Method for music distribution system to distribute music, music distribution system and program thereof, and method for electronic device to reproduce distributed music, electronic device and program thereof

Abstract

To perform appropriate processing of an acoustic signal according to music while reducing a burden on a user.SOLUTION: The method performed by the music distribution system 1 includes a step of receiving, from the electronic device 3, distribution request information on a musical piece requested to be distributed, a step of identifying, from among a plurality of pieces of musical piece information registered in a musical piece DB22, musical piece information that matches the received distribution request information, and a step of identifying acoustic setting information 26 associated with one or more pieces of musical piece property information that are the same as the identified musical piece information. And a process for transmitting the specified acoustic setting information 26 as information for designating the contents of processing to be performed by the electronic device 3 to the acoustic signal included in the music data 27.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for a music distribution system to distribute songs to an electronic device, a music distribution system and a program therefor, and a method for an electronic device to play songs distributed from a music distribution system, an electronic device and a program therefor. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, subscription-based music distribution services have become widespread, making it possible to easily listen to music on a variety of network-connected devices.

[0003] Meanwhile, many software tools for processing music sounds have been released for personal computers, smartphones, etc. For example, in the electronic device described in the following patent document, an audio signal supplied to headphones is processed according to pre-given audio setting information. In this electronic device, audio setting information to be used for processing the audio signal is selected from multiple audio setting information according to the type of headphones and the type of sound represented by the audio signal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7251007 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the electronic devices described in the above patent documents, the user specifies the type of sound (such as the genre of music) to the electronic device. Therefore, when listening to a song distributed by a music distribution system, the user must look up the type of song and specify it on the electronic device. For example, when listening to multiple songs of different genres in random order, the user must look up and specify the type of sound for each song. This has the disadvantage of making user operations cumbersome.

[0006] Therefore, the technology disclosed herein provides a method for a music distribution system to distribute songs so that appropriate audio signal processing suited to the songs can be performed while reducing the burden on the user, a music distribution system that performs the method, and a program for the music distribution system.The technology disclosed herein also provides a method for an electronic device to play songs distributed from a music distribution system so that appropriate audio signal processing suited to the songs can be performed while reducing the burden on the user, an electronic device that performs the method, and a program for the electronic device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] a step of receiving distribution request information from the electronic device regarding a song for which distribution is requested; a step of identifying song information that matches the received distribution request information from the plurality of song information stored in the storage device; a step of identifying acoustic setting information associated with the same one or more song attribute information as the identified song information; a step of transmitting song data of the song related to the identified song information to the electronic device that is the source of the distribution request information; and a step of transmitting the identified acoustic setting information to the electronic device that is the source of the distribution request information as information specifying the content of processing to be performed by the electronic device on the acoustic signal included in the song data.

[0008] A second aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a method for an electronic device to play a song distributed from a music distribution system, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting distribution request information regarding a song to be distributed to the music distribution system; receiving song data including an acoustic signal of the song indicated by the distribution request information from the music distribution system that responded to the distribution request information; receiving acoustic setting information from the music distribution system that responded to the distribution request information that indicates the content of processing to be performed on the acoustic signal included in the received song data; and processing the acoustic signal included in the received song data in accordance with the received acoustic setting information.

