JP4045161B2 - Data distribution system, data distribution apparatus, and data distribution method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data distribution system, a data distribution apparatus, and a data distribution method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, audio visual devices (hereinafter referred to as “AV devices”) that reproduce audio-visual data such as music and movies have a sound quality adjustment function such as a graphic equalizer, and express a sense of presence and a dynamic feeling according to user preferences. Sound quality adjustment for this is possible.
[0003]
In particular, recently, a data distribution system such as an on-demand distribution system that provides customers with audio-visual data via a communication line such as broadcast or the Internet has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, a billing method in the system has also been devised (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-149707 (page 3-4, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-91925 (page 5-12, FIG. 1A-3)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above prior art has the following problems. In other words, the distributed audio / video data has a sound quality suitable for everyone regardless of the genre (for example, classical music, popular music, action movie, romance movie, etc.), or has different sound quality settings for each genre. However, since it is a general setting, it does not reflect the preferences of individual customers. For this reason, when reproducing the distributed audiovisual data, the customer has to adjust the sound quality to his / her preference using a graphic equalizer of the reproduction apparatus possessed by the customer.
[0006]
It is an object of the present invention to perform distribution of audio and video data that can be reproduced with sound quality according to individual customer preferences in a data distribution system, data distribution apparatus, and data distribution method for distributing audiovisual data such as music and movies. Is to do so.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1
A data distribution server capable of storing a plurality of audio video data and distributing the audio video data requested to be distributed from among the plurality of audio video data, and a data reproduction terminal for reproducing the audio video data distributed from the data distribution server In a data distribution system composed of
The data distribution server is
Discriminating means for discriminating the genre related to the audio video content of the audio video data requested for distribution;
Storage means for storing sound quality setting data created in advance according to each delivery request destination of the audio-video data;
Setting means for setting the sound quality of the audio video data requested to be distributed based on the sound quality setting data stored in the storage means,
The storage means includes
Stores sound quality setting data created in advance for each genre according to each delivery request destination of the audio-video data,
The setting means includes
Based on the genre related to the audio video content determined by the determining means and the sound quality setting data stored in the storage means, the sound quality of the requested audio video data is set .
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an audio video distribution system 100 to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0009]
First, the configuration of the audio video distribution system 100 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, an audio-video distribution system 100 includes a distribution server 1 that distributes audio-video data, a satellite system such as a communication satellite or a broadcast satellite, and a communication line such as a telephone line or a cable broadcast line. A customer terminal 3 that receives a distribution signal 2 (acoustic video data) via the telephone line or transmits customer information 10, an audio video data distribution request 11 and a sound quality setting change request 12 to the distribution server 1 via a telephone line or the Internet; Consists of. Although only one customer terminal 3 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of customer terminals 3 can be connected to the distribution server 1.
[0010]
Here, the audio-video distribution system 100 realizes the function of the data distribution system described in the claims, the distribution server 1 realizes the function of the data distribution server described in the claims, and the customer terminal 3 Implements the functions of the data reproduction terminal described in the claims.
[0011]
Next, the configuration of the distribution server 1 will be described.
The distribution server 1 includes a control unit 1a, a storage unit 1b, a transmission / reception unit 1c, and the like.
[0012]
The control unit 1a performs a sound quality setting process shown in FIG. 2A and a data distribution process shown in FIG. Programs for executing the sound quality pattern setting process and the data distribution process are stored in the storage unit 1b in advance.
[0013]
The control unit 1a compresses the new audio-video data in a predetermined format as necessary and stores it in the storage unit 1b. The control unit 1a also receives the audio requested for distribution in response to the audio-video data distribution request received from the customer terminal 3. The video data is distributed via the transmission / reception unit 1c.
