to display.

  The result totaling processing unit 1G determines an artist who pays a prize based on the final value of the total download points of each artist and determines a copyright fee to be paid to each artist during the totaling announcement period after the end of the competition period. Process. In addition, based on the final value of the total support points, a process of determining a support fee to be paid to each artist is performed.

  The artist terminal 20, the listener terminal 40, and the present destination terminal 41 may be any device as long as it is a computer terminal having a network connection function and a browser. For example, there are personal computers, mobile phones, PDAs and the like.

An example of the screen configuration of the website constructed by the management server 1 is as follows.
・ Top screen ・ ・ Artist screen ・ ・ ・ Personal registration screen ・ ・ ・ Music upload screen ・ ・ ・ Artist ranking browsing screen ・ ・ Listener screen ・ ・ ・ Personal registration screen ・ ・ ・ Music download screen ・ ・ ・ Support point purchase Screen ・ ・ ・ Artist ranking browsing screen ・ ・ ・ Point ranking browsing screen ・ ・ Presentation screen ・ ・ ・ Music download screen

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a business model executed by the present system. The thin line arrows indicate the flow of data (information) through the network, and the thick line arrows indicate the flow of money (or monetary value). The main participating members of this business model are a music distribution competition management organization, an artist, and a listener. The music distribution competition management organization constructs and manages a music distribution competition system. The artist is the music copyright holder and the master. In some cases, the music copyright holder and the master holder may belong to different individuals (essentially does not affect the present invention), but in the embodiment, it is assumed that they belong to the same artist. An artist uses this system using an artist terminal. The listener is a general user and uses this system using the listener terminal.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the flow of money will be described in particular. The artist pays a predetermined music registration fee when uploading one music. The music registration fee is set by the operating organization and is set to 10,000 yen per song, for example. Registration by a large number of artists causes the registration fee to be pooled, which becomes the source of the ranking prize. As for the ranking prize money, for example, 50 million yen is paid to the first artist. However, the method of paying the ranking prize is not limited to this, and can be set in various ways.

  The listener pays a music purchase fee each time a music is downloaded. The music purchase fee is set by the operating organization in one embodiment, but is set by an artist in another embodiment. The music purchase fee serves as a source of copyright fee and master disk usage fee (hereinafter referred to as “copyright fee etc.”) to be paid to the artist, and also serves as a source of expenses and revenue for the operating organization. For example, a music purchase fee per download for a certain music is 100 yen. Of the 100 yen music purchase fee, the operating organization receives, for example, 50 yen as expenses and revenue, and the remaining 50 yen is paid to the artist as a copyright fee.

  In addition, when a listener purchases a support point to support a specific artist, the listener pays a support point purchase fee. The support point purchase fee is paid to the artist as a support fee. For example, it is 10 yen per support point. The support point purchase fee is set by an operating organization in one embodiment, but is set by an artist in another embodiment. The support point purchase fee can be set in various ways, and a plurality of levels may be provided so that the listener can select one.

  The settlement of money between the artist or listener and the operating institution may be performed using any known settlement system such as a credit card settlement system, a bank transfer system, or a convenience store payment system via a network. Since the payment system is not an essential part of the system, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a table for explaining the status of each period in one competition cycle executed by the music distribution competition system. First, an artist performs a registration procedure during a music registration period (for example, three months), and a management organization accepts registration. The artist uploads the song and pays a registration fee.

  Then, it shifts to a competition period (for example, 6 months). The listener performs a registration procedure, requests a music download, and pays a music purchase fee. The listener also purchases support points and pays support point purchase fees. The management organization downloads the requested music. Also, download points and support points are recorded, and income is managed. When an artist or listener requests browsing of the ranking, the operating organization calculates the ranking and displays it in real time.

  After the competition period is over, during the result announcement period (for example, one month), the operating organization will aggregate the rankings, determine the artist who will pay the prize money based on the accumulated download points, and determine the copyright fee etc. to be paid to each artist To do. Distribution of prize money to each artist can be performed by an appropriate settlement system. It should be noted that the final ranking result can be browsed in response to a request from an artist or listener. The result announcement period may overlap with the music registration period of the next competition cycle.

  4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of a plurality of tables related to the artist among various tables included in the management database 2 shown in FIG. The table configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and various settings can be made.

