JP4547756B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium, and more particularly to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium that are suitable for distributing musical tone data via a network such as the Internet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In conventional music distribution, audio data consisting of a plurality of individually recorded tracks is converted into stereo (that is, changed to two channels) using a so-called mixdown (or also called trackdown) method, and records are recorded. It was mainstream to store the data in a storage medium such as CD or CD. In general, ordinary listeners listen to music using CDs, cassette tapes, records, and other media. Both of these are currently two-channel, that is, stereo media. Therefore, a mixdown is performed in which the number of tracks of 4 to 48 or more is edited and changed to 2 tracks (that is, a 2-channel stereo signal).
[0003]
For such music distribution via recording media, recently, as a business that distributes musical sound data to consumers, encoding (compression / encoding) is performed on stereo digital audio data. A new music distribution method that is placed on a server connected to the Internet, and that the user downloads desired music data via the Internet and reproduces it by decoding (decompressing / decoding) has begun to spread. Yes.
[0004]
Specifically, a distribution service provider that distributes music data receives music created by a music production company, MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer III), AAC (Advance Audio Cording), ATRAC3 (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding 3), etc. The data is compressed based on the compression method and stored in the distribution server. The user connects to the website of the distribution service provider, downloads desired music data via the Internet, and stores the music data in a storage medium built in or inserted in the user's computer or other information processing apparatus. The user pays, for example, a charge of about several hundred yen per song to the distribution service provider.
[0005]
For example, when creating a song composed of drums, bass, piano, and vocals, first, drums, bass, piano performers and vocalists are gathered in a recording studio, and drum parts played by drummers, A bass part played by a bassist, a piano part played by a pianist, and a vocal part played by a vocalist are each recorded by a digital audio recorder. The music producer reproduces the recorded four-part audio tracks from the digital audio recorder, and synthesizes them into two-track data while adjusting the level of each part. Conventionally, musical sound data distributed via the Internet is also recorded on a CD (Compact Disk) or MD (Mini Disk) and mixed down to a stereo signal in the same manner as musical sound data sold.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, these currently proposed music data distribution systems using the Internet are systems that are developed focusing on listening to music data downloaded by users. A user who is satisfied only by listening to the distributed music data may be satisfied with the currently proposed system.
[0007]
However, for example, from a user who is involved in creating a song such as songwriting, composition, arrangement, or performance, not only listening to the completed music after being mixed down, but also a specific part of the song composed of multiple parts. New demands that cannot be realized with non-editable musical sound data after mixdown, such as taking out and listening to music, editing specific parts, and adding new parts, are increasing.
[0008]
For example, in the music data composed of the above-mentioned drum, bass, piano, and vocal, the new request is for the pianist to take out only the piano part included in the music data and listen to the musical tone data of only that part. Is a request to edit. However, as described above, it is not possible to extract musical sound data for only the piano part from the musical sound data after the mixdown.
[0009]
In the conventional music creation activity described above, each performer must go to a recording studio to perform. Normally, it is rare for multiple performers to gather together in a recording studio, so each part is recorded for each performer, and after all parts are recorded, the music producer The music is completed by performing a mixdown process. For this reason, in some cases, matching with other parts did not work, and both the performer and the music producer had to go to the recording studio many times.
[0010]
In other words, music production activities in conventional recording studios have hindered the speedy creation of music due to time adjustments for the schedule adjustments of performers and music producers, and the actual time of visiting the studio. It was.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. Music data having copyright information is registered in a management center that provides services such as distribution via a network such as the Internet, and the music data is stored. It is possible to distribute via a network such as the Internet, and in that case, it is possible to protect the copyright of individual data and to set charging.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The information processing apparatus of the present invention is for a plurality of members to jointly produce content, and only authenticated members can access communities using other information processing apparatuses. Control means for controlling provision to the network, receiving means for receiving access from other information processing apparatuses via the network, and access rights to the community when receiving from other information processing apparatuses by the receiving means An authentication means for performing the authentication process; The copyright information including the identification information of the first member is set in the musical sound data transmitted from another information processing apparatus possessed by the authenticated first member, and the transmitted musical sound data is converted into musical sound data of a plurality of tracks. Project data based on the storage means for storing the music data in association with the community as musical sound data of one track of the project data, the charging information set in the project data stored in the storage means, and the copyright information Calculating means for calculating an amount to be paid to the first member among amounts charged when downloaded by an authenticated second member; It is characterized by providing.
[0018]
The information processing method of the present invention is for a plurality of members having a predetermined relationship with each other to jointly produce content, and only authenticated members can use other information processing apparatuses. A control step for controlling the process of providing a community accessible to the network to the network, a reception control step for controlling reception of access from other information processing apparatuses via the network, and other information by the process of the reception control step. When receiving an access from the processing device, an authentication step for performing an access right authentication process for the community; The copyright information including the identification information of the first member is set in the musical sound data transmitted from another information processing apparatus possessed by the authenticated first member, and the transmitted musical sound data is converted into musical sound data of a plurality of tracks. The project data is authenticated based on the storage step of storing the music data in association with the community as musical sound data of one track of the project data composed of, the charging information set in the stored project data, and the copyright information A calculating step for calculating an amount paid to the first member among amounts charged when downloaded by the second member; It is characterized by including.
[0019]
The program recorded on the recording medium of the present invention is for a plurality of members having a predetermined relationship with each other to jointly produce content, and only members who have been authenticated can perform other activities. A control step for controlling a process of providing a network with an accessible community using the information processing apparatus, a reception control step for controlling reception of access from other information processing apparatuses via the network, and a reception control step. When an access from another information processing apparatus is received by the process, an authentication step for performing an access right authentication process for the community; The copyright information including the identification information of the first member is set in the musical sound data transmitted from another information processing apparatus possessed by the authenticated first member, and the transmitted musical sound data is converted into musical sound data of a plurality of tracks. The project data is authenticated based on the storage step of storing the music data in association with the community as musical sound data of one track of the project data composed of, the charging information set in the stored project data, and the copyright information A calculating step for calculating an amount paid to the first member among amounts charged when downloaded by the second member; The information processing apparatus is caused to execute processing including the above.
[0020]
In the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the program recorded on the recording medium of the present invention, a plurality of members perform activities for jointly producing content, and only authenticated members However, when a community accessible using another information processing apparatus is provided to the network, access is received from another information processing apparatus via the network, and access from another information processing apparatus is received, The access right is authenticated, The copyright information including the identification information of the first member is set in the musical sound data transmitted from the other information processing apparatus possessed by the authenticated first member, and the transmitted musical sound data is the musical sound data of a plurality of tracks. Is stored in association with the community as musical tone data of one track of the project data composed of the project data, and the project data is authenticated based on the charging information and the copyright information set in the stored project data. Of the amount charged when downloaded by a member of, the amount paid to the first member is calculated .