[0009] a means for receiving, from the electronic device, distribution request information regarding a song for which distribution is requested, a means for identifying, from the plurality of song information stored in the storage device, song information that matches the received distribution request information; a means for identifying, from the plurality of song information stored in the storage device, song information that matches the received distribution request information; a means for identifying, from the plurality of song information stored in the storage device, acoustic setting information that is associated with the same one or more song attribute information as the identified song information; a means for transmitting, to the electronic device that has transmitted the distribution request information, song data of the song related to the identified song information; and a means for transmitting, to the electronic device that has transmitted the distribution request information, the identified acoustic setting information as information that specifies the processing that the electronic device should perform on the acoustic signal included in the song data.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a program including instructions to cause a music distribution system that distributes songs to an electronic device to perform each step of the method according to the first aspect above, wherein the music distribution system has access to a storage device, and the storage device stores a plurality of song data, each of which is data including an audio signal of one song, a plurality of song information, each of which contains information about one song, a plurality of song attribute information, each of which indicates song attributes that are attributes of the songs, and a plurality of acoustic setting information, each of which specifies the processing that the electronic device will perform on the audio signal, wherein each piece of song information is associated with one or more pieces of song attribute information, and each piece of acoustic setting information is associated with one or more pieces of song attribute information, and the program includes instructions to cause the music distribution system to perform each step of the method according to the first aspect above.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is an electronic device that plays songs distributed from a music distribution system, comprising: means for transmitting distribution request information regarding a song that is requested to be distributed to the music distribution system; means for receiving song data including an audio signal of the song indicated by the distribution request information from the music distribution system that responded to the distribution request information; a step for receiving audio setting information indicating the content of processing to be performed on the audio signal included in the received song data from the music distribution system that responded to the distribution request information; and means for processing the audio signal included in the received song data in accordance with the received audio setting information.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the technology of the present disclosure is a program including instructions to be performed by an electronic device that plays songs distributed from a music distribution system, the program including instructions to be performed by the electronic device to perform each step of the method relating to the second aspect above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The technology disclosed herein can provide a method for a music distribution system to distribute songs, a music distribution system that performs the method, and a program for the music distribution system, so that audio signals can be processed appropriately to match the songs while reducing the burden on the user. The technology disclosed herein can also provide a method for an electronic device to play songs distributed from a music distribution system, an electronic device that performs the method, and a program for the electronic device, so that audio signals can be processed appropriately to match the songs while reducing the burden on the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a music distribution system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Fig. 3A is a diagram illustrating signal processing performed on an acoustic signal, and Fig. 3B is a diagram illustrating information included in acoustic setting information. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing in the music distribution system and electronic device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on an electronic device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the processing in the music distribution system and electronic device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Embodiments of the technology of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a music distribution system 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic device 3 according to this embodiment.

[0016] The music distribution system 1 communicates with the electronic device 3 via a communication network 9 such as the Internet, and distributes songs to the electronic device 3 by streaming or downloading. When distributing a song to the electronic device 3, the music distribution system 1 provides the electronic device 3 with audio setting information selected according to the attributes of the song (such as the music genre). The audio setting information specifies the processing that the electronic device 3 should perform on the audio signal of the song. The electronic device 3 performs signal processing specified by the audio setting information on the audio signal of the song distributed from the music distribution system 1, and supplies the signal to a device 4 such as headphones. This allows the audio signal to be processed appropriately to match the song, even if the user does not set the attributes of the song on the electronic device 3.

[0017] [Music Distribution System 1] The music distribution system 1 is a system that provides a service of distributing various songs in response to requests from an electronic device 3, and is configured to include one or more computers. The music distribution system 1 shown in the example of FIG. 1 has a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a processing unit 13.

[0018] The communication unit 11 communicates with other devices (such as the electronic device 3) via the communication network 9. The communication unit 11 includes a device (such as a network interface card) that communicates in accordance with a predetermined communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or wireless LAN.

[0019] The storage unit 12 stores instructions of the program 121 executed by the processing unit 13, data temporarily saved during processing by the processing unit 13, data used in processing by the processing unit 13, data obtained as a result of processing by the processing unit 13, etc. The storage unit 12 may include, for example, a main storage device (RAM, ROM, etc.) and an auxiliary storage device (flash memory, SSD, hard disk, memory card, optical disk, etc.). The storage unit 12 may be composed of one storage device or multiple storage devices. When the storage unit 12 is composed of multiple storage devices, each storage device is connected to the processing unit 13 via a computer bus or any other communication means.

[0020] Processing unit 13 controls the overall operation of music distribution system 1 and executes predetermined information processing. Processing unit 13 includes, for example, one or more processors (such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro-processing unit (MPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a neural network processing unit (NPU)) that perform processing according to instructions in one or more programs 121 stored in storage unit 12. Processing unit 13 operates as one or more computers by having one or more processors execute instructions in one or more programs 121 stored in storage unit 12. Music distribution system 1 may include multiple computers, and at least a portion of the processing according to this embodiment may be executed by the multiple computers in cooperation with each other.

[0021] The processing unit 13 may include one or more dedicated hardware (such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)) configured to realize a specific function. The processing unit 13 may execute all of the processes described in this embodiment on a computer, or may execute some of the processes on a computer and some of the dedicated hardware, or may execute all of the processes on dedicated hardware.

