U.S. patent application number 11/824178 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-08 for content distribution system; content distribution method; distribution server, client terminal, and portable terminal used in the system; and computer readable recording medium on which is recorded a program for operating a computer used in the system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Yamaha Corporation. Invention is credited to Yutaka Hasegawa, Takeshi Kikuchi, Kosei Terada, Satoru Umezawa.
Application Number | 20070260679 11/824178 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26594116 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070260679 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kikuchi; Takeshi ; et
al. |
November 8, 2007 |
Content distribution system; content distribution method;
distribution server, client terminal, and portable terminal used in
the system; and computer readable recording medium on which is
recorded a program for operating a computer used in the system
Abstract
A user accesses a sound data distribution server by operating a
client terminal. The sound data distribution server transmits data
for displaying a list of distributable music. The data are
displayed on a display unit of the client terminal. While referring
to the display on the display unit, the user requests the sound
data distribution server for distribution of regular music data.
This request is issued from the client terminal. A cellular phone
to which the regular music data are to be distributed is specified
by data (e.g., a mail address of the cellular phone) input at the
client terminal. This enables the sound data distribution server to
recognize the cellular phone and distribute the regular music data
to the cellular phone.
Inventors: |
Kikuchi; Takeshi;
(Hamamatsu-shi, JP) ; Hasegawa; Yutaka;
(Hamamatsu-shi, JP) ; Terada; Kosei;
(Hamamatsu-shi, JP) ; Umezawa; Satoru;
(Hamamatsu-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRISON & FOERSTER, LLP
555 WEST FIFTH STREET
SUITE 3500
LOS ANGELES
CA
90013-1024
US
|
Assignee: |
Yamaha Corporation
Hamamatsu-Shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
26594116 |
Appl. No.: |
11/824178 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09882721 |
Jun 15, 2001 |
|
|
|
11824178 |
Jun 28, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 51/00 20130101;
H04L 67/303 20130101; H04L 67/04 20130101; H04W 88/14 20130101;
H04L 67/26 20130101; H04L 67/02 20130101; H04W 84/042 20130101;
H04W 4/00 20130101; H04L 65/4084 20130101; H04W 88/02 20130101;
H04L 29/06027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/203 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 16, 2000 |
JP |
2000-181648 |
Nov 20, 2000 |
JP |
2000-366160 |
Claims
1. A content distribution system which comprises a portable
terminal, a distribution server capable of communicating with said
portable terminal, and a client terminal capable of communicating
with said distribution server and in which a content item is
distributed from said distribution server to said portable terminal
by use of said client terminal, wherein said distribution server
comprises: a database which stores a plurality of content items;
search means for performing search under search conditions provided
from said client terminal in order to select from the stored
content items a content item or items which match the search
conditions and for transmitting content-specifying data which
specify the selected content item or items to said client terminal
as search results; and content distribution means for distributing
to said portable terminal a content item corresponding to
content-specifying data transmitted from said client terminal or
said portable terminal; said client terminal comprises: search
condition transmission means for transmitting the search conditions
to said distribution server; and display means for displaying the
search results transmitted from said distribution server; said
portable terminal comprises: content execution means for performing
operation on the basis of the content item distributed from said
distribution server; and said client terminal or said portable
terminal comprises: content-specifying-data transmission means for
transmitting the content-specifying data to said distribution
server.
2. A content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said
distribution server comprises: trial-content distribution means for
distributing, in response to a request from said client terminal, a
trial content item to said client terminal, the trial content item
corresponding to the content-specifying data transmitted from said
content-specifying-data transmission means and being used at said
client terminal in trial use of the content item to be distributed
to said portable terminal; and said client terminal comprises:
trial-content request means for transmitting the content-specifying
data to said distribution server and requesting distribution of the
trial content item; and trial means for using on a trial basis the
trial content item transmitted from said distribution server.
3. A content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said
client terminal or said portable terminal comprises
type-specifying-data transmission means for transmitting to said
distribution server data which specify a type of said content
execution means of said portable terminal; and said content
distribution means of said distribution server distributes to said
portable terminal a content item corresponding to the
content-specifying data transmitted from said
content-specifying-data transmission means and the data which
specify the type of said content execution means of said portable
terminal.
4. A content distribution system according to claim 3, wherein said
content distribution means of said distribution server processes a
content item stored in said database and corresponding to the
content-specifying data transmitted from said content-specifying
data transmission means, in accordance with the data which specify
the type of said content execution means of said portable terminal
and transmits the processed content item to the portable
terminal.
5. A content distribution system according to claim 3, wherein said
distribution server comprises a database which stores a plurality
of content items corresponding to types of said content execution
means of said portable terminal; and said content distribution
means of said server selects from the plurality of content items
stored in said database one content item corresponding to the
content-specifying data, in accordance with the data which specify
a type of said content execution means of said portable terminal,
and distributes the selected content item to said portable
terminal.
6. A content distribution method in which a content item stored in
a distribution server having a database storing a plurality of
content items is distributed to a portable terminal capable of
communicating with said distribution server and including content
execution means for performing operation on the basis of the
distributed content item, by use of a client terminal capable of
communicating with said distribution server and including display
means, wherein search conditions for content search are transmitted
from said client terminal to said distribution server; search is
performed at said distribution server in accordance with the search
conditions in order to select from the stored content items a
content item or items which match the search conditions, and
content-specifying data which specify the selected content item or
items are transmitted to said client terminal as search results;
the search results are displayed on said display means of sad
client terminal; distribution of a content item is requested from
said client terminal or said portable terminal to said distribution
server on the basis of the content-specifying data; and in response
to the request, the content item corresponding to the
content-specifying data is transmitted from said distribution
server to said portable terminal.
7. A content distribution method in which a content item stored in
a distribution server having a database storing a plurality of
content items is distributed to a portable terminal capable of
communicating with said distribution server and including content
execution means for performing operation on the basis of the
content item, by use of a client terminal capable of communicating
with said distribution server and including display means and trial
means for performing operation on the basis of a trial content item
corresponding to the content item to be distributed to said
portable terminal, wherein search conditions for content search are
transmitted from said client terminal to said distribution server;
search is performed at said distribution server in accordance with
the search conditions in order to select from the stored content
items a content item or items which match the search conditions,
and content-specifying data which specify the selected content item
or items are transmitted to said client terminal as search results;
the search results are displayed on said display means of sad
client terminal; distribution of the trial content item is
requested from said client terminal to said distribution server on
the basis of the content-specifying data; in response to the
request for the trial content item, the trial content item
corresponding to the content-specifying data is transmitted from
said distribution server to said client terminal; the trial content
item is used on a trial basis by said trial means of said client
terminal; distribution of the content item is requested from said
client terminal or said portable terminal to said distribution
server on the basis of the content-specifying data; and in response
to the request for the content item, the content item corresponding
to the content-specifying data is transmitted from said
distribution server to said portable terminal.
8. A content distribution method according to claim 7, wherein data
which specify a type of said content execution means of said
portable terminal are transmitted from said client terminal or said
portable terminal to said distribution server; and a content item
corresponding to the content-specifying data and the data which
specify the type of said content execution means of said portable
terminal is distributed from said distribution server to said
portable terminal.
9. A content distribution method according to claim 8, wherein the
content item corresponding to the data which specify the type of
said content execution means of said portable terminal is produced
by said distribution server which processes a content item stored
in a database of said distribution server and corresponding to the
content-specifying data in accordance with the data which specify
the type of said content execution means of said portable
terminal.
10. A content distribution method according to claim 8, wherein a
plurality of content items corresponding to types of said content
execution means of said portable terminal are stored in a data base
of said distribution server; and the content item corresponding to
the data which specify the type of said content execution means of
said portable terminal is obtained by selecting one content item
from the stored content items in accordance with the
content-specifying data and the data which specify the type of said
content execution means of said portable terminal.
11. A distribution server which can communicate with a portable
terminal including content execution means for performing operation
on the basis of a distributed content item and a client terminal
including trial means for performing operation on the basis of a
distributed trial content item and display means for displaying
search results, comprising: a database which stores a plurality of
content items; search means for performing search under search
conditions provided from said client terminal in order to select
from the stored content items a content item or items which match
the search conditions and for transmitting content-specifying data
which specify the selected content item or items to said client
terminal as search results; content distribution means for
distributing to said portable terminal a content item corresponding
to the content-specifying data, in response to a distribution
request signal transmitted from said client terminal or said
portable terminal and containing the content-specifying data; and
trial-content distribution means for distributing to said client
terminal a trial content item corresponding to the
content-specifying data, in response to a distribution request
signal transmitted from said client terminal and containing the
content-specifying data.
12. A client terminal capable of communicating with a distribution
server which distributes a content item to a portable terminal
including content execution means for performing operation on the
basis of the distributed content item and which includes a database
for storing a plurality of content items, comprising: search
condition transmission means for transmitting to said distribution
server search conditions used for content search; and display means
for receiving from said distribution server content-specifying data
which specify a content item or items selected thorough searching
performed by said distribution server and matching the searching
conditions and for displaying the content-specifying data as search
results.
13. A client terminal according to claim 12, further comprising:
trial-content request means for requesting said distribution server
to distribute a trial content item which is used at said client
terminal for trial use of the content item to be distributed to
said portable terminal; and trial means for using on a trial basis
the trial content item transmitted from said distribution
server.
14. A client terminal according to claim 12, further comprising
type-specifying-data transmission means for transmitting to said
distribution server data for specifying a type of said content
execution means of said portable terminal.
15. A portable terminal to which one of a plurality of content
items stored in a distribution server is distributed by use of a
client terminal capable of communicating with said distribution
server, comprising: content-specifying-data transmission means for
transmitted to said distribution server content-specifying data for
specifying a content item among content items selected through
searching performed on the basis of search conditions transmitted
from said client terminal to said distribution server; and content
execution means for performing operation on the basis of the
content item which is distributed from said distribution server in
accordance with the content-specifying data.
16. A portable terminal according to claim 15, further comprising
type-specifying-data transmission means for transmitting to said
distribution server data which specify a type of said content
execution means.
17. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a
program applied to a client computer which can communicate with a
distribution server which has a database for storing a plurality of
content items and distributes a content item to a portable terminal
including content execution means for performing operation on the
basis of the distributed content item, said program comprising:
search condition transmission processing for transmitting to said
distribution server search conditions used for content search; and
display processing for receiving from said distribution server
content-specifying data which specify a content item or items
selected thorough searching performed by said distribution server
and matching the searching conditions and for displaying the
content-specifying data as search results.
18. A computer-readable recording medium according to claim 17,
wherein said program further comprises: trial-content request
processing for requesting said distribution server to distribute a
trial content item which is used at said client terminal for trial
use of the content item to be distributed to said portable
terminal; and trial processing for using on a trial basis the trial
content item transmitted from said distribution server.
19. A computer-readable recording medium according to claim 17,
wherein said program further comprises type-specifying-data
transmission processing for transmitting to said distribution
server data for specifying a type of said content execution means
of said portable terminal.
20. A content distribution system which comprises a portable
terminal, a distribution server capable of communicating with said
portable terminal, and a client terminal capable of communicating
with said distribution server and in which a content item is
distributed from said distribution server to said portable terminal
by use of said client terminal, wherein said distribution server
comprises: a database for storing a plurality of content items;
content storage means for storing said content items in said
database together with registration dates each indicating a date on
which the corresponding content item has been stored in said
database, in such a manner that the registration dates are related
to said content items; search means for performing search under
search conditions provided from said client terminal in order to
select from the content items stored in said database content items
which match the search conditions, sorting data representing the
selected content items in descending order of registration dates to
thereby produce a list, and transmitting the thus-produced list to
said client terminal as search results; and content distribution
means for distributing to said portable terminal a content item
corresponding to content-representing-data transmitted from said
client terminal or said portable terminal; said client terminal
comprises: search condition transmission means for transmitting the
search conditions to said distribution server; and display means
for displaying the search results transmitted from said
distribution server; said portable terminal comprises: content
execution means for performing operation on the basis of the
content item distributed from said distribution server; and said
client terminal or said portable terminal comprises: data
transmission means for transmitting the content-representing data
to said distribution server.
21. A content distribution system which comprises a portable
terminal, a distribution server capable of communicating with said
portable terminal, and a client terminal capable of communicating
with said distribution server and in which a content item is
distributed from said distribution server to said portable terminal
by use of said client terminal, wherein said distribution server
comprises: a database for storing a plurality of regular content
items and trial content items corresponding to the regular content
items; content storage means for storing said regular content items
and trial content items in said database together with
trial-content registration dates each indicating a date on which
the corresponding trial content item has been stored in said
database; search means for performing search under search
conditions provided from said client terminal in order to select
from the regular content items stored in said database regular
content items which match the search conditions, sorting data
representing the selected regular content items in descending order
of registration dates of the trial content items corresponding to
the selected regular content items, to thereby produce a list, and
transmitting the thus-produced list to said client terminal as
search results; trial content distribution means for distributing a
trial content item to said client terminal in response to a
trial-content distribution request from said client terminal, the
trial content item corresponding to content-representing data
transmitted from said client terminal together with the
distribution request; regular content distribution means for
distributing a regular content item to said portable terminal in
response to a regular-content distribution request from said client
terminal or said portable terminal, the regular content item
corresponding to content-representing data transmitted from said
client terminal or said portable terminal together with the
distribution request; said client terminal comprises: search
condition transmission means for transmitting the search conditions
to said distribution server; display means for displaying the
search results transmitted from said distribution server; and
trial-content request means for transmitting the
content-representing data and the trial-content distribution
request; and trial means for using on a trial basis the trial
content item transmitting from said distribution server; said
portable terminal comprises: content execution means for performing
operation on the basis of the regular content item distributed from
said distribution server; and said client terminal or said portable
terminal comprises: regular-content request means for transmitting
to said distribution server the content-representing data and the
regular-content distribution request.
22. A content distribution system according to claim 21, wherein
said distribution server comprises content conversion means for
converting the regular content items to the trial content
items.
23. A content distribution system according to claim 22, wherein
said client terminal or said portable terminal comprises
type-specifying-data transmission means for transmitting to said
distribution server data which specify a type of said content
execution means of said portable terminal; and said regular content
distribution means of said distribution server distributes to said
portable terminal the regular content item corresponding to the
content-representing data and the data which specify the type of
the content execution means of the portable terminal.
24. A content distribution method in which a content item stored in
a distribution server having a database storing a plurality of
content items is distributed to a portable terminal capable of
communicating with said distribution server and including content
execution means for performing operation on the basis of the
distributed content item, by use of a client terminal capable of
communicating with said distribution server and including display
means, wherein said content items are stored in said database
together with content-item registration dates each indicating a
date on which the corresponding content item has been stored in
said database; search conditions are transmitted from said client
terminal to said distribution server; content items which match the
search conditions are selected by said distribution server from
said database and data representing the selected content items are
sorted in descending order of registration dates to thereby produce
a list; the thus-produced list is transmitted from said
distribution server to said client terminal as search results; the
search results are displayed on said display means of said client
terminal; distribution of a content item is requested from said
client terminal or said portable terminal to said distribution
server on the basis of content-representing data; and in response
to the request, the content item corresponding to the
content-representing data are distributed from said distribution
server to said portable terminal.
