JP4100174B2 - Music recording / reproducing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a music recording / reproducing apparatus and method for recording and reproducing input music data, and more particularly to a music recording / reproducing apparatus and method suitable for identifying a selection tendency of music data by a user.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, audio devices capable of reproducing media such as CD (Compact Disc) and DVD (Digital Video Disc) have been widely used. For this reason, the user can freely enjoy the music software that he / she obtained using such an audio device. In addition, it is possible to record a large amount of music data of a relatively large size from a medium on a recording medium such as a hard disk mounted on a PC (Personal Computer) or the like. A flexible recording / reproducing operation can be realized while utilizing the simultaneous processing function.
[0003]
By discriminating whether or not the music data recorded on the recording medium in the PC has been played back, it is possible to select and play back the desired music data easily and accurately without a troublesome selection operation. A recording data reproducing apparatus that can be used has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a call recording / playback apparatus that can check whether the recorded music data has been played back or not played back and notify the user of this through a display unit has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2). ).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-251455 A [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-236767
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in recent years, online distribution of music data using a network such as the Internet or cable television has begun to be put into practical use. In such a music data distribution system, a data distributor provides music data to be distributed on a network Web. In addition, a user who uses this distribution system uses his / her PC to access the Web or the like provided by the content distributor and download desired music data.
[0006]
However, in such a music data distribution system, there are many data distributors who distribute music data, and a user can download music data at any time from the Internet network expanded worldwide. For this reason, the number of music data downloaded to each user's PC tends to increase significantly.
[0007]
Under such circumstances, it is difficult to select and reproduce the desired music data accurately and simply by only determining whether it has been reproduced or not reproduced. In addition, it is very complicated and time-consuming to prompt the user to select actual music data simply by executing such a determination on the recording / reproducing apparatus side, and lacks validity. It will also be.
[0008]
Therefore, the present invention has been devised in view of the above-described problems, and according to the progress until unreproduced music data is reproduced, the user's tendency to select music data is investigated and displayed as data. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a music recording / reproducing apparatus and method capable of automatically selecting and reproducing music data in accordance with the selection tendency.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present inventor records received music data as unreproduced music data on a recording medium, and the user selects the unreproduced music data according to the progress until the unreproduced music data is selected. Invented a music recording / reproducing apparatus and method capable of creating preference data representing the selection tendency of music data according to the above.
[0010]
That is, a music recording / playback apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes a receiving means for receiving music data, a recording medium for recording the received music data, and music data that has not been played back by at least the music data received by the receiving means. Control means for recording music data selected by the user from the recording medium and reproduction means for reproducing the transferred music data, the control means comprising unreproduced music data The preference data representing the selection tendency of the music data by the user is created in accordance with the progress until is selected.
[0011]
A music recording / playback method to which the present invention is applied includes a receiving step for receiving music data, a recording step for recording the received music data as unplayed music data on a recording medium, and music data selected by a user. A reproduction step of transferring the data from the recording medium to the reproduction unit for reproduction, and in the reproduction step, preference data representing a selection tendency of music data by a user according to a progress until unreproduced music data is selected. Create
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
A music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the present invention is applied to a music distribution system 10 as shown in FIG. The music distribution system 10 is connected to a server 4 connected to a public communication network 8 such as the Internet network and to the public communication network 8 via an Internet service provider (hereinafter referred to as ISP) 7. A home LAN (Local Area Network) 5 and a music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 connected to the home LAN 5 are provided.
[0014]
The home LAN 5 is a network that is arranged inside the building 3 that is a private house and enables high-speed communication with at least the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 installed in the building 3.
[0015]
The music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) equipped with a modem for connecting to a network (not shown), and receives music data from the public communication network 8 via the home LAN 5. It is received and stored in its own hard disk (HDD). The music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 reproduces music data stored in its own HDD, and further outputs the music data to other electronic devices (not shown) through the home LAN 5. Further, the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 can also transmit music data stored in its own hard disk to the public communication network 8 through the home LAN 5. Details of the configuration of the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 will be described later.
[0016]
The public communication network 8 includes, for example, an Internet network connected to the home LAN 5 via a telephone line, a mobile communication network connected to a mobile phone, and an ISDN connected to a TA / modem. Integrated Services Digital Network) / B (broadband) -ISDN, satellite communication network (Broadcasting) connected to STB. The server 4 connected to the public communication network 8 manages, for example, Internet information, receives a request from the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1, and transmits predetermined information stored in itself. The server 4 also manages the music providing service, receives a request from the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1, and transmits predetermined music data stored in itself. Incidentally, the music data to be transmitted is an audio file configured based on, for example, the MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3) standard.