The three tables 2A, 2B, and 2C in FIGS. 4A (a) to 4 (c) are registration tables that store data during the music registration period.
FIG. 4A (a) is an artist registration table 2A. There are data items of “artist ID” and “password (PW)” uniquely assigned to the artist and other personal information. The “artist ID” and “password (PW)” are used for authentication when accessing the management server website from the artist terminal. The data items of personal information are examples, such as “name”, “mail address”, “mobile phone number”, “account number”, and the like. The “account number” is provided as necessary depending on the settlement method.

  FIG. 4A (b) is a music registration table 2B. As an example, there are data items of “temporary registration status”, “upload (UL) date”, “music information”, “music file path”, and “main registration status” associated with “artist ID”. “Upload (UL) date and time” records the date and time when the music was uploaded to the management server. “Music information” is detailed music information such as a music name. The “music file path” is information indicating the path to the music file stored in the music database 3 of FIG. 1, that is, the storage location of the music file. The “temporary registration status” and “main registration status” will be described in the registration flow of FIG.

  FIG. 4A (c) is a point setting registration table 2C. In this system, the number of music downloads and the support fee for supporting artists are managed by replacing them with points, so the correspondence between points and actual amounts is registered in this table. As an example, “Download (DL) point converted amount”, “Support point converted amount”, “Download (DL) point”, “Support point (level 1)”, “Support point ( There are data items such as “level 2)” and “support points (level 3)”. “Download (DL) point conversion amount” is the conversion amount per download point. The “support point converted amount” is the converted amount per support point. “Download (DL) points” is the number of download points given per download. “Support points” are the number of support points to be purchased, and the number of points varies depending on the support level. How to set the support level is arbitrary.

  In one embodiment, the operating organization presets all the converted amounts and the number of points in the point setting registration table 2C of FIG. 4A (c). For example, the converted amount per point of download points and support points is set to 10 yen uniformly for all artists. If there are 10 download points per download, the music purchase fee for each download is 100 yen for any artist's music. And since the number of support points purchased at support level 1 is 1 point, it is 10 yen, at support level 2 it is 50 points because it is 5 points, and at support level 3 it is 1000 points because it is 100 points.

  In another embodiment, the artist sets the converted amount in the point setting registration table 2C of FIG. 4A (c). The numerical value in the parenthesis is an example of the point conversion amount when the artist himself sets. In this case, the converted amount of 1 point may be different for each artist. For example, the music purchase fee for downloading the “ART-1” music once is 100 yen, but the music purchase fee for downloading the “ART-2” music once is 200 yen. Further, when the support point 1p of "ART-1" is purchased, the cost is 5 yen, but when the support point 1p of "ART-2" is purchased, the price is 10 yen. In this way, the artist can set the unit price of his / her music.

  In the embodiment in which the artist himself / herself sets the conversion amount, the download points given per download are uniform for all artists. This is because, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 10, the artist ranking is determined based on the accumulated download points. In this embodiment, the influence on the listener's willingness to download due to the difference in the music unit price is a problem different from the system setting, and is not considered here.

  FIG. 4B (a) is an artist ranking management table 2D. This table is a dynamic table that is updated every time a listener downloads music or purchases support points during the competition period. As an example, there are data items of “download (DL) point total” and “support point total” associated with “artist ID”. “Download (DL) points accumulated” is incremented by 10 points when downloaded once, for example. For example, when the accumulated DL points of “ART-1” is “2000p”, if the number of points is 10 points per time, it is downloaded 200 times. In “Support Point Accumulation”, the number of purchased support points is accumulated.

  FIG. 4B (b) is a tabulation result table 2E. This table is a table for storing result data of aggregation performed during the result announcement period. As an example, “Download (DL) point total”, “Copyright fee etc.”, “Support point total”, “Support fee”, “Download (DL) ranking”, “Prize” associated with “Artist ID” , There is a data item of “total distribution”.

  “Download (DL) point total” stores the final value of “Download (DL) point accumulated” in the artist ranking management table 2D of FIG. 4B (a). The amount of “copyright fee, etc.” is the sum of the music purchase fees calculated based on “Download (DL) point total” and “Download (DL) point conversion amount” in the point setting registration table 2C of FIG. 4A (c). The numerical value which calculated the predetermined ratio (ratio which deducts operating expenses and profits, and allocates to copyright fee etc.) is stored.

