Content distribution device, content distribution method, and program

Abstract

To provide a content distribution device, a content distribution method, and a program that can appropriately adjust the playback order of individual content in a composite content. [Solution] The content distribution device according to this disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires individual content created by an artist, an overlapping unit that generates composite content by overlapping multiple individual content, and a playback management unit that manages the playback order of the individual content constituting the composite content when playing the composite content. The playback management unit determines the playback order of the individual content based on the order in which the individual content is overlapped with the composite content, and plays them overlapping with the individual content that is already being played.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a content distribution device, a content distribution method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Content production may be carried out by combining the content produced by a plurality of artists who participate. Also, with the spread of the Internet, it has become easy to combine the content of a plurality of artists, and it has become easy to distribute the produced content to a large number of users and obtain reactions.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1 below, users can freely buy and sell the content they created themselves, and furthermore, through feedback from buyer users on the content, communication between users is made possible. Additionally, a service-providing server that enables free buying and selling of derivative content of the content within the site and enables the growth of content is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the service-providing server described in Patent Document 1 above was unable to appropriately adjust the playback order of individual contents in a composite content formed by combining a plurality of individual contents into one content.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a content distribution device, a content distribution method, and a program that can appropriately adjust the playback order of individual contents in composite content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the content distribution device according to this disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires individual content created by an artist, an overlapping unit that generates composite content by overlapping multiple individual content, and a playback management unit that manages the playback order of the individual content constituting the composite content when playing the composite content, wherein the playback management unit determines the playback order of the individual content based on the order in which the individual content is overlapped with the composite content, and plays them overlapping with the individual content that is being played first.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the content distribution method relating to this disclosure includes the steps of acquiring individual content created by an artist, generating composite content by superimposing multiple individual content, and managing the playback order of the individual content constituting the composite content when playing the composite content, wherein the playback order management step determines the playback order of the individual content based on the order in which the individual content is superimposed on the composite content, and plays the individual content on top of the individual content that is already being played.

[0009] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the program relating to this disclosure includes the steps of acquiring individual content created by an artist, generating composite content by superimposing multiple individual content, and managing the playback order of the individual content constituting the composite content when playing the composite content, wherein the step of managing the playback order causes the computer to determine the playback order of the individual content based on the order in which the individual content is superimposed on the composite content, and to play the individual content on top of the individual content that is already being played. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This disclosure provides a content distribution device, a content distribution method, and a program that can appropriately adjust the playback order of individual content in composite content. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the content distribution system related to this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the content distribution system related to this disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of a content distribution device related to this disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of information stored in the content storage unit of the content distribution device according to this disclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of information stored in the sequence storage unit of the content distribution device according to this disclosure. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a distribution request reception screen displayed by the reception unit of the content distribution device related to this disclosure. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a first example of the content playback order by the playback management unit of the content distribution device according to this disclosure. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a second example of the content playback order by the playback management unit of the content distribution device according to this disclosure. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows a first example of the display mode by the display control unit of the content distribution device according to this disclosure. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the content distribution method related to this disclosure. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of the configuration of a user terminal related to this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0013] (Configuration of Content Delivery System) First, the outline of the content delivery system according to the present disclosure will be described using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the content delivery system according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the content delivery system 1 according to the present disclosure includes a content delivery device 100, a user terminal 200, and a network N.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the user terminal 200A of user U1 records the sound SD1 of user U1's drum performance. Also, the user terminal 200B of user U2 records the sound SD2 of user U2's singing voice from a microphone via, for example, wireless communication. Further, the user terminal 200C of user U3 records the sound SD3 of user U3's guitar performance. Then, the user terminals 200A, B, and C transmit the respectively recorded sounds SD1, SD2, and SD3 to the content delivery device 100 via the network N.

[0015] The content delivery device 100 overlays the sounds SD1, SD2, and SD3 acquired from the user terminals 200A, B, and C to generate a new composite content. The content delivery device 100 may, for example, distribute the composite content to the user terminal 200D based on a request from the user terminal 200D of user U4, and output the sound SD4 of the composite content from the user terminal 200D.

[0016] In this way, the content delivery system 1 acquires individual contents from the user terminal 200, generates a composite content by overlaying the individual contents, and distributes the generated composite content based on the user's request.