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a music distribution system to which the present invention is applied.
[0023]
The management center 1, the terminal devices 12 to 16, the distribution service provider 21 and the settlement institutions 24 and 25 are interconnected via the Internet 22. The services that can be enjoyed by the users 2 to 6 using the terminal devices 12 to 16 differ depending on the contract with the management center 1 or the distribution service provider 21, and here, the contract form of the user 2 who uses the terminal device 12 is used. Contract form 1, contract form of user 3 using terminal apparatus 13 contract form 2, contract form of user 4 using terminal apparatus 14 contract form 3, contract form of user 5 using terminal apparatus 15 contract Form 4 and the contract form of the user 6 who uses the terminal device 16 are referred to as contract form 5. Here, it is assumed that the users 2 to 5 have a contract with the management center 1 and the user 6 has a contract with the distribution service provider 21. Contract forms 1 to 5 will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0024]
The management center 1 receives a fee for the service supplied to the users 2 to 5 through the settlement institutions 23 to 25 as an intermediary. In FIG. 1, the management center 1 and the settlement institutions 23 to 25 are connected to each other through an independent network, but the management center 1 and the settlement institutions 23 to 25 are, for example, a financial institution network 45 different from the Internet 22. They may be connected to each other using (FIG. 2), or may be connected to each other via the Internet 22.
[0025]
In addition, the management center 1 performs, for example, a business that pays a copyright management fee to the copyright protection organization 26, which will be described later, for the musical sound data that is handled by the management center 1 and that is subject to copyright protection. If the users 2 to 5 who have signed a contract with 1 wish to intermediary with a third party in a copyright or other contract, the users 2 to 5 can make copyrights such as the law firm 27 as necessary. Introduce an organization that conducts business related to rights.
[0026]
The users 2 to 5 use the terminal devices 12 to 15 to perform user registration with the management center 1 through processing described later with reference to FIG. Pay through the clearing houses 23-25. In addition, depending on the contract with the management center 1, the users 2 to 5 can create paid musical tone data and make it available to a third party registered in the management center 1 via the management center 1.
[0027]
The settlement institutions 23 to 25 mediate payment of charges for services provided by the management center 1 to the users 2 to 5 and musical tone data downloaded from the management center 1 by the user. Details of the payment method will be described later.
[0028]
The distribution service provider 21 contracts with the management center 1 to receive the supply of musical sound data from the management center 1 via the Internet 22. Then, the distribution service provider 21 supplies musical sound data to the user 6 in an independent contract form different from the management center 1.
[0029]
The copyright protection organization 26 receives a prescribed copyright management fee from the management center 1 and manages the copyright of the registered music data. The law office 27 receives an introduction or request from the management center 1 and mediates a legal contract between the corresponding user and the management center 1.
[0030]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management center 1.
[0031]
The communication processing unit 31 supplies the user ID and password input via the Internet 22 to the authentication processing control unit 35 via the internal bus 32, and the user ID and password are correct by the processing of the authentication processing control unit 35. If it is confirmed, various signals input thereafter are supplied to the management center management processing unit 34 via the internal bus 32. In addition, when the communication processing unit 31 receives a request for a new contract, the communication processing unit 31 receives data transmitted via the Internet 22 by a user who desires a new contract, and the authentication processing control unit via the internal bus 32. 35. Further, the communication processing unit 31 publishes a predetermined web page (homepage) from the web page storage DB (Data Base) 36 on the Internet 22 or stores it in the software storage DB 37 according to the control of the management center management processing unit 34. The stored software is downloaded to a predetermined terminal device via the Internet 22.
[0032]
The authentication processing control unit 35 executes authentication processing for a contract for a new user based on data corresponding to the user who desires a new registration, which is input from the communication processing unit 31 via the internal bus 32. . Further, the authentication processing control unit 35 refers to the customer information DB 33-1 of the management data storage group 33 for the user ID and password input from the communication processing unit 31 via the internal bus 32, and is registered. Authenticate that Further, the authentication processing control unit 35 also executes processing related to community authentication, which will be described later. The contract process will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0033]
The management center management processing unit 34 receives a control signal generated by the communication processing unit 31 based on data input from the users 2 to 5 via the Internet 22 via the internal bus 32, and receives a project data storage processing unit. 38 to the settlement institution connection processing unit 44, a control signal for executing a predetermined process is generated, and the project data storage processing unit 38 through the settlement institution connection processing unit 44 are connected via the internal bus 32. Output to either. For example, when the data input from the communication processing unit 31 is a signal transmitted from the terminal device 12 and indicating a project data upload request to be described later, a control signal for instructing storage of the corresponding project data is sent to the internal bus The project data is output to the project data storage processing unit 38 via 32 and the input project data is stored in the project data DB 33-2.
[0034]
The project data storage processing unit 38 stores new project data input via the internal bus 32 in the project data storage DB 33-2 according to the control signal input from the management center management processing unit 34, When a download request is received, the corresponding project data is read from the project data storage DB 33-2 and output to the communication processing unit 31 via the internal bus 32.
[0035]
The distribution setting data processing unit 39 registers, in the distribution setting DB 33-3, copyright data and the like necessary for distribution of each musical tone data in accordance with a control signal input from the management center management processing unit 34 via the internal bus 32. When the musical sound data is distributed, the corresponding copyright information and the like are read from the distribution setting DB 33-3 and output to the billing settlement data processing unit 42 via the internal bus 32.
[0036]
The audio data processing unit 40 converts the input musical sound data into a predetermined format according to a control signal input from the management center management processing unit 34 via the internal bus 32, and corresponds to the distribution data storage group 41. The converted data is registered in the DB, or the requested musical sound data is read from the DB in which the data in the corresponding format of the distribution data storage group 41 is stored, and the communication processing unit via the internal bus 32 To 31. The distribution data storage group 41 includes, for example, an MP3 storage DB 41-1, an ATRAC storage DB 41-2, an AAC storage DB 41-3, a stereo data storage DB 41-4, and an uncompressed project storage for each data format. DB41-n etc. are comprised.
[0037]
The billing settlement data processing unit 42 charges per person when, for example, a plurality of authors create one project data according to a control signal input from the management center management processing unit 34 via the internal bus 32. (Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 12), and the user 2 to 5 calculates the price of the service received from the management center 1 such as registration in the billing settlement DB 43 or downloading of musical tone data ( Details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG. 13), and are output to the communication processing unit 31 via the internal bus 32. The communication processing unit 31 searches and reads the corresponding web page from the web page storage DB 36, and displays these calculation results on the monitor of the terminal device used by the user via the Internet 22. It transmits to a predetermined terminal device. In addition, the billing settlement data processing unit 42 generates a signal for charging for the service supplied to the users 2 to 5, and the settlement institutions 23 to 25 via the settlement organization connection processing unit 44 and the financial institution network 45. Send to either.
