Music performance device, program, and control method

Abstract

Provided is a music performance device (100) for recommending a second musical piece that pairs well with a first musical piece. The music performance device comprises: an acquisition unit (132) for acquiring information pertaining to the situation of a user; a specification unit (133) for selecting a plurality of pieces of music to be specified on the basis of the information and specifying a second musical piece from the plurality of pieces of music to be specified; and a display unit (110) for displaying information indicating the second musical piece.

Description

Musical piece performance device, program, and control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a music performance device, a program, and a control method.

[0002] The music listening environment has changed dramatically with the spread of the Internet. For example, the source of music information is shifting from traditional fixed media to communication media such as Internet radio and streaming services. In response to these changes, the number of songs that DJs (Disc Jockeys) can choose from is also increasing. When a DJ selects music, not only is the selection of songs and phrases important, but the order in which the songs are played is also very important. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a music playback system that automatically selects music using acoustic features.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-216486

[0004] Generally, DJs are constantly searching for new music and performance ideas, including the order in which they play songs. In such cases, professional DJs often respond by listening to a variety of music and grasping its characteristics. However, for average users with little musical knowledge or experience, this requires musical knowledge, experience, and sensitivity, making it difficult. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a music performance device, program, and control method that allows users to easily search for their preferred music depending on their situation.

[0005] [1] A music performance device that recommends a second piece of music that is a good match for a first piece of music, the music performance device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information about a user's situation; an identification unit that selects a plurality of target pieces of music based on the information and identifies the second piece of music from the plurality of target pieces of music; and a display unit that displays information indicating the second piece of music. [2] The music performance device described in [1], wherein the information includes information based on the user's past operation history. [3] The music performance device described in [1] or [3], wherein the information includes information based on the user's current operation status. [4] The music performance device described in any of [1] to [3], which includes a playback unit that plays music, and the first piece of music is the piece currently being played by the playback unit. [5] The music performance device described in any of [1] to [4], wherein the acquisition unit acquires information based on the user's operation. [6] A control method for a music performance device that recommends a second piece of music that is a good match for a first piece of music, the control method for an audio device comprising the steps of acquiring information about a user's situation, selecting a plurality of target pieces of music based on the information, identifying the second piece of music from the plurality of target pieces of music, and displaying information indicating the second piece of music. [7] A program for causing a computer to function as a music performance device that recommends a second piece of music that is a good match for a first piece of music, the program comprising an acquisition unit that acquires information about a user's situation, an identification unit that selects a plurality of target pieces of music based on the information and identifies the second piece of music from the plurality of target pieces of music, and a display unit that displays information indicating the second piece of music.

[0006] It is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a music performance device according to an embodiment of the present invention It is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention It is a flowchart showing a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention

[0007] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0008] [General Configuration of Music Performance Device] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the general functional configuration of a music performance device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The music performance device according to one embodiment of the present invention may be a player, a mixer that controls the player, a DJ system that integrates the player and mixer, or a music performance device that uses a terminal such as a computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The present invention can also be applied to a DJ controller that does not have a playback function.

[0009] Music performance device 100 has the functions of a first player (hereinafter referred to as DECK1) and a second player (hereinafter referred to as DECK2), as well as the function of a mixer that controls each of DECK1 and DECK2. As shown in FIG. 1, music performance device 100 includes a display 110, an operation unit 120, a control unit 130, a music data storage unit 140, and an audio output unit 150. The functions of each of the above units are realized by a processor operating according to a program in a music performance device that has the hardware configuration of a computer, for example. The functions of each unit are further described below.

[0010] The display 110 is a display device that displays a screen containing various information for the music performance device 100. Various types of display devices can be used for the display 110, such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device. Furthermore, the display 110 may be configured as a touch panel that displays controls for accepting user operations on the screen and detects the contact position using a contact sensor or the like to accept the user operations. The operation unit 120 accepts various user operations via multiple controls and outputs information indicating the content of the user operations to the control unit 130. The information indicating the content of the user operations is supplied to each unit within the control unit 130. The operation unit 120 can utilize various known technologies, and therefore illustrations and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0011] The control unit 130 is implemented in the musical piece playing device 100 by, for example, a communications interface, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and memory that serves as a working area, and controls the operation of the musical piece playing device 100. The control unit 130 includes a display control unit 131, an acquisition unit 132, an identification unit 133, a first playback unit 134, and a second playback unit 135, which are realized by the processor operating in accordance with a program stored in the memory or received via the communications interface.

[0012] The display control unit 131 causes the display 110 to display a screen including various information related to the music being played by the music performance device 100. The acquisition unit 132 acquires information related to the user's situation. The information related to the user's situation includes at least one of information based on the user's past operation history on the music performance device 100 and information based on the user's current operation situation. Details of the information related to the user's situation will be described later.

