JP4325447B2 - Content providing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a content providing system for efficiently providing music content desired by a content user.

Conventionally, in order to provide a lot of music content to users, it is known that an unspecified person becomes a content creator, and the music content produced by the creator is stored in a content distribution server. For example, there is a content distribution system as disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2002-41058 A

  With such a conventional technology, a large amount of content can be stored in the server, but the content user does not always want the content, and for users who end up with the creator's self-satisfaction. There is a possibility that useless contents may be accumulated in the server, which is not efficient.

  An object of this invention is to provide the content provision system which can provide the content which a content user desires more efficiently in view of such a situation.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, in a content providing device (SV) that is communicably connected to a content user terminal (UT) and a content provider terminal (PT), content storage means (DB1) and content storage means Provision can be made regarding stored content information storage means (DB21) in which content information (Da) related to content (Dna) stored in (DB1) is registered, and content that can be provided transmitted from the content provider terminal (PT). Receivable content information registration means (S20) that receives the content information (Db) and registers it in the available content information storage means (DB22), and stored content information in response to a content provision request from the content user terminal (UT) Stored content search means for searching the storage means (DB21) ( 1 to S2), and if the content corresponding to the content provision request is stored in the content storage unit (DB1) as a result of the search by the stored content search unit (S2) (S3 = YES), the content is As a result of the search by the content providing means (S3 to S4) provided to the user terminal (UT) and the stored content search means (S2), the content corresponding to the content provision request is stored in the content storage means (DB21). If there is not (S3 = NO), as a result of the search by the available content search means (S3 to S5) for searching the available content information storage means (DB22) and the available content search means (S5), the content is provided. Provideable content information (Db) corresponding to the request can be provided content information storage means If it is registered in the DB 22) (S6 = YES), the content provision terminal (PT) capable of providing the content corresponding to the available content information (Db) is notified of the content provision request. As a result of the search by the notification means (S6 to S7) and the offerable content search means (S5), the offerable content information corresponding to the content provision request is not registered in the offerable content information storage means (DB22). (S6 = NO), provision-waiting content information registration means (S6 to S8) for registering provision-waiting content information (Dc) indicating the provision wait of the content related to the request in the provision-waiting content information storage means (DB23); In response to registration of the available content information (Db) by the available content information registration means (S20) As a result of the search by the provision waiting content search means (S21) for searching the provision waiting content information storage means (DB23) and the provision waiting content search means (S21), the provisionable content information registration means (S20) provides the content information that can be provided. When provision-waiting content information (Dc) corresponding to provisionable content information (Db) registered in the storage means (DB22) is registered in the provision-waiting content information storage means (DB22) (S22 = YES), Content provision comprising second notification means (S23) for notifying the content provider terminal (PT) of the transmission source of the provisionable content information (Db) of a provision request for the content corresponding to the provisionable content information (Db) Device (SV) [Claim 1], content user terminal (UT) and Content information storage that is communicably connected to the content provider terminal (PT) and that stores content information (Da) related to the content storage means (DB1) and the content (Dna) stored in the content storage means (DB1) The content information (Db) related to the content that can be provided and transmitted from the content provider terminal (PT) to the computer (SV) that functions as the content providing apparatus by receiving the content information (Db). Provideable content information registration step (S20) to be registered in the storage means (DB22), and stored content search step for searching the stored content information storage means (DB21) in response to a content provision request from the content user terminal (UT). (S1-S2) and stored content If the content corresponding to the content provision request is stored in the content storage means (DB1) as a result of the search in the search step (S2) (S3 = YES), the content is stored in the content user terminal (UT). When the content providing step (S3 to S4) to be provided and the content corresponding to the content providing request are not stored in the content storing means (DB21) as a result of the search in the stored content searching step (S2) (S3 = NO), the offerable content search step (S3 to S5) for searching the available content information storage means (DB22), and the offer corresponding to the content provision request as a result of the search in the available content search step (S5) Content information (Db) is registered in the content information storage means (DB22) that can be provided If it is determined (S6 = YES), a first notification step (S6) of notifying the content provider terminal (PT) capable of providing content corresponding to the available content information (Db) of the content provision request (S6). To S7) and, as a result of the search in the offerable content search step (S5), if the offerable content information corresponding to the content provision request is not registered in the offerable content information storage means (DB22) (S6) = NO), a provision-waiting content information registration step (S6 to S8) for registering provision-waiting content information (Dc) indicating provision of content related to the request in the provision-waiting content information storage unit (DB23), and a provisionable content Depending on the registration of the available content information (Db) in the information registration step (S20), As a result of the search in the waiting content search step (S21) for searching the waiting content information storage means (DB23) and the waiting content search step (S21), the available content information is stored in the available content information registration step (S20). When the provision-waiting content information (Dc) corresponding to the provisionable content information (Db) registered in the means (DB22) is registered in the provision-waiting content information storage means (DB22) (S22 = YES), the content Content provision for executing a procedure including a second notification step (S23) for notifying a content provider terminal (PT) that is a transmission source of the provable content information (Db) of a provision request for content corresponding to the information (Db) A program (claim 3) is provided. The parentheses indicate reference symbols and the like in the embodiments, and the same applies to the following.