[0022] The program 121 may be recorded, for example, on a computer-readable recording medium (such as an optical disc, a memory card, a USB memory, or other non-transitory tangible medium). The processing unit 13 may read at least a portion of the one or more programs 121 recorded on such a recording medium using a recording medium reading device (such as an optical disc device) or an interface device (such as a USB interface), not shown, and write the read at least a portion of the one or more programs 121 to the storage unit 12. Alternatively, the processing unit 13 may download at least a portion of the one or more programs 121 from another device connected to the communication network 9 via the communication unit 11 and write the downloaded program to the storage unit 12. The one or more programs 121 may include instructions that cause the processing unit 13 to perform at least a portion of the processing according to this embodiment, which will be described later.

[0023] [Storage device 2] The storage device 2 stores various information used in the processing of the music distribution system 1. The music distribution system 1 and the storage device 2 can communicate via any communication path (LAN, dedicated line network, Internet, etc.). For example, the storage device 2 may be included in a file server, database server, cloud server, etc. that accepts access from multiple devices, or may be a dedicated storage device that is accessible only to the music distribution system 1. In the example of FIG. 1, the storage device 2 stores a user database 21, a song database 22, a song attribute database 23, a device database 24, an acoustic setting database 25, multiple pieces of acoustic setting information 26, and multiple pieces of song data 27. In the following description, database may be abbreviated to "DB."

[0024] The user DB 21 includes multiple pieces of user information relating to users of the music distribution service provided by the music distribution system 1. One piece of user information includes, for example, at least some of the following information as information relating to one user. Information that identifies individual users (user ID) User authentication information (password, etc.) User's personal information (name, contact details, age, gender, etc.)

[0025] The song DB 22 includes a plurality of pieces of song information relating to songs that can be distributed. Each piece of song information includes, for example, at least a part of the following information as information relating to one song: -Information identifying each song (song ID) Song title Song description · Images related to the song (CD jacket images, etc.) Information about the performer of the song Information about the song's copyright owner Song duration - Information indicating one or more attributes of the song (one or more song attribute IDs, described below)

[0026] The song attribute DB 23 includes a plurality of pieces of song attribute information relating to attributes of songs (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "song attributes"). One piece of song attribute information includes, for example, at least a part of the following information as information relating to one song attribute. - Information identifying individual song attributes (song attribute ID) Song attribute classification (Examples) Music genre, instruments used, type of vocal quality, type of range, tempo, type of rhythm pattern, performance environment Song attribute details

[0027] The device DB 24 includes multiple pieces of device information related to the attributes (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "device attributes") of devices such as headphones that convert acoustic signals into sound. Each piece of device attribute information includes, for example, at least some of the following information as information related to a device attribute: - Information to identify individual device attributes (device attribute ID) -Device model (product model number, etc.) Information about the device manufacturer Device attribute classification (Example) Shape, frequency characteristics, sound conduction method, price range

[0028] The audio setting DB 25 includes a plurality of pieces of audio setting related information related to the audio setting information 26. One piece of audio setting related information includes, as information related to one piece of audio setting information 26, at least a part of the following information, for example. Information to identify each individual acoustic setting information 26 (acoustic setting ID) -Sound setting information explanation - Information indicating one or more song attributes (one or more song attribute IDs) - Information indicating one or more device attributes (one or more device attribute IDs)

[0029] The acoustic setting information 26 is information that specifies the processing that the electronic device 3 performs on the acoustic signal. The electronic device 3 performs the acoustic signal processing specified by the acoustic setting information 26 received from the music distribution system 1 on the acoustic signal included in the song data 27 received from the music distribution system 1. For example, the acoustic setting information 26 is created by an expert in sound processing.

[0030] The song data 27 is data including the audio signal of a song. For example, the song data 27 may be data obtained by encoding the audio signal of a song using any encoding method such as PCM (pulse code modulation) or PDM (pulse-density modulation). The song data 27 may also be data obtained by compressing the encoded data using any audio compression method (MP3, WAV, FLAC, etc.).