25. A content distribution method in which a content item stored in
a distribution server having a database for storing content items
and trial content items is distributed to a portable terminal
capable of communicating with said distribution server and
including content execution means for performing operation on the
basis of the distributed content item, by use of a client terminal
capable of communicating with said distribution server and
including display means and trial content execution means for using
a distributed trial content item on a trial basis, wherein regular
content items and trial content items corresponding to the regular
content items are stored in said database together with
trial-content registration dates each indicating a date on which
the corresponding trial content item has been stored in said
database; search conditions are transmitted from said client
terminal to said distribution server; content items which match the
search conditions are selected by said distribution server from
said database and data representing the selected content items are
sorted in descending order of registration dates of the trial
content items corresponding to the selected regular content items
to thereby produce a list; the thus-produced list is transmitted
from said distribution server to said client terminal as search
results; the search results are displayed on said display means of
said client terminal; distribution of a trial content item is
requested from said client terminal or said portable terminal to
said distribution server on the basis of content-representing data;
in response to the request for distribution of the trial content
item, the trial content item corresponding to the
content-representing data are distributed from said distribution
server to said client terminal; distribution of a content item is
requested from said client terminal or said portable terminal to
said distribution server on the basis of content-representing data;
and in response to the request for distribution of the content
item, the content item corresponding to the content-representing
data are distributed from said distribution server to said portable
terminal.
26. A content distribution method according to claim 25, wherein
the regular content items are converted to produce the trial
content items.
27. A content distribution method according to claim 26, wherein
the data which specify a type of said content execution means of
said portable terminal are transmitted from said client terminal or
said portable terminal to said distribution server; and a content
item corresponding to the data which specify a type of said content
execution means of said portable terminal and the
content-representing data transmitted from said client terminal or
said portable terminal to said distribution server is transmitted
from said distribution server to said portable terminal.
28. A distribution server which can communicate with a portable
terminal including content execution means for performing operation
on the basis of a distributed content item and a client terminal
including display means for displaying search results, comprising:
a database for storing a plurality of content items; content
storage means for storing said content items in said database
together with registration dates each indicating a date on which
the corresponding content item has been stored in said database, in
such a manner that the registration dates are related to said
content items; search means for performing search under search
conditions provided from said client terminal in order to select
from the content items stored in said database content items which
match the search conditions, sorting data representing the selected
content items in descending order of registration dates to thereby
produce a list, and transmitting the thus-produced list to said
client terminal as search results; and content distribution means
for distributing to said portable terminal a content item
corresponding to content-representing-data transmitted from said
client terminal or said portable terminal.
29. A distribution server which can communicate with a portable
terminal including content execution means for performing operation
on the basis of a distributed content item and a client terminal
including display means for displaying search results and trial
means for performing operation on the basis of a trial content item
corresponding to the content item to be distributed to said
portable terminal, comprising: a database for storing a plurality
of regular content items and trial content items corresponding to
the regular content items; content storage means for storing said
regular content items and trial content items in said database
together with trial-content registration dates each indicating a
date on which the corresponding trial content item has been stored
in said database; search means for performing search under search
conditions provided from said client terminal in order to select
from the regular content items stored in said database regular
content items which match the search conditions, sorting data
representing the selected regular content items in descending order
of registration dates of the trial content items corresponding to
the selected regular content items, to thereby produce a list, and
transmitting the thus-produced list to said client terminal as
search results; trial content distribution means for distributing a
trial content item to said client terminal in response to a
trial-content distribution request from said client terminal, the
trial content item corresponding to content-representing data
transmitted from said client terminal together with the
distribution request; and regular content distribution means for
distributing a regular content item to said portable terminal in
response to a regular-content distribution request from said client
terminal or said portable terminal, the regular content item
corresponding to content-representing data transmitted from said
client terminal or said portable terminal together with the
distribution request.
30. A distribution server according to claim 29, further comprising
content conversion means for converting the regular content items
to the trial content items.
31. A client terminal capable of communicating with a distribution
server which includes a database for storing a plurality of content
items and which distributes a content item to a portable terminal
including content execution means for performing operation on the
basis of the distributed content item, comprising: search condition
transmission means for transmitting the search conditions to said
distribution server; and display means for displaying, as search
results, the list transmitted from said distribution server, the
list including content-representing data representing the content
items selected from said database on the basis of the search
condition and sorted in descending order of their registration
dates.
32. A client terminal capable of communicating with a distribution
server which includes a database for storing content items and
trial content items together with registration dates of the trial
content items and which distributes a regular content item to a
portable terminal including content execution means for performing
operation on the basis of the distributed regular content item,
comprising: search condition transmission means for transmitting
the search conditions to said distribution server; display means
for displaying, as search results, the list transmitted from said
distribution server, the list including content-representing data
representing the content items selected from said database on the
basis of the search conditions and sorted in descending order of
registration dates of the trial content items; trial-content
request means for transmitting the content-representing data and
requesting distribution of the trial content item; and trial means
for using on a trial basis the trial content item transmitted from
said distribution server.
33. A client terminal according to claim 32, further comprising
type-specifying-data transmission means for transmitting to said
distribution server data which specify a type of said content
execution means of said portable terminal.
34. A content distribution system according to claim 2, wherein a
different trial content item is distributed depending on the type
of said content execution means of said portable terminal.
35. A content distribution system according to claim 2, wherein
said distribution server comprises charging means for charging a
predetermined fee to a user of said client terminal or to a user of
said portable terminal when the content item is distributed, and
charging a fee lower than the predetermined fee to the user when
the trial content item is distributed.
36. A content distribution method according to claim 7, wherein a
different trial content item is distributed depending on the type
of said content execution means of said portable terminal.
37. A content distribution method according to claim 7, wherein a
predetermined fee is charged to a user of said client terminal or
to a user of said portable terminal when the content item is
distributed; and a fee lower than the predetermined fee is charged
to the user when the trial content item is distributed.
38. A distribution server according to claim 11, wherein said
trial-content distribution means distributes a different trial
content item to said client terminal in accordance with the type of
said content execution means of said portable terminal.
39. A distribution server according to claim 11, further comprising
charging means for charging a predetermined fee to a user of said
client terminal or to a user of said portable terminal when the
content item is distributed, and for charging a fee lower than the
predetermined fee to the user when the trial content item is
distributed.
40. A client terminal according to claim 13, further comprising
type-specifying-data transmission means for transmitting to said
distribution server data for specifying a type of said content
execution means of said portable terminal.
41. A computer-readable recording medium according to claim 18,
wherein said program further comprises type-specifying-data
transmission processing for transmitting to said distribution
server data for specifying a type of said content execution means
of said portable terminal.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. patent application
No. 09/882,721 filed Jun. 15, 2001, the entire contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a system which includes a
distribution server capable of distributing content items such as
sound data (e.g., data of incoming call melodies), a client
terminal (e.g., a personal computer) capable of communicating with
the distribution server, and a portable terminal (e.g., a cellular
phone) capable of communicating with the distribution server, and
in which the distribution server distributes the content items to
the client terminal or the portable terminal.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] With recent development of communication techniques,
portable terminals such as cellular phones and mobile computers
have come into wide use. Meanwhile, the number of content
distribution services which enable users to obtain content items to
be used on their portable terminals has increased. Among the
content distribution services, a service which enables a cellular
phone, which is one type of portable terminal, to obtain data of an
incoming call melody, which is one type of content item, is called
an "incoming-call-melody providing service." The
incoming-call-melody providing service enables a user of a cellular
phone to select a desired music data item from a large number of
music data items provided in the distribution server and to request
distribution of the selected music data item. In response to the
request, the distribution server distributes to the cellular phone
the music data item selected by the user.
[0006] However, under the above-described conventional technique,
all of various operations for obtaining an incoming call melody
must be performed on a cellular phone. However, such operations are
not easy to perform on cellular phones having a reduced size.
Therefore, completing necessary operations requires a prolonged
period of time. In addition, in the case in which a user decides
whether to buy a music data item after a trial listen of the music
(trial of a content item), the time during which his/her cellular
phone is connected to a distribution server tends to increase.
Moreover, due to relatively high communication cost of such a
cellular phone, among other causes, a relatively high usage fee is
charged to a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention
is to provide a content distribution system and method which enable
users to obtain content items for portable terminals from a
distribution server through simple operation, without imposing
undue stress on the users.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
distribution server, a client terminal, and a portable terminal
which constitute the content distribution system.
[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a computer readable recording medium on which is recorded a program
for operating a computer used in the content distribution
system.
[0010] In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention
provides a content distribution system which comprises a portable
terminal, a distribution server capable of communicating with the
portable terminal, and a client terminal capable of communicating
with the distribution server and in which a content item is
distributed from the distribution server to the portable terminal,
wherein the distribution server comprises content distribution
means for distributing the content item to the portable terminal in
response to a request from the client terminal; the client terminal
comprises content request means for requesting the distribution
server to distribute the content item to the portable terminal; and
the portable terminal comprises content execution means for
performing operation on the basis of the distributed content
item.
[0011] By virtue of the above-described configuration, a user can
request the distribution server to distribute the content item to
the portable terminal, by operating the client terminal, which-is
generally superior in ease of operation to the portable terminal.
Therefore, the user can easily receive the content distribution
service.
[0012] In the content distribution system, preferably, the
distribution server comprises trial-content distribution means for
distributing, in response to a request from the client terminal, a
trial content item to the client terminal, the trial content item
being used at the client terminal in trial use of the content item
to be distributed to the portable terminal; and the client terminal
comprises trial-content request means for requesting the
distribution server to distribute the trial content item, and trial
means for using on a trial basis the trial content item transmitted
from the distribution server.
[0013] By virtue of the above-described configuration, through
operation of the client terminal a user can easily obtain the trial
content item which is used at the client terminal in a trial use of
the content item to be distributed to the portable terminal.
[0014] Preferably, the content distribution means of the
distribution server comprises URL mailing means for sending an
electronic mail to the portable terminal in order to transmit to
the portable terminal the URL of a download page for downloading
the content item, and download means for downloading the content
item to the portable terminal in response to access to the URL by
the portable terminal; and the portable terminal comprises content
obtaining means for accessing the URL of the download page
transmitted from the distribution server in order to download the
content item.
[0015] By virtue of the above-described configuration, a user can
obtain the content item through simple operation of accessing a URL
which is transmitted by use of an electronic mail function provided
in many portable terminals. Therefore, the user can easily receive
distribution of the content item. In addition, since the user must
access the transmitted URL in order to obtain the content item, a
final confirmation as to whether the user wishes to purchase the
content item can be performed at the portable terminal.
[0016] Preferably, the content request means of the client terminal
comprises address transmission means for transmitting to the
distribution server a mail address of the portable terminal to
which the URL of the download page is to be transmitted by means of
an electronic mail.
[0017] By virtue of the above-described configuration, a user can
easily transmit to the distribution server the mail address of the
portable terminal to which the content item is to be
downloaded.
[0018] Preferably, the content request means of the client terminal
comprises portable-terminal-specifying-data transmission means for
transmitting to the distribution server data for specifying the
portable terminal; and the content distribution means of the
distribution server comprises direct distribution means for
distributing the content item directly to the portable terminal
specified by the data transmitted by the
portable-terminal-specifying-data transmission means.
[0019] By virtue of the above-described configuration, a user can
easily cause the distribution server to recognize the portable
terminal to which the content item is to be distributed, by use of
the client terminal, and enable the portable terminal to obtain the
content item.
[0020] Preferably, the data transmitted by the
portable-terminal-specifying-data transmission means of the client
terminal include a mail address of the portable terminal; and the
direct distribution means of the distribution server transmits an
electronic mail directed to the mail address of the portable
terminal, while attaching the content item to the electronic
mail.
[0021] By virtue of the above-described configuration, by use of
the client terminal a user can easily transmit to the distribution
server the mail address of the portable terminal to which the
content item is to be distributed. In addition, the user can easily
obtain the content item by use of an electronic mail function and a
document attaching function thereof provided in many portable
terminals.
[0022] Preferably, the client terminal comprises
type-specifying-data transmission means for transmitting to the
distribution server data which specify a type of the content
execution means of the portable terminal; and the content
distribution means of the distribution server distributes to the
portable terminal a content item corresponding to the data which
specify the type of the content execution means of the portable
terminal.
[0023] The above-described configuration enables distribution of
content items suitable for (usable in) various cellular phones
(i.e., portable terminals which perform operation on the basis of
the content items) which differ from one another in terms of
configuration of a sound source circuit (i.e., content execution
means) for reproducing, for example, an incoming call melody.
[0024] Preferably, in the system configured to distribute to the
portable terminal a content item corresponding to the data which
specify the type of the content execution means of the portable
terminal, the distribution server comprises a database which stores
a content item; and the content distribution means processes the
content item stored in the database in accordance with the data
which specify the type of the content execution means of the
portable terminal and distributes the processed content item to the
portable terminal as the requested content item.
[0025] The above-described configuration eliminates the necessity
of storing a content item in the database of the distribution
server for each type of the content execution means of the portable
terminal, whereby the capacity of the database can be reduced. In
other words, a larger number of content items can be stored in the
database in the event its capacity is maintained constant.
[0026] Preferably, in the system configured to distribute to the
portable terminal a content item corresponding to the data which
specify the type of the content execution means of the portable
terminal, the distribution server comprises a database which stores
a plurality of content items corresponding to types of the content
execution means of the portable terminal; and the content
distribution means of the distribution server selects one content
item from the plurality of content items stored in the database in
accordance with the data which specify the type of the content
execution means of the portable terminal and distributes the
selected content item to the portable terminal.
[0027] In this case, since content items are not required to be
processed at the distribution server, a content item suitable for
(the content execution means of) each portable terminal can be
distributed to the portable terminal within a shorter period of
time.
[0028] The present invention provides another content distribution
system which comprises a portable terminal, a client terminal
capable of communicating with the portable terminal, and a
distribution server capable of communicating with the client
terminal and in which a content item is distributed from the
distribution server to the portable terminal by use of the client
terminal, wherein the distribution server comprises content
distribution means for distributing the content item to the client
terminal in response to a request from the client terminal; the
client terminal comprises content request means for requesting the
distribution server to distribute the content item, and content
transmission means for transmitting to the portable terminal the
content item distributed from the distribution server; and the
portable terminal comprises content execution means for performing
operation on the basis of the content item transmitted from the
client terminal.