  Further, according to another feature of the present invention, in the content providing device (SV) that is communicably connected to the content user terminal (UT) and the content provider terminal (PT), the content storage means (DB1), the content In response to a content provision request from the stored content information storage means (DB21) in which the content information (Da) related to the content (Dna) stored in the storage means (DB1) is registered, and the content user terminal (UT). Awaiting provision content information registering means (S6 to S8) for registering the awaiting provision content information (Dc) indicating the awaiting provision of the content related to the request in the awaiting provision content information storage means (DB23); Dc) requests for content provision to the content provider terminal (PT) The notification means (S17) to know, the content reception means (S9) for receiving content from the content provider terminal (PT), and the content received by the content reception means (S9) are stored in the content storage means (DB1). In addition, content registration means (S10 to S12) for registering content information (Da) related to the content in the stored content information storage means (DB21), and registration of the content information (Da) by the content registration means (S10 to S12) (S12) ) In response to the search result content storage means (DB13) for searching the provision wait content information storage means (DB23), and the result of the search by the provision wait content search means (S13) is registered in the stored content information storage means (DB21). For the content information (Da) When the waiting content information (Dc) is registered in the provision waiting content information storage means (DB23) (S14 = YES), the contents stored in the content storage means (DB1) by the content registration means (S10 to S12) are stored. Content providing apparatus comprising content providing means (S14 to S15) for providing to a content user terminal (UT) related to a request for content provision (Claim 2), and the content user terminal (UT) and the content provider Accumulated content information storage means (DB21) that is communicably connected to the terminal (PT) and that registers content information (Da) related to the content storage means (DB1) and the content (Dna) stored in the content storage means (DB1). ) And functions as a content providing device. In response to a content provision request from the content user terminal (UT), provision waiting content information (Dc) indicating waiting for provision of the content related to the request is provided to the data (SV). A provision waiting content information registration step (S6 to S8) to be registered, and a notification step (S17) for notifying the content provider terminal (PT) of a content provision request corresponding to the provision waiting content information (Dc); A content receiving step (S9) for receiving content from the content provider terminal (PT), the content received in the content receiving step (S9) is stored in the content storage means (DB1), and content information (Da ) Is registered in the stored content information storage means (DB21). Awaiting provision content search that searches the awaiting provision content information storage means (DB23) according to the content registration step (S10 to S12) and the registration (S12) of the content information (Da) in the content registration step (S10 to S12). As a result of the search in the step (S13) and the waiting-to-provide content search step (S13), the waiting-to-provide content information (Dc) corresponding to the content information (Da) registered in the stored content information accumulating means (DB21) is waiting to be provided. If registered in the content information storage means (DB23) (S14 = YES), the content user who is related to the content provision request for the content stored in the content storage means (DB1) in the content registration steps (S10 to S12) Content provision step to be provided to the terminal (UT) (S14~S15) content providing program to perform the steps consisting [Claim 4] is provided.

  In the content providing system according to the present invention, content that actually stores such music content (Cna) is stored in a content providing device (SV) that functions as a server that provides music content such as MIDI data, score data, and training data. The storage means (DB1) and the stored content information storage means (DB21) in which the content information (Da) related to the content (Dna) stored in the content storage means (DB1) is registered are provided. Content provider terminal (PT) used by a content provider capable of providing such music content to the content providing device (SV) and content used by a content user who wants to use the music content. User terminal (UT) is connected to be able to communicate There.

  In the invention according to one aspect of the present invention (Claims 1 and 3), in the content providing device (SV), the content provider can provide content information related to the music content that can be provided from the provider terminal (PT). Db) is received and registered in the available content information storage means (DB22) (S20). When there is a content provision request from the content user terminal (UT) to the content provision device (SV) (U1), the content provision device (SV) searches the accumulated content information accumulation means (DB21) in response to this request. (S1 to S2) When the requested content is stored in the content storage means (DB1) (S3 = YES), the content is provided to the content user terminal (PT) (S4). On the other hand, if the requested content is not stored in the content storage means (DB1) (S3 = NO), the available content information (Db) registered in the available content information storage means (DB22) is searched ( S5) If the available content information related to the requested content is registered in the available content information storage means (DB22) (S6 = YES), the content provider terminal (PT) is notified of the content provision request. (S7). On the other hand, when the offerable content information related to the requested content is not registered in the offerable content information storage unit (DB22) (S6 = NO), the provision waiting content indicating the waiting for provision of the content related to the request The information (Dc) is registered in the provision waiting content information storage means (DB23) (S8). In addition, when the available content information (Db) is registered in the available content information storage means (DB22) (S20), the provision waiting content information storage means (DB23) is searched according to this registration (S21) and registered. If the provision-waiting content information (Dc) corresponding to the provided content information (Db) is registered in the provision-waiting content information storage unit (DB22) (S22 = YES), it corresponds to the provisionable content information (Db). The content request to be provided is automatically notified to the provider terminal (PT) that is the transmission source of the available content information (Db) (S23).