[0031] [Electronic device 3] The electronic device 3 accesses the music distribution system 1 to request distribution of a song, and plays the audio signal of the distributed song in response to the request. The electronic device 3 performs signal processing on the audio signal of the song distributed from the music distribution system 1 in accordance with audio setting information 26 provided by the music distribution system 1, and supplies the processed signal to the device 4. The electronic device 3 may be an information device with a communication function, such as a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet PC, notebook PC, or desktop PC. Alternatively, the electronic device 3 may be a dongle connected to the above-mentioned information device via a port such as a USB (universal serial bus), or may be a modular component incorporated into the information device.

[0032] The electronic device 3 includes, for example, communication units 30 and 31, a display unit 32, an input unit 33, a storage unit , and a processing unit , as shown in FIG.

[0033] The communication unit 30 is a device for communicating with other devices (such as the music distribution system 1) via the communication network 9, and includes, for example, a communication device (such as a network interface card) that communicates in accordance with a predetermined communication standard (such as wireless LAN or Ethernet (registered trademark)).

[0034] The communication unit 31 is a device that communicates with the device 4 to transmit the acoustic signal that has been subjected to acoustic signal processing to the device 4, and includes, for example, a communication device that communicates in accordance with a predetermined communication standard. If the device 4 has a short-range wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), the communication unit 31 may include a communication module that provides the short-range wireless communication function.

[0035] In addition, if the device 4 inputs an analog audio signal, the electronic device 3 may be equipped with an electronic circuit (such as an A / D converter, a filter circuit, or an audio amplifier) ​​that converts the digital audio signal into an analog audio signal and outputs it, instead of the communication unit 31 described above.

[0036] The display unit 32 is a device that displays an image corresponding to the image signal generated by the processing unit 35, and includes display devices such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and a projector.

[0037] The input unit 33 inputs instructions and other information according to user operations to the processing unit 35. For example, the input unit 33 includes at least one device having an input function, such as a touch panel, a touch pad, a keyboard, a mouse, a button, a switch, a microphone, or a camera.

[0038] The storage unit 34 stores instructions of the program 341 executed by the processing unit 35, data temporarily saved during processing by the processing unit 35, data used in processing by the processing unit 35, data obtained as a result of processing by the processing unit 35, etc. The storage unit 34 may include, for example, a main storage device (ROM, RAM, etc.) and an auxiliary storage device (flash memory, SSD, hard disk, memory card, optical disk, etc.). The storage unit 34 may be composed of one storage device or multiple storage devices. When the storage unit 34 is composed of multiple storage devices, each storage device is connected to the processing unit 35 via a computer bus or any other communication means.

[0039] The processing unit 35 controls the overall operation of the electronic device 3 and executes predetermined information processing. The processing unit 35 includes, for example, one or more processors (CPU, MPU, DSP, GPU, NPU, etc.) that perform processing according to instructions in one or more programs PG stored in the storage unit 14. The processing unit 35 operates as one or more computers by the one or more processors of the processing unit 35 executing instructions in one or more programs 341 stored in the storage unit 34. The electronic device 3 may have multiple computers, and at least a part of the processing according to this embodiment may be executed by the multiple computers working together.

[0040] The processing unit 35 may include one or more dedicated hardware components (such as an ASIC or FPGA) configured to implement specific functions. The processing unit 35 may execute all of the processes described in this embodiment on a computer, or may execute some of the processes on a computer and some of the dedicated hardware, or may execute all of the processes on dedicated hardware.

[0041] The program 341 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (such as a USB memory, a memory card, an optical disk, or other non-transitory tangible medium). The processing unit 35 may read at least a portion of the one or more programs 341 recorded on such a recording medium using a recording medium reading device (such as an optical disk device) or an interface device (such as a USB interface), not shown, and write the program to the storage unit 34. Alternatively, the processing unit 35 may download at least a portion of the one or more programs 341 from another device connected to the communication network 9 via the communication unit 31, and write the program to the storage unit 34. The one or more programs 341 may include instructions that cause the processing unit 35 to perform processing according to this embodiment, which will be described later.

[0042] [Equipment 4] 2, the device 4 includes one or more speakers 401 that convert an acoustic signal into sound. The device 4 receives an acoustic signal that has been subjected to acoustic signal processing (processing according to the acoustic setting information 26) described below from the electronic device 3, and converts the signal into sound at the speakers 401. The device 4 may be connected to the electronic device 3 via a wire to input the acoustic signal, or may input the acoustic signal from the electronic device 3 via wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless LAN. For example, the device 4 may be headphones, earphones, a wired or wireless speaker, a smart speaker equipped with artificial intelligence, an audio device such as a car audio system, a television equipped with a network connection function or a communication function, an electronic musical instrument, etc.

