Music distribution system, program and server

Abstract

To improve a technique for distributing music to users' terminal devices.SOLUTION: There is provided a music distribution system 1 comprising: multiple terminal devices 10 used by multiple users; and a server 20 capable of communicating with the multiple terminal devices 10. The server 20 stores multiple music lists corresponding to multiple classifications of human emotions in a storage unit 22. Each terminal device 10 captures an image of its user to generate a user image. The server 20 obtains the classification of the user's emotion estimated from the user image for each terminal device 10 to select a music included in the music list corresponding to the classification as first music, and each terminal device 10 plays back the first music selected for its device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a music distribution system, a program, and a server. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for distributing music to a user's terminal device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a music distribution system with still images that distributes server music data and still image data from a server to a mobile terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2002-287772 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Since the music that a user finds pleasant can change depending on the user's emotions (mood) when listening to the music, it is desirable to deliver music that is appropriate for the user's emotions. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the technology for delivering music to users' terminal devices.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for distributing music to users' terminal devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A music distribution system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A music distribution system comprising a plurality of terminal devices used by a plurality of users respectively, and a server capable of communicating with the plurality of terminal devices, the server stores in a storage unit a plurality of music lists corresponding to a plurality of categories of human emotions, Each of the terminal devices takes an image of the user of the terminal device to generate a user image; the server acquires, for each terminal device, a classification of the user's emotion estimated from the user image, and selects, as a first song, a song included in a song list corresponding to the classification; Each of the terminal devices plays back the first music piece selected for that device.

[0007] A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A server capable of communicating with a plurality of terminal devices respectively used by a plurality of users, storing a plurality of music lists corresponding to a plurality of categories of human emotions in a storage unit; a step of acquiring, for each terminal device, a classification of the user's emotion estimated from a user image generated by the terminal device by photographing the user of the terminal device, and selecting, as a first song, a song included in a song list corresponding to the classification; and for each terminal device, a step of distributing the first music piece to the terminal device.

[0008] The server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a communication unit that communicates with a plurality of terminal devices respectively used by a plurality of users; a storage unit that stores a plurality of music lists corresponding to a plurality of classifications of human emotions; The device includes a control unit that, for each terminal device, acquires a classification of the user's emotions estimated from a user image generated by the terminal device by photographing the user of the device, selects a song included in a song list corresponding to the classification as a first song, and delivers the first song to the terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a technique for delivering music to a user's terminal device is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a music distribution system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a server. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the music distribution system. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a server. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a server. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a server. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0012] (Outline of the embodiment) An overview of a music distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The music distribution system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices 10 and a server 20. The terminal devices 10 and the server 20 can communicate with each other via a network 30 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0013] The terminal device 10 is a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. In this embodiment, multiple terminal devices 10 are used by multiple users. In one example, a user can start an application program installed on the terminal device 10 and receive music distribution via the application program.

[0014] The server 20 includes one or more server devices. In this embodiment, the server 20 is used to provide a music distribution service that distributes music to the terminal device 10 via the network 30.

[0015] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be provided later. In the music distribution system 1, the server 20 stores a plurality of music lists corresponding to a plurality of categories of human emotions (moods) (for example, "joy," "anger," and "sadness"). Each terminal device 10 takes a picture of the face of the user of the device and generates a facial image. For each terminal device 10 (each user), the server 20 acquires the category of the user's emotion estimated from the facial image, and selects a song included in the music list corresponding to the category as a first song. Then, each terminal device 10 plays the first song selected for the device.

[0016] According to this embodiment, a first song to be delivered to a user is selected from a song list corresponding to a classification of the user's emotion estimated from a facial image of the user, among multiple song lists. For example, if the classification of the user's emotion estimated from a facial image is "joy," the first song is selected from the song list corresponding to "joy." Therefore, by including songs appropriate for the classification of human emotions (e.g., songs that are likely to be pleasant to listen to by a person with the emotion of "joy") in the song list corresponding to the classification, a song appropriate for the user's emotion is delivered as the first song, thereby improving the technology for delivering songs to a user's terminal device 10.