[0017]
In such a music distribution system 10, a user who desires to download music data can realize this by accessing the Web provided by the content distributor and executing a predetermined download operation.
[0018]
Next, the configuration of the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 includes a transmission / reception unit 11 that transmits / receives music data via the home LAN 5, and communication that outputs music data supplied from the transmission / reception unit 11 to an internal data bus 21. Unit 12, HDD 13 and sound control unit 14 connected to internal data bus 21, bus controller 15 for controlling the processing operation of each unit via internal data bus 21, bus controller 15 and internal data bus 21. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 16 that transmits a control signal via the CPU, a speaker 17 connected to the sound control unit 14, a display unit 18 and operation keys 19 connected to the CPU 16.
[0020]
The transmission / reception unit 11 is a wired network cable for transmitting / receiving various information to / from the home LAN 5 by wired communication, or a wireless LAN card for transmitting / receiving various information to / from the home LAN 5 by wireless communication. Incidentally, in the transmission / reception unit 11, the transmission function is not essential, and only the reception function may be provided.
[0021]
The communication unit 12 includes a communication interface and controls music data transmission / reception between the home LAN 5 and the transmission / reception unit 11. The communication unit 12 may implement transmission / reception of music data using, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) that provides an interface for data transfer on the Internet.
[0022]
The HDD 13 receives music data via the connected internal data bus 21 and records it at a predetermined address. The designation of an address for recording each music data is executed by the CPU 16 described later. The HDD 13 may be in any form as long as it can record music data.
[0023]
The sound control unit 14 generates a musical tone signal for each music data transferred via the internal data bus 21 and outputs it. In the case where the sound control unit 14 generates musical tone signals simultaneously on a plurality of channels, one circuit may be used in a time-division manner, or one sounding channel may be constituted by one circuit. . Note that the musical sound signal output from the sound control unit 14 is supplied to the speaker 17 and output as sound.
[0024]
The bus controller 15 is a device for controlling input / output of various data in the internal data bus 21 based on a control signal transmitted from the CPU 16.
[0025]
The CPU 16 is a central processing unit that controls the entire music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 by transmitting a control signal to the bus controller 15. The CPU 16 stores a ROM (not shown) for storing a control program to be executed, and data accumulation and development It is connected to a DRAM (not shown) as a work area used for the above. In addition, the CPU 16 transmits various control commands via the bus controller 15 in accordance with the operation of the operation key 19, or displays character information such as the elapsed performance time and the title of the music data being reproduced. To display.
[0026]
When the communication unit 12 receives music data, the CPU 16 identifies this via the internal data bus 21 and the bus controller 15. Further, the CPU 16 controls such music data to be recorded in the HDD 13 as unreproduced music data that has not yet been reproduced. When recording the unreproduced music data on the HDD 13, the CPU 16 may record the unreproduced music data on the HDD 13 with an identifier indicating that the unreproduced music data is not reproduced, for example.
[0027]
Further, the CPU 16 generates control signals that can realize these operations when an operation such as playback, fast forward, rewind, and pause is performed via the operation key 19, for example, via the bus controller 15. To send. For example, when music data is selected by the user, if there is reproducible music data in the HDD 13, the CPU 16 sends a control signal to the bus controller 15 to transfer the music data from the HDD 13 to the sound control unit 14. Send through. As a result, the reproduction of the music data selected by the user is easily realized. The CPU 16 generates a control signal that can realize these operations in the same manner when an operation such as one-track repeat, all-track repeat, or shuffle is performed via the operation key 19, and the bus controller 15 To send through.
[0028]
Further, the CPU 16 may determine whether or not unreproduced music data is present among the music data recorded in the HDD 13 and display the determined result via the display unit 18. Incidentally, this determination may be performed not only when instructed by the user via the operation key 19 and executed, but also by the CPU 16 periodically. The CPU 16 may reproduce the unrecorded music data recorded in the HDD 13 in order from the first recorded data.
[0029]
Further, the CPU 16 constantly monitors the unreproduced music data recorded on the HDD 13 and investigates the selection tendency of the music data by the user as the unreproduced music data is selected by the user. At this time, the CPU 16 may create preference data in which data is displayed for the selection tendency of the user.
[0030]
The display unit 18 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display element, and constitutes a liquid crystal display for displaying information related to music data, for example, to the user. The operation key 19 is an interface for allowing a user who has visually confirmed the display content on the display unit 18 to perform a predetermined operation on the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1. The display unit 18 may display a list of information related to music data recorded in the HDD 13 based on control by the CPU 16. At this time, the display unit 18 may classify and display the information related to the music data only for the unreproduced music data.
[0031]
Next, the operation of the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
[0032]
First, in step S11, when the transmission / reception unit 11 receives new music data, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is operated by the user without receiving new music via the transmission / reception unit 11, the process proceeds to step S13.