[0043] 3A is a diagram illustrating signal processing applied to an audio signal in the electronic device 3. As shown in FIG. 3A, the electronic device 3 generates an audio signal Sout to be supplied to the device 4 by applying one or more signal processing steps 300 to an audio signal Sin included in the music data 27 in stages. For example, the electronic device 3 processes the audio signal Sin using one or more signal processing steps 300 selected in accordance with the audio setting information 26 from a plurality of signal processing steps 300 for applying different processes to the audio signal included in the music data 27. When performing each signal processing step 300, the audio signal processing module 15 processes the audio signal in accordance with individual setting information 263 provided for each signal processing step 300.

[0044] The multiple signal processing 300 selectable in the electronic device 3 may include, but are not limited to, various types of audio signal processing (equalizer type, transient processing type, compressor type, etc.) commonly used in the field of sound processing (also called effects).

[0045] For example, equalizer-type signal processing 300 is processing that adjusts the volume of an audio signal in one or more frequency bands. The electronic device 3 may be able to select multiple types of signal processing 300 as equalizer-type signal processing 300, each of which adjusts the volume in different frequency bands. For example, the electronic device 3 may be able to select between equalizer-type signal processing 300 for bass and equalizer-type signal processing 300 for midrange, mid-high range, and treble ranges. The equalizer-type signal processing 300 for bass adjusts the volume of low-end sounds such as bass and drum kicks. The equalizer-type signal processing 300 for midrange, mid-high range, and treble adjusts the atmosphere, realism, and brightness of a song. The individual setting information 263 provided in the equalizer type signal processing 300 includes, for example, numerical values ​​(decibels, percentages, etc.) for adjusting the volume in one or more frequency bands.

[0046] The transient processing type signal processing 300 is a process that improves the crispness of the sound of rhythmic instruments (drums, etc.) by adjusting the volume of a specific frequency band. The individual setting information 263 provided in the transient processing type signal processing 300 includes, for example, a numerical value (decibel, percentage, etc.) for adjusting the volume of a specific frequency band.

[0047] The compressor type signal processing 300 is a process that adjusts the dynamic range of the sound by suppressing the peaks of the sound waveform and adjusting the gain of the entire waveform, thereby controlling the cohesion of the music and the stereo image. The individual setting information 263 provided in the compressor-type signal processing 300 includes, for example, the threshold value (decibels, etc.) at which compression (volume compression) begins, the compression ratio (compression rate for volume exceeding the threshold), the attack time (milliseconds, etc.) at which compression begins, the release time (milliseconds, etc.) at which compression ends, the gain (decibels) for level adjustment performed after compression, and information specifying whether the compressor processing will be performed in stereo or M / S format.

[0048] FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining information included in the acoustic setting information 26 (signal processing information 261, sequence information 262, and individual setting information 263). The acoustic setting information 26 includes information specifying one or more signal processing steps 300 used in processing an acoustic signal, information specifying the order in which the signal processing steps 300 are to be performed on the acoustic signal, and information specifying the processing content of each signal processing step 300. For example, as shown in Fig. 3B, the acoustic setting information 26 includes one or more pieces of signal processing information 261, one or more pieces of order information 262, and one or more pieces of individual setting information 263.

[0049] Each individual setting information 263 is associated with one piece of signal processing information 261 and one piece of sequence information 262 . One piece of signal processing information 261 is information indicating one piece of signal processing 300, and includes, for example, an identification code assigned to each individual signal processing 300. Each piece of order information 262 is information that specifies the order in which one signal processing 300 indicated by the associated signal processing information 261 is performed in the acoustic signal processing, and includes, for example, information indicating the order in which the signal processing 300 is performed from the beginning. The acoustic setting information 26 includes these pieces of information (signal processing information 261, order information 262, individual setting information 263) to specify the signal processing 300 used in acoustic signal processing and the order of execution thereof, as well as the individual setting information 263 used in each signal processing 300.