[0038]
The settlement institution connection processing unit 44 generates a signal for inquiring any one of the corresponding settlement institutions 23 to 25 as to whether or not the payment method is valid for the payment method designated by the user. And output to any one of the settlement institutions 23 to 25. Then, a response to the inquiry returned from any of the settlement institutions 23 to 25 is output to the management center management processing unit 34 and the billing settlement data processing unit 42 via the internal bus 32. Further, the settlement institution connection processing unit 44 receives an input of a signal for charging the service for the users 2 to 5 calculated by the billing settlement data processing unit 42, and receives the settlement institution 23 through the financial institution network 45. To any one of 25.
[0039]
A drive 46 is also connected to the internal bus 32, and exchanges data with the magnetic disk 51, the optical disk 52, the magneto-optical disk 53, the semiconductor memory 54, and the like mounted as necessary.
[0040]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the terminal device 12 used by the user 2. Note that the configuration of the terminal devices 13 to 16 is the same as that of the terminal device 12, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0041]
A CPU (central processing unit) 61 actually executes various application programs and a basic OS (operating system). A ROM (read-only memory) 62 generally stores basically fixed data among the programs used by the CPU 61 and parameters for calculation. A RAM (random-access memory) 63 stores a program used in the execution of the CPU 61 and parameters that change as appropriate in the execution. The CPU 61, ROM 62, and RAM 63 are connected to each other via an internal bus 64.
[0042]
The internal bus 64 is also connected to the input / output interface 65. The input unit 66 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and is operated by the user when inputting various commands to the CPU 61. The output unit 67 includes, for example, a CRT, a speaker, and the like, and displays various information as text, images, or sounds. An HDD (hard disk drive) 68 drives hard disks and causes them to record or reproduce programs and information executed by the CPU 61. A magnetic disk 71, an optical disk 72, a magneto-optical disk 73, and a semiconductor memory 74 are mounted on the drive 69 as necessary to exchange data. The network interface 70 is connected to the Internet 22 via, for example, a telephone line, or is connected to another terminal device such as a digital audio recorder (not shown).
[0043]
The input unit 66 to the network interface 70 are connected to the CPU 61 via the input / output interface 65 and the internal bus 64.
[0044]
FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of musical sound data handled by the management center 1 and transmitted / received to / from the terminal devices 12 to 16 via the Internet 22. Here, the musical tone data of each part, such as drums, basses, pianos, etc., constituting one musical piece is called a track, and musical tone data consisting of one or a plurality of tracks is called project data. Shall be.
[0045]
For example, when considering musical tone data consisting of four parts, piano, bass, drum, and vocal, the project data 81 handled by the management center 1 is four tracks independent for each part as shown in FIG. It consists of Each of the tracks 1 to 4 is associated with independent copyright information. That is, even when the music data of each track 1 to 4 is created by different authors, the copyright information is recorded on each track 1 to 4. For example, even when a new part track is added to the project data 81 and different project data is generated, the copyright information of each track is not deleted.
[0046]
In addition, the management center 1 generates not only the project data 81 composed of independent tracks for each part as described with reference to FIG. 4 but also the music data of a plurality of tracks, as shown in FIG. Conventional stereo data such as project data 82 can be handled. Further, the predetermined project data is recorded on a recording medium such as the magnetic disk 51, the optical disk 52, the magneto-optical disk 53, and the semiconductor memory 54 shown in FIG. You may make it supply to the users 2-5.
[0047]
Next, the contract forms 1 to 5 of the management center 1 or the distribution service provider 21 and the users 2 to 6 will be described. In FIG. 6, the contract form which the users 2 thru | or 6 in this Embodiment has concluded is shown.
[0048]
The user 2 has signed a contract with the management center 1 in the contract form 1.
The contract form 1 is an individual contract, and can enjoy all the services of downloading and uploading track data described with reference to FIG. 4 and downloading stereo data described with reference to FIG.
[0049]
The user 3 has signed a contract with the management center 1 in the contract form 2.
The contract form 2 is a personal contract and can enjoy the track data download service described with reference to FIG. 4 and the stereo data download service described with reference to FIG. 5.
[0050]
The user 4 is a school, for example, and has concluded a contract with the management center 1 in the contract form 3. The contract form 3 is a group contract and can enjoy the track data download service described with reference to FIG. 4 and the stereo data download service described with reference to FIG. 5. The contract form 2 is different depending on whether the contracting entity is an individual or an organization. For this reason, for example, the contract fee may be different, or a contract downloaded at the time of contract processing described later with reference to FIG. The number of times software can be copied corresponding to the content (that is, the number of licenses) may be different.
[0051]
The user 5 has signed a contract with the management center 1 in the contract form 4.
The contract form 4 is an individual contract and can enjoy the stereo data download service described with reference to FIG.
[0052]
The contract between the users 2 to 5 and the management center 1 may be a quantitative membership system in which, for example, a fixed amount is paid monthly, so that the management center 1 can obtain a stable profit. Since the users 2 to 5 have a contract with the management center 1, they can enjoy the supplementary services such as introduction of the law firm 27 described above. When the users 2 to 5 download the software program stored in the software storage DB 37 of the management center 1 in step S7 in FIG. 7 described later, the software program that can be downloaded differs depending on the contract form.
[0053]
The user 6 has signed a contract with the distribution service provider 21 in the contract form 6. The contract form 6 is an individual contract, and can receive the stereo data download service described with reference to FIG. 5 from the distribution service provider 21, but has not concluded a contract with the management center 1. That is, content (music data) cannot be downloaded from the management center 1.
[0054]
Next, an example of a payment method in which the users 2 to 5 who have concluded a contract with the management center 1 pay the fee to the management center 1 through the settlement institutions 23 to 25 will be described. Examples of payment methods include credit card payment, prepaid card payment, and pre-registered ID payment.
[0055]
The settlement institution 23 in FIG. 1 is a credit card company. For example, when the user 5 concludes a contract with the management center 1 via the Internet 22 or purchases content (music data) from the management center 1, when the payment method using a credit card is selected as the payment method, the user 5, the credit card number is transmitted to the management center 1 via the Internet 22 by inputting the credit card number on the credit card number input screen of a web page provided by the management center 1 on the Internet 22, for example.
[0056]
The management center 1 inquires the settlement organization 23 about the transmitted credit card number and confirms that the user 5 can pay the fee with the credit card, and then enters into a contract or the Internet 22 Send content download method via. Then, the management center 1 charges the usage fee of the user 5 to the settlement organization 23, and the settlement organization 23 charges the usage fee to the user 5.