  Then, when the content provider creates the content requested in each notification (S7, S23) (P4) and uploads it from the provider terminal (PT) to the content providing device (SV) (P5), the content providing device further The content can be provided from (SV) to the user terminal (UT) (S15). Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently provide a large number of contents requested by a content user, and it is possible to reliably provide content that meets the user's request.

  In the invention according to another aspect of the present invention (claims 2 and 4), the content user terminal (UT) requests the content providing device (SV) to provide content (U1), and the requested content is the content. If not registered in the providing device (SV) (S6 = NO), the content providing device (SV) waits for provision of the requested content, and waits for providing content information (Dc). ) Is registered in the provision waiting content information storage means (DB23) (S8), and the provision waiting content information (Dc) is notified to the content provider terminal (PT) (S17).

Then, the content provider of the content provider terminal (PT) sees this notification, and if the content can be provided by itself, the content is produced from the provider terminal (PT) according to the request of the content user. It can be uploaded to the providing device (SV) (P2 to P5). When the content providing device (SV) receives the content from the content provider terminal (PT) (S9), the content providing device (SV) newly accumulates the received content in the content accumulating means (DB1), and content information ( Da) is newly registered in the stored content information storage means (DB21) (S12), and the content information storage means (DB23) waiting for provision is searched according to the registration (S12) of the content information (Da) (S13). . As a result of the search, if the provision-waiting content information (Dc) corresponding to the content information (Da) newly registered in the storage content information storage means (DB21) is registered in the provision-waiting content information storage means (DB23) ( S14 = YES), the content newly stored in the content storage means (DB1) is provided to the content user terminal (UT) related to the content provision request (S15). Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently provide a large number of contents requested by content users, and it is possible to provide contents that meet the requirements from a wide range of content providers.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this is merely an example, and the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[System Overview]
FIG. 1 shows a hardware configuration block diagram of a content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated example, an electronic music device functioning as a content user (user) terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as “user terminal” or “user terminal”) UT in the content providing system includes a performance operation unit and a musical sound output unit. An information processing apparatus having a music information processing function such as a personal computer (PC) provided is used, but an information processing apparatus dedicated to music information such as an electronic musical instrument provided with a communication function may be used.

  Such a user terminal UT includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1, a random access memory (RAM) 2, a read only memory (ROM) 3, an external storage device 4, a performance operation detection circuit 5, a setting operation detection circuit 6, A display circuit 7, a sound source circuit 8, an effect circuit 9, a local interface (I / F) 10, a communication interface (I / F) 11, and the like are provided, and these devices 1 to 11 are connected to each other via a bus 12.

  The CPU 1 executes desired information processing including reproduction of music data and content using a clock by the built-in timer 13 according to various control programs including a content acquisition and usage program. The RAM 2 is used as a work area for temporarily storing various data necessary for these processes. The ROM 3 stores in advance data such as various control programs and performance information for executing these processes.

  The external storage device 4 includes a built-in storage medium such as a hard disk (HD), a flexible disk (FD), a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical (MO) disk, and a digital multipurpose disk (DVD). And a small memory card such as SmartMedia (registered trademark), etc., and various storage medium driving devices for reading and writing various data by driving various portable external storage media.

  The required storage medium of the external storage device 4 can store the music content (Cna) transmitted from the content providing server (SV), and if necessary, the performance operation detection circuit 5 or the local I Various data acquired by this terminal can be stored, such as storing performance information described in a predetermined format (MIDI format) from / F11.

  The performance operation detection circuit 5 detects the actual performance operation content by the performance operator 14 such as a keyboard or a wheel, and introduces performance information corresponding to the detected content to the system main body. Parts. The setting operation detection circuit 6 detects the setting operation content of the setting operation element 15 such as a number / cursor key or a panel switch, and introduces setting information corresponding to the detection content to the system main body.

  The display circuit 7 drives a display 16 for displaying various screens and various indicators (lamps) to control the display / lighting contents in accordance with instructions from the CPU 1 and provide display assistance for the operations of the respective operators 14 and 15. . The display circuit 7 also has a function of displaying an image or a lamp on the display 16 based on music data or display data included (associated) in the content (Cna).

  The sound source circuit 8, the effect circuit 9, and the sound system 17 connected to the effect circuit 9 constitute a musical sound output unit. That is, the tone generator circuit 8 generates a musical sound waveform signal corresponding to musical sound data obtained by processing performance information from the storage means 3 and 4 and the performance operation detection circuit 5. The effect circuit 9 has an effect imparting DSP, and outputs an acoustic signal in which a predetermined effect is imparted to the musical sound waveform signal from the sound source circuit 8. The sound system 17 includes a D / A converter, an amplifier, and a speaker, and generates music based on the acoustic signal from the effect circuit 9.

