JP4144433B2 - Music distribution system and portable terminal used for music distribution system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable terminal to which music data is distributed and a music distribution system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various devices and services have been provided in order to easily enjoy various music while a user is moving. For example, there is a method of enjoying music on a CD or MD. However, the songs are limited to the songs in the CDs and MDs owned, and a lot of investment is required to listen to a wide variety of genres.
There is also a way to enjoy music on radio. In this case, music of a genre wider than CD or MD can be heard, but there are many broadcasting stations that cannot specify the music genre, and therefore the user feels uncomfortable when music of a genre that the user does not like flows. There is. Also, since the radio cannot identify the listener, no matter how much music is distributed, the user cannot be charged.
[0003]
There is also a way to enjoy music via cable broadcasting. The cable broadcasting music distribution service constantly distributes music of various genres by charging the user. The user can select a desired music genre and enjoy music.
However, in order to use cable broadcasting, a stationary dedicated device is required, and the service can be received only in an area where the wiring reaches, so that users are limited. Therefore, music distribution cannot be easily received anywhere.
[0004]
By the way, as a technique for easily receiving music distribution at any place, a technique for receiving music data distribution using a portable terminal is known. This downloads music data from the server to the mobile terminal for incoming melody and stores it in the mobile terminal. Since the music data is a ringtone melody format, the data size is small and the download time is short. However, the download operation must be performed for each song, which is cumbersome for the user.
[0005]
In view of this, a method has been proposed in which a plurality of music data is delivered to a mobile terminal in a lump to enjoy music (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-49375
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since Patent Document 1 does not disclose a method for requesting new music data, when all of the music data received by the mobile terminal has been reproduced, there is no time until new music data is received, and reproduction is not possible. There is a possibility of interruption.
This invention is made in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the music reproduction system which a portable terminal can reproduce | regenerate the music data distributed without interruption.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a music distribution system according to claim 1 is a server having distribution means for distributing a plurality of music data, a base station connected to the server via a network, the base station and a radio In a music distribution system including a mobile terminal that performs communication, the mobile terminal reproduces the music data stored in the storage means and storage means for storing music data distributed from the server by the distribution means. Reproducing means, and distribution request means for requesting distribution of music data to be reproduced next to the server when music data that has not been reproduced by the reproducing means is smaller than a preset data amount. It is characterized by that.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the music distribution system according to the first aspect, the distribution request means makes a distribution request for music data to be reproduced next in accordance with the unreproduced time or the number of unreproduced music of the music data. It is characterized by.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the music distribution system according to the first aspect, the music data is data in a ringtone melody format of a portable terminal.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the music distribution system according to the first aspect, the portable terminal has a secondary unusable unit in which the music data reproduced by the reproducing unit is not secondary usable. Features.
[0012]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the music distribution system according to the first aspect, the server sorts a plurality of music data for each music genre, and the portable terminal designates the music genre to specify the music data. The distribution is requested.
[0013]
The portable terminal according to claim 6 is configured by a server having distribution means for distributing a plurality of music data, a base station connected to the server via a network, and a portable terminal that performs wireless communication with the base station. In a portable terminal used for a music distribution system, storage means for storing music data distributed from a server by the distribution means, reproduction means for reproducing music data stored by the storage means, and reproduction by the reproduction means When the music data falls below a predetermined value, the server has a distribution request means for requesting distribution of music data to be reproduced next.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a music distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The music distribution system includes a mobile phone 1 (mobile terminal), a base station 2 that is wirelessly connected to the mobile phone 1, and a server 3 in the BGM service providing company that is connected to the base station 2 via the Internet N and distributes music data. Composed. The server 3 has a music database 4 in which music data is stored, and publishes a website for downloading music data to the mobile phone 1.
This music data is stored in a ringtone format for mobile terminals such as SMAF (Synthetic music Mobile Application Format). Music data in this format has a small data size and requires a short time to download. Also, this format can set data copy restrictions such as whether data can be copied or how many times data can be copied, so that the copyright of music data can be protected. It is assumed that the music data format in this embodiment cannot be copied.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the mobile phone 1. Reference numeral 10 denotes a CPU (distribution request means, secondary unavailable means), which controls each part of the mobile phone 1. A communication unit 11 performs wireless communication with the outside. An audio processing unit 12 outputs audio to the first speaker 13 and processes audio input from the microphone 14. A sound source (reproducing means) 15 converts the distributed music data into a musical sound signal and outputs it through the second speaker 22. Reference numeral 16 denotes an external output terminal, which is a connection terminal for sending a musical sound signal converted by the sound source 15 to another audio device such as a car audio. Reference numeral 17 denotes a vibrator, 18 denotes a ROM (read only memory) for storing an operation program of the CPU 10, and 19 denotes a RAM (random access memory) (storage means) for temporary data storage. The RAM 19 has two buffers for storing music data. Reference numeral 20 denotes an input unit such as operation keys, and 21 denotes a display unit.