[0029] In the above-described configuration, in response to a
request from the client terminal, the content item is distributed
from the distribution server to the client terminal, and the
content item distributed to the client terminal is transmitted to
the portable terminal. Therefore, a user can easily receive the
content distribution service through operation of the client
terminal, which is generally superior in ease of operation to the
portable terminal.
[0030] In the content distribution system, preferably, the
distribution server comprises trial-content distribution means for
distributing, in response to a request from the client terminal, a
trial content item to the client terminal, the trial content item
being used at the client terminal in trial use of the content item
to be distributed from the client terminal to the portable
terminal; and the client terminal comprises trial-content request
means for requesting the distribution server to distribute the
trial content item, and trial means for using the distributed trial
content item on a trial basis.
[0031] By virtue of the above-described configuration, through
operation of the client terminal a user can easily obtain the trial
content item which is used at the client terminal in trial use of
the content item to be distributed to the portable terminal.
[0032] The present invention provides still another content
distribution system which comprises a portable terminal, a
distribution server capable of communicating with the portable
terminal, and a client terminal capable of communicating with the
distribution server and in which a content item is distributed from
the distribution server to the portable terminal by use of the
client terminal. The distribution server comprises a database which
stores a plurality of content items; search means for performing
search under search conditions provided from the client terminal in
order to select from the stored content items a content item or
items which match the search conditions and for transmitting
content-specifying data which specify the selected content item or
items to the client terminal as search results; and content
distribution means for distributing to the portable terminal a
content item corresponding to content-specifying data transmitted
from the client terminal or the portable terminal. The client
terminal comprises search condition transmission means for
transmitting the search conditions to the distribution server; and
display means for displaying the search results transmitted from
the distribution server. The portable terminal comprises content
execution means for performing operation on the basis of the
distributed content item. The client terminal or the portable
terminal comprises content-specifying-data transmission means for
transmitting the content-specifying data to the distribution
server.
[0033] In order to search a content item that a user wishes to be
distributed, the user transmits search conditions, such as artist
and desired genre, from the client terminal to the distribution
server. The distribution server selects from the content items
stored in the database a content item or items matching the search
conditions and transmits data specific to the selected content item
or items (content-specifying data) to the client terminal as search
results. The client terminal displays the content-specifying data
as search results by use of the display means. From the
content-specifying data displayed by the display means, the user
selects a content-specifying data item corresponding to the content
item desired to be distributed and transmits the selected
content-specifying data item from the client terminal or the
portable terminal to the distribution server, to thereby request
distribution of a content item corresponding to the
content-specifying data item. In response to the request, the
distribution server transmits to the portable terminal the content
item corresponding to the content-specifying data item.
[0034] Accordingly, the user can easily perform content search and
can receive a desired content, through operation of the client
terminal, which is generally superior in ease of operation to the
portable terminal.
[0035] In the content distribution system, preferably, the
distribution server comprises trial-content distribution means for
distributing, in response to a request from the client terminal, a
trial content item to the client terminal, the trial content item
corresponding to the content-specifying data transmitted from the
content-specifying-data transmission means and being used at the
client terminal in trial use of the content item to be distributed
to the portable terminal; and the client terminal comprises
trial-content request means for transmitting the content-specifying
data to the distribution server and requesting distribution of the
trial content item, and trial means for using on a trial basis the
trial content item transmitted from the distribution server.
[0036] By virtue of the above-described configuration, through
operation of the client terminal a user can easily obtain and use
the trial content item which is used at the client terminal in
trial use of the searched content item.
[0037] Preferably, the client terminal or the portable terminal
comprises type-specifying-data transmission means for transmitting
to the distribution server data which specify a type of the content
execution means of the portable terminal; and the content
distribution means of the distribution server distributes to the
portable terminal a content item corresponding to the
content-specifying data transmitted from the
content-specifying-data transmission means and the data which
specify the type of the content execution means of the portable
terminal.
[0038] The above-described configuration is suitable for the case
in which a content item which the user has selected on the basis of
search results is distributed to a cellular phone which the user
has selected from various cellular phones (i.e., portable terminals
which perform operation on the basis of the content items) which
differ from one another in terms of configuration of a sound source
circuit (i.e., content execution means) for reproducing, for
example, an incoming call melody. In such a case, a content item
which satisfies the search conditions and is suitable for the
selected cellular phone is distributed to the selected cellular
phone.
[0039] Preferably, the content distribution means of the
distribution server processes a content item stored in the database
and corresponding to the content-specifying data in accordance with
the data which specify the type of the content execution means of
the portable terminal and transmits the processed content item to
the portable terminal.
[0040] The above-described configuration enables distribution of
content items suitable for (usable in) various portable terminals
which differ from one another in terms of configuration of the
content execution means which performs operation on the basis of
the content items. In addition, since content items are not
required to be stored in the database of the distribution server
for each type of the content execution means of the portable
terminal, the capacity of the database can be reduced. Further, a
larger number of content items can be stored in the database in the
event its capacity is maintained constant.
[0041] Preferably, the distribution server comprises a database
which stores a plurality of content items corresponding to types of
the content execution means of the portable terminal; and the
content distribution means of the server selects from the plurality
of content items stored in the database one content item
corresponding to the content-specifying data, in accordance with
the data which specify a type of the content execution means of the
portable terminal, and distributes the selected content item to the
portable terminal.
[0042] The above-described configuration enables distribution of
content items suitable for (usable in) various portable terminals
which differ from one another in terms of configuration of the
content execution means which performs operation on the basis of
the content items. In addition, since content items are not
required to be processed at the distribution server, a content item
suitable for (the content execution means of) each portable
terminal can be distributed to the portable terminal within a
shorter period of time.
[0043] Preferably, in the above-described content distribution
system which performs distribution of trial content items, a
different trial content item is distributed in accordance with the
type of the content execution means of the portable terminal.
[0044] The above configuration enables performance of a trial at
the client terminal so as to simulate the execution of a content
item at the portable terminal. In this case, preferably, the client
terminal comprises type-specifying-data transmission means for
transmitting to the distribution server data which specify a type
of the content execution means of the portable terminal; and the
trial content distribution means of the distribution server
distributes to the client terminal a trial content item
corresponding to the data which specify the type of the content
execution means of the portable terminal.
[0045] Preferably, in the above-described content distribution
system which performs distribution of trial content items, the
distribution server charges a predetermined fee to a user of the
client terminal when the content item is distributed, and charges a
fee lower than the predetermined fee to the user of the client
terminal when the trial content item is distributed.
[0046] Since the above-described configuration enables the user to
try a content item at a lower fee, a content distribution service
which satisfies the user can be provided. Notably, the fee lower
than the predetermined fee charged upon distribution of the trial
content item may be no fee (i.e., the trial content item is
provided free of charge).
[0047] The present invention provides still another content
distribution system which comprises a portable terminal, a
distribution server capable of communicating with the portable
terminal, and a client terminal capable of communicating with the
distribution server and in which a content item is distributed from
the distribution server to the portable terminal by use of the
client terminal. The distribution server comprises a database for
storing a plurality of content items; content storage means for
storing the content items in the database together with
registration dates each indicating a date on which the
corresponding content item has been stored in the database, in such
a manner that the registration dates are related to the content
items; search means for performing search under search conditions
provided from the client terminal in order to select from the
content items stored in the database content items which match the
search conditions, sorting data representing the selected content
items in descending order of registration dates to thereby produce
a list, and transmitting the thus-produced list to the client
terminal as search results; and content distribution means for
distributing to the portable terminal a content item corresponding
to content-representing-data transmitted from the client terminal
or the portable terminal. The client terminal comprises search
condition transmission means for transmitting the search conditions
to the distribution server; and display means for displaying the
search results transmitted from the distribution server. The
portable terminal comprises content execution means for performing
operation on the basis of the content item distributed from the
distribution server; and the client terminal or the portable
terminal comprises data transmission means for transmitting the
content-representing data to the distribution server.
[0048] In the above-described content distribution system, content
items are stored (registered) in the database together with their
registration dates. Content items matching the search conditions
provided from the client terminal are selected from the database.
Subsequently, data representing the selected content items are
sorted in descending order of registration dates to thereby produce
a list. The thus-produced list is transmitted to the client
terminal as search results, which are then displayed on the display
means of the client terminal. While referring to the display, the
user selects a content item to be distributed, and transmits
content-representing data representing the determined content item,
from the client terminal or the portable terminal to the
distribution server, to thereby obtain the content item at the
portable terminal. Accordingly, the user can obtain very easily the
latest desired content item which matches the search
conditions.
[0049] The present invention provides still another content
distribution system which comprises a portable terminal, a
distribution server capable of communicating with the portable
terminal, and a client terminal capable of communicating with the
distribution server and in which a content item is distributed from
the distribution server to the portable terminal. The distribution
server comprises a database for storing a plurality of regular
content items and trial content items corresponding to the regular
content items; content storage means for storing the regular
content items and trial content items in the database together with
trial-content registration dates each indicating a date on which
the corresponding trial content item has been stored in the
database; search means for performing search under search
conditions provided from the client terminal in order to select
from the regular content items stored in the database regular
content items which match the search conditions, sorting data
representing the selected regular content items in descending order
of registration dates of the trial content items corresponding to
the selected regular content items, to thereby produce a list, and
transmitting the thus-produced list to the client terminal as
search results; trial content distribution means for distributing a
trial content item to the client terminal in response to a
trial-content distribution request from the client terminal, the
trial content item corresponding to content-representing data
transmitted from the client terminal together with the distribution
request; and regular content distribution means for distributing a
regular content item to the portable terminal in response to a
regular-content distribution request from the client terminal or
the portable terminal, the regular content item corresponding to
content-representing data transmitted from the client terminal or
the portable terminal together with the distribution request. The
client terminal comprises search condition transmission means for
transmitting the search conditions to the distribution server;
display means for displaying the search results transmitted from
the distribution server; and trial-content request means for
transmitting the content-representing data and the trial-content
distribution request; and trial means for using on a trial basis
the trial content item transmitting from the distribution server.
The portable terminal comprises content execution means for
performing operation on the basis of the regular content item
distributed from the distribution server. The client terminal or
the portable terminal comprises regular-content request means for
transmitting to the distribution server the content-representing
data and the regular-content distribution request.
[0050] In the above-described content distribution system, in
addition to regular content items, trial content items are stored
(registered) in the database together with their registration
dates. Regular content items matching the search conditions are
selected from the database. Subsequently, data representing the
selected regular content items are sorted in descending order of
registration dates of the trial content times to thereby produce a
list. The thus-produced list is transmitted to the client terminal
as search results, which are then displayed on the display means of
the client terminal. While referring to the display, the user
determines a trial content item to be distributed, and transmits
content-representing data representing the determined trial content
item from the client terminal to the distribution server, to
thereby obtain the content item at the client terminal.
Accordingly, the user can obtain very easily the latest desired
trial content item which matches the search conditions.
[0051] Further, in the list displayed as search results, data
representing trial content items are displayed in descending order
of registration dates of the trial content items. Therefore, even
in the case in which trial content items are stored (registered) in
the database with a delay after storage of corresponding regular
content items, the system treats the registration dates of the
trial content items, not the registration dates of the regular
content items, as the actual registration dates. Therefore, it is
possible to avoid the problem of days passing while regular content
items that have been supplied to the distribution server cannot be
used on a trial basis, because of a delay in registering trial
content items, resulting in the regular content items becoming old
by the time the trial content items are registered.
[0052] In this case, preferably, the distribution server comprises
content conversion means for converting the regular trial content
items to the trial content items.
[0053] When the above configuration is employed, the trial content
items are automatically produced from the regular trial content
items in the distribution server, whereby the burden imposed on a
content producer is mitigated. Further, even when the content
producer does not provide trial content items corresponding to
regular trial content items, a service for enabling users to try
the regular trial content items can be provided.
[0054] In this case, preferably, the client terminal or the
portable terminal comprises type-specifying-data transmission means
for transmitting to the distribution server data which specify a
type of the content execution means of the portable terminal; and
the regular content distribution means of the distribution server
distributes to the portable terminal the regular content item
corresponding to the content-representing data and the data which
specify the type of the content execution means of the portable
terminal.
[0055] The present invention provides still another content
distribution system which comprises a client terminal, and a
distribution server capable of communicating with the client
terminal and in which a content item is distributed from the
distribution server to the client terminal. The distribution server
comprises a database for storing a content item; content processing
means for processing the content item stored in the database in
accordance with data transmitted from the client terminal and
representing an environment of content execution means of the
client terminal; and content distribution means for distributing
the processed content item to the client terminal in response to a
distribution request from the client terminal. The client terminal
comprises content execution means for executing the content item
transmitted from the distribution server; distribution request
means for requesting the distribution server for distribution of
the content item; and environment data transmission means for
transmitting to the distribution server the data representing the
environment of the content execution means of the client
terminal.
[0056] For example, if data stored in the distribution server are
distributed to the client terminal (including a portable terminal)
as they are, upon execution of the data, there is produced a result
different from the intended result (for example, tone color differs
from the intended tone color). By contrast, when the
above-described configuration is employed, the content item stored
in the database is processed in accordance with the data
representing the environment of the content execution means of the
client terminal (e.g., a sound source scheme, a sound source
circuit, or a compression scheme used for compressing the data to
be used); and the thus-processed content item is distributed to the
client terminal. Accordingly, the content item is executed more
properly by the content execution means of the client terminal.
[0057] The present invention provides still another content
distribution system which comprises a first terminal, a
distribution server capable of communicating with the first
terminal, and a second terminal capable of communicating with the
distribution server and in which a content item is distributed from
the distribution server to the second terminal. The distribution
server comprises a database for storing a content item; content
processing means for processing the content item stored in the
database in accordance with data transmitted from the first
terminal and representing an environment of content execution means
of the second terminal; and content distribution means for
distributing the processed content item to the second terminal in
response to a distribution request from the first or second
terminal. The first terminal comprises environment data
transmission means for transmitting to the distribution server the
data representing the environment of the content execution means of
the second terminal. The second terminal comprises content
execution means for executing the content transmitted from aid
distribution server. The first or second terminal comprises
distribution request means for requesting to the distribution
server for distribution of the content.
[0058] The above-described configuration uses the first and second
terminals. Data representing the environment of the content
execution means of the second terminal are transmitted from the
first terminal to the distribution server, which then transmits to
the second terminal a content item corresponding to the data
representing the environment. In this case, the distribution server
may distribute to the second terminal the content item stored in
the database, after processing/conversion of the content item or
without processing/conversion. Thus, while using the first
terminal, the user can instruct the distribution server to
distribute to the second terminal the content item adapted to the
content execution means of the second terminal.