[0017] (Configuration of Content Delivery System) Next, the configuration of the content distribution system 1 according to the present disclosure will be described using FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the content distribution system according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the content distribution system 1 according to the present disclosure includes a content distribution device 100, a user terminal 200, and a network N. Hereinafter, these configurations will be briefly described.

[0018] The content distribution device 100 is an information processing device that executes various information processes such as a process of distributing composite content in which a plurality of contents are superimposed. The content distribution device 100 executes a process based on information transmitted from the user terminal 200 via the network N, for example. The content distribution device 100 may be realized by an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer), a WS (Work Station), or a computer having a server function.

[0019] The user terminal 200 is an information processing device used by a user. The user terminal 200 may be an information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, a mobile phone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), for example. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the case where the user terminal 200 is a smartphone is shown.

[0020] The network N connects the content distribution device 100 and the user terminal 200 so that they can communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. When the network N is wired, it may be realized by Ethernet (registered trademark) defined in IEEE802.3 or the like. When the network N is wireless, it may be realized by a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) defined in IEEE802.11, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

[0021] (Configuration of Content Distribution Device) Next, the configuration of the content distribution device 100 according to this disclosure will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the content distribution device according to this disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the content distribution device 100 according to this disclosure comprises a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, a control unit 130, an audio output unit 140, and a display unit 150. These configurations will be explained in order below.

[0022] (Regarding Communications Unit 110) The communication unit 110 is a communication module that enables the content distribution device 100 to communicate with external devices. The communication unit 110 is responsible for sending and receiving various types of data with external devices via wireless or wired communication. In the case of wireless communication, it may be equipped with a communication antenna, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) card, and other communication processing circuits. In the case of wired communication, it may be equipped with, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) with a wired LAN terminal, a transmission circuit, and other communication processing circuits.

[0023] (Regarding memory unit 120) The memory unit 120 is a storage device that stores various types of information. The memory unit 120 comprises a main memory and an auxiliary storage device. The main memory may be implemented using semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or flash memory. The auxiliary storage device may be implemented using a hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), or optical disc, for example.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the storage unit 120 comprises a content storage unit 121 and a sequence storage unit 122. An example of the information stored by these components will be described in detail below.

[0025] (Regarding the content storage unit 121) The content storage unit 121 stores information related to the content. Here, an example of the information stored in the content storage unit 121 will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the information stored in the content storage unit of the content distribution device according to this disclosure.

[0026] In the example shown in Figure 4, the content storage unit 121 stores information related to the items "acquisition source user terminal ID," "content ID," and "content data" in an associated manner.

[0027] The "Source User Terminal ID" is an identifier that identifies the user terminal 200 from which the content data was retrieved, and is represented by a string or number. The "Content ID" is an identifier that identifies the content, and is represented by a string or number. The "Content Data" is the data of the content identified by the "Content ID," such as audio data or video data.

[0028] In other words, Figure 4 shows that the content data of the content identified by the content ID "CTID#1-1" obtained from user terminal 200, which is identified by the source user terminal ID "UTID#1", is "CTDT#1-1".

[0029] Furthermore, the information stored in the content storage unit 121 is not limited to information related to the items "acquisition source user terminal ID," "content ID," and "content data," but may also store any other information related to the content.

[0030] (Regarding the sequence memory unit 122) The sequence storage unit 122 stores information related to the order of the content. Here, an example of the information stored in the sequence storage unit 122 will be explained using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the information stored in the sequence storage unit of the content distribution device according to this disclosure.

[0031] In the example shown in Figure 5, the sequence storage unit 122 stores information related to the items "sequence" and "content" in association with each other. Note that the "sequence" and "content" shown in Figure 5 represent the "sequence" and "content" of individual content that constitutes one of the multiple composite content items. The sequence storage unit 122 also stores the "sequence" and "content" of individual content that constitutes the other composite content items.

[0032] "Order" refers to information about the order in which individual contents are stacked in a composite content, and may be represented by a number attached to the name of the part, for example, as shown in Figure 5, as an identifier that identifies each individual content. In the following explanation, "part" refers to the name of an individual content, and "part" means an individual content, and the number attached to the part is an identifier that identifies each individual content. "Content" refers to information that indicates the content of the individual contents in a composite content, and may be represented by a number attached to the name of the type of instrument used in the individual content, for example, as shown in Figure 5.