[0057]
The settlement institution 24 of FIG. 1 is an institution that performs a user's payment agency business by a prepaid card method. The prepaid card that can be used for payment on the Internet 22 used here is generally marketed, and its ID is hidden by the scratch, and only the purchaser of the prepaid card can get the ID by scraping the scratch. It is a mechanism that can do.
[0058]
For example, when the user 2 purchases a prepaid card in advance and concludes a contract with the management center 1 or purchases content via the Internet 22, when the user 2 selects a payment method using the prepaid card, the user 2 The ID entered in the scratch portion of the prepaid card is transmitted to the management center 1 via the Internet 22 by inputting it on the ID input screen of the web page provided by the management center 1, for example.
[0059]
The management center 1 confirms the balance of the prepaid card with the input ID with the settlement organization 24. If the balance is equal to or higher than the usage fee, the management center 1 concludes a contract or downloads the content via the Internet 22. Send. Then, the management center 1 charges the user's 2 usage fee to the settlement organization 24. In addition, the settlement institution 24 provides the user 2 with various services (for example, inquiry of the balance for each ID number and collecting a plurality of prepaid cards with a small balance into one prepaid card via the Internet 22. Service).
[0060]
The settlement institution 25 in FIG. 1 is an institution that performs a user's payment agency business by a pre-registration ID settlement method. A user who wants to pay a fee using the ID method for pre-registration concludes a contract with the settlement organization 25 in advance, and for example, contacts the settlement organization 25 using a method such as mailing a credit card number and registers it. By doing so, the ID is acquired in advance.
[0061]
For example, when the user 3 concludes a contract with the management center 1 via the Internet 22 or purchases content, when the user 3 selects a payment method using the pre-registration ID settlement method, the user 3 registers in advance. For example, by inputting the current ID on the ID input screen of a web page provided by the management center 1, the ID is transmitted to the management center 1 via the Internet 22.
[0062]
The management center 1 inquires of the received ID to the settlement organization 25, confirms that the charge can be paid by a credit card or the like registered by the user 3 having this ID, and then concludes the contract. Alternatively, a content download method is transmitted via the Internet 22. Then, the management center 1 charges the usage fee of the user 3 to the settlement organization 25, and the settlement organization 23 charges the usage fee to the credit card company.
[0063]
The users 2 to 5 can select which of the settlement institutions 23 to 25 is used as the payment method for the price at the time of the contract or the purchase of the content. However, the payment method for the user 6 is not limited to this because the payment method is performed based on a contract with the distribution service provider 21.
[0064]
For the user 2 of the contract form 1, when the musical sound data created by the user 2 is used (purchased) by another user or the distribution service provider 21 via the management center 1, FIG. The price corresponding to the musical sound data calculated by the method to be described later is paid from the management center 1. In this case, a method of transferring the price of the musical sound data from the management center 1 to the account of the user 2 of a financial institution such as a bank (not shown) is used.
[0065]
In addition, it is charged also for the participation of the community mentioned later using FIG. For example, the user may be charged when registered with the community. The charging method may be to charge a predetermined amount per community, or may be set differently for each community.
[0066]
Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, a description will be given of contract processing when a new user applies for a contract to the management center 1. FIG.
[0067]
The web page storage DB 36 describes the outline of the management center 1, stores web pages that allow a contract application, and is made public on the Internet 22 via the communication processing unit 31. In step S1, the communication processing unit 31 of the management center 1 receives a signal indicating a contract application from the terminal device (not shown) of an applicant who desires a new contract via the Internet 22.
[0068]
In step S2, the communication processing unit 31 describes, for example, the contract contents between the management center 1 and the user from the web page storage DB 36, and the desired contract form (for example, the contract forms 1 to 4 described with reference to FIG. 6). And a web page including an input form for inputting the applicant's personal information is read out and transmitted to the applicant's terminal device via the Internet 22.
[0069]
In step S <b> 3, the communication processing unit 31 receives input of a desired contract form, the applicant's personal information, etc. from the applicant's terminal device via the Internet 22, and the authentication processing control unit via the internal bus 32. 35.
[0070]
In step S4, the authentication processing control unit 35 transmits information corresponding to a predetermined contract to the applicant's terminal device via the Internet 22 in accordance with the contract form desired by the applicant input in step S3. And displayed on a monitor (not shown).
[0071]
In step S <b> 5, the communication processing unit 31 determines whether a signal indicating consent to the contract is input from the applicant's terminal device via the Internet 22. If it is determined that a signal indicating consent to the contract has not been input, the process ends.
[0072]
If it is determined in step S5 that a signal indicating consent to the contract has been input, in step S6, the communication processing unit 31 transmits a signal indicating that a signal indicating consent to the contract has been input to the internal bus 32. To the authentication processing control unit 35. The authentication processing control unit 35 issues a new password and ID for the applicant, transmits the new password and ID to the applicant's terminal device via the communication processing unit 31 and the Internet 22, and also applies the applicant's personal information, new password and A control signal for registering the ID in the customer information BD 33-1 is generated and output to the management center management processing unit 34 via the internal bus 32. The management center management processing unit 34 registers the applicant's personal information, new password, and ID in the customer information DB 33-1 according to the input control signal.
[0073]
In step S7, the management center management processing unit 34 is registered in the software storage DB 37 such as a software program for generating project data, an interface tool activation program, or a software program for decoding downloaded data. Among the existing software programs, a method for downloading the software program according to the contract form of the applicant is transmitted to the applicant's terminal device via the communication processing unit 31 and the Internet 22.
[0074]
In step S8, according to the download method transmitted in step S7 by the applicant's terminal device, a predetermined software program is downloaded via the Internet 22, set up in the applicant's terminal device, and the process is terminated.
[0075]
Further, by providing the user with an encoder or compression software used for the encoding process executed by the management center 1, the user can also execute the encoding process executed by the management center 1. It may be. As a result, when the musical sound data is uploaded to the management center 1, the musical sound data can be compressed, the data transfer amount can be reduced, and the data transfer cost can be reduced.
[0076]
Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the project data registration process executed by the terminal device 12 of the user 2 contracted in the contract form 1 described in FIG. 6 in the contract process described using FIG. To do.
[0077]
In step S <b> 11, the user 2 generates musical sound data and records it in the HDD 68. For example, the musical sound data may be recorded by a digital audio recorder (not shown), taken in via the network interface 70, and recorded in the HDD 68, or from general musical sound data generation software or the management center 1. The downloaded musical sound data generation software may be loaded into the RAM 63 and activated, generated by processing of these software, and recorded in the HDD 68.