[0050] Here, the processing in the music distribution system 1 and electronic device 3 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0051] The electronic device 3 accesses the music distribution system 1 and transmits the user's authentication information (user ID, password, etc.) to the music distribution system 1 to request login (ST100). If the authentication information received from the electronic device 3 matches the information registered in the user DB 21, the music distribution system 1 authenticates that the user who requested login is an authorized user and permits the login (ST105).

[0052] Once logged in to the music distribution system 1, the electronic device 3 transmits distribution request information regarding the song for which distribution is requested to the music distribution system 1 (ST120). For example, the electronic device 3 searches for the desired song in the music distribution system 1, selects the desired song from the list of search results, and transmits distribution request information including information about the selected song (e.g., a song ID) to the music distribution system 1. The music distribution system 1 receives the distribution request information transmitted from the electronic device 3 (ST125).

[0053] The music distribution system 1 identifies song information that matches the received distribution request information from among the multiple pieces of song information registered in the song DB 22 (ST130). For example, the music distribution system 1 searches the song DB 22 for song information that includes the song ID received from the electronic device 3 as the distribution request information.

[0054] The music distribution system 1 identifies the acoustic setting information 26 associated with the same song attribute information as the song information identified in step ST130 (ST135). Specifically, the music distribution system 1 extracts one or more song attribute IDs included in the song information identified in step ST130, and searches the acoustic setting DB 25 for acoustic setting-related information including the extracted one or more song attribute IDs. The music distribution system 1 identifies the acoustic setting information 26 corresponding to the acoustic setting-related information found by this search as the desired acoustic setting information 26.

[0055] The music distribution system 1 transmits the acoustic setting information 26 identified in step ST135 to the electronic device 3 that transmitted the distribution request information as information specifying the content of processing that the electronic device 3 should perform on the acoustic signal included in the song data 27 corresponding to the song information identified in step ST130 (ST140). The electronic device 3 receives the acoustic setting information 26 indicating the content of processing that should be performed on the acoustic signal included in the song data 27 received in step ST155 (described later) from the music distribution system 1 that responded to the distribution request information (ST145).

[0056] The music distribution system 1 transmits the song data 27 corresponding to the song information identified in step ST130 to the electronic device 3 that transmitted the distribution request information (ST150). The electronic device 3 receives the song data 27 including the audio signal of the song indicated by the distribution request information from the music distribution system 1 that responded to the distribution request information (ST155).

[0057] The electronic device 3 processes the audio signal included in the song data 27 received in step ST155 in accordance with the audio setting information 26 received in step ST145 (ST160). When the music distribution system 1 transmits the song data 27 by streaming, the electronic device 3 receives the packets of the song data 27 in step ST155 and processes the audio signal in step ST160 in parallel.

[0058] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on an electronic device 3 that has logged in to the music distribution system 1. Fig. 5A shows screen A, which is displayed when playing a distributed song. Fig. 5B shows screen B, which is related to settings for audio signal processing.

[0059] Screen A shown in Fig. 5A includes an area A1 that displays an image related to the song being played (such as an image of the CD jacket), an area A2 that displays the title of the song being played, control elements A3 (buttons) for controlling song playback (starting playback, stopping playback, selecting a song, etc.), control element A4 (seek bar) for displaying and controlling the playback position of the song, control element A5 (button) for adjusting the volume, and control element A6 (button) for transitioning to screen B. When control element A6 is operated on screen A, the screen transitions to screen B shown in Fig. 5B.

[0060] 5B includes an area B1 that displays information about the device 4, an area B2 that displays song attributes (such as music genre) associated with the audio setting information 26, a control element B3 (toggle button) that is operated to enable or disable audio signal processing based on the audio setting information 26, and control elements B4 to B9 that are operated when the user manually sets the content of the audio signal processing. Control element B4 (rotary knob) is operated to adjust the volume of the bass frequency band selected by control elements B5 to B8 (buttons). Control element B9 (slide knob) is operated to adjust the sound characteristics in the mid-range to treble range.

[0061] As described above, according to this embodiment, when electronic device 3 requests music distribution system 1 to distribute a song, song data 27 of the requested song is provided from music distribution system 1 to electronic device 3, and audio setting information 26 specifying the processing that electronic device 3 should perform on the audio signal included in the song data 27 is also provided from music distribution system 1 to electronic device 3. Electronic device 3 processes the audio signal of the song distributed from music distribution system 1 in accordance with audio setting information 26 provided from music distribution system 1. Because the audio signal of the song is processed based on audio setting information 26 provided from music distribution system 1, electronic device 3 can process the audio signal appropriately suited to the song.