[0033] In other words, Figure 5 shows that the "content" of the first "sequence" of individual content in a particular composite content is a guitar.

[0034] Furthermore, the information stored in the sequence storage unit 122 is not limited to information relating to the items "sequence" and "content," but may also store information relating to the layered order of individual contents in any other composite content.

[0035] (Regarding the control unit 130) Next, returning to Figure 3, the control unit 130 will be described. The control unit 130 is a controller that manages and controls the content distribution device 100. The control unit 130 is realized by executing various programs stored in the memory unit 120 using RAM as the working area, using a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit), etc. Alternatively, the control unit 130 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 130 comprises an acquisition unit 131, a superposition unit 132, a reception unit 133, an analysis unit 134, a playback management unit 135, a distribution unit 136, and a display control unit 137. The control unit 130 realizes these functions and performs these processes by reading and executing a program (software) from the storage unit 120. These functions of the control unit 130 may be realized by electronic circuits. Furthermore, the control unit 130 may execute these processes with a single CPU, or it may have multiple CPUs and execute these processes in parallel with multiple CPUs. These configurations will be described in order below.

[0037] The acquisition unit 131 acquires various types of information from inside or outside the content distribution device 100. An example of the information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 is described below.

[0038] For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires content data, which is data for individual content. For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires content data from the user terminal 200. After acquiring content data from the user terminal 200, the acquisition unit 131 stores the acquired content data in the content storage unit 121. The content here may be, for example, data for a song provided by an artist or someone who wishes to produce music. The song may be a performance of instruments such as piano, guitar, drums, or bass, or it may consist of performances of multiple instruments. The format of the song data may be, for example, sound source data in the format of WAV (RIFF waveform Audio Format) or MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3), but is not limited to these.

[0039] The merging unit 132 generates composite content by layering multiple individual content. For example, the merging unit 132 accepts the specification of a specific individual content and the individual content to be layered on it, and layers the specified individual content on the specific individual content. That is, the merging unit 132 layers individual content from the same artist as the specific individual content, or from a different artist, on the specific individual content. The merging unit 132 may also accept input of individual content to be layered on the composite content generated by layering, and layer more individual content. In this way, composite content is created by repeatedly layering other individual content on a specific individual content. The merging unit 132 may store the order in which the individual content was layered in the order storage unit 122 after layering the individual content. The merging unit 132 may also generate multiple composite content by layering different individual content on an individual content, resulting in the individual content branching out in a tree-like structure. In other words, for example, a first composite content may be generated by superimposing a predetermined first individual content onto the target individual content (or composite content), and a second composite content may be generated by superimposing a second individual content different from the first individual content onto the target individual content (or composite content). In this case, the first composite content and the second individual content can be said to be two composite contents generated by branching out in a tree-like manner from the target individual content (or composite content).

[0040] The reception unit 133 receives content delivery requests from users. The delivery request may include information such as the user terminal ID of the user who sent the delivery request and the content ID of the user who wishes to receive the delivery. Once the reception unit 133 receives a content delivery request, it requests the delivery unit 136 to deliver the requested content. For example, the reception unit 133 may display a delivery request reception screen, as shown in Figure 6, on the user terminal 200 to receive content delivery requests from users.

[0041] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a content distribution request reception screen displayed by the reception unit of the content distribution device according to this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the reception unit 133 may display the content distribution request reception screens for content CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, and CT5 on the display unit 250 of the user terminal 200, and accept user touch operations on the respective playback buttons PB1, PB2, PB3, PB4, and PB5 as content distribution requests from the user.

[0042] The analysis unit 134 analyzes the sound waveform of individual content. For example, the analysis unit 134 may perform a process such as FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) to convert the time-domain waveform of the sound of individual content into the frequency domain, thereby identifying characteristic frequencies in the individual content.

[0043] The analysis unit 134 selects the dominant individual content in the composite content based on the duration and sound pressure of the individual content. For example, the longer the duration of the individual content constituting the composite content, the more dominant the individual content is considered to be in the composite content. Similarly, the higher the sound pressure of the individual content constituting the composite content, the more dominant the individual content is considered to be in the composite content. In this way, the analysis unit 134 evaluates the individual content constituting the composite content based on its duration and sound pressure to select the dominant individual content in the composite content.