[0059] Although the content distribution systems according to the
present invention have been described above, the present invention
encompasses the distribution server, the client terminal (first
terminal), and the portable terminal (second terminal), which
constitute the content distribution systems; a content distribution
method therefor; and a computer readable recording media on which
is recorded a program for the content distribution processing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0060] Various other objects, features and many of the attendant
advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as
the same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description of the preferred embodiments when considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0061] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a content (sound data)
distribution system according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a
block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a client
terminal used in the present invention;
[0062] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the
configuration of a cellular phone used in the present
invention;
[0063] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operation of a sound data
distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0064] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing operation of a sound data
distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0065] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing operation of a sound data
distribution system according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0066] FIG. 7 is a flowchart-showing operation of a sound data
distribution system according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0067] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing operation of a sound data
distribution system according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0068] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing operation of a sound data
distribution system according to a sixth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0069] FIG. 10 is an illustration showing a search condition input
screen which is displayed on a display unit of a client terminal in
the sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0070] FIG. 11 is an illustration showing a search result display
screen which is displayed on the display unit of the client
terminal in the sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0071] FIG. 12 is an illustration showing a screen for purchasing
regular music data which is displayed on a display unit of a
cellular phone according to the sixth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0072] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing operation of a sound data
distribution system according to a seventh embodiment of the
present invention;
[0073] FIG. 14 is an illustration showing a screen for confirming
the intention of purchasing regular music data which is displayed
on the display unit of the cellular phone according to the seventh
embodiment of the present invention;
[0074] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing operation of a sound data
distribution system according to an eighth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0075] FIG. 16 is an illustration showing a search condition input
screen which is displayed on the display unit of the client
terminal in the eighth embodiment of the present invention;
[0076] FIG. 17 is an illustration showing a search result display
screen which is displayed on the display unit of the client
terminal in the eighth embodiment of the present invention;
[0077] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing operation of a sound data
distribution system according to a ninth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0078] FIG. 19 is an illustration showing a search condition input
screen which is displayed on the display unit of the client
terminal in the ninth embodiment of the present invention (for the
case in which data to be distributed are in the form of MIDI
files);
[0079] FIG. 20 is an illustration showing a search condition input
screen which is displayed on the display unit of the client
terminal in the ninth embodiment of the present invention (for the
case in which data to be distributed are in the form of audio
files); and
[0080] FIG. 21 is an illustration showing a search result display
screen which is displayed on the display unit of the client
terminal in the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0081] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment
[0082] FIG. 1 is a schematic system diagram of a content
distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present
invention. In the present embodiment, content items to be
distributed are incoming call melody data (sound data, music data)
for cellular phones. The term "incoming call melody" refers to a
sound (music) which a cellular phone 60 produces as a ringing tone
upon receipt of a call.
[0083] The system of the first embodiment utilizes the Internet 10.
A sound data distribution server 20 serving as a content
distribution server, a client terminal (may be referred to as a
"first terminal") 30, a relay server 40, and a charging server 80
are connected to the Internet 10, so that they can communicate
(exchange data) with one another. A radio base station 50 is
connected to the relay server 40. The cellular phone 60 serving as
a portable terminal (may be referred to as a "second terminal") can
communicate with the sound data distribution server 20 and the
client terminal 30 via the radio base station 50, the relay server
40, and the Internet 10. The cellular phone 60 and the client
terminal 30 may be designed to perform direct communication
therebetween, without use of the Internet 10, by means of a cable
or radio (e.g., radio waves or infrared rays).
[0084] The sound data distribution server 20 contains a computer as
a structural component. In accordance with a request from the
client terminal 30, the sound data distribution server 20
distributes to the client terminal 30 or the cellular phone 60
sound data for trial listening (trial content) or regular sound
data (content). The sound data distribution server 20 includes a
WEB server 21, a sound-data database 22, a charge database 23, and
a user management database 24. A large number of sound data items
(in the present embodiment, a large number of regular music data
items to be used as incoming call melodies and a large number of
trial music data items corresponding to the regular music data
items) are stored in the sound-data database 22. Information used
for charging usage fee to the user of the cellular phone 60 is
stored in the charge database 23. Data regarding the user of the
cellular phone 60, such as a phone number of the cellular phone, a
password, and a user name, are stored in the user management
database 24. Each of the sound data items stored in the sound-data
database 22 is related to a type of the cellular phone 60 which can
use the sound data; genre; artist; composer; lyricist; introductory
phrase; keywords (Christmas, summer, morning, love, etc.); era; and
relevant information such as information indicating whether the
sound data are a reproduction of an advertising jingle or a theme
song of a drama. These data are stored in the sound-data database
22 together with the corresponding sound data and are used for
searching, which will be described later. The above-mentioned
regular music data which the sound data distribution server 20
distributes may be referred to as "regular content" or simply
"content." The above-mentioned music data for trial listening may
be referred to as "trial content" to be distinguished from the
regular content.
[0085] In actuality, the WEB server 21 is a program stored within a
computer. The WEB server 21 retrieves necessary data from the
databases 22 to 24 and supplies the data to the client terminal 30,
the relay server 40, and the charging server 80 in accordance with
a predetermined communication protocol (e.g., HTTP). Further, when
data are supplied from the client terminal 30, the relay server 40,
and the charging server 80 in accordance with the predetermined
communication protocol, the WEB server 21 receives and processes
the data, and stores the processed data in the databases 22 to 24
if necessary.
[0086] The client terminal 30 is mainly formed of a personal
computer (PC). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the client
terminal 30 consists of a display unit 31, speakers 32, a control
unit 33, and a keyboard 34 equipped with a mouse and serving as an
input device. The control unit 33 includes a WEB browser 33a and a
player 33b, both realized by means of programs. The control unit 33
further includes a communication unit 33c for controlling
communications effected between the Internet 10 and the WEB browser
33a, and a sound source circuit 33d connected to the speakers 32.
The WEB browser 33a and the player 33b are connected to the
keyboard 34 so as to respond to inputs from the keyboard 34. The
WEB browser 33a and the player 33b are connected to each other for
mutual data exchange and cooperative operation. That is, the WEB
browser 33a and the player 33b control the display unit 31
connected to the WEB browser 33a to thereby provide predetermined
display and control the sound source circuit 33d connected to the
WEB browser 33a and the player 33b to thereby produce sound from
the speakers 32. The sound source circuit 33d includes a sound
source, which is not a copy of the sound source provided in the
cellular phone 60 but an ordinary GM (General MIDI) sound source or
any other suitable sound source. Notably, as will be described
later, the player 33b reproduces trial music data (trial content)
by use of the sound source circuit 33d and the speakers 32. That
is, the player 33b, the sound source circuit 33d, and the speakers
32 constitute trial means for reproducing trial content items.
[0087] Referring back to FIG. 1, the relay server 40 includes a
computer. Upon reception of data which are supplied from the sound
data distribution server 20 and the client terminal 30 via the
internet 10, the relay server 40 converts the data to a
predetermined signal and transmits the signal to the radio base
station 50. The radio base station 50 modulates the signal received
from the relay server 40 and transmits the modulated signal to the
cellular phone 60. When the radio base station 50 receives a signal
transmitted from the cellular phone 60, the radio base station 50
demodulates the signal and supplies a resultant signal to the relay
server 40. The relay server 40 converts the signal received from
the radio base station 50 to predetermined data and supplies the
data to the sound data distribution server 20 and the client
terminal 30 in accordance with the above-mentioned predetermined
protocol.
[0088] As shown by the block diagram of FIG. 3, the cellular phone
60 includes a CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, nonvolatile RAM 64, an
external storage device 65 such as a memory card, and a
communication interface 66 for enabling wired data communication
with other computers. These components are mutually connected via a
bus and are controlled by the CPU 61. The nonvolatile RAM 64 may be
EEPROM.
[0089] The cellular phone 60 further includes an antenna 67; a
transmission/reception circuit 68 connected to the antenna 67; a
modulation/demodulation circuit 69 connected to the
transmission/reception circuit 68 and adapted to demodulate a
signal received by the antenna 67 and to modulate a signal which is
fed by means of control effected by the CPU 61 and which is to be
transmitted from the antenna 67; panel operating elements 70
including a plurality of push switches for inputting phone numbers
and other instructions; a detection circuit 71 connected to the
panel operating elements 70 and adapted to detect actuation of the
panel operating elements 70; a display unit 72 for displaying
numeric and alphabetic information; a display circuit 73 for
controlling display of the display unit 72; a sound source circuit
74; an effect circuit 75 connected to the sound source circuit 74;
and a sound system 76 connected to the effect circuit 75 and
including an amplifier and a speaker. Of these components, the
modulation/demodulation circuit 69, the detection circuit 71, the
display circuit 73, the source circuit 74, and the effect circuit
75 are mutually connected via a bus and are controlled by the CPU
61.
[0090] Using clock information output from a timer 61a connected to
the CPU 61, the CPU 61 executes programs stored in the ROM 62 and
the external storage device 65. The RAM 63 serves as storage means
for temporarily storing data necessary for execution of the
programs by the CPU 61 and received data such as sound data. When
data are written in the nonvolatile RAM 64 with an unillustrated
main power source being "ON," the nonvolatile RAM 64 stores and
maintains the written data even after the main power source is
turned "OFF." When the main power source is "ON," the nonvolatile
RAM 64 supplies the stored or maintained data to the CPU 61 in
accordance with a request from the CPU 61. The nonvolatile RAM 64
constitutes a portion of the registration means for storing
(registering) incoming call melodies which the cellular phone 60
produces upon reception of a call. The user can select one of the
incoming call melodies as an active incoming call melody through
setting operation. Upon reception of call, the CPU 61 reads the
selected or active incoming call melody from the nonvolatile RAM 64
and reproduces the incoming call melody by use of the sound source
circuit 74, the effect circuit 75 connected to the sound source
circuit 74, and the sound system 76 connected to the effect circuit
75 and including an amplifier and a speaker. That is, these
components constitute the content execution means of the cellular
phone 60.
[0091] The charging server 80 includes a computer and is adapted to
manage charges to the user. On the basis of data supplied from the
sound data distribution server 20 via the Internet 10, the charging
server 80 charges a usage fee to the user. Specifically, the
charging server 80 performs necessary data communication with a
computer of a financial institution (bank) at which the user owns
his/her account and automatically withdraws from the user's account
a usage fee for the sound-data distribution service.
[0092] It should be noted that the charging server 80 may charge
the fee to the user of the client terminal 30 instead of the user
of the portable terminal (the cellular phone 60), if the user of
the portable terminal is different from the user of the client
terminal 80.
[0093] The charging server 80 may be configured to issue an invoice
and mail it to the user. The financial institution may be a company
which manages a user's credit card. Further, charging may be
performed in such a manner that a purchase amount of the sound data
is added to telephone charges of the cellular phone 60. The
charging scheme may be a per-use rate scheme in which a
predetermined amount of money (e.g. 50 yen per piece of music) is
charged every time the user purchases a piece of music
(corresponding sound data), or a fixed rate scheme in which, upon
payment of a predetermined base fee, the user is allowed to
purchase a predetermined number of pieces of music within a
predetermined period (e.g., up to 10 pieces of music within one
month, upon payment of 300 yen), and the number of purchasable
pieces of music remaining is decremented each time the user
purchases a piece of music. Alternatively, the per-use rate scheme
and the fixed rate scheme may be combined to provide a charging
scheme in which the predetermined base fee covers purchase of a
predetermined number of pieces of music within a predetermined
period, and a predetermined fee is added for each piece of music
purchased additionally.
[0094] Next, operation of the content distribution system having
the above-described configuration will be described with reference
to FIG. 4. In the following embodiments, the client terminal 30 and
the cellular phone 60 are assumed to be owned by the same
authorized user.
[0095] First, the user starts the WEB browser 33a through operation
of the keyboard 34, and access the WEB server 21 of the sound data
distribution server 20 by use of the WEB browser 33a (S400). In
response to the access operation, the WEB server 21 reads from the
data stored in the sound-data database 22 a list of content items
(a list of incoming call melodies) which can be distributed to the
cellular phone 60, and transmits the list to the WEB browser 33a
(S402).
[0096] Upon receipt of the content list, the WEB browser 33a
displays it on the display unit 31 as a list of pieces of music for
trial listening. While viewing the display, the user selects a
piece of music that he or she wishes to listen to on a trial basis
(a trial piece of music) and specifies the piece through mouse
operation. In response to the selection operation, the WEB browser
33a requests the WEB server 21 to distribute data of a trial piece
of music (trial music data) specified by the user (S404).
[0097] Upon receipt of the distribution request for the trial music
data, the WEB server 21 searches a URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
of a page (download page) for downloading the requested trial music
data, and transmits the searched URL to the WEB browser 33a (S406).
The WEB browser 33a supplies the received URL to the player 33b
(S408). Upon receipt of the URL, the player 33b displays the URL on
the display unit 31. When the user wishes to obtain the trial music
data, the user clicks the displayed URL by use of the mouse. In
response thereto, the player 33b issues a download instruction
signal to the WEB browser 33a (S410), and the WEB browser 33a
transmits the download instruction signal to the WEB server 21
(S412).
[0098] Upon receipt of the download instruction signal, the WEB
server 21 reads out of the sound-data database 22 the trial music
data specified by the user and transmits the data to the WEB
browser 33a as a trial music file (S416). Subsequently, the WEB
browser 33a supplies the trial music file to the player 33b (S418).
In this case, the WEB server 21 does not charge any fee to the
user. The trial music file may be an MIDI file or an audio file. No
limitation is imposed on the form of the trial music file, insofar
as it is within the range that the player 33b can cope with. For
example, it may be a form which can be used in the cellular phone
60 or may be a form which can be obtained through processing of
regular music data.
[0099] After having confirmed receipt of the trial music file, the
user operates the mouse and the keyboard 33 in order to cause the
sound source circuit 33d to reproduce the trial music data in the
trial music file and produce a sound from the speaker 32 (the user
performs a trial).
[0100] Simultaneously with the transmission of the trial music
file, the WEB server 21 transmits to the WEB browser 33a data of a
screen for prompting the user to purchase regular music data which
can be used as an incoming call melody on the cellular phone 60
(S420); and the WEB browser 33a supplies the screen data to the
player 33b (S422). The player 33b displays the purchase prompting
screen on the display unit 31. If the user wishes to purchase
regular music data corresponding the piece of music that he/she has
listened to on a trial basis, by use of the mouse the user clicks a
portion of the screen on the display unit 31 at which "1: PURCHASE"
is displayed. If the user does not wish to purchase the regular
music data, by use of the mouse the user clicks a portion of the
screen at which "2: NOT PURCHASE" is displayed. When the user
clicks the portion at which "2: NOT PURCHASE" is displayed, the WEB
browser 33a displays the list of trial music data again.