[0017] Next, each component of the music distribution system 1 will be described in detail.

[0018] (Terminal Device Configuration) As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an image capturing unit 12, an output unit 13, an input unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a control unit 16.

[0019] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to the network 30. The communication interfaces correspond to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wired LAN standard, but are not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0020] The photographing unit 12 includes one or more cameras. In this embodiment, the photographing unit 12 is used to photograph the face of the user and generate a facial image.

[0021] The output unit 13 includes one or more output devices that output information. Examples of the output devices include, but are not limited to, a display that outputs information as a video or a speaker that outputs information as a sound. Alternatively, the output unit 13 may include an interface for connecting an external output device.

[0022] The input unit 14 includes one or more input devices that detect user input. Examples of the input devices include, but are not limited to, physical keys, capacitive keys, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen integrated with the display of the output unit 13, or a microphone. Alternatively, the input unit 14 may include an interface for connecting an external input device.

[0023] The storage unit 15 includes one or more memories. The memories may be, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, optical memories, or the like, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 15 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 15 stores any information used in the operation of the terminal device 10. For example, the storage unit 15 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, and the like.

[0024] The control unit 16 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 16 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 10.

[0025] The terminal device 10 may further include components other than those described above. For example, the terminal device 10 may further include a satellite positioning system receiver such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) and may be able to acquire location information of the terminal device 10 itself (user).

[0026] (Server configuration) As shown in FIG. 3, the server 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit .

[0027] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to the network 30. The communication interfaces are compatible with, for example, a wired LAN standard or a wireless LAN standard, but are not limited to these and may be compatible with any communication standard.

[0028] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the server 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, a database, etc.

[0029] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 23 controls the overall operation of the server 20.

[0030] (Operation of music distribution system) The operation of the music distribution system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. This operation can be performed for each terminal device 10. In summary, this operation is to distribute music to users of the terminal devices 10 and obtain and collect user ratings of the music.

[0031] Step S100: The control unit 23 of the server 20 stores in the storage unit 22 information used to provide the music distribution service.

[0032] Here, specific examples of information stored in the storage unit 22 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0033] For example, the control unit 23 stores a plurality of songs to be distributed to users in the storage unit 22. In detail, as shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 23 stores sound source data for each song in association with a song ID in the storage unit 22. The song ID is an identifier that uniquely identifies a song in the song distribution system 1. The sound source data is an audio file in any format, such as WAV or MP3.

[0034] In this embodiment, the music pieces stored in the storage unit 22 include classical music pieces. Alternatively, all of the music pieces stored in the storage unit 22 may be classical music pieces. However, the music pieces are not limited to classical music pieces, and music pieces of any genre, such as jazz music pieces, may be stored in the storage unit 22.

[0035] Furthermore, music played on an instrument tuned to a reference pitch of 432 Hz is generally considered to have a soothing effect. In this embodiment, the music stored in the storage unit 22 includes music recorded from performances on an instrument tuned to a reference pitch of 432 Hz. Alternatively, all of the music stored in the storage unit 22 may be music recorded from performances on an instrument tuned to a reference pitch of 432 Hz.

[0036] Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 23 stores in the storage unit 22 a plurality of song lists corresponding to a plurality of categories of human emotions. That is, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the categories of human emotions and the song lists. The categories of human emotions may include, but are not limited to, "joy," "anger," and "sadness." The song list is a list containing one or more song IDs. Note that a single song ID may be included in each of a plurality of song lists corresponding to different categories. In this embodiment, the song IDs of songs appropriate for a category of human emotions are included in the song list corresponding to that category. Here, "songs appropriate for a category of human emotions" are songs that are likely to be pleasant to listen to when listened to by a person with that category of emotion, and can be selected, for example, by an empirical method or a statistical method based on field surveys.

[0037] It is not necessary that all songs stored in the storage unit 22 be included in any of the song lists. In other words, some songs stored in the storage unit 22 may not be included in any of the song lists.

[0038] Step S101: The control unit 16 of the terminal device 10 uses the photographing unit 12 to photograph the face of the user of the terminal device 10, generates a facial image, and transmits the facial image to the server 20 via the communication unit 11.