[0044] The analysis unit 134 may determine the tempo (BPM: Beats Per Minute) of individual content by detecting the peaks in the sound waveform of the individual content. Specifically, the analysis unit 134 may determine the tempo by extracting frequencies where the volume is increasing based on the audio spectrum expressed by frequency components obtained by Fourier transforming the sound waveform of the individual content, determining the amount of volume increase over time for those frequencies, and determining the frequency components of the time-dependent portion of the volume increase.

[0045] The playback management unit 135 manages the playback order of the individual contents that make up the composite content when playing back the composite content. Specifically, the playback management unit 135 reads the order of the individual contents that make up the composite content (the order in which each individual content is superimposed on the composite content) stored in the order storage unit 122, and determines the playback order of the individual contents according to the read order. In other words, the playback management unit 135 may play back the individual contents that make up the composite content in the same order in which the individual contents were superimposed during the generation of the composite content.

[0046] The playback management unit 135 determines the order in which individual content will be played and plays them over the individual content that is already being played. In this embodiment, each individual content is played with the timing at which the individual content is played as the playback start timing within the playback time of the individual content. The processing of such a playback management unit 135 will be explained with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a diagram showing a first example of the playback order of content by the playback management unit of the content distribution device according to this disclosure. As shown in Figure 7, when the playback management unit 135 plays individual content constituting a composite content at equal intervals, it first plays the bass of Part 1 for 30 seconds. The bass of Part 1 is played with the timing at the beginning of the playback time of Part 1 (0 seconds) as the playback start timing. Next, after 30 seconds have elapsed, the playback management unit 135 plays the drums of Part 2 in addition to the bass of Part 1. The drums of Part 2 are played with the timing at which 30 seconds have elapsed within the playback time of Part 1 as the playback start timing. Then, after one minute has elapsed, the playback management unit 135 plays the bass from Part 1, the drums from Part 2, and the guitar from Part 3. The guitar from Part 3 is played starting at the one-minute mark of Part 3's playing time. By dividing the playback length of each individual content into equal intervals and playing them in this way, it is easy to understand what kind of sounds are layered and in what order to create the song.

[0047] The playback management unit 135 divides the individual content into predetermined time intervals and plays the individual content at predetermined time intervals. Figure 8 is a diagram showing a second example of the content playback order by the playback management unit of the content distribution device according to this disclosure. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the playback management unit 135 may divide the first minute into equal intervals according to the number of individual content (parts) that make up the composite content. If there are 6 individual content pieces, it may divide the first minute into 10-second intervals and play the first individual content (part 1), and then, after 10 seconds have elapsed, play the second individual content (part 2) on top of it.

[0048] The playback management unit 135 may generate bar divisions for individual content based on the tempo obtained by analyzing the sound waveform of individual content, and play the individual content according to the bar divisions. In other words, the playback management unit 135 may start playback at bar divisions based not only on elapsed time but also on the analyzed tempo. For example, the playback management unit 135 may start playing the next individual content in the sequence when 10 seconds have elapsed since the start of playback of a particular individual content, and when the bar of that individual content has changed.

[0049] The playback management unit 135 may detect the sound appearance point for each individual content (part) using the waveform analysis performed by the analysis unit 134, and set that timing as the start of playback. In other words, since the order in which the individual content overlaps and the order in which the sounds of the individual content (parts) appear do not necessarily coincide, the playback management unit may rearrange the order of the individual content, taking into account the sound appearance points of the individual content (parts). For example, the playback management unit 135 selects the individual content that is the earliest overlapping among the unplayed individual content as the next individual content to be played. However, if the waveform of the selected individual content meets a predetermined condition at the playback timing (playback start timing) (for example, if the waveform intensity is less than a predetermined value), that individual content does not need to be selected as the next individual content to be played. In this case, the playback management unit 135 selects the next earliest overlapping among the unplayed individual content as the next individual content to be played. Even in this case, if the waveform of the selected individual content meets a predetermined condition, it does not need to be selected as the next individual content to be played.

