Server apparatus, method, and program

Abstract

To provide a server device for introducing a mechanism for enabling a user to easily know setting information of equipment.SOLUTION: The server device includes a controller. The control unit acquires, from a first electronic device, performance information including video information or audio information of the performance and setting information of at least one device used for the performance, and transmits, to a second electronic device different from the first electronic device, performance information according to an instruction from the second electronic device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server device, a method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Changing the parameter values ​​of instruments, effects, and other equipment changes the tone and sound effects of the musical sound (output sound). Some people who enjoy playing musical instruments as a hobby may research the equipment and playing methods used by their favorite artists, for example, in order to reproduce the sound output of their favorite artists. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-32949 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By setting up the equipment in the same way as the artist, it is possible to make the musical sound closer to the artist's output. Patent Document 1 describes that it is possible to share setting information for output to another person's amplifier device. However, it is generally difficult for a user to know the equipment settings and performance methods of their favorite artist at the user's desired timing.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a server device, a method, and a program for introducing a mechanism that allows a user to easily learn setting information of a device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A server device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that acquires performance information, including video information or audio information of a performance and setting information of at least one piece of equipment used in the performance, from a first electronic device, and transmits the performance information to a second electronic device different from the first electronic device in response to an instruction from the second electronic device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a server device, a method, and a program are provided for introducing a mechanism that allows a user to easily learn setting information of a device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a setting information sharing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server and a client according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a setting information sharing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an application operated by a player in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow in which a supplier uploads content to a server in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow until a player browses or watches content in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow until a player browses or watches content in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an application operated by a player in another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following description relates to a server device, a method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Common or corresponding elements are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, a setting information sharing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a server 10 and a client 20. The server 10 and the client 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via the Internet network. A plurality of clients 20 are connected to the server 10 so as to be able to communicate with each other. For convenience, Fig. 1 shows only two clients 20A and 20B out of the plurality of clients 20 that can be connected to the server 10.

[0011] The server 10 is an example of a server device and also an example of a computer. The server 10 is a general-purpose device.

[0012] The client 20 is an example of an electronic device. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 1, the client 20A is an example of a first electronic device. The client 20B is an example of a second electronic device. The client 20 is a general-purpose device, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer). For example, a smartphone can operate as the client 20 by downloading and installing an application that executes a client process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from an app store. In this case, a user can operate the client 20 by, for example, performing a touch operation on a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen on which various components are laid out. In the case of a PC, a web browser connected to the server 10 can operate as the client 20.

[0013] It should be noted that any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations are used for convenience to distinguish between two or more elements. Thus, reference to a first and a second element does not imply, for example, that only two elements are employed, that the first element must precede the second element, etc.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the server 10 and the client 20, which are general-purpose devices, include a processor 31, a memory 32, a storage 33, a communication interface 34, an input device 35, and an output device 36. The components of the server 10 and the client 20 are connected via a bus 37. In the explanation of FIG. 2, the server 10 and the client 20 are collectively referred to as "information processing device 30." Note that FIG. 2 shows only one example of the configuration of the information processing device 30. The information processing device 30 may include other elements not shown in FIG. 2. The information processing device 30 may have a configuration that does not include some of the elements shown in FIG. 2.

[0015] The processor 31 reads out programs and data stored in the storage 33. The memory 32 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The processor 31 controls the information processing device 30 in an integrated manner by using the memory 32 as a work area.

[0016] The processor 31 is, for example, a single processor or a multiprocessor, and includes at least one processor. When multiple processors are included, the processor 31 may be packaged as a single device, or may be configured as multiple devices that are physically separated within the information processing device 30. The processor 31 may be called, for example, a control unit, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), or an MCU (Micro Controller Unit).

[0017] The storage 33 is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0018] The storage 33 stores various programs and various data. For example, in the server 10, the processor 31 executes a program stored in the storage 33, thereby performing various processes according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (such as content management, which will be described later). For example, in the client 20, the processor 31 executes a program stored in the storage 33, thereby performing various processes according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (such as uploading, downloading, and streaming playback of content, which will be described later).

[0019] The communication interface 34 is a communication interface with an external device. The server 10 is connected to the client 20 via the communication interface 34 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The client 20 is connected to the server 10 via the communication interface 34 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0020] The input device 35 includes, for example, a touch panel, operation buttons, a microphone, a camera, a sensor, etc. The input device 35 may also include a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The output device 36 includes a display, a speaker, etc. The display may be a touch panel display. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0021] As mentioned above, some users who enjoy playing musical instruments as a hobby may look at various media (magazines, social networking services (SNS), etc.) to find out about the equipment used, playing methods, and equipment settings, in order to reproduce the sound output of their favorite artists. However, these media almost never include specific information about equipment settings.