[0039] Specifically, the control unit 16 launches an application program dedicated to the music distribution service. In accordance with the application program, the control unit 16 prompts the user to take a photograph of their face upon successful completion of a predetermined login process using, for example, a user ID and password. The predetermined login process may be performed using, for example, a user ID and password, but is not limited to this and may be performed by any method. For example, the login process may be performed using a telephone number, or may be performed by linking an account with an existing web service. The control unit 16 generates a facial image of the user using the photographing unit 12 and then transmits the facial image to the server 20. In this embodiment, a facial image is generated after the application program is launched and before music is played.

[0040] Step S102: The control unit 23 of the server 20 acquires the classification of the user's emotion estimated from the face image of step S101.

[0041] The classification of the user's emotion can be estimated by any method. For example, there is a method using emotion estimation AI that inputs a human face image and outputs a classification of the human's emotion. The estimation of the classification of the user's emotion using the emotion estimation AI may be performed by the control unit 23 or an external server with which the server 20 can communicate via the network 30.

[0042] Step S103: The control unit 23 of the server 20 selects a song from the song list corresponding to the category acquired in step S102, and distributes the selected song to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21.

[0043] In this embodiment, one of the songs included in the song list corresponding to the category acquired in step S102 is selected as the first song. For example, if the category acquired in step S102 is "Joy," the first song is selected from the song list corresponding to "Joy." For ease of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that one first song is selected, but multiple first songs may also be selected.

[0044] Step S104: The control unit 16 of the terminal device 10 plays the music selected and distributed in step S103 (that is, the music selected for the terminal device itself).

[0045] In this embodiment, the control unit 16 plays back the first music piece selected and distributed in step S103. The first music piece is output via the speaker of the output unit 13.

[0046] Step S105: During or after the playback of the song in step S104, the control unit 16 of the terminal device 10 acquires the user's evaluation of the song, and transmits the evaluation to the server 20 via the communication unit 11.

[0047] Any method can be used to acquire the user's rating for a song. In this embodiment, the control unit 16 prompts the user to select whether or not they like the song during or after playback of the song. The control unit 16 determines whether or not the user likes the song based on user input via the input unit 14, and acquires the determination result as the user's rating for the song. In this way, in this embodiment, the user's rating for the song is acquired in two stages, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be acquired in n stages (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 3).

[0048] Step S106: The control unit 23 of the server 20 stores or updates the evaluation of the song based on the evaluation in step S105.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the control unit 23 receives a user's rating for a song from the terminal device 10, it stores or updates two types of ratings, an individual user rating and an overall user rating, in the storage unit 22. In summary, the difference between the two is that an individual user rating is a rating by an individual user, whereas an overall user rating is a rating by one or more users.

[0050] First, the individual user evaluation will be described. As shown in Fig. 7, for example, the control unit 23 stores history information in the storage unit 22 in association with the user ID of the user, or updates the history information already stored in the storage unit 22. The history information includes an individual user evaluation for each combination of a song list and a song ID.

[0051] As described above, the music that a user finds pleasant may vary depending on the user's emotions when listening to the music. In other words, a user's evaluation of a certain music may differ depending on the user's emotions when listening to the music. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 23 stores the evaluation received from the terminal device 10 as an individual user evaluation in the storage unit 22, in association with a combination of the music list of step S103 (i.e., the music list corresponding to the classification acquired in step S102) and the music ID of a music selected for the music list (here, the first music selected from the music list), or updates an individual user evaluation already stored in association with the combination. For example, if "song A1" is selected as the first music from "song list A" in step S103, an individual user evaluation corresponding to the combination of "song list A" and the "song ID of song A1" is stored or updated. This configuration allows for more accurate evaluations that reflect the user's emotions when listening to music, compared to a configuration in which user evaluations are stored in association only with music IDs.

[0052] The individual user ratings may be updated by overwriting the individual user ratings with the ratings in step S105, or by converting the ratings in step S105 into scores and increasing or decreasing the individual user ratings.