[0016]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. First, an operation in which the mobile phone 1 performs user registration and registration of a desired music genre in the server 3 will be described.
The user operates the input unit 20 to request connection to the server 3. The communication unit 11 of the mobile phone 1 is connected to the server 3 (step S1). The server 3 transmits data of the Web site of the server 3 to the mobile phone 1. The CPU 10 displays the transmitted website data on the display unit 21.
Next, the user inputs user information such as a name and an e-mail address with the input unit 20 while viewing the screen displayed on the display unit 21. The CPU 10 performs user registration by transmitting the input name and the like to the server 3 using the communication unit 11 (step S3). Thereby, the server 3 can provide a music data distribution service to a specific user and charge the user.
Next, the server 3 displays a data list of a plurality of music genres in the music database 4 on the display unit 21 via the communication unit 11. The user selects a desired music genre using the input unit 20 (step S5).
[0017]
Next, the user operates the input unit 19 to make a music data distribution request (step S7). The CPU 10 uses the communication unit 11 to connect to the Web site of the server 3 and makes a distribution request for music data to the server 3. The server 3 downloads music data for one distribution unit in the music database 4 to the mobile phone 1. The music data of one distribution unit stores data obtained by converting data for several music pieces into a ringtone melody format. The downloaded music data is stored in one buffer in the RAM 19 (step S9). When downloading of the music data is completed (step S11), the communication unit 11 of the mobile phone 1 once disconnects the connection of the server 3 to the Web site (step S13).
[0018]
Next, when the user performs a music reproduction operation with the input unit 20 (step S15), the CPU 10 converts the music data stored in the RAM 19 into a musical sound signal with the sound source 15, and the second speaker 22 performs the sound conversion. Output and reproduce (step S17). At this time, the mobile phone 1 can receive a call even during voice reproduction, and the voice reproduction stops when the user goes off-hook to talk.
[0019]
Here, the state of the buffer in the RAM 19 and the stored music data is shown in FIG. The music data downloaded in step S9 is stored in the buffer area (1) in the RAM 19 ((a) of FIG. 4). During playback of music data, the user does not stop playback (“No” in step S19), and the data amount of music data that is not played back is smaller than the data amount set by the user in advance (dotted line portion in FIG. 4). When it becomes ("Yes" in step S21), the CPU 10 connects to the Web site of the server 3 via the communication unit 11, and requests distribution of music data to be reproduced next (step S23). The server 3 downloads new music data to the mobile phone 1. The downloaded new music data is stored in the buffer area (2) in the RAM 19 (step S25).
[0020]
When the download of new music data is completed (step S27), the communication unit 11 of the mobile phone 1 once disconnects the server 3 from the Web site (step S29).
During this time, the music data stored in the area (1) is being reproduced. After completing the reproduction of the music data stored in the area (1), the CPU 10 subsequently reproduces the music data stored in the area (2) as shown in FIG. 4B (step S31). Thereafter, returning to the process of step S19, when the remaining music data in the area {circle around (2)} is reduced, the CPU 10 downloads another music data and stores the music data that has already been played back in the buffer area. Overwrite in (1).
[0021]
When the user performs an operation to stop reproduction in step S19 (“Yes” in step S19), the CPU 10 stops reproduction of the music data by stopping the sound source 15 (step S33). Next, the CPU 10 erases the already reproduced data among the music data stored in the buffer of the RAM 19 (step S35). As a result, the music data once played cannot be reused.
[0022]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily listen to favorite music anywhere without selecting a place on the mobile terminal, and before the music data received by the mobile terminal is completely reproduced. Since new music data is requested, new music is always delivered without interruption unless the user performs an operation to stop playback.
[0023]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the specific structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.
[0024]
For example, in the above embodiment, the next new music data is downloaded during the reproduction of the music data. However, if the interval between the music does not become unnaturally long, the download may be started after the music reproduction ends. Good.
Further, in the above embodiment, when the reproduction is stopped, the music data reproduced so far is erased. However, the music data reproduced so far may not be accessible.
In the above embodiment, the next music data is downloaded based on the remaining amount of music data that has not been played back. However, the remaining playback time (unplayed time) of music data and the number of remaining songs (number of unplayed songs) ).
In the above embodiment, two buffers are provided. However, if the download time is very short, one buffer is sufficient.
Further, the present invention may be applied to a portable personal computer or PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) having a wireless communication function instead of the cellular phone in the above embodiment.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily listen to favorite music anywhere without selecting a place on the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal plays the music data distributed from the server, When the data amount of the music data to be reproduced becomes smaller than a predetermined data amount, a distribution request for the music data to be reproduced next is sent to the server. New songs are always delivered.