[0022] In other words, even if users research various media, it is difficult for them to learn the specific equipment settings and performance methods used by artists and other people. Sound creation (sound output) can be determined not only by at least one piece of equipment and its settings, but also by a combination of multiple pieces of equipment and their respective settings. For this reason, users may, for example, listen to music and try and set up their equipment by trial and error to produce the same sound. However, this method can be time-consuming and result in the expense of purchasing unnecessary equipment.

[0023] Therefore, in this embodiment, a mechanism (setting information sharing system 1) is introduced that allows users to easily know the setting information of devices. An overview of the setting information sharing system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0024] Reference numeral 120A denotes a user (supplier) of client 20A, which is an example of the first electronic device. Supplier 120A is a party that provides content (an example of performance information), and is, for example, a professional artist who engages in musical activities, or a general user who enjoys music as a hobby. Supplier 120A may also be, for example, a business operator that operates setting information sharing system 1.

[0025] The supplier 120A can access the server 10, for example, by activating a dedicated application AppA installed on a smartphone, which is an example of the client 20A. The supplier 120A can access the server 10, for example, by operating a web browser on a laptop PC, which is an example of the client 20A. The following describes the case where the client 20A is a smartphone.

[0026] The supplier 120A uses the client 20A or other filming equipment to record or record his or her own performance. The supplier 120A can create content by touching a GUI screen provided by the application AppA. Specifically, the supplier 120A registers recorded performance videos, captured images, and recorded performance audio on the GUI screen. The supplier 120A also inputs information about the equipment used in the performance (such as the product names of the guitar, effector, amplifier, and microphone), setting information for the equipment used (parameter values ​​set for the equipment used, i.e., setting values), the title of the content, comments, etc. The comments may include an overview of the content, an introduction to the equipment, a review, and an explanation of how to play the song.

[0027] That is, the content provided by the supplier 120A includes a title, comments, performance video and audio, information on the equipment used, and setting information. When the supplier 120A touches the upload button on the GUI screen, the content is uploaded to the server 10. Note that the above is an example of information included in the content. The content may also include other information.

[0028] The server 10 provides a service of distributing uploaded content. The server 10 manages the content so that it can be accessed by the player 120B. The player 120B is a user of the client 20B, which is an example of a second electronic device. The player 120B is the party that views or listens to the content, and is, for example, a general user who enjoys music as a hobby.

[0029] The player 120B can access the server 10 by, for example, activating a dedicated application AppB installed on a smartphone, which is an example of the client 20B. The player 120B can access the server 10 by, for example, operating a web browser on a laptop PC, which is an example of the client 20B. The following describes the case where the client 20B is a smartphone.

[0030] The applications AppA and AppB are the same application and can create, upload, download, and stream content. The application AppA may be an application that can only create and upload content. The application AppB may be an application that can only download and stream content.

[0031] The player 120B can start the application AppB and access the server 10 to search for, browse, and listen to content. The player 120B can stream performance video and performance audio embedded in the selected content on the application AppB, and can also browse the equipment used and its setting information on the application AppB. The player 120B can also save the equipment used and its setting information in the storage 33 of the client 20B.

[0032] That is, the server 10 operating as a server device acquires content (an example of performance information) including a performance video and performance audio (examples of performance video information and audio information) and setting information of at least one piece of equipment used in the performance from a client 20A, which is an example of a first electronic device. The server 10 transmits content to a client 20B (an example of a second electronic device different from the first electronic device) in accordance with an instruction from the client 20B. The setting information of at least one piece of equipment includes parameter values ​​(setting values) set in the at least one piece of equipment during a performance by a supplier 120A (an example of a user of the first electronic device). The performance video and performance audio include video information and audio information, respectively, of the performance recorded when the supplier 120A performed the music.

[0033] Using FIG. 4, an application screen 100 displayed on application AppB running on client 20B will be described. The application screen 100 is an example of a screen displayed on application AppB. The application screen 100 displays, for example, content from supplier 120A. Reference numeral 102 indicates the title included in the content. Reference numeral 104 indicates a performance video embedded in the content. Reference numeral 106 indicates comments about the content by supplier 120A. Reference numeral 108 indicates a list of equipment used in the performance. Reference numeral 110 indicates the values ​​(setting values) of various parameters of the equipment used in the performance.