[0014]
The control unit 1a manages customer information and performs account verification when requesting delivery of audio-visual data. Here, customer information includes customer ID information, name information, genre-specific sound quality setting information, contract period information, and the like. Furthermore, the genre-specific sound quality setting information is information for setting the sound quality (for example, sound quality pattern) of customer preference for each genre (for example, classical music, popular music, action movie, romance movie) of the audio video data. . A plurality of the sound quality pattern data are provided in advance and stored in the storage unit 1b. The audio video data includes data indicating the genre in advance.
[0015]
For example, “I do n’t like the bass being noisy”, “I like classical music and listen to it well”, “I feel a little annoying in the neighborhood because it ’s annoying in the neighborhood” When rough contents are designated, the operator of the distribution server 1 inputs genre-specific sound quality setting information based on the contents.
[0016]
Furthermore, the sound quality setting information for each genre is for each sound range (frequency band) of high sound (high frequency band), medium sound (medium frequency band), and low sound (low frequency band) for each genre of audiovisual data. Information for setting the level in units of large, medium, and small may be used. In this case, more detailed sound quality setting is possible.
[0017]
Furthermore, the sound quality setting information for each genre may be set by dividing the sound range (frequency band) in more detail, or the level setting for each sound range (frequency band) can be performed in more detail using numerical values. Anyway. For example, in the case of rock, the level of 100 Hz is raised by 6 db (decibel), and in order to emphasize a little in the frequency band of 2 to 4 kHz, the level is raised by 2 db. The frequency band including 50 Hz can be increased by 3 db. In addition, when the number of the setting value is roughly specified by a numerical value range or the like, the operator of the distribution server 1 specifies the setting value based on the specified content.
[0018]
The genre-specific sound quality setting information may be a sound quality setting program for a graphic equalizer or a parametric equalizer (corresponding to the sound quality adjusting unit 9a shown in FIG. 1) provided in the customer terminal 3. The sound quality adjusting unit 9a can adjust the level of the sound quality (frequency characteristics) of the reproduced sound within a range of ± several db for each of a plurality of frequency bands. Furthermore, moderate reverberation may be added as a sound quality pattern.
[0019]
The control unit 1a determines a sound quality pattern corresponding to each genre based on the sound quality pattern data stored in the storage unit 1b and the genre-specific sound quality setting information of the customer information, and stores the sound quality pattern in the storage unit 1b as customer sound quality data.
In this case, instead of generating the customer sound quality data, the control unit 1a may update the genre-specific sound quality setting information to the contents of the customer sound quality data (in this case, the customer sound quality data may not be generated). .)
[0020]
The control unit 1a determines the genre of the audio video data requested for distribution, and performs sound quality setting of the audio video data based on the determined genre and customer sound quality data. That is, the control unit 1a updates the sound quality data included in the audio video data based on the sound quality pattern.
[0021]
When the genre-specific sound quality setting information is a sound quality setting program for the sound quality adjusting unit 9a, the control unit 1a stores the sound quality setting program specified for each genre in the storage unit 1b as customer sound quality data. In this case, the control unit 1a distributes the sound quality setting program together with the audio video data in response to the audio video data distribution request. That is, in this case, the control unit 1a does not update the sound quality data included in the audio / video data, but the customer terminal 3 performs sound quality setting based on the distributed sound quality setting program by the sound quality adjustment unit 9a.
[0022]
The control unit 1a updates customer information as necessary based on various change requests received from the customer terminal 3. In particular, the control unit 1 a updates the genre-specific sound quality setting information for the customer according to the sound quality setting change request 12 received from the customer terminal 3.
[0023]
The storage unit 1b stores a program for executing the sound quality setting process shown in FIG. 2A and the data distribution process shown in FIG. 2B, and customer information (including sound quality setting information for each genre), Various data such as sound quality pattern data and customer sound quality data are stored.
[0024]
The transmission / reception unit 1c transmits audio-video data to the customer terminal 3 via a satellite system such as a communication satellite or a broadcast satellite, or a communication line such as a telephone line or a cable broadcast line, or the customer terminal 3 via a telephone line or the Internet. Interface for receiving customer information 10, distribution request 11 and sound quality setting change request 12. The transmission / reception unit 1c modulates audio video data to be distributed, and outputs the modulated audio video data (in this case, the distribution signal 2) to the outside.