  The “total support points” stores the final value of “total support points” in the artist ranking management table 2D of FIG. 4B (a). The amount of “support fee” stores a numerical value calculated based on “total support points” and “support point conversion amount” in the point setting registration table 2C of FIG. 4A (c).

  “Download (DL) ranking” rearranges “artist ID” based on “total download (DL) points” and stores the determined ranking numerical value. “Prize” is stored after the award amount to be given to each ranking is determined. In this example, 50 million yen is awarded as a prize to only the first artist. “Total amount of distribution” stores the total amount of money that is finally distributed to each artist by summing up “copyright fee etc.”, “support fee” and “prize money”.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of tables related to the listener among various tables included in the management database 2 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5A is a listener registration table 2F, which is a registration table for storing data during the music registration period. There are data items of “listener ID”, “password (PW)”, and other personal information uniquely assigned to the listener. The “listener ID” and “password (PW)” are used for authentication when accessing the operation server website from the listener terminal. The data items of personal information are examples, and include “name”, “mail address”, “mobile phone number”, and the like.

  FIG. 5B is a listener point management table 2G, which is a table in which point data is sequentially recorded when a listener purchases music during a competition period and purchases support points. As an example, there are data items of “point acquisition date”, “artist ID”, “download (DL) point number”, “support point number”, and “purchase fee status” associated with “listener ID”. The points given to the listener can be used to provide various services corresponding to the number of points to the listener, in addition to using the points as a record of the present system.

  “Point acquisition date” records the date or date of the music purchase or support point purchase. “Artist ID” is a record indicating an artist to be purchased or supported. The “number of download (DL) points” is further divided into “principal download” and “present download”. “Principal download” records the number of points when a download request is made from the listener terminal and downloaded to the listener terminal. “Present download” records the number of points when a download request is made from a listener terminal but is downloaded to a terminal other than the listener terminal (present destination terminal). For example, “2011/02/15” records that “art-2” music was downloaded to 9 people as a present. The “purchase fee status” is “completed” when payment of the purchase fee by the listener is completed. Completion of payment is confirmed by receiving completion information from a predetermined settlement system.

  FIG. 5C is a present ID registration table 2G, which is recorded when the listener makes a request to download to a present destination other than the person during the competition period. As an example, there are data items of “number of download (DL) destinations”, “present ID”, and “artist ID” associated with “listener ID”. “Number of download (DL) destinations” is the number of present destinations to be downloaded. The “present ID” is a unique ID used when a person who is a present who is not a listener accesses the server from an appropriate present destination terminal and downloads music. The number of presents specified by the listener is numbered.

  6 to 12 are flowcharts showing an example of main processing of this system. In the description, reference numerals of the tables shown in FIGS. 4A to 5 may be referred to.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the artist and music registration process during the music registration period.
Step S11: When an artist who intends to participate in this competition accesses the website of the present system from an artist terminal, the top screen is displayed. It is possible to shift from the top screen to the artist screen, listener screen, or present destination screen. Here, the artist screen is selected and transferred.
Step S12: When accessed for the first time, the screen shifts to a personal registration screen. If you have participated in a previous competition and have already obtained an artist ID, enter your artist ID and password.
Step S13: When registration information is received from the artist terminal on the personal registration screen, a new artist ID is assigned, a password is set, a new record is created in the artist registration table 2A, and the artist ID and registration information are stored. To do. At the same time, the artist ID and password are transmitted to the artist terminal and displayed.
Step S14: If the artist ID has already been acquired, the entered artist ID and password are authenticated by referring to the artist registration table 2A.
(Step S19 is a case of another embodiment, and is omitted here.)
Step S15: A new record is created in the music registration table 2B, the artist ID is stored, and the “temporary registration status” is set to “completed”. After temporary registration, it is preferable to call the artist's contact information to confirm the identity.
Step S16: A music upload screen is displayed.
Step S17: The music file and the music information are received from the artist terminal, and stored in the music database and the music registration table 2B, respectively.
Step S18: After a registration fee is paid from the artist by a predetermined settlement system and the payment completion information is confirmed, the “main registration status” in the music registration table 2B is set to “completed”. This completes the registration of the artist.