[0078]
In step S12, the CPU 61 reads the project data generation software downloaded from the management center 1 in step S7 in FIG. 7 and set up in step S8 into the RAM 63 and starts it, and the musical sound data recorded in the HDD 68 in step S11. Project data. The project data includes at least one track or stereo data, and each track has independent copyright information as described with reference to FIG. For example, when new project data is generated using a track on which copyright information has already been recorded, the copyright information of the user 2 who created it is recorded only on the newly generated track. The
[0079]
In step S13, the CPU 61 reads the interface tool downloaded from the management center 1 in step S7 of FIG. 7 and set up in step S8 into the RAM 63 and activates it.
[0080]
In step S14, for example, the user 2 sets copyright information, billing information, and the like while referring to a setting screen 91 displayed on the output unit 67 when the interface tool is activated as shown in FIG. . In addition to the sales price setting text box 92 and the estimate result display box 93 for displaying the estimate result of the amount to be paid to the user (estimation calculation will be described later), the setting screen 91 desires, for example, stereo distribution. In addition to a check box 94 for selecting whether or not, various setting text boxes and list boxes are prepared. The CPU 61 receives input of various settings input by the user using the input unit 66 via the input / output interface 65 and the internal bus 64.
[0081]
In step S15, the CPU 61 displays the contents set in step S14 together with the ID and password input by the user 2 on the ID and password input screen (not shown) according to the internal bus 64, the input / output interface 65, the network interface 70, and the Internet 22. To the management center 1. The management center 1 confirms the transmitted ID and password by the process described later. If the ID and password are determined to be correct, the management center 1 determines that the data and the ID and password are incorrect. In this case, an error message is transmitted to the terminal device 12 via the Internet 22.
[0082]
In step S <b> 16, the CPU 61 transmits data normally from the management center 1 based on signals transmitted via the Internet 22 and input via the network interface 70, the input / output interface 65, and the internal bus 64. It is determined whether or not it has been completed.
[0083]
If it is determined in step S16 that the data transmission has not ended normally (that is, an error message has been received), in step S17, the user 2 refers to the error message, performs the resetting, and the CPU 61 The signal indicating the reset contents input by the user 2 using the input unit 66 is input via the input / output interface 65 and the internal bus 64, the process returns to step S15, and the subsequent processes are repeated. .
[0084]
If it is determined in step S16 that the data transmission has been completed normally, in step S18, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the project data transmitted in step S15 is charged from the charging information set in step S14. To do. If it is determined in step S18 that the transmitted project data is not charged, the process ends.
[0085]
If it is determined in step S18 that the project data is charged, the management center 1 transmits an estimated amount of the fee to be paid to the user 2 when the project data is purchased by another user. Since it is displayed in the estimated result display box 93 on the displayed setting screen 91, the user 2 confirms the estimated amount displayed in the estimated result display box 93 in step S19.
[0086]
In step S <b> 20, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the transfer button on the setting screen 91 is selected based on a signal indicating the operation of the user 2 input from the input unit 66 via the input / output interface 65 and the internal bus 64. Whether or not the estimated amount is agreed by the user 2. If it is determined in step S20 that the estimated amount has been agreed, the process ends.
[0087]
If it is determined in step S20 that the estimated amount has not been agreed, in step S21, the CPU 61 generates a signal indicating the operation of the user 2 input from the input unit 66 via the input / output interface 65 and the internal bus 64. Based on (for example, based on whether or not the recalculation button on the setting screen 91 is selected), it is determined whether or not the charging information has been reset by the user 2.
[0088]
If it is determined in step S21 that resetting has been performed, the process returns to step S14, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If it is determined in step S21 that the resetting has not been performed, the process ends.
[0089]
Next, project data registration processing in the management center 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0090]
In step S31, the communication processing unit 31 of the management center 1 receives the project data, ID, and password transmitted from the terminal device 12 of the user 2 in step S15 of FIG. To the authentication processing control unit 35.
[0091]
In step S32, the authentication processing control unit 35 reads the ID and password output from the communication processing unit 31 in step S31. In step S33, the authentication processing control unit 35 refers to the customer information DB 33-1 to confirm the ID and password, and in step S34. In step S1, it is determined whether the ID and password are correct.
[0092]
If it is determined in step S34 that the ID and password are not correct, in step S35, the authentication processing control unit 35 executes error processing, and communicates with the terminal device 12 of the user 2 via the communication processing unit 31 and the Internet 22. An error message is sent and the process is terminated.
[0093]
When it is determined in step S34 that the ID and password are correct, in step S36, the authentication processing control unit 35 transmits a signal indicating that the user 2 is a registered user via the internal bus 32. To the unit 31.
The communication processing unit 31 supplies the data received in step S31 to the management center management processing unit 34 via the internal bus 32. The management center management processing unit 34 outputs the project data included in the supplied data to the project data storage processing unit 38 via the internal bus 32. The project data storage processing unit 38 registers the project data in the project data storage DB 33-2 and outputs it to the audio data processing unit 40.
[0094]
Here, in order to associate the project data and the data related thereto, for example, the management center management processing unit 34 issues a project data ID unique to the project data, and when the project data and other data are respectively stored, The project data ID may be attached and stored.
[0095]
In step S37, the management center management processing unit 34 reads the information of the author (that is, user 2) from the customer information DB 33-1 based on the ID included in the data supplied in step S34, and is included in the project data. Along with the copyright information, it is output to the distribution setting data processing unit 39. The distribution setting data processing unit 39 registers the author's information and copyright information in the distribution setting DB 33-3.
[0096]
In step S38, the management center management processing unit 34 charges the project data registered in the project data storage DB 33-2 in step S36 from the charging information included in the data supplied in step S34 at the time of distribution. It is determined whether or not (that is, when the project data is registered, the user 2 sets the sales price to a value other than 0 using the sales price setting text box 92 in the setting screen 91 of FIG. 9). If it is determined in step S38 that the project data is not charged, the process proceeds to step S44.
[0097]
If it is determined in step S38 that the project data is charged, in step S39, the billing settlement data processing unit 42 executes billing calculation processing described later with reference to FIG. In step S 40, the billing settlement data processing unit 42 outputs the estimated amount calculated in step S 39 to the communication processing unit 31 via the internal bus 32, and the communication processing unit 31 passes through the Internet 22. A signal indicating the estimated amount is transmitted to the terminal device 12 of the user 2.
[0098]
In step S41, the management center management processing unit 34 transmits by the user 2 in step S40 based on the signal transmitted from the terminal device 12 of the user 2 via the Internet 22 and input via the communication processing unit 31. It is determined whether or not the estimated amount is agreed.
[0099]
If it is determined in step S41 that the estimated amount has not been agreed, in step S43, the management center management processing unit 34 requests cancellation or resetting of registration to the project data creator (ie, user 2). A signal to be generated is generated and output to the communication processing unit 31. The communication processing unit 31 transmits a signal for requesting cancellation or resetting of registration to the terminal device 12 of the user 2 via the Internet 22, and the processing ends.