Moreover, since the incoming melody format with a small data size is used for the music data to be distributed, the communication cost can be reduced.
In addition, since the reproduced music data cannot be used secondarily, it leads to copyright protection.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a music distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone 1 in the same embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the mobile phone 1 in the same embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of a buffer in a RAM 19 and stored music data in the same embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile phone, 2 ... Base station, 3 ... BGM service provision company (server), 4 ... Music database, 10 ... CPU, 11 ... Communication part, 12 ... Voice processing part, 13 ... 1st speaker, 14 ... Microphone 15 ... Sound source, 16 ... External output terminal, 17 ... Vibrator, 18 ... ROM, 19 ... RAM, 20 ... Input unit, 21 ... Display unit, 22 ... Second speaker

Claims (8)

A server having distribution means for distributing music data including a plurality of songs for each distribution unit, a base station connected to the server via a network, and a portable terminal that performs wireless communication with the base station In the music distribution system
The portable terminal is
Storage means for storing music data of one distribution unit distributed from the server by the distribution means;
Playback means for playing back the music data stored in the storage means;
Distribution request means for requesting distribution of music data of one distribution unit to be reproduced next to the server when music data that has not been reproduced by the reproduction means is less than a preset data amount;
Control means for storing music data of one distribution unit distributed from the server in response to the distribution request by overwriting in an area of the storage means in which already reproduced music data is stored;
Music having an erasing unit for erasing the already played music data out of the music data stored in the storage means when there is an instruction to stop the reproduction while the music data is being reproduced by the reproducing means Distribution system. The music distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution request unit requests distribution of music data to be reproduced next in accordance with the unreproduced time or the number of unreproduced music of the music data. The music distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the music data is data in a format for an incoming melody of a portable terminal. The storage means has two buffers,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores an overwritten area in an area in which music data that has already been reproduced is stored in a buffer different from a buffer in which the music data being reproduced by the reproduction unit is stored. The music distribution system described. The music distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the server sorts a plurality of music data for each music genre, and the portable terminal requests the music data to be distributed by designating the music genre. A server having distribution means for distributing music data including a plurality of songs for each distribution unit, a base station connected to the server via a network, and a portable terminal that performs wireless communication with the base station In the music distribution system
The portable terminal is
Storage means for storing music data of one distribution unit distributed from the server by the distribution means;
Playback means for playing back the music data stored in the storage means;
Distribution request means for requesting distribution of music data of one distribution unit to be reproduced next to the server when music data that has not been reproduced by the reproduction means is less than a preset data amount;
Control means for storing music data of one distribution unit distributed from the server in response to the distribution request by overwriting in an area of the storage means in which already reproduced music data is stored;
When there is an instruction to stop playback during playback of the music data by the playback means, erasure means for erasing the music data already played out of the music data stored in the storage means;
Connecting to the server when the distribution request means makes the distribution request, and connecting means for disconnecting the connection to the server when distribution of music data of one distribution unit by the distribution means is completed. Music distribution system. A server having distribution means for distributing music data including a plurality of songs for each distribution unit, a base station connected to the server via a network, and a portable terminal that performs wireless communication with the base station In mobile terminals used in music distribution systems,
Storage means for storing music data of one distribution unit distributed from the server by the distribution means;
Playback means for playing back the music data stored by the storage means;
Distribution request means for requesting distribution of music data of one distribution unit to be reproduced next to the server when the music data reproduced by the reproduction means is below a predetermined value;
Control means for storing music data of one distribution unit distributed from the server in response to the distribution request by overwriting in an area of the storage means in which already reproduced music data is stored;
And a erasure unit for erasing the already reproduced music data out of the music data stored in the storage unit when there is an instruction to stop the reproduction during the reproduction of the music data by the reproduction unit. Terminal. A server having distribution means for distributing music data including a plurality of songs for each distribution unit, a base station connected to the server via a network, and a portable terminal that performs wireless communication with the base station In mobile terminals used in music distribution systems,
Storage means for storing music data of one distribution unit distributed from the server by the distribution means;
Playback means for playing back the music data stored by the storage means;
Distribution request means for requesting distribution of music data of one distribution unit to be reproduced next to the server when the music data reproduced by the reproduction means is below a predetermined value;
Control means for storing music data of one distribution unit distributed from the server in response to the distribution request by overwriting in an area of the storage means in which already reproduced music data is stored;
When there is an instruction to stop playback during playback of the music data by the playback means, erasure means for erasing the music data already played out of the music data stored in the storage means;
Connecting to the server when the distribution request means makes the distribution request, and connecting means for disconnecting the connection to the server when distribution of music data of one distribution unit by the distribution means is completed. Mobile terminal.

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