  Further, the local I / F 10 can communicate with other electronic music apparatuses ED including MIDI devices via a communication cable such as USB or MIDI, or a local communication medium such as local wireless. Music information such as MIDI data, musical score data, and practice data can be exchanged between the user terminal UT and another electronic music apparatus ED. The communication I / F 11 is connected to a communication network CN such as the Internet, and receives various music contents (Cna) and various control programs related to the use of these music contents (Cna) from the content providing server SV. This user terminal UT can be used.

  The content providing server SV can communicate with the content provider terminal PT capable of providing music content to the server SV via the communication network CN, and a general-purpose information processing device such as a PC can be used. Accordingly, the hardware configuration of the server SV is almost the same as that of the user terminal UT shown in FIG. 1, and although details are not shown, there are no performance operation units 5, 14 and musical tone output units 8, 9, 17, etc. May be.

  The content providing server SV executes various processes related to storage and provision of music content according to the content providing program. For this reason, the external storage device (4) of the server SV includes a large-capacity storage means composed of an HDD or the like, which stores and manages a large number of music contents as will be described later. A database (DB) is constructed.

  The content provider terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as “provider terminal”) PT sends music content such as MIDI data, musical score data, and training data to the server SV via the communication network CN in accordance with the provider content providing program. Can be provided. The providing terminal PT may be a PC or an electronic music device such as an electronic musical instrument similar to the user terminal UT, or may be a general-purpose information processing device such as a PC having a communication function.

  The hardware configuration of the provider terminal PT is almost the same as that of the user terminal UT shown in FIG. 1, and this is not shown in detail, but in the latter case (a general-purpose information processing device such as a PC is connected to the provider terminal PT). Are not provided with the performance operation units 5, 14 and the tone output units 8, 9, 17, etc. In the latter case, the music content is sent from another electronic music device (ED) having the function of creating various music contents as described above via the local I / F (10) of the provider terminal PT or an external storage medium. Can be introduced into the provider terminal PT and transmitted to the content providing server SV through the communication I / F (11) of the provider terminal PT.

[Information flow between server and both terminals]
In a content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, information is exchanged between a plurality of user terminals UT that use music content and a plurality of provider terminals PT that can provide music content and the content providing server SV. As a result, content necessary for the user terminal UT can be provided from the provider terminal PT to the user terminal UT via the server SV. FIG. 2 shows a flow of information and a configuration example of the database in the server in the content providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, the main points of the function of the content providing system will be described very simply with reference to FIG. In this system, information Db of music content that can be provided from the provider terminal PT is registered in the provideable content information database DB22 of the database DB of the content providing server SV (4). When there is a content provision request from the user terminal UT to the server SV (1), search is made for the available content information Db registered in the database DB22, and if the requested content information is registered, the provision is made The content provision request is notified to the provider terminal PT (2), and if it is not registered, information Dc indicating the content provision wait is registered in the provision wait content information database Dc and notified to the provider terminal PT. (3). Then, the produced content is uploaded from the provider terminal PT to the server SV (5) and further provided to the user terminal UT (6).

  Hereinafter, FIG. 2 will be described in more detail. FIG. 2A is a schematic functional block diagram showing a general flow of information between the content providing server SV / user and the provider terminals UT and PT. In the external storage device of the content providing server SV, for example, a database DB for storing and managing music contents such as MIDI data, musical score data, practice data, etc. is constructed. In this database DB, a large number of music contents Cna are stored, and information related to each music content in the storage state, the provision possible state or the provision waiting state is stored, provisionable and provision waiting content information Da, Db, respectively. , Dc.

  In FIG. 2A, the information exchange relationship between the content providing server SV / user and the provider terminals UT and PT will be described with the numbers (1) to (6) added. As described above, a large number of music contents Cna are stored in the database DB of the server SV. Some of these stored contents Cna are prepared by the server SV itself, and some (6) are provided from the provider terminal PT.

  First, (1) A user (user) of the user terminal UT transmits a provision request including a search condition from the user terminal UT to the content providing server SV in order to obtain desired content to be used. On the other hand, when the server SV refers to the stored content information Da in the database DB and finds that the music content Cna that matches the search condition is stored in the database DB, the server SV immediately (6) The music content Cna is provided (distributed) to the user terminal UT.

  On the other hand, when the music content requested to be provided from the user terminal UT is not stored on the content providing server SV, (5) the music content is provided from the provider terminal PT capable of providing this music content to the server SV. Receive the offer. That is, a content provider who uses the provider terminal PT and provides the music content from the provider terminal PT to the server SV to a creator who has the equipment and skills to produce the requested music content. The server SV provides (6) the music content provided from the provider terminal PT to the user terminal UT.

  There are two types of content providing methods in this case. One is that the content provider (creator) registers in advance information (providable information) on music works such as music that can be produced and provided on the content providing server SV through the provider terminal PT. This is the first method. The other is waiting for provision of the music content when the music content corresponding to the provision request is not registered in the provisionable information registered in the content provision server SV in response to the content provision request. This is a second method for registering information (provision waiting information) in the server SV to inform the content provider of this fact.