In another embodiment, the artist himself sets the unit price of music and the support fee. In that case, the next step S19 is inserted.
Step S19: Display the point setting screen, receive information specifying download point conversion amount and support point conversion amount from the artist terminal, create a new record in the point setting registration table 2C, and support artist ID and specification information Store with attachments.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of listener registration processing. The listener registration process is generally performed when the music download is requested for the first time during the competition period, but may be performed in advance during the music registration period.
Step S21: When the listener accesses the website from the listener terminal, the top screen is displayed, the transition to the personal registration screen of the listener screen is selected, and the personal registration screen is displayed.
Step S23: When registration information is received from the listener terminal on the personal registration screen, a new listener ID is assigned, a password is set, a new record is created in the listener registration table 2F, and the listener ID and registration information are stored. To do.
Step S24: The listener ID and password are displayed on the listener terminal. This completes registration of the listener. If the music is to be continuously downloaded, the process may proceed from here to step S33 in FIG.

8A and 8B are flowcharts showing an example of the music download process during the competition period.
Step S31: When the listener accesses the website from the listener terminal, the top screen is displayed and the transition to the music download screen of the listener screen is selected. The listener ID and password are input, and authentication is performed with reference to the listener registration table 2F. Then, the music download screen is displayed.
Step S32: On the music download screen, the music to be downloaded is selected from the registered music. By this selection, the artist ID corresponding to the selected music is transmitted to the management server and received. Furthermore, information specifying whether the selected music is downloaded by the listener terminal (that is, the listener) or the present destination terminal (that is, the present partner instead of the listener) is received.
Step S33: When downloading at the listener terminal, the process immediately proceeds to step S34. When downloading at the present destination terminal, the process proceeds to step S34 through step S38 and step S39.
Step S34: “Point acquisition date”, “Artist ID”, and “Number of download points” are recorded in the listener point management table 2G. The “number of download points” is recorded separately for the listener's own download or the present destination download. Assuming 10 points per download, 90 points are required when downloading to 9 gift destinations.
Step S35: “Download point total” associated with the designated artist ID in the artist ranking management table 2D is updated. If it is a single download, 10 points are added to the current value, and if it is 9 downloads, 90 points are added to the current value.
Step S36: The music purchase fee is paid from the listener by a predetermined settlement system, and after confirming the payment completion information, the “purchase fee status” in the listener point management table 2G is set to “completed”. It is preferable to download the music after paying the music purchase fee in order to secure the credit.
Step S37: If the download destination is the listener, the music registration table 2B is searched based on the designated artist ID, the corresponding music file is acquired from the music database by the music file path, and is transmitted to the listener terminal.

When downloading at the present destination terminal in step S33, the following steps S38 and S39 are executed.
Step S38: Information specifying the number of present destinations is received from the listener terminal, and the specified number of unique present IDs is assigned. A password may also be set. If there are nine present destinations, nine present IDs are assigned.
Step S39: Numbered present ID, artist ID, and listener ID are associated with each other and recorded in the present ID registration table 2H.