[0062] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the electronic device 3 is provided with acoustic setting information 26 associated with the same song attribute information as the song information corresponding to the song to be distributed, making it possible to process the acoustic signal appropriately according to the attributes of the song.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the music distribution system 1 provides the electronic device 3 with the acoustic setting information 26 for each song to be distributed, eliminating the need for the user of the electronic device 3 to select the acoustic setting information 26 for each song (e.g., selecting a music genre, etc.). This reduces the burden on the user in selecting the acoustic setting information 26.

[0064] Next, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the processing in the music distribution system 1 and the electronic device 3 according to the present embodiment. In the modified processing shown in Fig. 6, steps ST110 and ST115 are added to the processing shown in Fig. 4.

[0065] In this modification, the electronic device 3 transmits device attribute information of the device 4 to which the audio signal that has been subjected to audio signal processing in accordance with the audio setting information 26 in step ST160 is supplied (ST110), to the music distribution system 1. The music distribution system 1 receives the device attribute information transmitted from the electronic device 3 (ST115).

[0066] When identifying acoustic setting information 26 in step ST135, the music distribution system 1 identifies acoustic setting information 26 that is associated with the same one or more pieces of song attribute information as the song information identified in step ST130 and that is associated with the device attribute information received in step ST115. Specifically, the music distribution system 1 extracts one or more song attribute IDs included in the song information identified in step ST130, and searches the acoustic setting DB 25 for acoustic setting-related information that includes the extracted one or more song attribute IDs and the device attribute ID of the device attribute information received in step ST115. The music distribution system 1 identifies the acoustic setting information 26 that corresponds to the acoustic setting-related information found by this search as the desired acoustic setting information 26.

[0067] The acoustic setting information 26 identified in step ST135 is information that specifies the content of processing to be performed on the acoustic signal to be supplied to the device 4 when the acoustic signal of the song indicated in the distribution request information is supplied to the device 4 having the device attribute indicated by the device attribute information. In step ST160, the electronic device 3 performs acoustic signal processing according to this acoustic setting information.

[0068] According to the above-described modified example, it is possible to apply appropriate processing to the audio signal supplied to the device 4 in accordance with the attributes of the device 4.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the above-described modified example, the audio setting information 26 that is associated with the same song attribute information as the song information corresponding to the song to be distributed and that is associated with the device attribute information of the device 4 is provided to the electronic device 3. This makes it possible to perform appropriate audio signal processing according to the attributes of the song to be distributed and the attributes of the device 4.

[0070] It should be noted that the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes various variations.

[0071] In another example of this embodiment, at least a portion of the information (acoustic setting information, acoustic setting-related information, song information, song attribute information, and device attribute information) stored in the storage device 2 may be stored in the storage unit 34 of the electronic device 3. For example, the electronic device 3 may store the acoustic setting information 26 provided by the music distribution system 1 in the storage unit 34, and when the same song is repeatedly played, may perform acoustic signal processing using the acoustic setting information 26 stored in the storage unit 34.

[0072] In the above-described embodiments, a smartphone, a personal computer, or the like is given as an example of the electronic device 3, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, the electronic device 3 may be an electronic component incorporated inside the device 4 (headphones, etc.). In this case, any terminal device (smartphone, tablet, etc.) that wirelessly communicates with the electronic device 3 via a communication module such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used as a means for inputting user instructions to the electronic device 3.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, part of the processing performed by the music distribution system 1 may be performed in the electronic device 3, and part of the processing performed in the electronic device 3 may be performed in the music distribution system 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1...music distribution system, 11...communication unit, 12...storage unit, 121...program, 13...processing unit, 2...storage device, 21...user DB, 22...song DB, 23...song attribute DB, 24...device DB, 25...acoustic setting DB, 26...acoustic setting information, 261...signal processing information, 262...order information, 263...individual setting information, 27...song data, 3...electronic device, 30...communication unit, 31...communication unit, 32...display unit, 33...input unit, 34...memory unit, 341...program, 35...processing unit, 4...device, 401...speaker, 9...communication network