[0100]
If it is determined in step S41 that the estimated amount has been agreed, in step S42, the management center management processing unit 34 outputs a signal indicating that the estimated amount has been agreed to the billing settlement data processing unit 42. The billing settlement data processing unit 42 sells the setting screen 91 shown in FIG. 9 as the payment amount for the user 2 when the project data is purchased by another user together with the project ID of the corresponding project data. The sales price set in the price setting text box is recorded in the charge settlement DB 43.
[0101]
When it is determined in step S38 that the project data is not charged (free of charge), or when the registration process for the billing settlement DB 43 in step S42 is completed, in step S44, the audio data processing unit 40 receives the input project. A signal for inquiring the data encoding setting is generated and output to the distribution setting data processing unit 39. The distribution setting data processing unit 39 refers to the distribution setting DB 33-3, generates a signal indicating an answer to the inquiry, and outputs the signal to the audio data processing unit 40. The audio data processing unit 40 receives this signal and determines whether or not an instruction to encode the project data is given.
[0102]
If it is determined in step S44 that encoding is instructed, in step S45, the audio data processing unit 40 encodes the project data in the instructed format.
[0103]
If it is determined in step S44 that encoding is not instructed, in step S46, the audio data processing unit 40 distributes the project data as non-converted data (that is, data whose track contents may be changed). Registered in the data storage group 41.
[0104]
After step S45 or step S46, in step S47, the audio data processing unit 40 converts the format of the project data into distribution data and stores it in the corresponding DBs 41-1 to 41-n in the distribution data storage group 41. To do.
[0105]
In step S48, the audio data processing unit 40 determines whether or not the input project data is desired to be delivered in stereo (that is, when the user 2 registers the project data, the setting screen 91 in FIG. A signal for inquiring whether or not the check box 94 is checked is generated and output to the distribution setting data processing unit 39. The distribution setting data processing unit 39 refers to the distribution setting DB 33-3, generates a signal indicating an answer to the inquiry, and outputs the signal to the audio data processing unit 40. The audio data processing unit 40 receives the input of the signal and determines whether or not the stereo distribution of the project data is desired. If it is determined in step S48 that stereo distribution is not desired, the process ends.
[0106]
If it is determined in step S48 that stereo distribution is desired, the audio data processing unit 40 mixes down the project data in step S49 to generate stereo data described with reference to FIG. In step S50, the format is converted into distribution data, stored in the stereo data DB 41-4 of the distribution data storage group 41, and the process ends.
[0107]
Next, the billing calculation process in step S39 in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0108]
In step S <b> 71, the management center management processing unit 34 outputs the charging information and copyright information included in the data transmitted from the terminal device 12 of the user 2 via the Internet 22 to the charging settlement data processing unit 42. At this time, the billing settlement data processing unit 42 reads billing information and author information of the project data.
[0109]
In step S72, the billing settlement data processing unit 42 subtracts the copyright management fee per song determined by the copyright protection organization 26 and the management fee of the management center 1 from the project data sales price included in the billing information. To do.
[0110]
In step S73, the billing settlement data processing unit 42 determines whether or not a distribution rate among a plurality of authors included in the project data is determined in advance from the distribution rate data included in the billing information.
[0111]
If it is determined in step S73 that the distribution rate is determined, in step S76, the billing settlement data processing unit 42 calculates an estimated price from the calculation result in step S72 and the distribution rate. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S40 in FIG.
[0112]
If it is determined in step S73 that the distribution ratio has not been determined, the billing settlement data processing unit 42 searches the copyright information for the author of the track included in the project data in step S74, and in step S75. Then, the calculation result in step S72 is divided by a predetermined numerical value of either the number of track authors or the number of tracks included in the project data, and an estimated price to be paid to the user 2 is calculated. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S40 in FIG.
[0113]
Next, music data sales processing when the management center 1 sells music data to the users 2 to 5 of the contract forms 1 to 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, a case where the user 3 purchases music data from the management center 1 using the terminal device 13 will be described.
[0114]
When any of the users 2 to 4 purchases the data registered in the management center 1, not only the purchase of the project data unit but also the track data is included when one piece of project data includes a plurality of track data. Purchases can be made for each data, and stereo data can also be purchased. Therefore, in the following description, when any form of project data, track data, and stereo data may be used, these data are collectively referred to as music data.
[0115]
In step S <b> 81, the communication processing unit 31 receives an access request from the user 3, that is, an input of an ID and password from the terminal device 13 via the Internet 22. The communication processing unit 31 outputs the input ID and password to the authentication processing control unit 35.
[0116]
In step S82, the authentication processing control unit 35 refers to the customer information DB 33-1 for the input ID and password, and determines whether the input ID and password are correct. If it is determined in step S82 that the input ID and password are not correct, the process proceeds to step S90.
[0117]
If it is determined in step S82 that the input ID and password are correct, in step S83, the authentication processing control unit 35 sends a signal indicating that the input ID and password are correct to the management center management processing unit 34. Output. The management center management processing unit 34 reads web page data corresponding to the music data purchase screen from the web page storage DB 36 and outputs the web page data to the communication processing unit 31. The communication processing unit 31 transmits the web page data corresponding to the music data purchase screen to the terminal device 13 via the Internet 22 and causes the output unit 67 of the terminal device 13 to display the web page data.
[0118]
In step S <b> 84, the communication processing unit 31 receives an input of a signal indicating the music data desired to be purchased selected by the user 3 from the terminal device 13 via the Internet 22 and outputs the signal to the management center management processing unit 34.
[0119]
In step S85, the management center management processing unit 34 generates a control signal for calculating the price of the music data desired to be purchased selected by the user 3 input in step S84, and outputs the control signal to the billing settlement data processing unit 42. To do. The billing settlement data processing unit 42 refers to the billing settlement DB 43 to calculate the price of the music data and outputs it to the management center management processing unit 34. The management center management processing unit 34 displays the price of the input music data, and can be used to input purchase confirmation, payment method selection and payment method ID (eg, credit card number). Is read from the web page storage DB 36 and output to the communication processing unit 31. The communication processing unit 31 transmits data corresponding to the web page to the terminal device 13 via the Internet 22 and causes the output unit 67 of the terminal device 13 to display the data.
[0120]
In step S86, the management center management processing unit 34 determines whether a desired payment method, a corresponding ID, and the like have been input from the terminal device 13 via the Internet 22, the communication processing unit 31, and the internal bus 32. To do. If it is determined in step S86 that the desired payment method and the corresponding ID are not input, the process proceeds to step S90.