  The system process continues from step S39 to step S34. On the other hand, the process of actually distributing or distributing the numbered present ID to the present destination (step S40) may be included in the function of the management server. However, it may be external processing. In the case of a function of the management server, for example, there is a method of receiving a delivery destination mail address from a listener terminal and transmitting a present ID to those mail addresses. In the case of external processing, for example, the processing of the management server is completed only by sending the numbered present ID to the listener terminal, and thereafter, the presenter is informed of the present ID (online or offline). There is a way.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart showing a process in which the present party who has acquired the present ID accesses the management server from the present destination terminal and downloads the music.
Step S41: When the present partner accesses the website from the present destination terminal, the top screen is displayed, the present destination screen is selected, and the music download screen is displayed. The present ID is entered (if the password is set, the password is entered), and authentication is performed by referring to the present ID registration table 2H.
Step S42: Referring to the present ID registration table 2H, an artist ID associated with the present ID is acquired.
Step S43: The music registration table 2B is referred to based on the artist ID, the corresponding music file is acquired from the music database, and transmitted to the present destination terminal.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the support point purchase process during the competition period. The listener can purchase cheering points with no limit on the number of times.
Step S51: When the listener accesses the website from the listener terminal, the top screen is displayed, the transition to the support point purchase screen of the listener screen is selected, the listener ID and password are authenticated, and the support point purchase screen is displayed. Is displayed.
Step S52: On the support point purchase screen, information specifying an artist ID is received from the listener terminal.
Step S53: A level selection screen for the number of support points is displayed. The level contents of the support points in the point setting registration table 2C are displayed.
Step S54: Receive information specifying the number of support points to purchase from the listener terminal. For example, when the support level 1 is specified, the purchase of 1 point is specified, and when the support level 3 is specified, the purchase of 100 points is specified.
Step S55: “Point acquisition date”, “Artist ID”, and “Number of support points” are recorded in the listener point management table 2G.
Step S56: Update “total support points” associated with the designated artist ID in the artist ranking management table 2D. When 100 support points are purchased, 100 points are added to the current value.
Step S57: The support point purchase fee is paid from the listener by the predetermined settlement system, and after confirming the payment completion information, the “purchase fee status” in the listener point management table 2G is set to “completed”.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of artist ranking display processing during the competition period. FIG. 10 shows an example in which ranking display is performed in response to a browsing request from an artist terminal, but the same applies to the case of display in response to a browsing request from a listener terminal.
Step S61: When the artist accesses the website from the artist terminal, the top screen is displayed, the transition to the artist ranking display screen of the artist screen is selected, the artist ID and password are authenticated, and the artist ranking display is performed. Display the screen.
Step S62: Refer to the artist ranking management table 2D based on the artist ID, and obtain a list in which the artist IDs are sorted in descending order of the associated accumulated download points. (In the case of a browsing request from the listener terminal, information specifying the artist ID is received from the listener terminal before this step.)
Step S63: The number of artist IDs from the first artist ID until just before reaching the designated artist ID is counted, and a value obtained by adding 1 to the counted number is determined as the rank of the designated artist.
Step S64: The determined artist ranking is displayed on the artist terminal.

  As another example, a ranking list of all artists may be displayed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of listener point ranking display processing during the competition period.
Step S71: When the listener accesses the website from the listener terminal, the top screen is displayed, the transition to the point ranking display screen of the listener screen is selected, the listener ID and password are authenticated, and then the point ranking is displayed. Display the screen.
Step S72: Information specifying an artist ID is received from the listener terminal.
Step S73: Referring to the listener point management table 2G based on the artie nest way ID, the number of download points and the number of support points associated with the designated artist ID are totaled for each listener ID, and the total points are obtained. obtain. Here, as another embodiment, for example, when browsing the point ranking of only the number of support points, only the number of support points is totaled to obtain the total points.
Step S74: A list in which listener IDs are rearranged in descending order of the total point value is acquired.
Step S75: Count the number of listener IDs from the first listener ID up to just before reaching the listener ID of the listener who made the browsing request, and add the number obtained by adding 1 to the designated artist. It is determined as the order of the listener.
Step S76: The determined listener order is displayed on the listener terminal.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of ranking calculation and distribution determination processing such as prize money during the result announcement period.
Step S81: Based on the final download point accumulated value in the artist ranking management table 2D, it is determined to pay the first prize to the first artist. For example, the prize money is 50 million yen. The source of the prize money is a registration fee for each artist.
Step S82: A copyright fee to be paid to each artist is determined based on the final value of the total download points in the artist ranking management table 2D. The total number of download points is converted into an amount based on the download point conversion amount in the point setting registration table 2C. This amount is the total amount of music purchased by each artist. A predetermined percentage of the music purchase fee, excluding expenses and revenues of the operating organization, becomes the copyright fee paid to the artist.
Step S83: A support fee to be paid to each artist is determined based on the final value of the support points accumulated in the artist ranking management table 2D. The accumulated support points are converted into amounts based on the support point conversion amount in the point setting registration table 2C. In this embodiment, the support fee is paid to the artist as it is.
Step S84: The determined prize money, copyright fee, etc., and the support fee are totaled to determine the total distribution amount to be paid to each artist.
Step S85: The result determined for each artist is stored in the total result table 2E.
Step S86: A count result is displayed in response to a browsing request from the artist terminal or the listener terminal.