[0050] The playback management unit 135 may determine the order in which the dominant individual content selected by the analysis unit 134 is played first. For example, the playback management unit 135 may play the dominant individual content selected by the analysis unit 134 first, and thereafter play the individual content according to the stacked order of the individual content stored in the order storage unit 122. Alternatively, the playback management unit 135 may play the more dominant individual content first among the individual content. In this case, for example, the playback management unit 135 may choose the most dominant individual content among the unplayed individual content as the next individual content to be played. Alternatively, if there is no most dominant individual content among the unplayed individual content (for example, if multiple individual content are equally dominant), the playback management unit 135 may choose the individual content that is earliest in the stacked order among the unplayed individual content as the next individual content to be played.

[0051] The distribution unit 136 distributes content to the user terminal 200 based on the distribution request received from the user by the reception unit 133. Specifically, the distribution unit 136 reads the content data of the content that matches the content ID included in the distribution request from the content storage unit 121 and distributes the content data to the user terminal 200 that received the distribution request. The distribution unit 136 distributes the content in order to play the individual contents of the composite content according to the playback order determined by the playback management unit 135.

[0052] The display control unit 137 controls the screen to be displayed on the user terminal 200. For example, the display control unit 137 may display a distribution screen on the user terminal 200 as shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 is a diagram showing a first example of the display mode by the display control unit of the content distribution device according to the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9, the display control unit 137 may display the name of the content NM, a scroll bar SC1 indicating the playback position relative to the entire content, a scroll bar SC2 for adjusting the volume, a song introduction text TX1, lyrics text TX2, a comment box CMB for receiving comments from the user, and so on.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the display control unit 137 may display a process play button PPB on the user terminal 200 in addition to the normal play button PB, so that when the user presses the PPB button, the parts are played in the same order as the composition of the song. When the user presses the process play button PPB, the screen switches to a screen where the user can select the start timing for playing individual content (parts), and the user can select to start playing individual content (parts) at equal intervals, or to determine the location where the individual content (part) appears from the waveform and start playback accordingly.

[0054] As described above, with the content distribution device 100, users can hear the process by which the individual content (parts) that make up the composite content are layered one by one in sequence, and thus experience through hearing the process by which the composite content is made up for each individual content (part). This provides users with a new way to enjoy the composite content, in addition to the enjoyment of simply listening to the composite content, by allowing them to feel the process by which another composite content is completed.

[0055] (Regarding content distribution methods) Next, the content distribution method related to this disclosure will be explained using Figure 10. Figure 10 is a flowchart of the content distribution method related to this disclosure. The content distribution method will be explained step by step according to the content distribution method flowchart shown in Figure 10.

[0056] First, the content distribution device 100 accepts the registration of content (step S101). Next, the content distribution device 100 overlays the content (step S102). Next, the content distribution device 100 stores the order in which the content was overlaid (step S103). Next, the content distribution device 100 determines the order in which the content will be played (step S104). Next, the content distribution device 100 plays the content according to the determined order (step S105).

[0057] According to this, individual content can be played back in a specific order, depending on the order in which the individual content constituting the composite content is superimposed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a content playback method that can appropriately adjust the playback order of individual content in composite content.

[0058] (User terminal configuration) Next, the configuration of the user terminal 200 according to this disclosure will be explained using Figure 11. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user terminal according to this disclosure. As shown in Figure 11, the user terminal 200 according to this disclosure comprises a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, a control unit 230, an audio input / output unit 240, and a display unit 250. These configurations will be explained in order below.

[0059] The communication unit 210 is a communication module that enables the user terminal 200 to communicate with external devices. The communication unit 210 is responsible for sending and receiving data with external devices via wireless or wired communication. In the case of wireless communication, it may be equipped with a communication antenna, RF circuit, wireless LAN card, and other communication processing circuits. In the case of wired communication, it may be equipped with, for example, a NIC with a wired LAN terminal, a transmission circuit, and other communication processing circuits.

[0060] The memory unit 220 is a storage device that stores various types of information. The memory unit 220 comprises a main memory and an auxiliary storage device. The main memory may be implemented using semiconductor memory elements such as RAM, ROM, or flash memory. The auxiliary storage device may be implemented using a hard disk, SSD, or optical disc, for example.

[0061] As shown in Figure 10, the storage unit 220 includes a content storage unit 221. The information stored in this configuration will be described below.