[0025]
Here, the storage unit 1b realizes the function of the storage unit described in the claims, and the control unit 1a realizes the function of the setting unit described in the claims.
[0026]
Next, the configuration of the customer terminal 3 will be described.
The customer terminal 3 includes a transmission / reception unit 4, a hard disk 6, and a reproduction unit 9. The transmission / reception unit 4 receives a distribution signal 2 (modulated acoustic video data) from the distribution server 1 via a satellite system such as a communication satellite or a broadcast satellite, or a communication line such as a telephone line or a cable broadcast line, or a telephone line. And an interface for transmitting customer information 10, a distribution request 11 and a sound quality setting change request 12 to the distribution server 1 via the Internet. The transmission / reception unit 4 demodulates the received distribution signal 2 and outputs the demodulated audio video data (in this case, the download signal 5) to the hard disk 6.
[0027]
The hard disk 6 is composed of a writable nonvolatile memory, and stores the download signal 5 input from the transmission / reception unit 4 in a readable manner.
[0028]
The reproduction unit 9 directly reproduces the audio / video data (in this case, the reproduction signal 8) output from the receiving device 4 without storing it in the hard disk 6, or reads out the audio / video data (in this case) read from the hard disk 6 , Referred to as reproduction signal 7). When the input audio / video data is compressed data, the playback unit 9 first decompresses the data, and sequentially buffers and decompresses the decompressed data.
[0029]
The reproduction unit 9 includes a sound quality adjustment unit 9a, and the sound quality adjustment unit 9a includes a graphic equalizer that can set sound quality such as audio video data in detail or a parametric equalizer that can set more details. When reproducing the distributed audio video data, the sound quality adjustment unit 9a sets the sound quality setting to normal (level 0 (zero db) in all sound ranges (frequency bands)) and is included in the audio video data. Realizes playback sound that directly reflects sound quality data.
[0030]
When a sound quality setting program for the sound quality adjusting unit 9a is distributed, the sound quality adjusting unit 9a performs sound quality setting based on the sound quality setting program. In this case, the distribution signal 2, the download signal 5, the reproduction signal 7, and the reproduction signal 8 shown in FIG. 1 are signals indicating audio video data and a sound quality setting program corresponding to the audio video data.
[0031]
Here, the sound quality adjusting unit 9a realizes the function of the sound quality adjusting means described in the claims.
[0032]
Next, the operation of the distribution server 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2A is a flowchart for explaining sound quality setting processing by the distribution server 1, and FIG. 2B is a flowchart for explaining data distribution processing by the distribution server 1.
[0033]
First, the control unit 1a sets an account for a customer who has a distribution contract for audio-visual data (step S10). In this case, the control unit 1a acquires customer information from the customer terminal 3 and stores it in the storage unit 1b (step S11).
[0034]
The control unit 1a extracts genre-specific sound quality setting information from the acquired customer information, and sets sound quality patterns according to each genre based on the sound quality pattern data stored in the storage unit 1b and the genre-specific sound quality setting information. Stored in the storage unit 1b as customer sound quality data (step S12).
[0035]
When the genre-specific sound quality setting information is a sound quality setting program for the sound quality adjustment unit 9a, the control unit 1a stores the sound quality setting program specified for each genre in the storage unit 1b as customer sound quality data (step S12). .
[0036]
When the control unit 1a receives the delivery request for the audio / video data from the customer terminal 3 (step S20), the control unit 1a performs account verification for the customer (step S21).
[0037]
The control unit 1a prepares for delivery of the audiovisual data in response to the delivery request permitted by the account verification in step S21. That is, the control unit 1a reads out the audio video data requested for distribution from the storage unit 1b, determines the genre of the data, and determines the sound quality included in the audio video data based on the determined genre and the customer sound quality data. Data is updated (step S22). Thereafter, the control unit 1a distributes the audio video data with the updated sound quality data to the customer terminal 3 (step S23).