1 Management Server 2 Management Database 3 Music Database 10 Music Distribution Competition System 20 Network 30 Artist Terminal 40 Listener Terminal 41 Present Destination Terminal

Claims (8)

A processing server that has an operation server that can be connected to an artist terminal and a listener terminal via a network, uploads a song file of a song written by the artist from the artist terminal, and downloads the song file in response to a request from the listener terminal A music distribution competition system to perform, wherein the management server
(A) During the music registration period, the registration information and music file uploaded from the artist terminal are received, the artist ID uniquely assigned to the artist is associated with the received registration information and music file, and the registration fee by the artist Means for registering the registration fee payment completion information in the artist song registration table after the payment of
(B) During a competition period, a download request for a music file designating an artist ID is received from the listener terminal, and after the music purchase fee has been paid by the listener, the music file associated with the designated artist ID is sent to the listener Means for downloading to the terminal;
(C) When a music file is downloaded to the listener terminal during the competition period, the download points per one time are added to the accumulated download points associated with the designated artist ID, and the result is added to the artist ranking management table. Means for recording;
(D) means for determining, during the result announcement period, an artist to which a prize is paid based on the registration fee by the artist based on the download point total recorded in the artist ranking management table;
(E) During the result announcement period, a copyright fee, etc. paid to each artist with a predetermined percentage of the music purchase fee by the listener as a source is determined based on the accumulated download points recorded in the artist ranking management table And a music distribution competition system. The management server is
(F) During the competition period, an artist ranking browse request is received from the artist terminal, the artist ranking management table is referenced, all artist IDs are rearranged based on the accumulated download points, and the artist who has requested the browse The music distribution competition system according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying a rank corresponding to the artist ID. The management server is
(G) When a download request for a music file specifying an artist ID is received from the listener terminal during the competition period, the listener ID uniquely assigned to the listener is associated with the specified artist ID and one download point. 3. The music distribution competition system according to claim 1, further comprising means for recording music purchase fee completion information in association with the music purchase fee completion information after completion of payment of the music purchase fee by the listener. . The management server is
(H) During a competition period, a purchase request for a cheering point specifying an artist ID and a predetermined number of cheering points is received from the listener terminal, and a listener ID uniquely assigned to the listener, the designated artist ID and a predetermined number of cheering points are received. Means for associating points, and further recording cheering point purchase fee completion information in association with the listener point management table after completion of payment of the cheering point purchase fee by the listener;
(I) When the predetermined number of support points are recorded in the listener point management table during the competition period, at the same time, the predetermined number of support points is added to the total support points associated with the designated artist ID. To record in the artist ranking management table,
(J) means for determining a cheering fee to be paid to each artist using the cheering point purchase fee by the listener as a source during the result announcement period based on the cheering point total recorded in the artist ranking management table; The music distribution competition system according to claim 3, wherein the music distribution competition system is provided. The management server is
(K) During the competition period, a point ranking browsing request is received from the listener terminal, the listener point management table is referenced, the download points and support points for each listener are totaled, and all listener IDs are based on the total points. The music distribution competition system according to claim 4, further comprising means for rearranging and displaying a rank corresponding to a listener ID of a listener who has made a browsing request. The management server is
(L) means for receiving download point conversion information for specifying a conversion amount per point of the download point from the artist terminal during the registration period, and registering it in the point setting registration table in association with the artist ID; ,
(M) means for determining a copyright fee, etc. paid to each artist during the result announcement period based on the download point total recorded in the artist ranking management table, referring to the point setting registration table; The music distribution competition system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the music distribution competition system is determined based on point conversion information. The management server is
(N) During the registration period, the information processing apparatus further comprises means for receiving support point conversion information for designating a conversion amount per point of the support points from the artist terminal and registering it in the point setting registration table in association with the artist ID. ,
(O) Means for determining a support fee to be paid to each artist during the result announcement period based on the support point total recorded in the artist ranking management table refers to the point setting registration table and converts the support point The music distribution competition system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the music distribution competition system is determined based on information. The management server is
(P) During the competition period, information specifying the artist ID for downloading the music file and information specifying the number of presents related to the download for the present are received from the listener terminal and designated as the listener ID uniquely assigned to the listener. Means for associating the artist ID with a download point corresponding to the designated number of presents, and further associating music purchase fee completion information with the listener point management table after the completion of payment of the music purchase fee by the listener;
(Q) Numbering present IDs corresponding to the designated number of presents, a means for associating the numbered present IDs with the designated artist IDs and recording them in the present ID registration table;
(R) During the competition period, a music file download request using a present ID is received from the present destination terminal, and the present ID registration table is referred to based on the present ID, and is associated with the corresponding artist ID. The music distribution competition system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising means for downloading the received music file to the present destination terminal.

Images