[0121]
If it is determined in step S86 that the desired payment method and the corresponding ID are input, the management center management processing unit 34 corresponds to the input desired payment method in the payment institution connection processing unit 44 in step S87. A control signal for causing any one of the settlement institutions 23 to 25 to refer to the input ID or the like is generated and output. The settlement institution connection processing unit 44 generates a signal for inquiring the input ID and the like, and transmits the signal to any of the settlement institutions 23 to 25 corresponding to the input desired payment method via the financial institution network 45. To do.
[0122]
In step S88, the clearing house connection processing unit 44 determines that the clearing house is the user 3 based on the inquiry result such as an ID returned from any of the clearing houses 23 to 25 corresponding to the input desired payment method. Determine whether you have guaranteed that payment is possible. If it is determined in step S88 that the payment by the user 3 is not guaranteed, the process proceeds to step S90.
[0123]
In step S <b> 90, the management center management processing unit 34 reads data corresponding to the error message from the web page storage DB 36 and outputs the data to the communication processing unit 31. The communication processing unit 31 transmits an error message to the terminal device 13 via the Internet 22 and displays the error message on the output unit 67 of the terminal device 13, and the processing is completed.
[0124]
If it is ensured in step S88 that the payment of the user 3 is possible, then in step S89, the settlement institution connection processing unit 44, via the internal bus 32, the management center management processing unit 34 and the billing settlement data processing unit 42 outputs a signal indicating that the payment of the user 3 is guaranteed. The billing settlement data processing unit 42 records the ID of the user 3, the purchase price, the payment method, and the ID corresponding to the payment method in the billing settlement DB 43.
[0125]
The management center management processing unit 34 transmits the download permission of the music data desired to be purchased to the terminal device 13 via the communication processing unit 31 and the Internet 22, and is input to the audio data processing unit 40 in step S84. Search for music data desired by the user 3 from the distribution data storage group 41, generate a control signal to be transmitted to the terminal device 13 via the internal bus 32, the communication processing unit 31, and the Internet 22, Output. The audio data processing unit 40 searches the distribution data storage group 41 for music data desired by the user 3 and transmits it to the terminal device 13 via the internal bus 32, the communication processing unit 31, and the Internet 22. Processing is terminated.
[0126]
In addition, a user who has concluded a contract with the management center 1 can enjoy a service called “community” (participate in a community that is a virtual space in the management center 1) by following a predetermined procedure. The community will be described with reference to FIG.
[0127]
Although the terminal devices 111 to 115 used by the users 101 to 105 are actually connected to the management center 1 via the Internet 22, FIG. The terminal devices 111 to 115 have the same configuration as the terminal device 12 described with reference to FIG.
[0128]
The community A and the community B are protected by a unique ID and password to participate in each community other than the ID and password necessary for data exchange with the management center 1. That is, the community may mean a group composed of a plurality of members having a specific common goal and purpose, and may mean a virtual place formed by the group. In other words, a community is a virtual and cyber gathering or space formed on a network where only authenticated users with unique IDs and passwords can participate.
[0129]
The members who make up the group in the community are not unspecified people who do not know each other, but members who recognize each other and have mutual trust. In other words, the members making up the community are friends.
Other members, for example, an unspecified number of members who are not approved by the community manager, cannot participate in the community.
[0130]
Also, the community is not just a place for members to communicate, but a place for multiple members to create content such as music together, or a creation activity where multiple members jointly create content such as music It is a place where you can participate, and it is possible to create new contents and information by using contents registered in the community and other information, arranging and modifying those contents Or provided as a cyber space.
[0131]
A user can participate in a corresponding community only when, for example, a community manager applies for participation in the community and is issued a unique ID and password for each community. In the example of FIG. 14, the user 101 and the user 102 can participate in the community A, but cannot participate in the community B. Similarly, the user 105 can participate in the community B, but can participate in the community A. Can not. However, if the access right is obtained for both community A and community B, such as user 103 and user 104, and a unique ID and password are issued for each community, both communities can participate. it can.
[0132]
The members belonging to the respective communities can jointly create music data, can jointly generate and register content, and share the registered content. That is, among the members participating in the community, the part is determined, and each piece of track data is uploaded to create one musical tone data, or part of the track data uploaded to the community is changed, or multiple tracks are It is also possible to remix project data. As a result, community participants can create track data for each part in charge at home based on the score score of a song composed of a large orchestra, for example, and each can upload to the community. However, by downloading and mixing down the uploaded track data, it is possible to generate stereo data for orchestra performances.
[0133]
Community members can download and upload data in any unit, such as project data included in the content, or track data or stereo data included in the project data.
[0134]
In addition, community A and community B have their own tools for creating content, or tools necessary for changing the data of content created in each community. You may be able to download it.
[0135]
Next, processing in the community will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Here, the user 101 registered in the community A uses the communication processing device 111 to request downloading of musical tone data registered in the community A, or requests the community A to register new musical tone data. The processing of the management center 1 in the case of being performed will be described.
[0136]
In step S101, the communication processing unit 31 inputs an access request from the user 101, that is, an ID and a password (an ID and a password for obtaining permission to access the management center 1) from the terminal device 111 via the Internet 22. Receive. The communication processing unit 31 outputs the input ID and password to the authentication processing control unit 35.
[0137]
In step S102, the authentication processing control unit 35 refers to the customer information DB 33-1 for the input ID and password, and determines whether or not the input ID and password are correct. If it is determined in step S102 that the input ID and password are not correct, the process proceeds to step S106.
[0138]
If it is determined in step S102 that the input ID and password are correct, in step S103, the communication processing unit 31 requests access to the community A from the user 101 via the Internet 22, that is, the terminal device 111. ID and password (ID and password for obtaining permission to access community A) are received. The communication processing unit 31 outputs the input ID and password to the authentication processing control unit 35.
[0139]
In step S104, the authentication processing control unit 35 refers to the customer information DB 33-1 for the input ID and password, and determines whether or not the input ID and password are correct. If it is determined in step S104 that the input ID and password are not correct, the process proceeds to step S106.
[0140]
In step S <b> 106, the management center management processing unit 34 reads data corresponding to the error message from the web page storage DB 36 and outputs the data to the communication processing unit 31. The communication processing unit 31 transmits an error message to the terminal device 111 via the Internet 22 to display the error message on the output unit 67 of the terminal device 111, and the processing is completed.
[0141]
When it is determined in step S104 that the input ID and password are correct, the management center management processing unit 34 sends the data stored in the distribution data storage group 41 to the audio data processing unit 40 from the community A. The music data having the community ID is searched, and for example, a control signal for causing the management center management processing unit 34 to output the project name or the like is generated and output. Further, the management center management processing unit 34 reads out a web page format for displaying a list of downloadable music data from the web page storage DB 36. The audio data processing unit 40 searches the music data having the community ID of the community A, and outputs the project name or the like to the management center management processing unit 34, for example. The management center management processing unit 34 generates a web page describing a list of music data registered in the community A, and transmits the web page to the terminal device 111 via the communication processing unit 31 and the Internet 22.