[0062] The content storage unit 221 stores information related to the content created by the user. Since the information stored in the content storage unit 221 is the same as the information stored in the content storage unit 121 of the content distribution device 100, a detailed explanation of the information stored in the content storage unit 221 will be omitted.

[0063] The control unit 230 is a controller that manages and controls the user terminal 200. The control unit 230 is implemented by a CPU, MPU, etc., which executes various programs stored in the memory unit 220 using RAM as the working area. Alternatively, the control unit 230 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

[0064] As shown in Figure 10, the control unit 230 includes an acquisition unit 231, a reception unit 232, and a distribution unit 233. The control unit 230 realizes these functions and performs these processes by reading and executing a program (software) from the storage unit 220. These functions of the control unit 230 may also be realized by electronic circuits. Furthermore, the control unit 230 may perform these processes with a single CPU, or it may have multiple CPUs and perform these processes in parallel with the multiple CPUs. These configurations will be described in order below.

[0065] The acquisition unit 231 acquires content from the user. For example, the acquisition unit 231 acquires audio input via the audio input / output unit 240, which will be described later, as content. For example, the acquisition unit 231 may acquire content input via the communication unit 210.

[0066] The reception unit 232 receives content delivery requests from users. For example, the reception unit 232 may display a delivery request reception screen, as shown in Figure 6, on the display unit 250 to receive content delivery requests from users. The process of displaying a delivery request reception screen, as shown in Figure 6, and receiving content delivery requests from users is the same as the process of the reception unit 133 of the content delivery device 100 described above, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0067] The distribution unit 233 distributes content to the user. For example, the distribution unit 233 may provide content to the user by outputting the sound of the content distributed from the content distribution device 100 to the sound input / output unit 240 and displaying the content distribution screen or the video of the content on the display unit 250.

[0068] The sound input / output unit 240 inputs and outputs various types of sound. That is, the sound input / output unit 240 has the functions of both a microphone and a speaker. For example, the sound input / output unit 240 may output the sound of content. The sound input / output unit 240 may also accept input of voice or musical instrument sounds via the microphone.

[0069] The display unit 250 displays various types of information. For example, the display unit 250 may display a content distribution screen, a distribution reception screen, or video of the content. The display unit 250 may be implemented using a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a micro-LED display, or the like.

[0070] (Structure and effect) The content distribution device 100 according to this disclosure includes an acquisition unit 131 that acquires individual content created by an artist, an overlapping unit 132 that generates composite content by overlapping multiple individual content, and a playback management unit 135 that manages the playback order of the individual content constituting the composite content when playing the composite content. The playback management unit 135 determines the playback order of the individual content based on the order in which the individual content is overlapped with the composite content, and plays the individual content by overlapping it with the individual content that is already being played.

[0071] With this configuration, when playing composite content, the playback of individual content can be increased one by one in the order in which the individual content was superimposed during the creation process of the composite content. Therefore, the user can experience the process of how the composite content is created. Thus, it is possible to provide a content distribution device 100 that can appropriately adjust the playback order of individual content in composite content.

[0072] The playback management unit 135 of the content distribution device 100 relating to this disclosure divides individual content into predetermined time intervals and plays the individual content at predetermined time intervals.

[0073] With this configuration, when playing composite content, individual content can be divided into predetermined time intervals, and the playback of individual content can be increased at predetermined intervals. Therefore, by listening to the individual content played at predetermined intervals, users can experience the process of how the composite content is created. Thus, it is possible to provide a content distribution device 100 that can appropriately adjust the playback order of individual content in composite content.

[0074] The content distribution device 100 according to this disclosure further includes an analysis unit 134 that analyzes the sound waveform of individual content, and a playback management unit 135 that generates bar divisions based on the tempo obtained by analyzing the sound waveform of individual content, and plays the individual content according to the bar divisions.

[0075] With this configuration, when playing composite content, the system can divide the content into measures based on the tempo obtained by analyzing the sound waveforms of the individual contents, and increase the playback of the individual contents at each measure. Therefore, by listening to the individual contents played at each measure, the user can feel the process of how the composite content is created. Thus, it is possible to provide a content distribution device 100 that can appropriately adjust the playback order of the individual contents in the composite content.