[0053] The use of individual user ratings will now be described. For example, in step S103 described above, when selecting a song from a song list corresponding to a user's emotion classification (in this embodiment, when selecting a first song from the song list), the control unit 23 may avoid selecting a song for which the individual user rating associated with the song list is lower than a predetermined standard. This configuration reduces the likelihood that a song that a user with a certain emotion listened to and rated low in the past when the user was feeling the same emotion will be distributed again.

[0054] Next, the overall user evaluation will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the control unit 23 stores an overall user evaluation in the storage unit 22 in association with the combination of the song list of step S103 (i.e., the song list corresponding to the classification acquired in step S102) and the song ID of the song selected for that song list (here, the first song selected from that song list), or updates the overall user evaluation already stored in the storage unit 22. For example, if "song A1" is selected as the first song from "song list A" in step S103, the overall user evaluation corresponding to the combination of "song list A" and the song ID of song A1 is stored or updated. This configuration makes it possible to store more accurate evaluations that reflect the user's emotions when listening to songs, compared to a configuration in which user evaluations are stored in association only with song IDs.

[0055] The overall user rating is updated, for example, by converting the ratings in step S105 into scores and increasing or decreasing the overall user rating (for example, by taking the average of the scores into which the ratings of each user are converted as the overall user rating).

[0056] The use of the overall user rating will now be described. For example, if the overall user rating corresponding to a combination of a certain song list and the song ID of a first song falls below a predetermined standard, the control unit 23 may remove the song ID from the song list. With this configuration, if a song that was initially thought to be highly likely to be enjoyed by people with a certain emotional category is actually determined to be less likely to be enjoyed based on the overall user rating, the song can be removed from the song list.

[0057] As described above, in the music distribution system 1 according to this embodiment, the server 20 stores a plurality of music lists corresponding to a plurality of categories of human emotions. Each terminal device 10 captures a face of the user of the terminal device 10 to generate a facial image. For each terminal device 10, the server 20 obtains an emotional category of the user estimated from the facial image and selects a song included in the music list corresponding to the category as a first song. Each terminal device 10 then plays the first song selected for the terminal device 10.

[0058] According to this configuration, the first song to be delivered to the user is selected from among a plurality of song lists that corresponds to the category of the user's emotion estimated from the user's facial image. Therefore, by including songs appropriate for the category of human emotions in the song list corresponding to the category, the technology for delivering songs to the user's terminal device 10 is improved in that the first song is delivered according to the user's emotion.

[0059] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0060] For example, in the above embodiment, when the server 20 selects and distributes songs from a song list corresponding to the emotion category of the user of the terminal device 10 in step S103, the server 20 selects and distributes one of the songs included in the song list corresponding to the emotion category as the first song. However, the server 20 may also select and distribute, in step S103, a song that is not included in the song list corresponding to the emotion category of the user of the terminal device 10 as the second song.

[0061] If the second song is selected and distributed in step S103, the terminal device 10 plays the song selected for its own device (here, the second song) (step S104), and during or after the second song is played, acquires the user's rating for the second song and transmits it to the server 20 (step S105). The server 20 then stores or updates the rating for the second song based on the rating in step S105. For example, for a "song list A" corresponding to a user's emotional classification, if "song B1," which is not included in "song list A," is selected as the second song, the server 20 stores the individual user rating and overall user rating corresponding to the combination of "song list A" and "song ID of song B1."

[0062] Furthermore, when the overall user rating corresponding to the combination of a song list and the song ID of a second song becomes higher than a predetermined standard, the server 20 may add the song ID to the song list. With this configuration, if a song that was initially thought to be unlikely to be enjoyed by people with a certain emotional category is actually determined to be likely to be enjoyed based on the overall user rating, the song can be added to the song list.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 23 of the server 20 may store attributes of each song included in each song list in association with the song ID of the song in the storage unit 22. Here, the "attributes" refer to user attributes (excluding emotional classification) that are generally expected to be suitable for listening to the song, and may include, but are not limited to, for example, "gender" ("male," "female," "other," etc.), "age" ("teens," "twenties," etc.), "hobbies" ("driving," "cooking," etc.), "medical history" ("healthy," "under treatment for depression," etc.), and "classification of the location where the user is located" ("home," "hospital," "library," etc.).