[0101] When the user clicks the portion at which "1: PURCHASE" is
displayed, the player 33b supplies a purchase instruction signal to
the WEB browser 33a (S424), which then transmits the purchase
instruction signal to the WEB server 21 (S426). In response to
receipt of the purchase instruction signal, the WEB server 21
transmits to the WEB browser 33a data of a screen for inputting a
mail address (S428). Upon reception of the data of the mail-address
input screen, the WEB browser 33a displays the mail-address input
screen on the display unit 31. Specifically, the display unit 31
displays a screen for inputting a mail address of the user's
cellular phone 60 to which the regular music data are desired to be
distributed.
[0102] The user inputs the mail address of the cellular phone 60 by
use of the keyboard 34 in accordance with a prompt message
displayed on the screen. Upon completion of input, the WEB browser
33a transmits the input mail address to the WEB server 21
(S430).
[0103] Upon receipt of the mail address, the WEB server 21
transmits a URL to the cellular phone 60 by an electronic mail
directed to the mail address (S432). This URL is of a download page
which enables the cellular phone 60 to download regular music data
from the WEB server 21. The electronic mail is transmitted from the
WEB server 21 to the cellular phone 60 via the relay server 40 and
the radio base station 50.
[0104] Upon reception of the URL, the cellular phone 60 displays
the URL on the display unit 72 of the cellular phone 60.
Subsequently, the user clicks the displayed URL by use of the panel
operation elements 70. In response thereto, the cellular phone 60
accesses a download page of the WEB server 21 designated by the URL
(S434). At this time, the WEB server 21 searches the download page
and transmits it to the cellular phone 60 (S436). The cellular
phone 60 displays the transmitted download page on the display unit
72.
[0105] The user clicks the portion on the display unit 72 at which
"DOWNLOAD" is displayed, through operation of the operation
elements 70. In response thereto, the cellular phone 60 transmits
to the WEB server 21 a download instruction; i.e., an instruction
for purchasing regular music data (distribution request) (S438).
Upon receipt of the download instruction, the WEB server 21
distributes the regular music data to the cellular phone 60 and
performs charge processing for charging a usage fee to the user of
the cellular phone 60.
[0106] Here, the above-described charge processing will be
described further. The WEB server 21 writes in the charge database
23 a distribution fee of the music data, while relating it to the
user who has purchased the music data. Subsequently, at a
predetermined timing, the WEB server 21 transmits to the charging
server 80 data, such as phone number and name, necessary for
identifying the user, and data regarding the distribution fee
written in the charge data base 23. On the basis of the data, the
charging server 80 performs processing necessary for withdrawing
the distribution fee from the bank account of the user of the
cellular phone 60. Notably, the data, such as phone number and
name, for identifying the user are registered in advance in the
charging server 80 from the cellular phone 60 or the client
terminal 30.
[0107] Through the above-described procedure, the cellular phone 60
receives the regular music data from the sound data distribution
server 20, and the user registers the data as an incoming call
melody of the cellular phone 60 if necessary. More specifically,
when the user operates the panel operation elements 70 in a
predetermined manner after the received regular music data are
stored in the RAM 63, the cellular phone 60 searches and deletes
from the nonvolatile RAM 64 music data having the oldest
registration date, and stores the received regular music data in an
area having been occupied by the deleted data, together with
receipt date and time. Thus, the regular music data purchased this
time become one of registered music data items which the user of
the cellular phone 60 can select as a melody to be produced by the
cellular phone 60 upon receipt of a call.
[0108] As described above, according to the first embodiment, in
response to an operation on the client terminal 30, trial music
data are distributed from the sound data distribution server 20 to
the client terminal 30; and by use of the trial music data, the
user can listen to a regular piece of music on a trial basis at the
client terminal 30. Further, in response to an operation on the
client terminal 30, the URL of a page for downloading regular music
data is transmitted to the cellular phone 60. Subsequently, through
a simple click operation on the cellular phone 60 side, the regular
music data are downloaded to the cellular phone 60. Accordingly,
the user can easily obtain the trial music data and the regular
music data and listen to the music on a trial basis. Moreover,
since no usage fee is charged to the user at the time of obtainment
of the trial music data, the incoming-call-melody distribution
service provides a high level of satisfaction to the user.
[0109] In the first embodiment, transmission of data of a
mail-address input screen (S428), transmission of the URL of a
download page (S432), instruction of downloading (S438), and
distribution of regular music data (S440) are functions provided by
the content distribution means of the sound data distribution
server 20. Request for trial music data (S404), transmission of a
purchase instruction (S424, S426), and transmission of a mail
address (S430) are functions realized by the content request means
of the client terminal 30. Further, the request for trial music
data (S404) is a function provided by the trial content request
means of the client terminal 30; and transmission of the URL of a
page for downloading trial music data (S406) and transmission of a
trial music file (S416) are functions realized by the trial content
distribution means of the sound data distribution server 20.
Second Embodiment
[0110] Next, a second embodiment of the content distribution system
of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment
differs from the first embodiment only in the operation up to the
point the WEB browser 33a of the client terminal 30 obtains a trial
music file. Accordingly, only the difference between the present
embodiment and the first embodiment will be described, with
reference to FIG. 5.
[0111] In the second embodiment as well, the user starts the WEB
browser 33a through operation of the keyboard 34, and access the
WEB server 21 of the sound data distribution server 20 by use of
the WEB browser 33a (S500). In response to the access operation,
the WEB server 21 reads from the data stored in the sound-data
database 22 a list of content items (a list of incoming call
melodies) which can be distributed to the cellular phone 60 and
transmits the list to the WEB browser 33a (S502).
[0112] Upon receipt of the content list, the WEB browser 33a
displays it on the display unit 31 as a list of pieces of music for
trial listening. While viewing the display, the user selects a
piece of music that he or she wishes to listen to on a trial basis
(a trial piece of music) and specifies it through mouse operation.
In response to the selection operation, the WEB browser 33a
requests the WEB server 21 to distribute data of the trial piece of
music (trial music data) specified by the user (S504). The
operation up to this point is the same as that in the first
embodiment.
[0113] Upon receipt of the distribution request for the trial music
data, the WEB server 21 searches the requested trial music data and
transmits the data to the WEB browser 33a as a trial music file
(S506). Subsequently, the WEB browser 33a supplies the trial music
file to the player (S508). After having confirmed receipt of the
trial music file, the user operates the mouse and the keyboard 33
in order to cause the sound source circuit 33d to reproduce the
trial music data and produce a sound from the speaker 32, thereby
listening to the music on a trial basis. Through the
above-described operation, trial listing is performed on the client
terminal 30, and on the basis of the trial listening, the user
determines whether to buy the piece of music which the user has
listened to on a trial basis. The subsequent operations, including
instruction of purchase of regular music data and distribution of
the regular music data to the cellular phone 60, are identical with
those in the first embodiment.
[0114] As described above, the second embodiment enables the user
to obtain trial music data to be used on the client terminal 30 by
performing a simple operation on the client terminal 30.
Third Embodiment
[0115] Next, a third embodiment of the content distribution system
of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment is
identical in operation with the second embodiment up to the point
at which trial music data are distributed to the client terminal
30. The operation from transmission of a purchase instruction to
the sound data distribution server 20 to distribution of regular
music data to the cellular phone 60 differs from that in the first
and second embodiments. Accordingly, only the operation from
purchase instruction to distribution of regular music data will be
described with reference to FIG. 6.
[0116] Simultaneously with the transmission of the trial music file
(506), the WEB server 21 transmits to the WEB browser 33a data of a
screen for prompting the user to purchase regular music data which
can be used as an incoming call melody of the cellular phone 60
(S600); and the WEB browser 33a supplies the screen data to the
player 33b (S602). The player 33b displays the purchase prompting
screen on the display unit 31. If the user wishes to purchase
regular music data corresponding the piece of music that he/she has
listened to on a trial basis, by use of the mouse the user clicks a
portion of the screen on the display unit 31 at which "1: PURCHASE"
is displayed. If the user does not wish to purchase the regular
music data, by use of the mouse the user clicks a portion of the
screen at which "2: NOT PURCHASE" is displayed. When the user
clicks the portion at which "2: NOT PURCHASE" is displayed, the WEB
browser 33a displays the list of trial music data again.
[0117] When the user clicks the portion at which "1: PURCHASE" is
displayed, the player 33b supplies a purchase instruction signal to
the WEB browser 33a (S604), which then transmits the purchase
instruction signal to the WEB server 21 (S606). In response to
receipt of the purchase instruction signal, the WEB server 21
transmits to the WEB browser 33a data of an input screen for
inputting data (portable-terminal specifying data) which specify a
cellular phone 60 (S608). Upon reception of the data of the input
screen, the WEB browser 33a displays the input screen on the
display unit 31. Specifically, the display unit 31 displays an
input screen for inputting data which specifies a cellular phone 60
to which the regular music data are desired to be distributed. The
data for specifying a cellular phone 60 includes a phone number, a
user name, and a password. The reason why input of a password is
requested is to confirm whether the cellular phone 60 is used by an
authorized user.
[0118] The user inputs the data for specifying a cellular phone 60
by use of the keyboard 34 in accordance with a prompt message on
the screen. Upon completion of input, the WEB browser 33a transmits
the input data to the WEB server 21 (S610). The transmitted data
serve as a signal for requesting distribution of the regular music
data (a purchase instruction signal).
[0119] Upon receipt of the data for specifying the cellular phone
60, the WEB server 21 transmits the regular music data directly to
the cellular phone 60 (S612) and performs charge processing for
charging a usage fee to the user of the cellular phone 60. Since
the charge processing is identical with that in the first
embodiment, repeated description thereof is omitted. Through the
above-described procedure, the cellular phone 60 receives the
regular music data from the sound data distribution server 20, and
the user registers the data as an incoming call melody of the
cellular phone 60 if necessary.
[0120] As described above, in the third embodiment, regular music
data are distributed to the cellular phone 60 in response to only
the operation at the client terminal 30. Therefore, the user can
obtain the regular music data through simple operation.
Modification of Third Embodiment
[0121] This modification differs from the above-described
embodiment only in the operation performed at the time when regular
music data are distributed from the WEB server 21 to the cellular
phone 60 ultimately. That is, as indicated by a broken line in FIG.
6, upon receipt of the data for specifying the cellular phone 60,
the WEB server 21 transmits the regular music data directly to the
client terminal 30 (the WEB browser 33a or the player 33b) (S620).
Subsequently, the client terminal 30 transmits the distributed
regular music data to the cellular phone 60 (S622). As described
above, regular music data may be transmitted to the cellular phone
60 via the client terminal 30. Further, in this case, the regular
music data may be transmitted in the form of a document attached to
an electronic mail. In this case, instead of the portable-terminal
specifying data, the mail address of the client terminal 30 is
transmitted to the sound data distribution server 20 in
advance.
Fourth Embodiment
[0122] Next, a fourth embodiment of the content distribution system
of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
7. The fourth embodiment differs from the first through third
embodiments in that trial music data are not distributed to the
client terminal 30, and the client terminal 30 merely functions to
instruct the sound data distribution server 20 to distribute to the
cellular phone 60 music data from the sound data distribution
server 20 (the WEB server 21).
[0123] That is, the user starts the WEB browser 33a through
operation of the keyboard 34, and accesses the WEB server 21 of the
sound data distribution server 20 by use of the WEB browser 33a
(S700). In response to the access operation, the WEB server 21
reads from the data stored in the sound-data database 22 a list of
content items (a list of incoming call melodies) which can be
distributed to the cellular phone 60 and transmits the list to the
WEB browser 33a (S705).
[0124] Upon receipt of the content list, the WEB browser 33a
displays it on the display unit 31 as a list of pieces of music for
purchase. While viewing the display, the user selects a piece of
music that he or she wishes to purchase (a purchase piece of music)
and specifies it through mouse operation. In response to the
selection operation, the WEB browser 33a transmits to the WEB
server 21 data of the title of the piece of music that the user
wishes to purchase (S710).
[0125] Upon receipt of the transmitted title data, the WEB server
21 transmits to the WEB browser 33a data of an input screen for
prompting the user to input from the client terminal 30 data for
specifying the mail address of the cellular phone 60 to which
regular music data corresponding to the music title are to be
distributed (S715). Upon reception of the data of the input screen,
the WEB browser 33a displays the input screen on the display unit
31. Specifically, the display unit 31 displays an input screen for
inputting data which specify a cellular phone 60 to which the
regular music data are desired to be distributed. The data for
specifying a cellular phone 60 include a phone number, a user name,
a password, and the mail address of the cellular phone 60.
[0126] The user inputs the data for specifying the cellular phone
60 by use of the keyboard 34 in accordance with a prompt message
displayed on the screen. Upon completion of input, the WEB browser
33a transmits to the WEB server 21 the input data
(portable-terminal specifying data including the mail address of
the portable terminal) (S720). The transmitted data serve as a
signal for requesting distribution of the regular music data (a
purchase instruction signal).
[0127] Upon receipt of the data for specifying the cellular phone
60, the WEB server 21 transmits an electronic mail to the mail
address of the cellular phone 60 (S725). The above-described
regular music data (music data corresponding to the music title
transmitted from the WEB browser 33a to the sound data distribution
server 20) are attached to the electronic mail, so that the regular
music data are distributed. Further, at this time, the WEB server
21 performs charge processing for charging a usage fee to the user
of the cellular phone 60. Since the charge processing is identical
with that in the first embodiment, repeated description thereof is
omitted. Through the above-described procedure, the cellular phone
60 receives the music data from the sound data distribution server
20, and the user registers the data as an incoming call melody of
the cellular phone 60 if necessary.
[0128] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, when data
(including a mail address) for specifying the cellular phone 60 to
which regular music data are desired to be distributed are input at
the client terminal 30, the data for specifying the cellular phone
60 are transmitted from the client terminal 30 to the sound data
distribution server 20. Further, in response to the operation at
the client terminal 30, regular music data are distributed to the
cellular phone 60 as an attachment to an electronic mail directed
to the cellular phone 60. Therefore, the user can obtain the
regular music data through simple operation.
Fifth Embodiment
[0129] Next, a fifth embodiment of the content distribution system
of the present invention will be described. The fifth embodiment is
identical in operation with the second embodiment up to the point
at which trial music data are distributed to the client terminal
30. The operation from transmission of a purchase instruction to
the sound data distribution server 20 to distribution of regular
music data to the cellular phone 60 differs from that in the first
and second embodiments. Accordingly, the operation from purchase
instruction to distribution of regular music data will be described
with reference to FIG. 8.
[0130] Simultaneously with the transmission of the trial music file
(506), the WEB server 21 transmits to the WEB browser 33a data of a
screen for prompting the user to purchase regular music data which
can be used as an incoming call melody of the cellular phone 60
(S800); and the WEB browser 33a displays the received purchase
prompting screen on the display unit 31. If the user wishes to
purchase regular music data corresponding the piece of music that
he/she has listened to on a trial basis, by use of the mouse the
user clicks a portion of the screen on the display unit 31 at which
"1: PURCHASE" is displayed. If the user does not wish to purchase
the regular music data, by use of the mouse the user clicks a
portion of the screen at which "2: NOT PURCHASE" is displayed. When
the user clicks the portion at which "1: PURCHASE" is displayed,
the WEB browser 33a transmits a purchase instruction signal to the
WEB server 21 (S805).