[0038]
The preparation for distribution in step S22 is as follows when the genre-specific sound quality setting information is a sound quality setting program for the sound quality adjusting unit 9a. That is, the control unit 1a reads out the requested audio / video data from the storage unit 1b, determines the genre of the data, and extracts the sound quality setting program corresponding to the determined genre from the customer information in the storage unit 1b ( Step S22). In this case, the control unit 1a distributes to the customer terminal 3 the audio video data whose sound quality data requested for distribution is unchanged and the sound quality setting program corresponding to the genre of the audio video data.
[0039]
After step S23, the control unit 1a determines whether there is another audio video data distribution request from the same customer (customer account verified in step S21) (step S24), and there is another distribution request. In this case (step S24; Yes), the process proceeds to step S22 to prepare for distribution. When there is no other distribution request (step S24; No), whether there is a sound quality setting change request 12 from the customer. Is determined (step S25).
[0040]
If there is a sound quality setting change request from the customer in step S25 (step S25; Yes), the control unit 1a updates the customer sound quality data (sound quality pattern or sound quality setting program) in response to the change request (step S26). ).
[0041]
When the customer terminal 3 receives the audio video data (or audio video data and sound quality setting program) distributed in step S23 (step S231), the audio video data is reproduced (step S232). When the sound quality setting is changed based on the reproduced sound, the change data is transmitted to the distribution server 1 as a sound quality setting change request.
[0042]
As described above, according to the audio-video distribution system 100 to which the present invention is applied, the distribution server 1 acquires in advance genre-specific sound quality setting information for each customer, and distributes audio-video data such as music and movies requested for distribution. When delivering to a customer, the sound quality setting of customer preference is performed in advance based on the genre-specific sound quality setting information. If the genre-specific sound quality setting information is a sound quality setting program corresponding to the sound quality adjustment unit 9a (graphic equalizer or the like) of the customer terminal 3, the distribution server 1 distributes the sound quality setting program together with the audio / video data.
[0043]
Accordingly, the customer can enjoy the audio / video with his / her preferred sound quality by simply reproducing the distributed audio / video data without adjusting the sound quality at his / her customer terminal 3.
When the sound quality setting information for each genre is a sound quality setting program for the sound quality adjustment unit 9a, the sound quality adjustment unit 9a of the customer terminal 3 of the customer is automatically and suitably set to the sound quality, so that a finer response is possible. Improve customer satisfaction.
By storing the distributed audio / video data (or audio / video data and a sound quality setting program corresponding to the audio / video data) in the hard disk, the customer can select the audio / video with his / her preferred sound quality. Since it can be enjoyed anytime, customer satisfaction can be further improved.
[0044]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the content of the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention, it can change suitably.
For example, the sound quality setting change request has been described as being performed after the distribution request. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be performed before the distribution request.
It is also possible to prevent the sound quality setting from being performed by notifying that the sound quality setting is not required in the genre-specific sound quality setting information.
Further, the distributed audio / video data, audio / video data and sound quality setting program may be distributed to each customer via a recording medium such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk, not via a communication line. Further, the customer may transmit the customer information, the distribution request, and the sound quality setting change request to the distribution server 1 side using a postcard or the like without using a communication line.
Various numerical values used in the present embodiment are not limited to those shown here and can be arbitrarily set.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the data delivery system, data delivery apparatus, and data delivery method which deliver audio video data, such as a music and a movie, the audio video data which can be reproduced with the sound quality according to each customer's liking can be delivered.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an audio video distribution system to which the present invention is applied.