[0064] In this case, when transmitting the facial image to the server 20 in step S101, the control unit 16 of the terminal device 10 may also acquire user attributes and transmit them to the server 20. For example, the user may input the attributes "gender," "age," "medical history," and "hobbies" into the terminal device 10 in advance using a profile setting function implemented in an application program. Furthermore, the control unit 16 may acquire the "classification of the user's location" by determining the user's (own device's) location information using a satellite positioning system receiver provided in the terminal device 10 and comparing the location information with map information. Then, when selecting and distributing songs from a song list corresponding to the emotion classification of the user of the terminal device 10 in step S103, the server 20 may select, as the first song, a song included in the song list that has the same or corresponding attributes as the user. This configuration makes it possible to distribute, as the first song, a song appropriate for the user's emotion and attributes.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when storing the sound source data in association with the song ID in the storage unit 22 in step S100, the control unit 23 of the server 20 may further store information indicating the rights holder of the song in addition to the sound source data. In such a case, when playback of the song ends, the control unit 16 of the terminal device 10 may transmit the playback time of the song to the server 20. Then, when the control unit 23 of the server 20 acquires the playback time of the song, it may execute a process of granting a reward to the rights holder of the song according to the playback time.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the terminal device 10 has been described as capturing an image of a user's face to generate a facial image (step S101). The facial image may be generated by capturing images of the faces of multiple users. In this case, the control unit 23 of the server 20 acquires a classification of the user's emotions for each of the multiple users (step S102), and selects and distributes songs from a song list corresponding to the acquired classification (step S103).

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the server 20 has been described as acquiring a user's emotion classification estimated from a facial image (step S102). However, an embodiment is also possible in which a facial image is not used to acquire a user's emotion classification. For example, the control unit 16 of the terminal device 10 may prompt the user to input the current emotion classification after successfully completing a predetermined login process by launching an application program dedicated to the music distribution service. In such a case, the control unit 16 notifies the server 20 of the user's emotion classification entered by the user. Then, upon acquiring the user's emotion classification notified by the terminal device 10, the control unit 23 of the server 20 selects a song from a song list corresponding to the classification and distributes the song to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21 (step S103).

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the music pieces stored in the storage unit 22 include music pieces recorded on an instrument tuned to a reference pitch of 432 Hz. However, the music pieces stored in the storage unit 22 may also include music pieces recorded on an instrument tuned to a reference pitch other than 432 Hz (e.g., 440 Hz). Furthermore, for example, the music pieces stored in the storage unit 22 may also include music pieces recorded on an instrument tuned to a Solfeggio frequency (e.g., 528 Hz) for at least one note included in the scale.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 23 of the server 20 stores in the storage unit 22 a plurality of music lists corresponding to a plurality of categories of human emotions (i.e., a one-to-one correspondence between the categories of human emotions and the music lists). However, an embodiment in which two or more music lists are associated with one category is also possible.

[0070] For example, the music that a user finds pleasant may vary depending on the user's emotions when listening to the music, as well as the time of day when the music is listened to. Therefore, the control unit 23 may store, in the storage unit 22, multiple music lists for each category, each having different time periods. Here, the "multiple music lists for each different time period" may be, for example, five music lists for the following time periods: "4:00-7:00," "7:00-12:00," "12:00-18:00," "18:00-23:00," and "23:00-4:00." However, the present invention is not limited to this example. In this case, the control unit 23 of the server 20 selects a music item from one of the music lists corresponding to the category acquired in step S102, which is associated with the time period corresponding to the current time, and delivers the selected music item to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21 (step S103). According to this configuration, it is possible to distribute, as the first music piece, a music piece that is appropriate for the user's emotions and time period when listening to the music piece.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the control unit 23 of the server 20 acquires the classification of the user's emotion from a facial image of the user's face (step S102). However, an embodiment is also possible in which the classification of the user's emotion is acquired from any user image of the user, not just a facial image. For example, the control unit 23 may acquire the classification of the user's emotion from a skin image of the user's skin, such as the user's fingertips. In particular, the control unit 23 can estimate the user's heart rate from changes in the color of the user's skin based on the skin image, and acquire the classification of the user's emotion based on the estimated heart rate or changes in the heart rate.