  More specifically, in the first method, (4) the provisionable information from the provider terminal PT is registered as the provisionable content information Db in the database DB of the server SV, and (1) the user terminal UT When there is a request for providing music content not stored in the database DB, the server SV (2) provides content to the provider terminal PT that is the registration source based on the available content information Db registered in the database DB. Ask the provision request, and (5) have the server SV provide (upload) the desired music content from the provider terminal PT.

  In the second method, (1) when the content provision request is received from the user terminal UT and the corresponding content information Db corresponding to the request is not registered in the database DB, the server SV The music content is set to “waiting for provision”, information related thereto is registered in the database DB as content waiting for provision Dc, and (3) provision waiting information representing the contents of the content waiting to be provided Dc is arbitrarily or specific provider terminal. The PT is notified (and may be browsed from any provider terminal PT side). Then, in the provider terminal PT, if the content provider (creator) refers to this and can provide (produce) itself, (5) produce the content and provide (upload) it to the server SV.

  In any method, (2, 3) when music content is provided from the provider terminal PT to the server SV in response to a provision request from the content provision server SV or a notification of waiting for provision, The server SV can accumulate the music content in the database DB and update the accumulated content information Da. At this time, the provision-waiting content information Dc corresponding to the content is deleted from the database DB.

[Content Information Database]
FIG. 2B shows a configuration example of the database DB constructed in the server SV. In this database DB, in addition to the content storage database DB1 in which a large number of music contents Cna; Cna1, Cna2,... Are actually stored, information related to the music contents in the above-mentioned storage state, available state, and waiting state There is a content information database DB2 for managing the content. This content information database DB2 is composed of storage, provisionable and waiting-to-provide content information databases DB21, DB22, and DB23 in which the content information Da, Db, and Dc regarding the contents in these three states are registered.

[1] Stored content information database DB21
In the stored content information database DB21, information on the music contents Cna; Cna1, Cna2,... Already stored in the content storage database DB1 is registered. As described above, this information is referred to as accumulated content information Da, and includes, in addition to content symbols (including numbers) specifying each music content Cna1, Cna2,. Further, it includes provider information and the like for paying for the content provision. Such item information includes, for example, content type (MIDI data, score data, training data, etc.), music genre, composer, artist, song name, performance part, and the like.

  Various item information constituting the accumulated content information Da is used as key information for searching for a content that matches the requested content from the user terminal UT. For example, when there is a content provision request from the user terminal UT, the content provision server SV searches the stored content information database DB 21 based on a search condition using item information included in this request as a key. When it is found that the stored content information Da that satisfies this search condition exists in the database DB21 and the music content Cna specified thereby is stored in the content storage database DB1, the music content Cna is immediately stored. Is provided to the user terminal UT.

  As for the provision of the music content Cna, the trial content is provided to the user terminal UT in advance, and only when the user has received a reply that the trial content is satisfied, the music content Cna is provided. You may make it provide. Moreover, you may charge when providing music content.

[2] Provideable content information database DB22
The provideable content information database DB22 registers in advance information relating to music content that can be produced by the content provider (creator) according to his own equipment and his / her own music skills, as available content through the provider terminal PT. It is a database to keep. As described above, the information stored in the database DB22 is called “provable content information Db”, and is created according to the provisionable information from the provider terminal PT.

  Like the stored content information Da stored in the stored content information database DB21, the provable content information Db is composed of various item information representing the characteristics of each provable content, and further includes provable person information. A temporary symbol or temporary name (nickname) information of content for specifying possible content can be added. Various item information constituting the content information Db that can be provided is used as a search key.

  For example, when there is no stored content information in the stored content information database DB 21 that satisfies the search conditions for the content requested to be provided from the user terminal UT, the providable content information database DB 22 is searched using the same search conditions. When the applicable content information Db is registered in the database DB 22, the content providing server SV provides the content that can be provided corresponding to the content information Db through the provider terminal PT. To ask. When the content provider creates music content and uploads it from the terminal PT to the server SV, the server SV stores the uploaded content in the content storage database DB1, and correspondingly, information on the content. Is stored in the stored content information database DB21, and the content is provided to the user terminal UT.

[3] Awaiting provision content information database DB23
If the available content information that matches the information of the content requested to be provided is not registered in the available content information database DB 22, this content is set as the content waiting to be provided. The provision-waiting content information database DB23 is a database in which information on the provision-waiting content is registered. As described above, the information representing the content waiting to be provided is referred to as content waiting to be provided Dc, and is composed of various items of information representing the characteristics of each content waiting to be provided, similar to the contents information Da and Db that can be stored and provided. And information on users who wish to provide this content.

  As described above, when the user terminal UT requests a music content that is not stored in the content storage database DB1 and does not correspond to the provable content information Db registered in the provable content information database DB22. When the content is set as the content waiting to be provided, and the information is stored in the content information database DB2 as content information waiting to be provided Dc, the content providing server SV sends the content waiting information indicating the content of the content waiting to be provided Dc. By presenting it to the content provider on the terminal PT side, it is possible to receive the content desired by the content user from a wide range.