[0131] In response to receipt of the purchase instruction signal,
the WEB server 21 transmits to the WEB browser 33a data of an input
screen for prompting the user to input from the client terminal 30
data for specifying the mail address of the cellular phone 60 to
which regular music data are to be distributed (S810). Upon
reception of the data of the input screen, the WEB browser 33a
displays the input screen on the display unit 31. Specifically, the
display unit 31 displays an input screen for inputting data which
specify a cellular phone 60 to which the regular music data are
desired to be distributed. The data for specifying a cellular phone
60 include a phone number, a user name, a password, and the mail
address of the cellular phone 60.
[0132] The user inputs the data for specifying a cellular phone 60
by use of the keyboard 34 in accordance with a prompt message
displayed on the screen. Upon completion of input, the WEB browser
33a transmits the input data to the WEB server 21 (S815).
[0133] Upon receipt of the data for specifying a cellular phone 60,
the WEB server 21 transmits an electronic mail to the mail address
of the cellular phone 60 (S820). The above-described regular music
data which the user wish to purchase are attached to the electronic
mail, so that the regular music data are distributed. Further, at
this time, the WEB server 21 performs charge processing for
charging a usage fee to the user of the cellular phone 60. Since
the charge processing is identical with that in the first
embodiment, repeated description thereof is omitted. Through the
above-described procedure, the cellular phone 60 receives the music
data from the sound data distribution server 20, and the user
registers the data as an incoming call melody of the cellular phone
60 if necessary.
[0134] As described above, in the fifth embodiment, in response to
operation at the client terminal 30, trial music data are
transferred from the sound data distribution server 20 to the
client terminal 30, thereby enabling the user to listen to the
corresponding regular piece of music on a trial basis, by use of
the trial music data. Further, in response to operation at the
client terminal 30, regular music data are distributed to the
cellular phone 60 as an attachment to an electronic mail mailed to
the cellular phone 60. Accordingly, the user can easily obtain the
trial music data and the regular music data and listen to the music
on a trial basis.
Sixth Embodiment
[0135] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. The sixth embodiment
differs from the first embodiment in that, with specifying search
conditions, the user can search a piece or pieces of music which
the user wishes to listen to on a trial basis or a piece or pieces
of music which the user wishes to be distributed to the cellular
phone 60, and in that the user can directly access the WEB server
21 from the cellular phone 60 in order to request distribution of
music data to the cellular phone 60.
[0136] Specifically, the user starts the WEB browser 33a through
operation of the keyboard 34, and accesses the WEB server 21 of the
sound data distribution server 20 by use of the WEB browser 33a
(S900). In response to the access operation, the WEB server 21
transmits to the WEB browser 33a data of a screen for searching
music data (S902). Upon receipt of the data of the search screen,
the WEB browser 33a displays the data on the display unit 31.
[0137] As shown in FIG. 10, the search screen is configured to
enable the user to input data (search terms) necessary for
searching, such as type of portable terminal (cellular phone 60)
1001, genre (of music) 1002, artist 1003; composer 1004, lyricist
1005, and introductory phrase 1006. In addition to the above, the
data (search terms) necessary for searching may include keywords
(Christmas, summer, morning, love, etc.), era , and relevant
information such as information indicating whether the sound data
are a reproduction of an advertising jingle or a theme song of a
drama. Moreover, when the search screen is displayed, the user can
select partial-match search or front-match search by use of
radio-type buttons 1007 and 1008. Notably, as to the type of
portable terminal, a specific manufacturer name and model name of
the cellular phone 60 may be input. However, the type of a sound
source scheme (the sound source circuit) of the cellular phone 60
(i.e., "single-tone," "three-tone chord" and "four-tone chord") may
be input as a type of portable terminal. The type of portable
terminal corresponds to data regarding the environment of the
content execution means of the portable terminal.
[0138] As a type of portable terminal and genre, corresponding data
are input through selective input operation. Specifically, when the
user clicks one of buttons 1001a or 1002a each having an inverted
triangle mark and disposed at the right-hand ends of corresponding
data input sections, representative items of the corresponding data
are displayed. The user can select one item of these by clicking it
by use of the mouse. As to other search conditions, text data are
input from the keyboard 34.
[0139] When the user clicks a search execution button 1009 after
inputting data necessary for searching, the WEB browser 33a
transmits the thus-input search conditions to the WEB server 21
(S904). Notably, the type of portable terminal (the type of the
content execution means of the portable terminal), the genre, and
the introductory phrase may be selected as essential data for
searching, while other conditions may be made optional. In the
example shown in FIG. 10, "Terminal X of Corporation A" is input as
a type of portable terminal; "Japanese Pops" is input as a genre;
"Spring" is input as an introductory phrase; and "partial-match
search" is selected to designate a corresponding search scheme.
Notably, in the partial-match search selected by the radio-type
button 1007, a condition is judged to be satisfied when the input
condition (search term) partially coincides with data subjected to
search; and in the front-match search selected by the radio-type
button 1008, the condition is judged to be satisfied when the input
condition (search term) coincides with the beginning portion of
data subjected to search.
[0140] Upon receipt of the above-described search conditions, the
WEB server 21 searches the sound-data database 22 for music data
which satisfy the search conditions. After completion of the
search, the WEB server 21 transmits to the WEB browser 33a search
results or a list of the titles of a plurality of searched pieces
of music, data determined uniquely for each piece of music and
representing the same, i.e. a music identification number (e.g., a
four-digit number) serving as music identification information
(i.e., content specifying data for specifying a content item), and
the above-described search terms related to each piece of music.
Upon receipt of the search results, the WEB browser 33a display
them on the display unit 31.
[0141] A screen for displaying the search results includes a table
as shown in FIG. 11. In the table, a serial number 1101, a music
identification number 1102, a trial listen request button 1103, a
genre 1104, a title 1105, an artist 1106, a composer 1107, a
lyricist 1108, an introductory phrase 1109, and a transmission
button 1110 are arranged along the horizontal direction in each
row. The transmission button 1110 is used to transmit to the
cellular phone 60 an electronic mail which contains an URL of a
page for downloading regular music data to the cellular phone 60.
The search results are displayed in serial number order.
[0142] While viewing the search result screen, the user selects a
piece of music that he or she wishes to listen to on a trial basis
and, by use of the mouse, clicks the trial listen request button
1103 corresponding to the selected piece of music. In response
thereto, the WEB browser 33a transmits to the WEB server 21 a
request signal for requesting distribution of trial music data of a
trial piece of music, together with data for specifying the
selected trial piece of music; i.e., a corresponding music
identification number (S908).
[0143] Upon receipt of the request signal for the trial music data,
the WEB server 21 reads out of the sound-data database 22 regular
music data corresponding to the transmitted music identification
number and processes (converts) the regular music data into trial
music data having a number of tones, a tone color, and an effect
which correspond to the designated type of the cellular phone 60
(the type of the sound source scheme (sound source circuit) or the
content execution means of the cellular phone 60; i.e., environment
data of the content execution means of the cellular phone 60
serving as a portable terminal).
[0144] As described above, the sound source of the sound source
circuit 33d used in the player 33b is not a copy of the sound
source of the sound source circuit 74 used in the cellular phone
60, but is an ordinary GM (General MIDI sound module) sound source.
Accordingly, the WEB server 21 processes (converts) the trial music
data in accordance with the type of the cellular phone 60 and the
characteristics of the GM sound source in such a manner that the
result (tone color) obtained as a result of reproduction of trial
music data by use of the GM sound source approximates the result
(tone color) obtained as a result of reproduction of regular music
data by use of the sound source circuit 74, of the cellular phone
60. In order to make the result (tone color) obtained from
reproduction of trial music data resemble the result (tone color)
obtained from reproduction of regular music data by use of the
sound source circuit 74 of the cellular phone 60, the tone color of
the player 33b is preferably set to, for example, a tone color
called "clavi."
[0145] Subsequently, the WEB server 21 transmits to the WEB browser
33a the trial music data produced through the above-described
process, as a trial music file (S910); and the WEB browser 33a
supplies the trial music file to the player (S912). After having
confirmed receipt of the trial music file, the user operates the
mouse and the keyboard 33 in order to cause the sound source
circuit 33d to reproduce the trial music data in the trial music
file and produce a sound from the speaker 32, thereby performing
trial listening. On the basis of the trial listening, the user
determines whether to buy the piece of music which he or she has
listened to on a trial basis. The trial music file may be
distributed directly to the player 33b from the WEB server 21
without intervention of the WEB browser 33a.
[0146] The user may wish to download to the cellular phone 60
regular music data which correspond to a piece of music displayed
on the display unit 31 as a search result, when the search result
is distributed to the WEB browser 33a(S906), or when the user
performs trial listening after transmission of a trial music file
(S912). In such a case, the user accesses a download page of the
WEB server 21 from the cellular phone 60. As a result, the
information shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display unit 72 of
the cellular phone 60. While referring to the search results
displayed on the display unit 31, the user inputs a music
identification number allotted to the piece of music which he or
she wishes to buy, through operation of the operation elements 70
of the cellular phone 60, and then clicks the execution button.
[0147] In response thereto, the cellular phone 60 transmits data
containing the music identification number and the cellular-phone
identification information (portable-terminal identification
information) to the WEB server 21 via the radio base station 50 and
the relay server 40 (S914). The cellular-phone identification
information contains carrier information indicating a communication
service company or the type of the cellular phone 60 (the type of a
portable terminal). The cellular-phone identification information
serves as data for specifying the type of the content execution
means of the cellular phone 60 serving as a portable terminal
(environment data of the content execution means of the cellular
phone 60 serving as a portable terminal). When the cellular phone
60 transmits the music identification number, the cellular-phone
identification information is automatically transmitted together
with the music identification number.
[0148] Upon receipt of the data containing the music identification
number and the cellular-phone identification information, the WEB
server 21 reads out of the sound-data database 22 regular music
data corresponding to the received music identification number and
converts the regular music data to a data format usable on the
cellular phone 60, on the basis of the cellular-phone
identification information (i.e. the WEB server 21 performs data
processing). The data format usable on the cellular phone 60 refers
to a format adapted to the number of simultaneously generated
sounds, a tone color creation scheme, an effect control scheme, and
a scheme for describing note data and time data, which are
determined depending on the type of the cellular phone 60 (the type
of the content execution means of the cellular phone 60). After
performance of a process for charging a usage fee to the user, the
WEB server 21 transmits (distributes) to the cellular phone 60 the
regular music data having undergone the data format conversion
(S916). As a result, the cellular phone 60 obtains the regular
music data.
[0149] In the above-described example, the data format conversion
is performed in accordance with the type of the cellular phone 60.
The data format conversion may be performed as follows. Regular
music data corresponding to each type of the cellular phone 60 are
stored in the sound-data database 22 in advance; regular music data
corresponding to the music identification number and the
cellular-phone identification information received by the WEB
server 21 are selected from the sound-data database 22; and the
selected regular music data are distributed to the cellular phone
60 (without data format conversion). Further, the WEB server 21 may
be configured to perform data format conversion (data processing)
such that regular music data are adapted to the portable terminal,
in accordance with the type of the portable terminal (environment
data), which are transmitted to the WEB server 21 simultaneously
with transmission of search conditions from the WEB browser 33a to
the WEB server 21 (S904).
[0150] As described above, in the sixth embodiment, search
conditions for searching music data can be input by use of the
client terminal 30, which is superior in ease of operation to the
cellular phone 60; and results of search performed under the search
conditions can be displayed on the display unit 31 of the client
terminal 30, which is larger and of better visibility than the
display unit 72 of the cellular phone 60. Further, distribution of
trial music data can be requested from the client terminal 30.
Accordingly, through a simple operation, the user can search for a
desired piece of music and obtain trial music data and regular
music data corresponding thereto.
[0151] Moreover, a piece of music which is desired to be
distributed can be specified by a music identification number
allotted to the piece of music, whereby the operation at the
cellular phone 60 for specifying a piece of music to be distributed
from the sound data distribution server 20 can be simplified.
Instead of the music identification number, other types of music
identification information may be used, provided that such music
identification information is determined uniquely for each piece of
music. Examples of such music identification information include
the title itself, a shortened title, and a character string
containing letters. The content distribution system may be modified
such that the music identification number is transmitted from the
client terminal 30 (the WEB browser 33a) to the sound data
distribution server 20. In this case, the cellular phone 60 is
configured such that, before obtainment of regular music data, the
cellular phone 60 transmits to the sound data distribution server
20 a predetermined distribution request signal containing data
showing that the cellular phone 60 is related to the client
terminal 30 which has transmitted the music identification
number.
[0152] In addition, like the first embodiment, the sixth embodiment
is configured in such a manner that the URL of a download page for
downloading regular music data is transmitted from the WEB server
21 to the cellular phone 60 by use of an electronic mail, thereby
enabling the cellular phone 60 to access to the URL, thereby
downloading the regular music data. In this case, although the user
must transmit the mail address of the cellular phone 60 from the
WEB browser 33a to the WEB server 21 in advance, such an operation
can be performed easily on the screen shown in FIG. 11.
[0153] This operation will be described more specifically. Among
the transmission buttons 1110 on the screen shown in FIG. 11, the
user clicks a button corresponding to a piece of music for which he
or she wishes download of regular music data. In response thereto,
the WEB browser 33a displays an input screen (not shown) for
inputting the phone number, password, mail address, etc., of the
cellular phone 60. When the user clicks the transmission button on
the input screen after inputting of these data, the input data are
transmitted from the client terminal 30 to the WEB server 21. Upon
receipt of the data, the WEB server 21 transmits the URL of the
download page for downloading regular music data to the cellular
phone 60 by use of an electronic mail directed to the
above-described mail address. The cellular phone 60 displays the
URL on the display unit 72. Subsequently, the user clicks the URL
in order to access the download page to thereby download the
regular music data to the cellular phone 60. The content
distribution system may be modified in such a manner that upon the
transmission button 1110 being clicked, the WEB browser 33a
directly requests the WEB server 21 to download regular music data
to the cellular phone 60.
Seventh Embodiment
[0154] Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. The seventh embodiment
differs from the sixth embodiment in that just before the cellular
phone 60 obtains regular music data from the WEB server 21, the WEB
server 21 requests the user of the cellular phone 60 to confirm
obtainment (purchase) of the regular music data.
[0155] As described above, the user may wish to download to the
cellular phone 60 regular music data which correspond to a piece of
music displayed on the display unit 31 as a search result, when the
search result is distributed to the WEB browser 33a (S906), or when
the user performs trial listening after transmission of a trial
music file (S912). In one of these cases, the user accesses a
download page of the WEB server 21 from the cellular phone 60. As a
result, the information shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the
display unit 72 of the cellular phone 60. While referring to the
search results displayed on the display unit 31, the user inputs a
music identification number allotted to the piece of music which he
or she wishes to buy, through operation of the operation elements
70 of the cellular phone 60, and then clicks the execution
button.