[0013] The first playback unit 134 decodes music played on the first player, DECK1, and outputs the generated audio signal to the audio output unit 150 (described later). Similarly, the second playback unit 135 decodes music played on the second player, DECK2, and outputs the generated audio signal to the audio output unit 150 (described later).

[0014] The music data storage unit 140 is configured to be able to store music data using a hard disk drive (HDD), flash memory, etc. The music data storage unit 140 stores a plurality of music data in a predetermined format such as MP3 format. In addition to audio information, the music data includes tag information such as the BPM of the music, artwork, title, artist name, album name, key, number of DJ plays, and genre.

[0015] Note that music performance device 100 may also be configured to include a communications interface, and acquire music data stored in an external storage device, a computer, or the like via the communications interface (not shown), and store the music data in music data storage unit 140. In this case, music performance device 100 does not include music data storage unit 140, and the external storage device functions as music data storage unit 140. Similarly, music performance device 100 may also be configured to include a communications interface, and acquire music data from a music application or streaming service using the Internet, and store the music data in music data storage unit 140.

[0016] The audio output unit 150 includes an audio output terminal such as a speaker terminal or a headphone terminal, and outputs the audio signals of the music output by the first reproduction unit 134 and the second reproduction unit 135 as audio information.

[0017] [Regarding Identification of Music Pieces by Identification Unit 133] Of the information about the user's situation described above, information based on the user's past operation history includes, for example, information indicating how the user operated which controls on the operation unit 120. This information makes it possible to estimate what operations the user performed on the music performance device 100, more specifically, how the user searched for music pieces.

[0018] On the other hand, information based on the user's current operation status includes, for example, information indicating how the user is operating which of the controls on the operation unit 120. Such information makes it possible to estimate in real time the intention and purpose of the user's use of the music performance device 100. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 132 may acquire location information of the music performance device 100 and the user in addition to or instead of the information based on the user's current operation status.

[0019] The identification unit 133 selects a plurality of target pieces of music based on the information about the user's situation acquired by the acquisition unit 132, and identifies the next piece of music to be played from the plurality of target pieces of music. The identification unit 133 first estimates a scene or user context in which the user is using the music performance device 100 based on the information about the user's situation. Note that the user context refers to various situations related to the user, and includes, for example, the user's location information, the user's operation situation and operation history, the user's attributes, and the user's background. Examples of the scene or user context estimated here include the following:

[0020] (1) When searching for new music for an upcoming event. If it is determined that the user is browsing for music that the user does not own based on information based on the user's current operating status or the user's location information, the identification unit 133 infers that the user is "searching for new music." In such a case, the identification unit 133 selects music that the user does not own from an internet-based music application or streaming service as the multiple music pieces to be identified.

[0021] (2) When creating a playlist for a specific scheduled event. If it is determined based on information based on the user's current operating status and the user's location information that the user is creating a playlist by selecting key songs and arranging songs that the user owns or has listed, the identification unit 133 infers that the user is "creating a playlist." In such a case, the identification unit 133 selects songs that the user owns or has listed as the multiple songs to be identified.

[0022] (3) When a user is performing DJ play at a specific event. If it is determined based on information based on the user's current operating status and the user's location information that the user is performing a playlist created in advance or songs that the user has performed in the past, the identification unit 133 infers that the user is "performing DJ play." In such a case, the identification unit 133 selects songs that the user has performed in the past and songs that the user owns or has listed as multiple songs to be identified.

[0023] The identification unit 133 identifies the next piece of music to be played from the multiple pieces of music to be identified described in (1) to (3). The identification unit 133 identifies different pieces of music as pieces of music to be identified, that is, as candidates for pieces of music to be identified, depending on the estimated scene or user context. Note that instead of estimating the scene or user context, the scene or user context may be specified based on a user operation via the operation unit 120. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which multiple scenes or user contexts are prepared in advance as options, and one of the options is selected by the user.

[0024] Furthermore, when identifying the next song to be played from the plurality of songs to be identified described in (1) to (3), the identification unit 133 uses various known identification techniques to identify the song. The identification of songs is performed, for example, by identifying related songs, such as songs with a similar atmosphere or songs that have been played in combination in the past. Furthermore, when identifying the next song to be played from the plurality of songs to be identified described in (1) to (3), the identification unit 133 may use information based on the user's past operation history. For example, the identification unit 133 may determine a music application or streaming service that the user frequently uses from the user's past operation history, and use the music application or streaming service as the plurality of songs to be identified.

[0025] 2 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display 110. The display control unit 131 causes the display 110 to display information indicating the music piece identified by the identification unit 133.