  With regard to a specific method of presenting provision waiting information, for example, when provision waiting content information Dc is newly registered, the content may be automatically presented to the provider terminal PT, or for a certain period of time. The contents of the provision-waiting content information Dc at that time may be automatically presented every time (for example, once a month). In this case, the presentation destination of the waiting information to be provided is limited to the provider terminal PT in which the key items matched in the search of the available content information database DB22 register the available content information Db having a predetermined number or a predetermined ratio or more. Can do. Alternatively, instead of presenting information from the server SV side, the content of the provision-waiting content information Dc at that time may be presented when there is a content provider's browsing request from the provider terminal PT side.

  Then, if the content provider can create the music content for which the provision-waiting content information Dc is registered, the content provider creates the music content and uploads it to the content providing server SV through the provider terminal PT. The server SV accumulates the uploaded content in the content accumulation database DB1, and correspondingly registers information related to the content in the accumulated content information database DB21 and deletes it from the provision-waiting content database DB23. Further, the content is provided from the server SV to the user terminal UT.

  Next, processing related to the quality of the produced content will be described. The music content produced by the content provider and uploaded from the provider terminal PT to the content providing server SV is not always musically and / or data-quality. For this reason, the music content uploaded to the server SV is not stored in the content storage database DB1 unconditionally, but is only stored once approved by a person and / or machine. Is preferable.

  For example, when a person examines, the musical quality is examined, and when the machine examines, the data quality (for example, whether the data format is stipulated) is examined. If the examination does not pass, the server SV notifies the content provider through the provider terminal PT of the failure or re-production.

[Example of processing flow]
3 and 4 are flowcharts showing an operation example of the content providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the numbers (1) to (6) added to the following description regarding this operation flow correspond to the same numbers in the figure [synonymous with the numbers (1) to (6) used in FIG. 2 (A)]. It represents that information is exchanged between the arbitrary user and provider terminals UT and PT indicated by a broken line and the content providing server SV.

  In FIG. 3, the user terminal UT first transmits a content provision request to the content providing server SV by specifying a search condition for the content that the content user desires to use in step U1 (1).

  The content providing server SV can receive information from the user terminal UT or the provider terminal PT at any time. In step S1, it is checked whether or not a content provision request is received from the user terminal UT. When a provision request is received (S1 → YES), the stored content information database DB21 is searched (S2). It is checked whether there is stored content information Da corresponding to (S3). If there is the corresponding stored content information Da (S3 → YES), the music content Cna specified by the stored content information Da is distributed to the user terminal UT in step S4 (6).

  On the other hand, when there is no corresponding stored content information (S3 → NO), the searchable content information database DB22 is further searched (S5) to check whether there is the provideable content information Db corresponding to the provision request (S5). S6). Here, if there is applicable provisionable content information Db (S6 → YES), the process proceeds to step S7, and the content user has requested that the music content corresponding to the provisionable content information Db be provided this time. Therefore, the provider terminal PT that can provide the music content is notified of a provision request for providing the server SV (2).

  Further, when there is no applicable content information that can be provided (S6 → NO), the content requested to be provided is set as the content waiting to be provided, and the content waiting for providing content information Dc is registered in the content information database DB 23 waiting for providing (S8). .

  The provider terminal PT can input provable information related to the content that can be provided by the content provider as needed, and can also receive information from the content providing server SV. Therefore, in Step P1, the provisionable information is input and transmitted to the server SV (4). In Step P2, it is checked whether or not a notification such as a content provision request or provision waiting information is received from the server SV. In this check, when such a notification from the server SV is received (P2 → YES), further, in step P3, the content provider of the provider terminal PT sends the requested music content and provision waiting information information. It is determined whether the music content represented by can be produced. [Note that although the determination in step P3 is a determination by a person, for the convenience of explanation, it is described as a determination by the provider terminal PT. ]

  If the content provider determines that such music content can be produced (P3 → YES), the music content is produced (P4). In step P5, the music content produced by the content provider is uploaded from the provider terminal PT to the server SV (5), and the operation at the provider terminal PT is terminated by the termination operation. Further, when the notification is not received from the server SV (P2 → NO) and when it is determined that the corresponding content cannot be produced (P3 → NO), the operation at the provider terminal PT is ended by the end operation.

  Note that the music content requested to be provided from the server SV is originally made available, but since the human factors greatly influence the production of the music content, the possibility of production is reconsidered in step P3. It is described as a thing. As a result of the reconsideration, if the content that can be provided cannot be produced as a result of reconsideration (P3 → NO), the server SV is automatically sent from the provider terminal PT only by performing a reply operation that cannot be produced in response to the notification from the server SV It may be configured so that a notification to that effect can be made.

  On the content providing server SV side, when a content provision request is not received from the user terminal UT (S1 → NO), provision of content to the user terminal UT (S4), provider of content provision request After notifying the terminal PT (S7) or registering the provision-waiting content information Dc (S8), the process proceeds to step S9 (FIG. 4) to check whether the music content is received from the provider terminal PT. Here, when the music content is received (S9 → YES), the quality of the received music content is examined [screened by a person or machine] (S10), and the pass / fail is determined (S11).