[0034] For example, the player 120B searches for a favorite artist X (supplier 120A) on the application AppB and selects one of the contents from the list of contents found, whereby the application screen 100 shown in Fig. 4 is displayed on the application AppB.

[0035] The service provided by the server 10 is provided, for example, as a subscription service. Therefore, the content includes paid content and free content. A paid member can, for example, browse and watch all content provided by the subscription service. A paid member can, for example, use a richer GUI with expanded search functions on application AppB. A paid member can, for example, register an unlimited number of favorite contents on application AppB.

[0036] Note that there may be content that cannot be viewed or listened to with just the subscription service fee. For example, there may be one-time purchase content.

[0037] On the other hand, free members can only view and watch some of the content provided by the subscription service (such as copyright-free content). Free members can only use a poorer GUI with limited search functions compared to paid members. Free members are also limited in the number of favorite contents they can register on application AppB, for example.

[0038] The player 120B can get an overview of the content by viewing, for example, the title 102 and the comments 106. The player 120B can get an understanding of the equipment used by the supplier 120A in the performance (in the example of FIG. 4, guitar A, effector B, amplifier C, and microphone D) by checking the equipment used list 108.

[0039] The setting value list 110 displays an image, product name, parameters, and their setting values ​​for each piece of equipment used by the supplier 120A in a performance. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 112 denotes an image of guitar A. Reference numeral 114 denotes an image of effector B. In FIG. 4, parameters P1 and P2 are, for example, volume and pickup type (front, center, rear), respectively. Values ​​V1 and V2 are the volume and pickup type set by the supplier 120A on guitar A during performance. The parameters to be set are not limited to volume and pickup type. The parameters to be set may include tone and the presence or absence of a tremolo arm, instead of or in addition to volume and pickup type. Parameters P3 and P4 are, for example, volume and gain (distortion), respectively. Values ​​V3 and V4 are the volume and gain (distortion) values ​​set by the supplier 120A on effector B during performance. The parameters to be set are not limited to volume and gain (distortion). The parameters to be set may be, instead of or in addition to volume and gain (distortion), tone, low, mid, high, and various effect levels such as chorus, reverb, and delay.

[0040] By checking the setting value list 110, the player 120B can accurately and quickly grasp the setting values ​​of each piece of equipment used by the supplier 120A in the performance. By streaming the performance video 104 ("performance audio" may be used instead of "performance video"), the player 120B can check the actual performance and specific performance method performed with the equipment settings indicated in the setting value list 110. The player 120B, who wants to reproduce the performance of the supplier 120A, can, for example, rent or purchase the equipment listed in the equipment used list 108. The player 120B can set up the equipment while checking the setting value list 110. If the equipment is digital, the player 120B can directly import the setting values ​​from the application AppB to the equipment.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an example of a flow in which the supplier 120A uploads content to the server 10 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 5. For example, when the supplier 120A operates the application AppA to display a content registration screen, execution of the process shown in Fig. 5 starts.

[0042] It should be noted that the order of the steps in the sequences shown in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be interchanged to the extent that it is consistent. For example, although the embodiments of the present disclosure present the processing of various steps using an exemplary order, the order is not limited to the presented order. Furthermore, the steps in the sequences shown in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed in parallel or in parallel to the extent that it is consistent.

[0043] 5, client 20A registers the devices to be used (step S101). Supplier 120A operates application AppA, for example, to manually input and register the product names of the devices to be used in a form displayed on the GUI screen.

[0044] The method for registering the product name of each piece of equipment used is not limited to manual input. For example, application AppA is connected to a library that collects product names of equipment. Supplier 120A can select and register the corresponding product name from the equipment registered in the library. In this case, supplier 120A can save the trouble of manually inputting the name.

[0045] Such a library may be held by the server 10 or an external server. The library may be saved in a local folder of the client 20A when the application AppA is installed or updated.

[0046] The supplier 120A can also register the equipment being used using an image of the equipment. The image of the equipment being used is, for example, taken by the client 20A. In this case, for example, the application AppA uploads the image of the equipment being used to an external server via the server 10. The external server performs image analysis using AI (Artificial Intelligence) on the uploaded image of the equipment being used. The external server obtains the corresponding product name based on the analysis results and sends it to the client 20A. The application AppA registers the product name received from the external server as the product name of the equipment being used. In this case, the supplier 120A can also avoid the need to manually enter information.