[0142]
In step S <b> 107, the management center management processing unit 34 determines whether a request for downloading desired music data has been input from the terminal device 111 via the Internet 22, the communication processing unit 31, and the internal bus 32. If it is determined in step S107 that a music data download request has not been input, the process proceeds to step S109.
[0143]
If it is determined in step S107 that a music data download request has been input, in step S108, the management center management processing unit 34 requests the audio data processing unit 40 from the distribution data storage group 41 to request the user 101. The music data is searched, and a control signal to be transmitted to the terminal device 111 is generated and output via the internal bus 32, the communication processing unit 31, and the Internet 22. The audio data processing unit 40 searches the distribution data storage group 41 for music data desired by the user 101 and transmits it to the terminal device 111 via the internal bus 32, the communication processing unit 31, and the Internet 22.
[0144]
In step S <b> 109, the management center management processing unit 34 determines whether a music data upload request is input from the terminal device 111 via the Internet 22, the communication processing unit 31, and the internal bus 32. If it is determined in step S109 that a music data upload request has not been input, the process ends.
[0145]
If it is determined in step S109 that an upload request has been input, in step S110, the management center management processing unit 34 has transmitted from the terminal device 111 via the Internet 22, the communication processing unit 31, and the internal bus 32. For example, as described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the music data is encoded and converted, and registered in a predetermined DB of the distribution data storage group 41 with a community ID attached. Is terminated.
[0146]
As described above, since the community ID is added when the music data is registered in the predetermined DB of the distribution data storage group 41, the user who is not participating in the community uses the data registered in the community. The downloadable music data belonging to the corresponding community can be searched in step S105 described above, and a list can be displayed.
[0147]
Although the above-described series of processing has been described for the case where the management center 1 handles musical tone data, it is needless to say that the management center 1 may handle content indicating information other than musical tone data.
[0148]
The series of processes described above can also be executed by software. The software is a computer in which the program constituting the software is incorporated in dedicated hardware, or various functions can be executed by installing various programs, for example, a general-purpose personal computer For example, it is installed from a recording medium.
[0149]
As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, this recording medium is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the computer. The magnetic disk 51 or 71 (including a floppy disk) on which the program is recorded is distributed. Optical disk 52 or 72 (including CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), magneto-optical disk 53 or 73 (including MD (Mini-Disk)), or semiconductor memory 54 or 74, and the like.
[0150]
Further, in the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but may be performed in parallel or It also includes processes that are executed individually.
[0151]
In the present specification, the term “system” represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.
[0152]
【The invention's effect】
According to the information processing apparatus, the information processing method, and the program recorded on the recording medium of the present invention, a plurality of members are for performing activities to jointly produce content, and are authenticated members Only provides a community that can be accessed using other information processing devices to the network, receives access from other information processing devices via the network, and if access is received, performs access right authentication processing for the community. I did so, Multiple authenticated members can collaborate to create content in a community.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a musical sound data distribution system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the management center of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the terminal device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining project data for track distribution.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining stereo distribution project data;
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a contract form;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining contract processing.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a project data registration process in a user terminal device;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a setting screen when an interface tool is activated;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a project data registration process in the management center.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a project data registration process in the management center.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining accounting calculation processing;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining music data purchase processing;
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a community;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining processing in a community;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Management center, 2 thru | or 6 user, 12 thru | or 16 terminal device, 21 Distribution service provider, 22 Internet, 23 thru | or 25 settlement organization, 31 Communication processing part, 32 Internal bus, 33 Management data storage group, 34 Management center management processing part , 35 Authentication processing control unit, 36 Web page storage DB, 37 Software storage DB, 38 Project data storage processing unit, 39 Distribution setting data processing unit, 40 Audio data processing unit, 41 Data storage group for distribution, 42 Billing settlement data processing Department, 43 accounting settlement DB, 44 settlement institution connection processing section, 45 financial institution network, 61 CPU, 70 network interface, 81, project data, 121, 122 community

Claims (3)

In an information processing apparatus connected to another information processing apparatus via a network,
Provided to the network of a community where a plurality of members jointly produce content, and only the authenticated member can access using the other information processing apparatus Control means for controlling;
Receiving means for receiving access from the other information processing apparatus via the network;
When receiving from the other information processing apparatus by the receiving means, an authentication means for performing an access right authentication process for the community;
The copyright information including the identification information of the first member is set in the musical sound data transmitted from the other information processing apparatus possessed by the authenticated first member, and the transmitted musical sound data is set to a plurality of pieces. Storage means for storing in association with the community as musical sound data of one track of project data composed of the musical sound data of a track;
Of the amount charged when the project data is downloaded by an authorized second member based on the charging information set in the project data stored in the storage means and the copyright information, An information processing apparatus comprising: calculating means for calculating an amount to be paid to the first member . In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus connected to another information processing apparatus via a network,
A community in which a plurality of members having a predetermined relationship with each other perform activities to jointly produce content, and only the authenticated member can access the community using the other information processing apparatus A control step for controlling the process of providing the network to the network;
A reception control step for controlling reception of access from the other information processing apparatus via the network;
An authentication step for performing an access right authentication process for the community when an access from the other information processing apparatus is received by the process of the reception control step;
The copyright information including the identification information of the first member is set in the musical sound data transmitted from the other information processing apparatus possessed by the authenticated first member, and the transmitted musical sound data is set to a plurality of pieces. A storage step of storing in association with the community as music data of one track of project data composed of the music data of the track;
Of the amount charged when the project data is downloaded by the authenticated second member based on the charging information set in the stored project data and the copyright information, the first And a calculation step of calculating an amount to be paid to the member . A program for controlling an information processing apparatus connected to another information processing apparatus via a network,
A community in which a plurality of members having a predetermined relationship with each other perform activities to jointly produce content, and only the authenticated member can access the community using the other information processing apparatus A control step for controlling the process of providing the network to the network;
A reception control step for controlling reception of access from the other information processing apparatus via the network;
An authentication step for performing an access right authentication process for the community when an access from the other information processing apparatus is received by the process of the reception control step;
The copyright information including the identification information of the first member is set in the musical sound data transmitted from the other information processing apparatus possessed by the authenticated first member, and the transmitted musical sound data is set to a plurality of pieces. A storage step of storing in association with the community as music data of one track of project data composed of the music data of the track;
Of the amount charged when the project data is downloaded by the authenticated second member based on the charging information set in the stored project data and the copyright information, the first A recording medium on which a computer-readable program is recorded for causing an information processing apparatus to execute a process including a calculation step of calculating an amount to be paid to a member .

Images