[0033]
In step S12, the CPU 16 records the newly received music data on the HDD 13 as unreproduced music data. Information regarding the unreproduced music data recorded in the HDD 13 in this way is displayed via the display unit 18 as a part of the unreproduced music data list, such as “File3” and “File4” shown in FIG. It will be. The user can use such information as useful information for visually recognizing the display and determining the performance order. Further, by considering the unreproduced music data as one group, it is possible to make it convenient for the CPU 16 to automatically determine the performance order.
[0034]
Incidentally, in this step S12, when only music data that has been reproduced at least once has been recorded in the HDD 13 and new music data is received, "new data present" is displayed via the display unit 18. By displaying, the user may be alerted. As a result, the user can confirm the presence of not-reproduced music data but also newly received unreproduced music data.
[0035]
Next, when music data is selected by the user via the operation key 19 in step S13, the CPU 16 transfers the selected music data to the sound control unit 14. The transferred music data is output as audio through the speaker 17. Incidentally, when music data is not selected by the user in step S13, the process proceeds to step S16.
[0036]
When reproduction of music data is executed in step S13, the process proceeds to step S14. At this time, the CPU 16 determines whether the music data selected in step S13 is reproduced music data or unreproduced music data. If the CPU 16 determines that the reproduced music data has been selected, the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if the CPU 16 determines that unplayed music data has been selected, the process proceeds to step S15.
[0037]
In step S15, the CPU 16 rewrites the selected unreproduced music data with reproduced music data. Thereby, the unreproduced music data selected by the user is deleted from the HDD 13 and newly recorded as reproduced music data. Incidentally, after the rewriting to the reproduced music data is finished, the process proceeds to step S16.
[0038]
In step S <b> 16, the CPU 16 determines whether there is unreproduced music data among the music data recorded on the HDD 13. As a result, if the CPU 16 determines that unreproduced music data exists, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the presence of unreproduced music data is not determined by the CPU 16, the process proceeds to step S17.
[0039]
In step S <b> 17, the CPU 16 erases information related to unreproduced music data displayed on the display unit 18. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the display of “File3” and “File4” listed in the unreproduced music data list is deleted. That is, since the number of unreproduced music data is determined to be 0 in step S16, the display unit 18 is controlled to display only the reproduced music data. Thereby, the user can easily confirm that only the reproduced music data exists in the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1.
[0040]
That is, according to the present invention, music data can be downloaded at any time from the globally expanded Internet network. Even if music data has been played back or not played back, it is recorded on the HDD 13 so that it can be viewed once by the user side. The risk of accidental erasure without having to do so can be reduced. Even when only unplayed music data is intentionally selected and erased, only unplayed music data is listed as a deletion target, and this is notified to the user via the display unit 18, thereby reducing the burden of labor. It becomes possible to reduce.
[0041]
Note that the display of the music data information on the display unit 18 is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 4. For example, in step S12, only information related to unreproduced music data is lit to alert the user, and step S17 is performed. In this case, the absence of unreproduced music data may be notified by turning off the information regarding unreproduced music data.
[0042]
Next, a method for creating preference data by the CPU 16 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0043]
First, in step S <b> 21, the CPU 16 confirms whether or not unreproduced music data exists in the HDD 13. As a result, the process proceeds to step S22 only when the presence of unreproduced music data is confirmed by the CPU 16.
[0044]
In step S22, the CPU 16 always monitors unreproduced music data recorded on the HDD 13. At this time, the CPU 16 may monitor not only single unreproduced music data but also a plurality of unreproduced music data at the same time. If the unplayed music data being monitored is selected by the user as in step S13 described above, the process proceeds to step S23. In addition to the case where unreproduced music data is selected by the user, the process may proceed to step S23 when reproduction of the selected unreproduced music data is started. Incidentally, when unreproduced music data being monitored is not selected, the process proceeds to step S24.
[0045]
In step S23, the CPU 16 counts the time from when the unplayed music data selected in step S22 is recorded to the HDD 13 until it is selected, and only when the time until the selection is short is step S24. Migrate to
[0046]
In step S24, the CPU 16 creates preference data based on the selected unplayed music data. Since the unplayed music data that is recorded in the HDD 13 and has a short time to be selected is considered to be the user's favorite music, the CPU 16 determines the genre, artist name, etc. associated with the selected unplayed music data. The taste data can be created while taking into account the information. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to investigate the selection tendency of music data by the user by using the time until unreproduced music data is selected as one parameter, and to display this data.
[0047]
On the other hand, also in step S25, the time from when the music data being monitored is recorded in the HDD 13 to the present is counted. As a result, the process proceeds to step S26 only when there is unreproduced music data after a predetermined time has elapsed since recording on the HDD 13.