[0072] Alternatively, an embodiment is possible in which the classification of a user's emotion is acquired without using a user image such as a face image or a skin image. For example, in the above-mentioned step S101, the control unit 16 of the terminal device 10 may generate voice data by collecting the user's voice and transmit the voice data to the server 20. Then, in step S102, the control unit 23 of the server 20 may acquire the classification of the user's emotion based on the received voice data. Alternatively, in the above-mentioned step S101, the control unit 16 of the terminal device 10 may measure biometric data such as body temperature, blood pressure, or heart rate and transmit the measured data to the server 20. Then, in step S102, the control unit 23 of the server 20 may acquire the classification of the user's emotion based on the received biometric data or a change in the biometric data.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, "joy," "anger," and "sadness" are given as examples of multiple categories of human emotions, but the "multiple categories of emotions" are not limited to these examples. For example, an embodiment is also possible in which the range of the degree of smile or stress is adopted as the "multiple categories of emotions." For example, when the degree of smile or stress is expressed as a numerical value from 0 to 100, a range of the degree between 0 and less than 30 may be classified as a first category, a range of the degree between 30 and less than 70 may be classified as a second category, and a range of the degree between 70 and 100 may be classified as a third category.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 23 of the server 20 stores in the storage unit 22 a plurality of music lists corresponding to a plurality of categories of human emotions (step S100). In other words, in the above-described embodiment, a music list is stored for each "category of human emotions." Alternatively, the control unit 23 may store in the storage unit 22 a music list for each combination of four items, for example, "category of human emotions," "weather," "humidity," and "temperature." In such a case, the control unit 23 may acquire "weather," "humidity," and "temperature" in addition to the "category of user emotions" in step S102. Then, in step S103, the control unit 23 may select a song from the music list corresponding to the combination of "category of user emotions," "weather," "humidity," and "temperature," and deliver the selected song to the terminal device 10.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the control unit 23 of the server 20 acquires the user's emotion classification before playing a song. Alternatively, the control unit 23 may acquire the user's emotion classification not only before playing a song but also during or after playing a song. In such a case, the control unit 23 may detect a change in the user's emotion classification between before playing a song and during or after playing a song, and store information indicating the change (i.e., information indicating how the emotion classification has changed) in the storage unit 22, linked to the song. For example, if the user's emotion classification changes from "sadness" to "joy" between before playing a song and during or after playing a song, information indicating the change is linked to the song and stored. Furthermore, for example, if the user's smile level or stress level, for example, changes from "0 or more and less than 30" to "30 or more and less than 70" between before playing a song and during or after playing a song, information indicating the change is linked to the song and stored.

[0076] Here, the control unit 23 may accumulate information indicating a change in emotional classification each time the song is distributed to one or more users, and may determine information indicating the impact that the song may have on human emotions (hereinafter referred to as "impact information"), for example, by a statistical method, and store the information in association with the song in the storage unit 22. For example, if the emotional classification of a predetermined number or more users (e.g., 70% or more users) among multiple users who listened to a certain song changed from "sadness" to "joy" between before and during or after playback of the song, the control unit 23 may store information indicating that the song may change human emotions from "sadness" to "joy" as "impact information" in association with the song in the storage unit 22. For example, if the degree of smiles or stress, etc., for a predetermined number or more of users among multiple users who listened to a certain song changes from "0 or more and less than 30" to "30 or more and less than 70" between before and during or after playback of the song, the control unit 23 may store information indicating that the song can change the degree of smiles or stress, etc., from "0 or more and less than 30" to "30 or more and less than 70" in the memory unit 22, linked to the song as "impact information."