Claims

1. 1. A method for a music distribution system to distribute songs to an electronic device, comprising: the music distribution system is capable of accessing a storage device; The storage device a plurality of pieces of song data, each of which contains an audio signal of one piece of song; a plurality of pieces of song information each containing information about one song; A plurality of pieces of song attribute information each indicating song attributes that are attributes of songs; a plurality of pieces of audio setting information each specifying the content of processing that the electronic device performs on the audio signal; Remember, Each piece of song information is associated with one or more pieces of song attribute information; Each piece of acoustic setting information is associated with one or more pieces of music attribute information, receiving distribution request information from the electronic device regarding a song for which distribution is requested; a step of identifying the piece of music information that matches the received distribution request information from among the plurality of pieces of music information stored in the storage device; Identifying the acoustic setting information associated with one or more pieces of music attribute information that are the same as the identified piece of music information; transmitting the song data of the song related to the identified song information to the electronic device that is the sender of the distribution request information; transmitting the identified acoustic setting information to the electronic device that is the source of the distribution request information as information specifying the content of processing that the electronic device should perform on the acoustic signal included in the song data; A method having the following.

2. the storage device stores a plurality of pieces of device attribute information each indicating a device attribute that is an attribute of a device that converts the acoustic signal into sound; Each piece of the acoustic setting information is associated with one or more pieces of the device attribute information, receiving, from the electronic device, the device attribute information indicating the device attributes of the device that converts the acoustic signal processed in the electronic device according to the acoustic setting information into sound; the step of identifying the acoustic setting information includes identifying the acoustic setting information associated with the same one or more pieces of music attribute information as the identified piece of music information and associated with the received device attribute information. The method of claim 1.

3. 1. A method for an electronic device to play a song distributed from a music distribution system, comprising: transmitting distribution request information regarding a song for which distribution is requested to the music distribution system; receiving, from the music distribution system that has responded to the distribution request information, song data including an audio signal of the song indicated by the distribution request information; receiving, from the music distribution system that has responded to the distribution request information, acoustic setting information indicating the content of processing to be performed on the acoustic signal included in the received song data; processing the audio signal included in the received song data in accordance with the received audio setting information; A method having the following.

4. The attributes of the device that converts the acoustic signal into sound are called device attributes. transmitting, to the music distribution system, device attribute information indicating the device attributes of the device to which the audio signal processed in accordance with the received audio setting information is supplied; the acoustic setting information received from the music distribution system is information specifying content of processing to be performed on the acoustic signal of the song indicated in the distribution request information when the acoustic signal is to be supplied to the device having the device attribute indicated in the device attribute information. The method of claim 3.

5. A music distribution system for distributing songs to an electronic device, comprising: The storage device is accessible; The storage device a plurality of pieces of song data, each of which contains an audio signal of one piece of song; a plurality of pieces of song information each containing information about one song; A plurality of pieces of song attribute information each indicating song attributes that are attributes of songs; a plurality of pieces of audio setting information each specifying the content of processing that the electronic device performs on the audio signal; Remember, Each piece of song information is associated with one or more pieces of song attribute information; Each piece of acoustic setting information is associated with one or more pieces of music attribute information, The method according to claim 1 or 2 is provided with a means for carrying out each step of the method. Music distribution system.

6. A program including instructions for a music distribution system that distributes songs to an electronic device, the music distribution system is capable of accessing a storage device; The storage device a plurality of pieces of song data, each of which contains an audio signal of one piece of song; a plurality of pieces of song information each containing information about one song; A plurality of pieces of song attribute information each indicating song attributes that are attributes of songs; a plurality of pieces of audio setting information each specifying the content of processing that the electronic device performs on the audio signal; Remember, Each piece of song information is associated with one or more pieces of song attribute information; Each piece of acoustic setting information is associated with one or more pieces of music attribute information, The instructions include instructions for causing the music distribution system to perform each step of the method according to claim 1 or 2. program.

7. An electronic device that plays songs distributed from a music distribution system, The method according to claim 3 or 4 is provided with a means for carrying out each step of the method. electronic equipment.

8. A program including instructions to be executed by an electronic device that plays songs distributed from a music distribution system, The instructions for causing the electronic device to perform each step of the method according to claim 3 or claim 4 are included. program.

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