  As a result of the pass / fail determination, if it is determined that the received music content has passed the quality examination (S11 → YES), the music content is stored in the stored content database DB1, and information related to the music content is stored in the stored content information Da. Is registered in the stored content information database DB21 (S12). Further, the provision-waiting content information database DB23 is searched (S13), and whether or not the provision-waiting content information Dc corresponding to the newly accumulated music content Cna (that is, the newly registered stored content information Da) exists. (S14).

  Here, when there is corresponding provision waiting content information Dc (S14 → YES), in step S15, the user terminal UT that has requested the provision of the provision waiting content corresponds to the provision waiting content information Dc. The music content Cna specified by the stored content information Da to be distributed is distributed (6), and then the provision waiting content information Dc is deleted from the provision waiting content information database DB23 (S16).

  In step S17, when the provision-waiting content information Dc is registered (S8) or deleted (S16) and the provision-waiting content information database DB23 is updated, or at a provision-waiting notification timing every predetermined time. If there is, provision waiting information according to the contents of the database DB23 is notified to the provider terminal PT (3), and the process returns to step S1.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the received content is unacceptable (S11 → NO), the provider terminal PT that has transmitted this content is notified that the content has not been accepted (S18), and then the process proceeds to step S17. . In addition, as shown by *, the notification operation of waiting for provision information in step S17 is not an essential processing operation in the processing operation loop leading to step S1. If it is not the notification timing, the process returns to step S1 through step S17.

  If no music content is received in step S9 of the content reception check (S9 → NO), it is checked whether or not provisionable information has been received from the provider terminal PT (S19). Here, when the provisionable information is received (S19 → YES), the provisionable information received from the provider terminal PT is registered in the provisionable content information database DB22 as the provisionable content information Db (S20). The provision-waiting content information database DB23 is searched (S21), and it is checked whether or not provision-waiting content information Dc corresponding to the newly registered provisionable content information Db exists (S22).

  Here, when there is the corresponding provision-waiting content information Dc (S22 → YES), in step S23, it corresponds to the provisionable information transmitted this time (that is, the newly registered provisionable content information Db). Since the content user is already waiting for the provisionable content to be provided, the provider terminal PT that has transmitted the provisionable information is notified of the provision request that the server SV side wants to provide (2 Then, the process proceeds to step S17. When no music content is received (S19 → NO) or when there is no corresponding provision-waiting content information Dc (S22 → NO), the process immediately proceeds to step S17.

  In the user terminal UT (FIG. 3), after the content provision request (U1), the content provided from the server SV can be received at any time. In step U2, the music content is received from the server SV. Check if received. Here, when the music content is not received (U2 → NO), the operation at the user terminal UT is immediately terminated by the termination operation. On the other hand, when the music content is received (U2 → YES), the received music content is stored in a predetermined storage area of the external storage device 4 (U3), and this music content can be used (U4). Then, after using the content, the operation at the provider terminal PT is ended by the end operation.

[Various Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, a various change is possible and it can implement in a various aspect. For example, when content is provided to a content user for a fee, a part of the profit may be returned to the content provider.

  A plurality of content provider terminals may be able to provide content in parallel to the content requested to be provided, or only one provider terminal may be able to provide content. For example, in the case where a plurality of provider terminals can provide content, the content user terminal may try the plurality of provided contents and have the content provided by the user be provided from the content providing server. In addition, when only one provider terminal is used, only the first provided content is stored on a first-come-first-served basis, or content uploading is performed from a plurality of provider terminals, and the screening stage Thus, one of the uploaded contents may be selected and stored.

  Depending on the country or region, there are songs that cannot be provided due to copyrights and the like, so the content requested by the content provider may be restricted depending on the country or region where the content is provided. For example, a method may be used in which a music that cannot be provided is not registered in a content database that can be provided or a content database that is waiting to be provided. In addition, even for music that can be provided with content, it is desirable to obtain a request from the content owner after obtaining permission from the copyright owner or its agent (JASRAC or the like).

  When content is provided by the content provider, the content is not immediately provided to the content user, but a notification is sent that the content has been accumulated, and a provision request is received from the content user accordingly. As long as the content is provided to the content user, the content user may be provided.

It is a hardware block diagram of a content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the example of a structure of the flow of information and the database in a server in the content provision system by one Example of this invention. It is a part of flowchart showing the operation example of the content provision system by one Example of this invention. It is the other part of the flowchart showing the operation example of the content provision system by one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

UT, PT User terminal (electronic music device; PC or electronic musical instrument) and provider terminal,
SV database DB; content providing server (content providing apparatus) including DB1 and DB2,
Cna; Cna1, Cna2, ... Music content,
DB1, DB2 content storage database and content information database,
DB21, DB22, DB23 Accumulated content information, provisionable content information, and provision-waiting content information database respectively storing storage content information Da, provisionable content information Db, and provision-waiting content information Dc.