[0077] Furthermore, the control unit 23 may select one or more songs from a plurality of songs based on the user's emotion classification and the influence information associated with each song, and deliver the songs to the user. Specifically, the control unit 23 may acquire the user's emotion classification, similar to step S102 described above. If the acquired classification is a predetermined first classification (e.g., "sadness"), the control unit 23 may select one or more songs associated with influence information indicating that the song may change a human emotion from the first classification to a predetermined second classification (e.g., "joy"), and deliver the songs to the user. With this configuration, the user's emotion classification can be changed from the first classification to the second classification by playing the delivered songs. Alternatively, the control unit 23 may acquire the user's smile level, stress level, or the like, as the user's emotion classification. When the acquired degree is within a predetermined first range (e.g., "0 or more and less than 30"), the control unit 23 may select one or more songs associated with influence information indicating that the emotion of a person may be changed from the first range to a predetermined second range (e.g., "30 or more and less than 70") and distribute the selected songs to the user. With this configuration, the degree of the user's smile or stress, etc. may be changed from the first range to the second range by playing the distributed songs.

[0078] Furthermore, in this disclosure, "music" refers to music consisting of sound source data, such as vocals or musical instruments, but is not limited to this, and can be any music, such as music consisting of sound source data of so-called environmental sounds, such as the sound of flowing water, the sound of a crowd, or noise.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 23 of the server 20 distributes a first song selected from a song list corresponding to the acquired user emotion classification. In contrast, in other embodiments, the control unit 23 may mix (blend) two pieces of sound source data based on the acquired user emotion classification to generate and distribute one song. For example, the control unit 23 mixes the first sound source data and the second sound source data based on the acquired user emotion classification to generate one song. Here, the "first sound source data" refers to sound source data resulting from vocals or musical instruments, and the "second sound source data" refers to sound source data resulting from environmental sounds. In more detail, the control unit 23 determines the volume and balance of the first sound source data and the second sound source data when mixing, based on the acquired user emotion classification. Any method can be used to determine the volume balance based on the user emotion classification. For example, the control unit 23 may increase the volume of the second sound source data compared to the first sound source data when the acquired user's emotion is classified into a predetermined first category (e.g., "sadness"). Furthermore, the control unit 23 may decrease the volume of the second sound source data compared to the first sound source data when the acquired user's emotion is classified into a predetermined second category (e.g., "joy"). Alternatively, the control unit 23 may increase the volume of the second sound source data compared to the first sound source data when the acquired user's stress level is within a predetermined first range (e.g., "70 or more and 100 or less"). Furthermore, the control unit 23 may decrease the volume of the second sound source data compared to the first sound source data when the acquired user's stress level is within a predetermined second range (e.g., "0 or more and less than 30").

[0080] Also, an embodiment is possible in which, for example, a general-purpose computer functions as the server 20 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the server 20 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1. Music distribution system 10 Terminal Equipment 11 Communications Department 12 Photography Department 13 Output section 14 Input section 15 Storage section 16 Control Unit 20 servers 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 30 Network

Claims

1. A music distribution system comprising multiple terminal devices used by multiple users, and a server capable of communicating with the multiple terminal devices, The server stores in its memory a list of multiple songs corresponding to multiple classifications of human emotions or moods. Each of the aforementioned terminal devices acquires the biometric data of its user. The server, for each terminal device, obtains a classification of the user's emotion or mood estimated from the biometric data, and selects a song included in the song list corresponding to the classification as the first song. Each terminal device plays the first music selected for its own device. The server selects, for each terminal device, a song that is not included in the song list corresponding to the estimated classification as a second song. Each of the aforementioned terminal devices, The device plays the second selected song, During or after playback of the second song, the user's evaluation of the second song is obtained. The server is a music distribution system that adds a second song to a music list based on the evaluation of one or more users for a second song selected from a given music list.

2. A music distribution system comprising multiple terminal devices used by multiple users, and a server capable of communicating with the multiple terminal devices, The server stores in its memory a list of multiple songs corresponding to multiple classifications of human emotions or moods. Each of the aforementioned terminal devices acquires the biometric data of its user. The server, for each terminal device, obtains a classification of the user's emotion or mood estimated from the biometric data, and selects a song included in the song list corresponding to the classification as the first song. Each terminal device plays the first music selected for its own device. The aforementioned server, for each terminal device playing a particular song, The classification of the user's emotions or mood is obtained from the user's biometric data acquired during or after the playback of the aforementioned song. The system detects changes in the user's emotional or mood classification before, during, or after playback of the aforementioned music. A music distribution system that stores information indicating the detected change in association with the music.