[0156] In response thereto, the cellular phone 60 transmits data
containing the music identification number and the cellular-phone
identification information (portable-terminal identification
information) to the WEB server 21 via the radio base station 50 and
the relay server 40 (S1300). The cellular-phone identification
information contains carrier information indicating a communication
service company or the type of the cellular phone 60 (the type of a
portable terminal). When the cellular phone 60 transmits the music
identification number, the cellular-phone identification
information is automatically transmitted together with the music
identification number. The operation up to this point is identical
with that in the sixth embodiment.
[0157] Upon receipt of the data containing the music identification
number and the cellular-phone identification information, the WEB
server 21 transmits purchase confirmation data to the cellular
phone 60 in order to confirm the user's intent to purchase (S1302).
The cellular phone 60 receives the purchase confirmation data and
displays the data on the display unit 72. As shown in FIG. 14, the
displayed screen contains the music identification number, title,
artist, etc., transmitted in the above-described step S1300. While
viewing the screen, the user confirms that the piece of music which
the user will buy is the intended one. After confirmation, the user
clicks a download button displayed on the screen. In response
thereto, the cellular phone 60 transmits a download instruction
signal to the WEB server 21 (S1304).
[0158] Upon receipt of the download instruction signal, the WEB
server 21 reads out of the sound-data database 22 regular music
data corresponding to the received music identification number and
converts the regular music data to a data format usable on the
cellular phone 60, on the basis of the cellular-phone
identification information. The data format used here is the same
as described in the sixth embodiment. After performance of a
process for charging a usage fee to the user, the WEB server 21
transmits (distributes) to the cellular phone 60 the regular music
data having undergone the data format conversion (S1306). As a
result, the cellular phone 60 obtains the regular music data. The
operation in Step S1306 constitutes a portion of the function of
the content distribution means or the regular content distribution
means of the WEB server 21.
[0159] As described above, in the seventh embodiment, after
transmission of the music identification number from the cellular
phone 60 to the sound data distribution server 20, display data for
confirming the user's intention are transmitted from the sound data
distribution server 20 to the cellular phone 60. As a result, the
user can purchase regular music data after confirming that the
input music identification number is correct and therefore the
desired regular music data can be obtained. Thus, even when the
user inputs erroneous data, there does not occur an error such that
regular music data which the user does not wish to buy are
distributed and a usage fee is charged to the user. Accordingly, an
incoming-call-melody distribution service which satisfies users can
be provided.
[0160] Notably, like the first embodiment, the seventh embodiment
may be configured in such a manner that the URL of a download page
for downloading regular music data is transmitted from the WEB
server 21 to the cellular phone 60 by use of an electronic mail,
thereby enabling the cellular phone 60 to access to the URL,
thereby downloading the regular music data.
Eighth Embodiment
[0161] Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17. The eighth embodiment
differs from the sixth embodiment in that regular music data
registered in the database are subjected to data format conversion
to thereby produce trial music data and the thus-produced trial
music data are registered in the database, that regular music data
and trial music data are registered together with data indicating
their registration dates, and that searched pieces of music are
displayed in the order of registration dates. The remaining
portion; i.e., the method for requesting regular music data and
distributing the same, is identical with that in the sixth
embodiment.
[0162] The eighth embodiment will be described specifically. First,
regular music data produced by a composer are supplied from a
personal computer of the composer to the WEB server 21 via the
internet 10. Alternatively, the regular music data are stored in a
recording medium such as a floppy disk by the composer; and the
recording medium is then mailed to the managing company of the WEB
server 21, where the regular music data are stored in the database
22. Regular music data are produced on the assumption that the
regular music data are reproduced on the cellular phone 60 which
generates three or four tones simultaneously in a simplified MIDI
scheme. Accordingly, when the regular music data are data for
three-tone simultaneous generation, the regular music data can be
used as they are on cellular phones 60 which are adapted for
three-tone simultaneous generation. When the regular music data are
data for four-tone simultaneous generation, the regular music data
can be used as they are on cellular phones 60 which are adapted for
four-tone simultaneous generation.
[0163] For the above-described regular music data, the composer
previously determines keywords in relation to the type of the
cellular phone (portable terminal) 60 which can use the regular
music data, title, genre, composer, player (artist), etc. As
described above, although a specific manufacturer name and model
name of the cellular phone 60 may be input as the type of the
cellular phone 60, the type of a sound source scheme (the sound
source circuit) of the cellular phone 60 (e.g., "three-tone chord"
(three-tone simultaneous generation) and "four-tone chord"
(four-tone simultaneous generation)) may be input as the type of
the cellular phone 60. Genre refers to music genres such as
Japanese pops, western-style music, classical music, and jazz. The
regular music data are registered in the sound-data database 22
together with the above-described keywords and a date (registration
date) on which the regular music data are registered (stored) in
the sound-data database 22 (S1500 in FIG. 15). This operation
corresponds to the function of the content storage means (regular
content storage means) of the WEB server 21.
[0164] Subsequently, the WEB server 21 converts the data format of
the entirety of the registered regular music data to thereby
produce trial music data (S1502). The data format conversion is
performed in manners described in (1) and (2) below. Notably, the
trial music data may be produced from a specific portion (e.g., the
first few bars) of the regular music data. The function of
converting the regular music data to the trial music data or
producing the trial music data corresponds to the function of the
content conversion means of the WEB server 21. [0165] (1) The case
where registered regular music data contain music data for
three-tone chord (for cellular phones 60 which can generate three
tones simultaneously) and music data for four-tone chord (for
cellular phones 60 which can generate four tones
simultaneously)
[0166] In this case, the music data for three-tone chords are
processed/converted to an MIDI file by means of software (called
"MIDI convert") for conversion to MIDI data. At this time, the
trial music data are processed in accordance with the
characteristics of the GM sound source, which is a sound source of
the player 33b, in such a manner that the result (tone color)
obtained as a result of reproduction of trial music data by use of
the GM sound source approximates the result (tone color) obtained
as a result of reproduction of regular music data by use of the
sound source circuit 74 of the cellular phone 60. For example, the
processing is performed such that the tone color of the player 33b
becomes "clavi."
[0167] Meanwhile, the music data for four-tone chords are converted
to an audio file. In this case, in order to make the tone color
obtained from reproduction of trial music data by the player 33b
resemble the tone color obtained from reproduction of regular music
data by the cellular phone 60, regular music data are actually
provided to a cellular phone 60 which are adapted for four-tone
chords and to thereby cause the cellular phone 60 to produce a
sound, which is recorded to create an audio file. [0168] (2) The
case where all registered regular music data are music data for
four-tone chords
[0169] In this case, the regular music data for four-tone chords
are converted to trial music data for four-tone chords in the
above-described manner. Further, the regular music data are
processed/converted by the MIDI convert such that data
corresponding to a single tone are removed from the regular music
data to thereby obtain trial music data for a three-tone chord.
When trial music data for three-tone chords are created, the
regular music data are preferably converted to music data for
three-tone chords. In this case, the thus-obtained regular music
data for three-tone chords are registered in the sound-data
database 22 again together with a keyword indicating that the
converted regular music data are music data for three-tone chord,
keywords having been allotted to the regular music data from the
beginning, and a registration date.
[0170] Subsequently, the WEB server 21 stores the trial music data
in the sound-data database 22 together with a keyword indicating
whether the trial music data are adapted for three-tone chords or
four-tone chords, as well as keywords, such as those specifying
genre, assigned to the original regular music data from which the
trial music data was produced. Further, the registration date of
the trial music data are stored, while being related to the trial
music data (S1504). This registration corresponds to the function
of the content storage means (trial content storage means) of the
WEB server 21.
[0171] When the trial music data were registered in the sound-data
database 22 on a date different from the registration date of the
regular music data, the date on which the trial music data were
actually registered is registered as the registration date of the
trial music data. For example, in the case where data format
conversion is manually performed in order to obtain the trial music
data, a certain period of time is needed to complete the conversion
work. In such a case, the registration date of the trial music data
may differ from the registration date of the regular music data.
However, the above is a mere example, and the registration date of
the trial music data may be changed to coincide with the
registration date of the regular music data. Alternatively,
re-registration may be performed such that the registration date of
the regular music data is changed to coincide with the registration
date of the trial music data.
[0172] Under the music data distribution system, the user starts
the WEB browser 33a through operation of the keyboard 34, and
accesses the WEB server 21 of the sound data distribution server 20
by use of the WEB browser 33a (S1506). In response to the access
operation, the WEB server 21 transmits to the WEB browser 33a data
of a screen for searching music data (genre selection) (S1508).
Upon receipt of the data of the search screen, the WEB browser 33a
displays the data on the display unit 31.
[0173] As shown in FIG. 16, the search screen includes input
sections 1602 and 1604 for inputting data (search terms) which
specify a genre (of music) and the type of a portable terminal (the
cellular phone 60), and a search execution button 1606. The screen
is designed to enable the user to input arbitrary data in these
input sections 1602-and 160.4 through operation of the keyboard 34.
Further, buttons 1602a and 1604a each having an inverted triangle
mark are disposed at the right-hand ends of the data input sections
1602 and 1604, respectively. When the user clicks one of the
buttons 1602a or 1604a, representative items of the corresponding
data are displayed. The user can select one item from among these
by clicking it by use of the mouse. The displayed items for genre
include not only specific genres such as "Japanese pops,"
"western-style music," and "classical music" but also "genre not
specified." The displayed type of the portable terminal may be a
specific manufacturer name and model name of the cellular phone 60,
or the type of the sound source scheme (sound source circuit) of
the cellular phone 60 (e.g., "adapted to three-tone chords" and
"adapted to four-tone chords").
[0174] When the user clicks a search execution button 1606 after
inputting data necessary for searching, the WEB browser 33a
transmits to the WEB server 21 the above-described input data in
relation to genre and the type of the portable terminal (S1510).
This operation corresponds to a portion of the function of the
search-condition transmission means of the client terminal 30 and
the function of means for transmitting data for specifying the type
of the content execution means of the portable terminal.
[0175] Upon receipt of the above-described search conditions, the
WEB server 21 searches the sound-data database 22 for trial music
data which satisfy the search conditions; i.e., both the genre and
the type of the portable terminal. When the data regarding the type
of the portable terminal represent a manufacturer name and model
name of the portable terminal, corresponding trial music data are
searched in accordance with the sound source scheme (a sound source
adapted for three-tone chords or a sound source adapted for
four-tone chords) specified by the data regarding the type of the
portable terminal.
[0176] After completion of the search, the WEB server 21 sorts or
rearranges the search results (music data or data, such as titles,
which represent corresponding music data) in descending order of
registration dates of trial music data (the latest piece of music
appear at the top.), and extracts the n (e.g., 10) data sets which
are the newest in terms of registration date. The WEB server 21
converts data representing the extracted trial music data into HTML
screen data, together with corresponding music identification
numbers and the above-described keywords (title, genre, composer,
etc.) allotted to the respective trial music data. The
thus-obtained data are transmitted to the WEB browser 33a as search
results (S1512). The above-described search and transmission of
search results are functions of the search means of the sound data
distribution server 20.
[0177] After receipt of the search results, the WEB browser 33a
displays the search results on the display unit 31. A screen for
displaying the search results includes a table as shown in FIG. 17.
In the table, a serial number 1701, a registration date of trial
music data 1702, a music identification number 1703, a trial listen
request button 1704, a genre 1705, a title 1706, an artist 1707, a
composer 1708, a lyricist 1709, an introductory phrase 1710, and a
transmission button 1711 are arranged along the horizontal
direction in each row. The transmission button 1711 is used to
transmit to the cellular phone 60 an electronic mail which contains
the URL of a page for downloading regular music data to the
cellular phone 60. The function of the transmission button 1711 is
the same as that of the transmission button 1110 shown in FIG. 11.
The system may be configured such that the transmission button 1711
enables the user to directly request the WEB server 21 from the WEB
browser 33a to download regular music data to the cellular phone
60. In the above-described table, trial pieces of music are
displayed in such a manner that a piece of music having the newest
registration date is located at the top, with the remaining pieces
of music arranged in descending order of registration dates.
[0178] Notably, when the user clicks an arbitrary item (e.g.,
artist or composer) on the first row of the table by use of the
mouse, the displayed search results are rearranged in accordance
with the order of the clicked item. Further, the system may be
configured to enable the user to designate on the search screen
shown in FIG. 16 the number of trial pieces (n pieces) of music
which the WEB browser 33a displays as search results. In this case,
the WEB server 21 extracts the designated n sets of trial music
data from the search results and produces corresponding HTML screen
data to be transmitted to the WEB browser 33a such that the
designated number (n) of pieces of music are contained in the HTML
screen data. Thus, the designated number (n) of pieces of music are
displayed on the screen shown in FIG. 17.
[0179] When the user cannot find any piece of music he or she wants
to listen to on a trial basis, the user clicks a button 1712
displayed in a lower portion of the screen and labeled "DISPLAY
NEXT 10." In response thereto, the WEB browser 33a transmits to the
WEB server 21 a signal for requesting display of next ten pieces of
music. Upon receipt of the request signal, the WEB server 21
removes from the search results the data representing the trial
music data having already been transmitted to the WEB browser 33a,
and extracts from the remaining trial music data the n sets of
trial music data having the latest registration dates.
Subsequently, the WEB server 21 rearranges the extracted data in
the order of registration dates in the same manner as described
above, and transmits the data to the WEB browser 33a in the form of
HTML screen data.
[0180] After the search results are displayed on the display unit
31 in the above-described manner, while viewing the search result
screen, the user selects a piece of music that he or she wishes to
listen to on a trial basis, and by use of the mouse clicks the
trial listen request button 1704 corresponding to the selected
piece of music. In response thereto, the WEB browser 33a transmits
to the WEB server 21 a request signal for requesting distribution
of trial music data of a trial piece of music, together with data
for specifying the selected trial piece of music; i.e., a
corresponding music identification number (S1514). This operation
corresponds to the function of the trial content request means of
the client terminal 30.
[0181] When the WEB server 21 receives from the WEB browser 33a the
request signal for requesting distribution of the trial music data
(S1514), the WEB server 21 reads out of the sound-data database 22
regular music data corresponding to the music identification number
contained in the request signal. Subsequently, the WEB server 21
transmits the trial music data to the WEB browser 33a as a trial
music file (S1516); and the WEB browser 33a supplies the trial
music file to the player 33b (S1518). The transmission of the trial
music file to the WEB browser 33a corresponds to the function of
the content distribution means or trial content distribution means
of the WEB server 21.