[0047] The client 20A registers the setting values ​​of the equipment being used (step S102). The supplier 120A operates, for example, the application AppA to manually input and register various parameters of the equipment being used and their setting values ​​into a form displayed on the GUI screen.

[0048] The method of registering the setting values ​​of each piece of equipment used is not limited to manual input. For example, characters indicating parameters such as "VOLUME" are printed around the knob on an effector. When supplier 120A takes a picture of the knob with the camera of client 20A, application AppA invokes the camera's OCR (Optical Character Reader) function and detects the characters indicating the parameter, such as "VOLUME."

[0049] Furthermore, application AppA uploads an image of the knob to an external server. The external server performs image analysis using AI on the uploaded image of the knob. In the image analysis, the setting value is estimated from the adjustment position of the knob shown in the image. The external server sends the analyzed setting value to client 20A. Application AppA registers the parameter indicated by the characters detected by OCR, and registers the setting value received from the external server as the setting value of this parameter. In this case, too, supplier 120A can avoid the trouble of manually entering data.

[0050] The performance video file and performance audio file are registered in the client 20A (step S103). The supplier 120A operates, for example, the application AppA to link the performance video file and performance audio file to the content.

[0051] Other information is registered in the client 20A (step S104). The supplier 120A operates the application AppA, for example, to manually input and register information such as a title, comments, and search tags into a form displayed on the GUI screen.

[0052] The supplier 120A operates the application AppA to upload content including the information registered in steps S101 to S104 to the server 10 (step S105). For example, user information (identification information of the supplier 120A) is attached to the uploaded content as meta information. The identification information of the supplier 120A is registered in the user database DB2 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the server 10 can manage the uploaded content as content of the supplier 120A.

[0053] The server 10 scores the uploaded content (step S106). For example, the more information registered in a content item (title, comments, performance video, performance audio, equipment used, setting values, etc.), the higher the score (an example of an evaluation value of performance information) is assigned. In other words, the richer the content, the higher the score.

[0054] The server 10 may appropriately update the score of the content assigned at the time of uploading. For example, the server 10 periodically checks a log related to the content. Based on the checked log, the server 10 calculates, for example, the number of accesses and purchases of the content over the past three months. The server 10 increases the score of the content as the calculated number of accesses and purchases increases. The server 10 may also periodically update the score according to the freshness of the content. For example, the server 10 decreases the score of the content as more time has passed since it was uploaded.

[0055] The server 10 creates a new record and associates the uploaded content, its score, and the identification information of the supplier 120A, and registers the associated content in the content database DB1 (step S107). The server 10 can manage the uploaded content as content of the supplier 120A by linking the content database DB1 with the user database DB2. Information such as the number of accesses and purchases of the content is successively added to the created new record. The content database DB1 may be held by the server 10 or an external server.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an example of a flow until the player 120B browses or watches content will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 6. For example, when the player 120B starts up the application AppB, execution of the process shown in Fig. 6 begins.

[0057] The started application AppB requests connection and the like from the server 10 (step S201). The request includes user information of the player 120B (identification information of the player 120B). Upon receiving the request, the server 10 performs various exchanges with the user database DB2 (step S202).

[0058] Various types of user information such as user identification information, account information, membership type (paid membership or free membership), name, individual settings (e.g., favorite artists, songs, equipment, etc.), search history, etc. are registered in the user database DB2. For example, in step S202, the server 10 inquires of the user database DB2 whether the player 120B is a paid member. The server 10 also acquires user information such as the individual settings and search history of the player 120B from the user database DB2.

[0059] The server 10 accesses the content database DB1 to correct the scores and selects content based on the corrected scores (steps S203 to S205). For example, the server 10 performs multivariate analysis based on user information such as the player 120B's individual settings and search history obtained from the user database DB2 to analyze the preferences of the player 120B. The server 10 corrects the score of each piece of content by applying a coefficient according to the degree of correlation so that the higher the correlation between the analyzed preferences and the content, the higher the score. Note that the multivariate analysis and content correction processes impose a large processing load. Therefore, these processes may be executed by an external server.

[0060] The server 10 distributes, for example, the top three pieces of content with the corrected scores to the client 20A as a feed (step S206). By such a recommendation function of the server 10, thumbnails and digest images of content that match the preferences of the player 120B are displayed on the application AppB.