3. A music distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, Each terminal device obtains the user's evaluation of the first song during or after playback of the first song. The server is a music distribution system that removes a first selected song from a music list based on the ratings of one or more users for that first song.

4. A music distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, The server stores the attributes of each song included in each song list in the storage unit. Each terminal device acquires the user's attributes, A music distribution system in which the server selects, for each terminal device, a song that is included in the song list corresponding to the estimated classification and has the same or corresponding attributes as the user as the first song.

5. A music distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned server, When playback of a song ends on the terminal device, the playback time of the song is obtained, A music distribution system that provides the rights holder of the aforementioned music with compensation in proportion to the playback time.

6. A music distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, A music distribution system in which each of the aforementioned music lists includes at least one of the following: a music recording of a performance on an instrument tuned to a reference pitch of 432 Hz or 440 Hz, and a music recording of a performance on an instrument in which the pitch of at least one note included in a scale is tuned to a Solfeggio frequency.

7. A server capable of communicating with multiple terminal devices used by multiple users, The steps include storing multiple song lists in a memory unit, each corresponding to a different classification of human emotions or moods, For each terminal device, the terminal device obtains a classification of the user's emotion or mood estimated from the user's biometric data acquired by the terminal device, and selects a song included in the song list corresponding to the classification as the first song. For each terminal device, the steps include: distributing the first music track to the terminal device; For each terminal device, the steps include selecting a song as a second song that is not included in the song list corresponding to the estimated classification, For each terminal device, the steps include: distributing the second music track to the terminal device; The steps include adding a second song to a song list based on evaluations of the second song by one or more users obtained during or after playback of the second song by one or more terminal devices that played the second song selected from a song list, A program that executes something.

8. A server capable of communicating with multiple terminal devices used by multiple users, The steps include storing multiple song lists in a memory unit, each corresponding to a different classification of human emotions or moods, For each terminal device, the terminal device obtains a classification of the user's emotion or mood estimated from the user's biometric data acquired by the terminal device, and selects a song included in the song list corresponding to the classification as the first song. For each terminal device, the steps include: distributing the first music track to the terminal device; For each terminal device playing a particular song, The steps include obtaining a classification of the user's emotion or mood estimated from the user's biometric data acquired during or after the playback of the aforementioned song, A step of detecting a change in the classification of the user's emotions or mood between before, during, or after playback of the aforementioned music; The steps include: storing the information indicating the detected change in association with the music; A program that executes something.

9. A communication unit that communicates with multiple terminal devices used by multiple users, A memory unit that stores multiple song lists corresponding to multiple classifications of human emotions or moods, Each terminal device includes a control unit that obtains a classification of the user's emotion or mood estimated from the biometric data of the device's user acquired by the terminal device, selects a song included in the song list corresponding to the classification as the first song, and distributes the first song to the terminal device. Equipped with, The control unit, For each terminal device, a song not included in the song list corresponding to the estimated classification is selected as the second song. For each terminal device, the second music track is distributed to the terminal device. A server that adds a second song to a song list based on evaluations of the second song by one or more users, obtained during or after playback of the second song by one or more terminal devices that played the second song selected from a given song list.

10. A communication unit that communicates with multiple terminal devices used by multiple users, A memory unit that stores multiple song lists corresponding to multiple classifications of human emotions or moods, Each terminal device includes a control unit that obtains a classification of the user's emotion or mood estimated from the biometric data of the device's user acquired by the terminal device, selects a song included in the song list corresponding to the classification as the first song, and distributes the first song to the terminal device. Equipped with, The control unit controls each terminal device that plays a particular song, The classification of the user's emotions or mood is obtained from the user's biometric data acquired during or after the playback of the aforementioned song. The system detects changes in the user's emotional or mood classification before, during, or after playback of the aforementioned music. A server that stores information indicating the detected change in the storage unit, linking it to the music.

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