[0076] The analysis unit 134 of the content distribution device 100 according to this disclosure selects the dominant individual content in the composite content based on the duration and sound pressure of the individual content, and the playback management unit 135 determines the order in which the dominant individual content selected by the analysis unit 134 will be played first.

[0077] This configuration allows for determining the playback order of dominant content when playing composite content. Therefore, users can easily identify influential individual content elements in the creation of composite content by listening to them first. Thus, a content distribution device 100 can be provided that appropriately adjusts the playback order of individual content elements within composite content.

[0078] The content distribution method relating to this disclosure includes the steps of acquiring individual content created by an artist, generating composite content by superimposing multiple individual content, and managing the playback order of the individual content constituting the composite content when playing the composite content. In the step of managing the playback order, the playback order of the individual content is determined based on the order in which the individual content is superimposed on the composite content, and the individual content is played on top of the individual content that is already being played.

[0079] This configuration allows for the playback of composite content one by one, in the order in which the individual contents were layered during the creation process of the composite content. Therefore, users can experience the process of how the composite content is created. Consequently, this provides a content delivery method that allows for appropriate adjustment of the playback order of individual contents within the composite content.

[0080] The program relating to this disclosure includes the steps of acquiring individual content created by an artist, generating composite content by superimposing multiple individual content, and managing the playback order of the individual content constituting the composite content when playing the composite content, wherein the step of managing the playback order causes the computer to determine the playback order of the individual content based on the order in which the individual content is superimposed on the composite content, and to play them superimposed on the individual content that is already being played.

[0081] With this configuration, when playing composite content, the playback of individual content can be increased one by one in the same order in which the individual content was layered during the creation process of the composite content. Therefore, the user can experience the process of how the composite content is created. Thus, it is possible to provide a program that can appropriately adjust the playback order of individual content within composite content.

[0082] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to those described herein. Furthermore, the aforementioned components include those that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that fall within the so-called equivalent range. Moreover, the aforementioned components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the embodiments described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100 Content Distribution Devices 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 Content Storage Unit 122 Sequential memory unit 130 Control Unit 131 Acquisition Department 132 Polymerization section 133 Reception Department 134 Analysis Department 135 Reproduction Management Department 136 Distribution Department 137 Display Control Unit 140 Sound output section 150 Display section 200 user terminals 210 Communications Department 220 Storage section 221 Content Storage Unit 230 Control Unit 231 Acquisition Department 232 Reception Department 233 Distribution Department 240-bit audio input / output section 250 Display section N Network

Claims

1. The acquisition unit acquires individual content created by the artist, A superposition unit that generates composite content by superimposing multiple individual contents, The playback management unit includes, when playing the composite content, a playback management unit that manages the playback order of the individual contents that make up the composite content, The playback management unit determines the playback order of the individual content based on the order in which the individual content is superimposed on the composite content, and plays the individual content on top of the individual content that is already being played. Content distribution device.

2. The playback management unit divides the individual content into predetermined time intervals and plays the individual content at predetermined time intervals. The content distribution device according to claim 1.

3. It further includes an analysis unit that analyzes the sound waveform of the individual content, The playback management unit generates bar divisions based on the tempo obtained by analyzing the sound waveform of the individual content, and plays the individual content according to the bar divisions. A content distribution device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The system further includes an analysis unit that selects the dominant individual content in the composite content based on the duration and sound pressure of the individual content, The playback management unit determines the order in which the dominant individual content selected by the analysis unit will be played first. A content distribution device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. Steps to acquire individual content created by the artist, A step to generate composite content by overlaying multiple individual pieces of content, The process includes, during playback of the composite content, managing the playback order of the individual contents that make up the composite content, In the step of managing the playback order, the order in which the individual contents are played is determined based on the order in which the individual contents are superimposed on the composite content, and the individual contents are played on top of the individual contents that are already being played. Content distribution methods.

6. Steps to acquire individual content created by the artist, A step to generate composite content by overlaying multiple individual pieces of content, The process includes, during playback of the composite content, managing the playback order of the individual contents that make up the composite content, In the step of managing the playback order, the order in which the individual contents are played is determined based on the order in which the individual contents are superimposed on the composite content, and the individual contents are played on top of the individual contents that are already being played. A program that causes a computer to execute something.

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