[0061] When the player 120B touches the content played by the recommendation function, the application AppB requests the content from the server 10 (step S207). When the server 10 responds to the request, the player 120B can view or listen to the content on the application AppB (step S208). The player 120B can, for example, add a review to the content that he or she has viewed or listened to.

[0062] In this way, the server 10 scores (calculates an evaluation value) the content (an example of performance information) acquired from the client 20A (an example of the first electronic device). The server 10 selects content based on the calculated score and transmits the selected content to the client 20B (an example of the second electronic device). Additionally, the server 10 corrects the score based on information (e.g., information about the preferences of the player 120B) about the player 120B (an example of a user of the second electronic device). The server 10 selects content based on the corrected score and transmits the selected content to the client 20B.

[0063] The operator of the setting information sharing system 1 pays compensation (e.g., monetary compensation) to a content provider such as supplier 120A according to the number of accesses or purchases of the content. Supplier 120A receives the compensation, and player 120B can easily try out the same equipment settings as his / her favorite artist. The operator can earn, for example, usage fees for a subscription service and sales revenue from one-time purchase content. If advertisements are displayed on application AppB, the operator can also earn advertising revenue. In this case, an ad blocking function may be added as one of the paths to becoming a paid member.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an example of a flow until the player 120B browses or watches content will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 7. For example, when the player 120B performs a content search operation on the application AppB, execution of the process shown in Fig. 7 starts.

[0065] The player 120B inputs search words such as artists, songs, and equipment on the application AppB. The application AppB transmits a request to the server 10 according to the search words input by the player 120B (step S301). The server 10, having received the request, accesses the content database DB1 and searches the content database DB1 (step S302). The server 10 transmits the search results to the client 20B (step S303).

[0066] When player 120B selects content from the search results, application AppB requests the content from server 10 (step S304). When server 10 responds to the request, player 120B can view or listen to the content on application AppB (step S305). Player 120B can easily select content such as a desired artist, song, or equipment to view or listen to.

[0067] The operator of the setting information sharing system 1 officially certifies content providers who meet certain conditions, such as being well-known or having high sales. An official mark is attached to content from officially certified content providers. The player 120B can determine the reliability of the content based on the presence or absence of the official mark. The server 10 may also construct a search engine so that content from officially certified content providers is more likely to appear higher in search results than content from non-officially certified content providers.

[0068] The above is a description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure. For example, the embodiments of the present application also include appropriate combinations of embodiments explicitly shown in the specification or obvious embodiments.

[0069] For example, in the above embodiment, the setting values ​​of the equipment being used are displayed in text, as shown on the application screen 100 in Fig. 4. In another embodiment, the setting values ​​of the equipment being used may be displayed as images that resemble the switches on the actual equipment, as shown on the application screen 200 in Fig. 8. In this case, the player 120B can more intuitively understand how to set the equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1: Setting information sharing system, 10: Server, 20: Client, 100: Application screen, 104: Performance video, 108: List of equipment used, 110: List of setting values

Claims

1. A control unit is provided, The control unit Acquire performance information from a first electronic device, the performance information including video information or audio information of the performance and setting information of at least one piece of equipment used in the performance; transmitting the performance information in response to an instruction from a second electronic device different from the first electronic device to the second electronic device; Server device.

2. the setting information includes a value of a parameter that is set in the at least one piece of equipment during the performance by the user of the first electronic device; The server device according to claim 1 .

3. the moving image information and the audio information include moving image information and audio information of the performance recorded when the user of the first electronic device performed the performance, respectively; The server device according to claim 1 .

4. The control unit calculating an evaluation value of the performance information acquired from the first electronic device; selecting the performance information based on the calculated evaluation value; transmitting the selected performance information to the second electronic device; The server device according to claim 1 .

5. The control unit correcting the evaluation value based on information about a user of the second electronic device; selecting the performance information based on the corrected evaluation value; transmitting the selected performance information to the second electronic device; The server device according to claim 4.

6. Acquire performance information from a first electronic device, the performance information including video information or audio information of the performance and setting information of at least one piece of equipment used in the performance; transmitting the performance information in response to an instruction from a second electronic device different from the first electronic device to the second electronic device; Have a computer execute the process, method.

7. Acquire performance information from a first electronic device, the performance information including video information or audio information of the performance and setting information of at least one piece of equipment used in the performance; transmitting the performance information in response to an instruction from a second electronic device different from the first electronic device to the second electronic device; Have a computer execute the process, program.

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