[0026] In the example of Fig. 2, information indicating a song Mb (second song) that is recommended as the next song to be played for a song Ma (first song) currently being played is displayed. The example of Fig. 2 shows an example in which artwork and titles are displayed for songs Ma and Mb. Information other than artwork and titles may also be displayed as information indicating the songs.

[0027] 2, information indicating songs Mc1 to Mc3 that are recommended as songs to be played next after song Mb (second song) is displayed. Songs Mc1 to Mc3 are multiple songs recommended as songs to be played next after song Mb, and any one of them can be selected using scroll icons S1 and S2.

[0028] 2, information indicating songs Md11 to Md13 that are recommended as the next song to be played after song Mc1 is displayed. Songs Md11 to Md13 are multiple songs that are recommended as the next song to be played after song Mc1, and any one of them can be selected using scroll icons S3 and S4. Note that in the example of FIG. 2, when song Md11 is selected, information indicating songs Md11 to Md13 that are recommended as the next song to be played is displayed, and similarly, information about songs Mc2 and Mc3 that are recommended as the next song to be played is displayed.

[0029] By checking the display that visualizes the information indicating the songs identified by the identification unit 133, the user can easily understand and imagine the flow and rhythm of the DJ play. This allows for easy and quick song search and song selection. This is particularly effective when performing the DJ play described in (3).

[0030] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of each unit in identifying a song. In the example shown in FIG. 3, first, the acquisition unit 132 acquires information about the user's situation (step S101). Then, the identification unit 133 selects a song to be identified (step S102) and identifies the next song to be played from the multiple songs to be identified (step S103). Then, the display control unit 131 displays the identification result by the identification unit 133 on the display 110 (step S104).

[0031] The series of processes described in steps S101 to S104 may be configured to be performed at predetermined time intervals, which allows specific content and techniques of music to be optimized in real time according to the user's situation.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention as described above, information about the user's situation is acquired, multiple target songs are selected based on the acquired information, a suitable song to play next is identified from the multiple target songs, and information indicating the identified song is displayed on the display unit 110. This makes it possible to appropriately narrow down the target songs depending on the user's situation. This makes it possible to easily search for preferred songs depending on the user's situation.

[0033] In particular, when DJing, a pre-created playlist may not necessarily match the atmosphere or flow of the moment. Even in such cases, it is possible to easily search for desirable songs. Therefore, it is possible to quickly search for songs that match the atmosphere and flow of the moment and create a new playlist.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the information about the user's situation includes information based on the user's past operation history, which allows the user to easily search for a desired song based on the user's past operation history.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the information about the user's situation includes information based on the user's current operating situation, which allows the user to easily search for a desired song based on the user's current operating situation.

[0036] The display screens described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and the elements, designs, layouts, etc. are not limited to those of the present embodiment. The elements, designs, layouts, etc. of each display screen may be set by the user.

[0037] Furthermore, music performance devices with the above-described functions are not limited to DJ equipment and DJ applications, and the present invention may also be applied to music applications, internet-based streaming services, and the like. While the above embodiment describes a two-channel music performance device having DECK1 and DECK2, similar functions can also be realized in a music performance device with, for example, three or more channels. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to DJ equipment, but can also be applied to music performance devices such as general mixers and electronic musical instruments, as well as DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) and DTMs (Desktop Music Players).

[0038] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0039] 100...music performance device, 110...display, 120...operation unit, 130...control unit, 131...display control unit, 132...acquisition unit, 133...identification unit, 134...first playback unit, 135...second playback unit, 140...music data storage unit, 150...audio output unit.

Claims

1. A music performance device that recommends a second piece of music that is a good match for a first piece of music, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information about a user's situation; an identification unit that selects a plurality of target pieces of music based on the information and identifies the second piece of music from the plurality of target pieces of music; and a display unit that displays information indicating the second piece of music.

2. The music performance device according to claim 1, wherein the information includes information based on the user's past operation history.

3. A music performance device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the information includes information based on the user's current operating status.

4. A music performance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a playback unit that plays music, wherein the first music piece is a music piece currently being played by the playback unit.

5. A music performance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the information based on an operation by the user.

6. A control method for a music playing device that recommends a second piece of music that is compatible with a first piece of music, the control method comprising the steps of: acquiring information about a user's situation; selecting a plurality of target pieces of music based on the information, and identifying the second piece of music from the plurality of target pieces of music; and displaying information indicating the second piece of music.

7. A program for causing a computer to function as a music performance device that recommends a second piece of music that is compatible with a first piece of music, the program comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information about the user's situation; an identification unit that selects a plurality of target pieces of music based on the information and identifies the second piece of music from the plurality of target pieces of music; and a display unit that displays information indicating the second piece of music.

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