Claims (4)

In a content providing device connected to be able to communicate with a content user terminal and a content provider terminal,
Content storage means;
Accumulated content information accumulating means for registering content information related to the content accumulated in the content accumulating means;
Receivable content information registration means for receiving the reproducible content information related to the reproducible content transmitted from the content provider terminal and registering it in the reproducible content information storage means;
Stored content search means for searching for stored content information storage means in response to a content provision request from a content user terminal;
If the content corresponding to the content provision request is stored in the content storage unit as a result of the search by the stored content search unit, the content providing unit provides the content user terminal with the content;
As a result of the search by the stored content search means, when the content corresponding to the content provision request is not stored in the content storage means, a provideable content search means for searching the provideable content information storage means;
As a result of the search by the offerable content search means, when the offerable content information corresponding to the content provision request is registered in the offerable content information storage means, the content corresponding to the offerable content information can be provided. First notification means for notifying the content provider terminal of the content provision request;
As a result of the search by the provideable content search means, when offerable content information corresponding to the content provision request is not registered in the offerable content information storage means, provision waiting indicating provision of content related to the request is provided. Awaiting provision content information registration means for registering content information in the awaiting content information storage means,
Awaiting provision content search means for searching for awaiting provision content information storage means in response to registration of the offerable content information by the available content information registration means;
As a result of the search by the provision-waiting content search means, provision-waiting content information corresponding to the provisionable content information registered in the provisionable content information storage means by the provisionable content information registration means is registered in the provision-waiting content information storage means. A content providing apparatus comprising: a second notification unit that notifies a content provider terminal that is a transmission source of the provideable content information of a request for providing the content corresponding to the provideable content information. In a content providing device connected to be able to communicate with a content user terminal and a content provider terminal,
Content storage means;
Accumulated content information accumulating means for registering content information related to the content accumulated in the content accumulating means;
In response to a content provision request from a content user terminal, provision-waiting content information registration means for registering provision-waiting content information indicating provision of content related to the request in provision-waiting content information storage means;
A notification means for notifying a content provider terminal of a content provision request corresponding to the provision-waiting content information;
Content receiving means for receiving content from a content provider terminal;
Content registration means for storing the content received by the content receiving means in the content storage means, and registering content information relating to the content in the stored content information storage means;
In response to the registration of the content information by the content registration means, the provision waiting content search means for searching the provision waiting content information storage means,
As a result of the search by the waiting content search means, if the waiting content information corresponding to the content information registered in the stored content information storage means is registered in the waiting content information storage means, the content storing means by the content registration means A content providing apparatus comprising: content providing means for providing the content stored in the content user terminal related to the content provision request. A content providing device that is communicably connected to a content user terminal and a content provider terminal, and includes content storage means and stored content information storage means for registering content information related to the content stored in the content storage means, and functions as a content providing apparatus To the computer
An offerable content information registration step of receiving offerable content information related to the offerable content transmitted from the content provider terminal and registering in the offerable content information storage unit;
A stored content search step of searching for stored content information storage means in response to a content provision request from a content user terminal;
If the content corresponding to the content provision request is stored in the content storage means as a result of the search in the stored content search step, the content providing step of providing the content to the content user terminal;
As a result of the search in the stored content search step, if the content corresponding to the content provision request is not stored in the content storage unit, a provideable content search step for searching the provideable content information storage unit;
As a result of the search in the provideable content search step, when the provideable content information corresponding to the content provision request is registered in the provideable content information storage unit, the content corresponding to the provideable content information is provided. A first notification step of notifying a possible content provider terminal of the content provision request;
If the offerable content information corresponding to the content provision request is not registered in the offerable content information storage unit as a result of the search in the offerable content search step, the provision indicating the waiting for provision of the content related to the request A waiting content information registration step of registering waiting content information in the waiting content information storage means;
A provision waiting content search step for searching provision content information storage means in response to registration of the provisionable content information in the provisionable content information registration step;
As a result of the search in the provision waiting content search step, the provision waiting content information corresponding to the provisionable content information registered in the provisionable content information storage means in the provisionable content information registration step is registered in the provision waiting content information storage means. A content providing program that executes a procedure including a second notification step of notifying a content provider terminal that is a transmission source of the provideable content information of a request for providing the content corresponding to the provideable content information. A content providing apparatus comprising a content storage unit and a stored content information storage unit for registering content information related to the content stored in the content storage unit, which is communicably connected to the content user terminal and the content provider terminal. On a functioning computer
In response to a request for content provision from a content user terminal, a provision-waiting content information registration step of registering provision-waiting content information indicating provision of content related to the request in a provision-waiting content information storage unit;
A notification step of notifying the content provider terminal of a content provision request corresponding to the provision-waiting content information;
A content receiving step of receiving content from the content provider terminal;
A content registration step of storing the content received in the content receiving step in the content storage unit and registering content information related to the content in the stored content information storage unit;
In response to the registration of the content information in the content registration step, a provision waiting content search step for searching for provision content information storage means,
As a result of the search in the waiting content search step, if the waiting content information corresponding to the content information registered in the stored content information storage means is registered in the waiting content information storage means, the content is stored in the content registration step. A content providing program for executing a procedure comprising a content providing step of providing content stored in a means to a content user terminal related to the content provision request.

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