2A is a flowchart for explaining sound quality setting processing by the distribution server shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a flowchart for explaining data distribution processing by the distribution server shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Distribution server 1a Control part 1b Memory | storage part 1c Transmission / reception part 3 Customer terminal 4 Transmission / reception part 6 Hard disk 9 Playback | regeneration part 9a Sound quality adjustment part 10 Customer information 100 Audio-visual distribution system

Claims (12)

A data distribution server capable of storing a plurality of audio video data and distributing the audio video data requested to be distributed from among the plurality of audio video data, and a data reproduction terminal for reproducing the audio video data distributed from the data distribution server In a data distribution system composed of
The data distribution server is
Discriminating means for discriminating the genre related to the audio video content of the audio video data requested for distribution;
Storage means for storing sound quality setting data created in advance according to each delivery request destination of the audio-video data;
Setting means for setting the sound quality of the audio video data requested to be distributed based on the sound quality setting data stored in the storage means,
The storage means includes
Stores sound quality setting data created in advance for each genre according to each delivery request destination of the audio-video data,
The setting means includes
A data distribution system for performing sound quality setting of audio video data requested to be distributed based on a genre related to audio video content determined by the determination means and sound quality setting data stored in the storage means . The data distribution server is
Deliver the requested audio video data and the sound quality setting data corresponding to the genre related to the audio video content of the audio video data created in advance according to the distribution request destination,
The data reproduction terminal is
Provided with sound quality adjustment means for adjusting the sound quality of the playback sound of the audio-video data,
The sound quality adjusting means is
The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the sound quality of the distributed audio video data is adjusted based on sound quality setting data distributed together with the audio video data. The storage means includes
The data distribution system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the sound quality setting data created in advance at a distribution request destination of the audio-video data is stored. The storage means includes
The data distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the sound quality setting data reflecting a preference of a customer who requests distribution of audio-visual data from the distribution request destination is stored. In a data distribution apparatus capable of storing a plurality of audio video data and distributing the audio video data requested to be distributed from among the plurality of audio video data,
Discriminating means for discriminating the genre related to the audio video content of the audio video data requested for distribution;
Storage means for storing sound quality setting data created in advance according to each delivery request destination of the audio-video data;
Setting means for setting the sound quality of the audio video data requested to be distributed based on the sound quality setting data stored in the storage means,
The storage means includes
Stores sound quality setting data created in advance for each genre according to each delivery request destination of the audio-video data,
The setting means includes
6. A data distribution apparatus for performing sound quality setting of audio video data requested for distribution based on a genre related to audio video content determined by the determination unit and sound quality setting data stored in the storage unit . And audio-visual data delivery request, to claim 5, characterized in that delivering the sound quality setting data corresponding to the genre of the audio visual content of the audio visual data created in advance according to the distribution request destination The data distribution apparatus described. The storage means includes
The data distribution apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the sound quality setting data created in advance at a distribution request destination of the audio / video data is stored. The storage means includes
The data distribution apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the sound quality setting data reflecting a preference of a customer who requests distribution of audio-visual data from the distribution request destination is stored. In a data distribution method for storing a plurality of audio video data and distributing audio video data requested to be distributed from among the plurality of audio video data,
A discriminating step for discriminating a genre related to the audio video content of the audio video data requested for distribution;
A sound quality setting step for setting the sound quality of the audio video data requested for distribution based on the sound quality setting data created in advance according to each distribution request destination of the audio video data ,
The sound quality setting step includes
The audio video data requested for distribution based on the genre related to the content of the audio video determined in the determining step and the sound quality setting data created in advance for each genre according to each distribution request destination of the audio video data. A data distribution method characterized by performing sound quality setting . And audio-visual data delivery request, to claim 9, characterized in that delivering the sound quality setting data corresponding to the genre of the audio visual content of the audio visual data created in advance according to the distribution request destination The data distribution method described. The data delivery method according to claim 9 or 10 , wherein the sound quality setting data created in advance at a delivery request destination of the audio video data is used. The data distribution method according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the sound quality setting data reflecting a preference of a customer who requests distribution of audio-visual data from the distribution request destination is used.

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