[0048]
In step S26, the selected unreproduced music data is separately created as preference data. In other words, it is considered that unreproduced music data that is not selected even though a certain period of time has elapsed since being recorded in the HDD 13 is not the user's favorite music. In the present invention, it is possible to create the preference data based on the selection tendency of the music data by the user. That is, the preference data created by the music recording / playback apparatus 1 according to the present invention is largely classified into music data preferred by the user and other music data.
[0049]
As described above in detail, the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied records received music data as unreproduced music data on a recording medium, and the process until the unreproduced music data is selected. Accordingly, preference data representing a selection tendency of music data by the user is created. As a result, recording and reproduction of music data can be realized, and at the same time, the selection tendency of the music data by the user can be investigated and displayed.
[0050]
In the present invention, the created preference data can be recorded on the HDD 13 separately from other data, or physically stored in a separate folder. Accordingly, the user can easily organize the preference data in units of folders, and can also use the preference data for convenience by transmitting the preference data in units of folders to other terminals.
[0051]
Moreover, in the music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied, by displaying the created preference data via the display unit 18, the user himself / herself can recognize the selection tendency of his / her music data, It is possible to efficiently execute the arrangement of unreproduced music data based on the user's will. In the present invention, the unplayed music data recorded in the HDD 13 may be automatically organized by the CPU 16 according to the created preference data.
[0052]
In the present invention, the music data recorded in the HDD 13 may be automatically selected according to the preference data, and the selected music data may be transferred from the HDD 13. Accordingly, it is possible to preferentially reproduce the music that the user likes, so that it is possible to simplify the operation of selecting music data that is very complicated and takes a long time.
[0053]
Further, in the present invention, in the above-described step S23, the selected unplayed music data is recorded in the HDD 13 and is classified into a plurality of stages according to the user's preference until it is selected. You may create it. Thus, by dividing the time until unreproduced music data is selected, it is possible to analyze the user's preference with accuracy and display the data.
[0054]
Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, when creating preference data, which unreproduced music data is selected first, in which order unreproduced music data recorded on the HDD 13 is selected, or unreproduced music data recorded on the HDD 13 The preference data may be created on the basis of the selection tendency of the user with respect to the number of items. In other words, any method may be used as long as preference data is created according to the progress until unreproduced music data is selected.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, the music recording / playback apparatus and method according to the present invention records received music data as unplayed music data on a recording medium, and the process until the unplayed music data is selected. Accordingly, preference data representing a selection tendency of music data by the user is created. As a result, recording and reproduction of music data can be realized, and at the same time, the selection tendency of the music data by the user can be investigated and displayed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a music distribution system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a music recording / reproducing apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the music recording / playback apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a list of music data displayed via a display unit.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a method of creating preference data.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Music recording / reproducing apparatus, 3 buildings, 4 servers, 5 home LAN, 7 ISP, 8 public communication network, 10 music distribution system, 11 transmission / reception part, 12 communication part, 13 HDD, 14 sound control part, 15 bus controller, 16 CPU, 17 speaker, 18 display section, 19 operation keys, 21 internal data bus

Claims (8)

Receiving means for receiving music data;
A recording medium for recording the received music data;
Control means for recording at least the music data received by the receiving means as unplayed music data on the recording medium, and transferring music data selected by the user from the recording medium;
Playing means for playing the transferred music data,
The music recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means creates preference data representing a selection tendency of music data by a user according to a progress until the unreproduced music data is selected. 2. The music recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means creates the preference data based on a time from when unreproduced music data is recorded on a recording medium until it is selected. The control means automatically selects music data recorded on the recording medium according to the created preference data, and transfers the selected music data from the recording medium. The music recording / reproducing apparatus according to 1. 2. The music recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying at least information relating to unreproduced music data recorded on the recording medium. A receiving step for receiving music data;
A recording step of recording the received music data on a recording medium as unplayed music data;
A reproduction step of transferring the music data selected by the user from the recording medium to the reproduction unit and reproducing the music data;
In the reproduction step, a preference data representing a user's selection tendency of music data is created according to the progress until the unreproduced music data is selected. 6. The music recording / reproducing method according to claim 5, wherein, in the reproducing step, the preference data is created based on a time from when unreproduced music data is recorded on a recording medium until it is selected. In the reproduction step, music data recorded on the recording medium is automatically selected according to the created preference data, and the selected music data is transferred to the reproduction unit and reproduced. The music recording / reproducing method according to claim 5. 6. The music recording / reproducing method according to claim 5, wherein at least information on unreproduced music data recorded on the recording medium is displayed.

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