[0182] After having confirmed receipt of the trial music file, the
user operates the mouse and the keyboard 34 in order to cause the
sound source circuit 33d to reproduce the trial music data in the
trial music file, thereby performing trial listening. On the basis
of the trial listening, the user determines whether to buy the
piece of music which he or she has listened to on a trial basis.
The trial music file may be distributed directly to the player 33b
from the WEB server 21 without intervention of the WEB browser 33a.
The reproduction of the trial music data corresponds to the
function of the content execution means, trial content execution
means, or trial means of the client terminal 30.
[0183] The remaining operation; i.e., operation for distributing
regular music data to the cellular phone 60, is identical with that
in the seventh embodiment. This operation will be described
briefly. The user may wish to download to the cellular phone 60
regular music data which correspond to a piece of music displayed
on the display unit 31 as a search result, when the search result
is distributed to the WEB browser 33a (S1512), or when the user
performs trial listening after transmission of a trial music file
(S1516). In these cases, the user accesses a download page of the
WEB server 21 from the cellular phone 60 (e.g., a download page
indicted in the screen shown in FIG. 17) (S1520). In response to
the access, the WEB server 21 transmits to the cellular phone 60
data for displaying the items shown in FIG. 12 (S1522). Instead of
the download page being accessed through input of the URL at the
cellular phone 60, access to the download page may be performed in
a different manner. That is, when the transmission button 1711 of
FIG. 17 is operated, the WEB server 21 transmits the URL of the
download page to the cellular phone 60 by use of an electronic
mail, whereby the cellular phone 60 displays the URL on the display
unit 72. Subsequently, the user clicks the URL in order to access
the download page.
[0184] As a result, the items shown in FIG. 12 are displayed on the
display unit 72 of the cellular phone 60. While referring to the
search results displayed on the display unit 31, the user inputs a
music identification number allotted to the piece of music which he
or she wishes to buy, through operation of the operation elements
70 of the cellular phone 60, and then clicks the execution button.
In response thereto, the cellular phone 60 transmits to the WEB
server 21 data containing the music identification number and the
cellular-phone identification information (portable-terminal
identification information) (S1300). The music identification data
are data representing a content item; therefore, the transmission
of the music identification number corresponds to the function of
the data transmission means of the cellular phone 60.
[0185] Upon receipt of the music identification number and the
cellular-phone identification information, the WEB server 21
transmits purchase confirmation data to the cellular phone 60 in
order to confirm the user's intent to purchase (S1302). The
cellular phone 60 receives the purchase confirmation data and
displays the data on the display unit 72. The thus-displayed screen
is identical with that shown in FIG. 14. After the user has
confirmed, while viewing the screen, that the piece of music which
the user will buy is the intended one, the user clicks a download
button displayed on the screen. In response thereto, the cellular
phone 60 transmits a download instruction signal to the WEB server
21 (S1304). As a result, after data format conversion which is
optionally performed in accordance with the cellular-phone
identification information, the corresponding regular music data
are distributed to the cellular phone 60 (S1306). The
above-described data format conversion may include conversion
performed in the case in which regular music data are music data
adapted for four-tone chords, from which trial music data for
three-tone chords were prepared; and the user requests regular
music data adapted for three-tone chords which correspond to the
trial music data for three-tone chords but are not stored in the
sound-data database 22. In such a case, the regular music data for
four-tone chords are converted to regular music data for three-tone
chords.
[0186] As described above, in the eighth embodiment, trial music
data are registered in the sound-data database 22 together with
their registration dates, and search results are displayed on the
display unit 31 of the WEB browser 33a in descending order of
registration. Accordingly, in addition to the effects (advantages)
described in relation to the sixth and seventh embodiments, the
eighth embodiment achieves the following effects. That is, the user
can easily select and obtain newly-arrived pieces of music.
Further, even in the case in which trial music data are registered
a few days after a composer has uploaded corresponding regular
music data to the WEB server 21, the system treats the registration
date of the trial music data, not the registration date of the
regular music data, as the actual registration date. Therefore, the
composer has no cause to complain that the registration date has
become old when the trial music data are registered.
[0187] Further, since search of trial music data (accordingly,
regular music data) is performed by use of genre only, the search
of trial music data can be performed quite easily. Moreover, trial
music data are produced through conversion from corresponding
regular music data in such a manner that the tone color produced by
the player 33b as a result of reproduction of the trial music data
resembles the tone color obtained as a result of reproduction of
the regular music data by use the sound source of the sound source
circuit 74 of the cellular phone 60. Therefore, since the tone
color obtained as a result of actual reproduction of the regular
music data on the cellular phone 60 resembles the tone color
obtained as a result of reproduction of the trial music data on the
player 33b, the user has no cause to complain about tone color.
[0188] Furthermore, in the case in which regular music data to be
registered are music data adapted for four-tone chords and are
converted to an audio file adapted for four-tone chords, the
regular music data are actually reproduced on the cellular phone 60
to produce the regular music, which is then recorded in order to
produce the audio file. Therefore, the tone color produced by the
player 33b resembles the tone color obtained as a result of
reproduction of the regular music data by use the sound source of
the sound source circuit 74 of the cellular phone 60. Since the
tone color obtained as a result of actual reproduction of the
regular music data on the cellular phone 60 resembles the tone
color obtained as a result of reproduction of the trial music data
on the player 33b, the user has no cause to complain about tone
color.
[0189] Moreover, when regular music data to be registered are music
data adapted for four-tone chords, the regular music data are
converted to trial music data adapted for three-tone chords.
Therefore, even when the composer supplies regular music data for
four-tone chords only, corresponding trial music data which can be
used on the cellular phone 60 adapted for three-tone chords can be
produced automatically.
Ninth Embodiment
[0190] Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 21. The ninth embodiment is
directed to a distribution system for music data supplied from the
WEB server 21 to the WEB browser 33a (ultimately to the player
33b). The music data may be trial music data or regular music data.
The supplied data are not limited to music data but may be other
data such as image data or game software data. The hardware
configuration of the system according to the ninth embodiment is
identical with that of the system according to the first
embodiment. Further, as in the case of the eighth embodiment, the
music data are registered in the sound-data database 22 together
with keywords including registration dates.
[0191] First, the user starts the WEB browser 33a through operation
of the keyboard 34, and accesses the WEB server 21 of the sound
data distribution server 20 by use of the WEB browser 33a (S1800).
In response to the access operation, the WEB server 21 transmits to
the WEB browser 33a data of an input screen for inputting searching
conditions for music data search and reproduction environment data
(S1802). Upon receipt of the data of the search and reproduction
environment input screen, the WEB browser 33a displays the data on
the display unit 31.
[0192] When music data to be distributed are MIDI data, a search
and reproduction environment input screen as shown in FIG. 19 is
displayed. The search and reproduction environment input screen
includes an input section 1902 for inputting a sound source scheme
of the player 33b and the sound source circuit 33d, an input
section 1904 for inputting a manufacturer of the sound source
circuit 33d, an input section 1906 for inputting the number of
tones simultaneously produced by the player 33b and the sound
source circuit 33d, and an input section 1908 for inputting a type
of effect. Further, buttons 1902a, 1904a, 1906a, and 1908a each
having an inverted triangle mark are disposed at the right-hand
ends of the data input sections 1902, 1904, 1906, and 1908,
respectively. When the user clicks one of the buttons 1902a to
1908a, representative items of the corresponding data are
displayed. The user can select one item from among these by
clicking it by use of the mouse.
[0193] When music data to be distributed are in the form of an
audio data file, a search and reproduction environment input screen
as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. The search and reproduction
environment input screen includes selection buttons 2002 and 2004
for selecting whether distribution of uncompressed data or
distribution of compressed data is desired, an input section 2006
for inputting a compression scheme when distribution of compressed
data is desired, and an input section 2008 for inputting a type of
a CPU (or the processing performance or power of the CPU) used in
the PC (the control section 33) of the client terminal 30. Further,
buttons 2006a and 2008a each having an inverted triangle mark are
disposed at the right-hand ends of the data input sections 2006 and
2008, respectively. When the user clicks one of the buttons 2006a
and 2008a, representative items of the corresponding data are
displayed. The user can select one item from among these by
clicking it by use of the mouse. The designation of
compressed/uncompressed, the compression scheme, and the CPU type
are input as data regarding reproduction environment of the client
terminal.
[0194] Although not illustrated, when music data to be distributed
are trial music data corresponding to regular music data for the
cellular phone 60, the search screen is configured to enable the
user to input the type of the sound source scheme (sound source
circuit) of the cellular phone 60, such as "three-tone chord" or
"four-tone chord."
[0195] Each of the search and reproduction environment input
screens shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 includes input sections 1910,
1912, and 1914 for inputting search conditions in relation to
genre, composer, lyricist, etc., and a search execution button
1916. Further, a button 1910a having an inverted triangle mark is
disposed at the right-hand end of the genre input section 1910.
When the user clicks one of the button 1920a, searchable genres are
displayed. The user can select one of the displayed genres by
clicking it by use of the mouse. The displayed items for genre
includes not only specific genres such as "Japanese pops,"
"western-style music," and "classical music" but also "genre not
specified."
[0196] When the user clicks the search execution button 1916 after
inputting necessary data on the search and reproduction environment
input screen, the WEB browser 33a transmits to the WEB server 21
the above-described input data in relation to search conditions and
reproduction environment (S1804). This operation corresponds to the
function of the environment data transmission means of the client
terminal 30.
[0197] Upon receipt of the above-described data, the WEB server 21
searches the sound-data database 22 for music data which satisfy
(match) the search conditions. After completion of the search, the
WEB server 21 rearranges the search results in descending order of
registration dates of music data, and extracts the n (e.g., 10)
data sets which are the newest in terms of registration date. The
WEB server 21 converts data representing the extracted music data
into HTML screen data, together with corresponding music
identification numbers (data representing corresponding content
items) and the above-described keywords (specified title, genre,
composer, etc.) assigned to the respective music data. The
thus-obtained data are transmitted to the WEB browser 33a as search
results (S1806).
[0198] After receipt of the search results, the WEB browser 33a
displays the search results on the display unit 31. A screen for
displaying the search results includes a table as shown in FIG. 21.
In the table, a serial number 2101, a registration date of music
data 2102, a music identification number 2103, a purchase button
2104 for requesting distribution of corresponding music data, a
genre 2105, a title 2106, an artist 2107, a composer 2108, a
lyricist 2109, and an introductory phrase 2110 are arranged along
the horizontal direction in each row. In the table, pieces of music
are displayed in such a manner that the piece of music having the
newest registration date is located at the top, with the remaining
pieces of music arranged in descending order of registration dates.
Further, when the user clicks an arbitrary item (e.g., artist or
composer) on the first row of the table by use of the mouse, the
displayed search results are rearranged in accordance with the
order of the clicked item.
[0199] When the user cannot find any piece of music he or she wants
to purchase (receive distribution), the user clicks a button 2111
displayed in a lower portion of the screen and labeled as "DISPLAY
NEXT 10." In response thereto, the WEB browser 33a transmits to the
WEB server 21 a signal for requesting display of the next ten
pieces of music. Upon receipt of the request signal, the WEB server
21 transmits the next ten pieces of music to the WEB browser 33a in
the form of HTML screen data. Thus, the next ten pieces of music
are displayed on the display unit 31 of the WEB browser 33a.
[0200] After the search results are displayed on the display unit
31 in the above-described manner, while viewing the search result
screen, the user selects a piece of music that he or she wishes to
purchase (receive distribution of) and by use of the mouse clicks
the purchase button 2104 corresponding to the selected piece of
music. In response thereto, the WEB browser 33a transmits to the
WEB server 21 a distribution request signal including a music
identification number which specifies the selected or purchased
piece of music (51808). The transmission of the distribution
request signal corresponds to the function of the content
distribution request means of the client terminal 30.
[0201] When the WEB server 21 receives the music identification
number transmitted from the WEB browser 33a, the WEB server 21
reads out of the sound-data database 22 music data corresponding to
the music identification number, and processes (converts) the music
data such that the music data are adapted to the reproduction
environment transmitted at the above-described step S1804.
Subsequently, after performance of a process for charging a usage
fee to the user, the WEB server 21 transmits the processed music
data file to the WEB browser 33a (S1810); and the WEB browser 33a
supplies the music data file to the player 33b (S1812).
Subsequently, through operation of the mouse and the keyboard 34,
the user reproduces the distributed (purchased) music data by means
of the sound source circuit 33d. The reproduction of the music data
corresponds the function of the content execution means of the
client terminal 30.
[0202] Examples of the data processing performed by the WEB server
21 for adaptation of music data to reproduction environment will be
described below. This data processing corresponds to the function
of the content processing means of the WEB server 21. [0203] (1)
When music data to be distributed are MIDI data, various parameters
such as tone color and sound volume are modified in accordance with
the sound source scheme and the manufacturer, among the transmitted
data regarding designated reproduction environment (hereinafter
maybe referred to as "reproduction environment data). Specific
examples includes changing program change data (modifying event
data for designating/changing numbers assigned to tone color),
modifying bank selection data, modifying sound volume data, and
modifying specific parameters, such as file and envelope. Through
these modification, differences in the designated sound source
scheme and manufacture can be absorbed, and music data stored
(registered, memorized) in the database can be reproduced with high
fidelity. [0204] (2) When music data to be distributed are MIDI
data, the number of tones produced simultaneously is changed in
accordance with a simultaneously-produced-tone number designated in
the transmitted reproduction environment data; i.e., the number of
tones produced simultaneously is reduced when the designated
simultaneously-produced-tone number is smaller than the number of
tones which are contained in the music data and reproduced
simultaneously. Specific examples include partially removing notes
from a certain track (part), and removing the track (part) itself.
The term "certain track (part)" refers to a relatively unimportant
track (part) other than important tracks (parts) such as those for
melody and rhythm. Such a relatively unimportant track may be
determined for each music data set; or may be determined based on
the tone color or sound volume of each track, or the number of
tones produced simultaneously. In this case, for example, a track
for effect sound, a track having a low sound volume, or a track
having a large number of tones produced simultaneously is selected.
This operation prevents the overall effect of music from changing
greatly, even when the number of tones produced simultaneously must
be reduced because a small number of tones produced simultaneously
is designated by the transmitted reproduction environment data.
[0205] (3) When music data to be distributed are MIDI data, effect
parameters are modified in accordance with the designated effect
type contained in the transmitted reproduction environment data.
Specific examples includes modifying program change data in
relation to sound effect, and modifying specific parameters such as
the frequency and the amplitude of an LFO (low frequency
oscillator), waveform, and time and density of reverberation.
Through these modifications, differences in the designated effect
type can be absorbed, and music data stored in the database can be
reproduced with high fidelity. [0206] (4) When music data are
desired to be distributed in the form of a compressed audio file,
music data are compressed by use of a compression engine (an encode
engine) corresponding to the designated compression scheme
contained in the transmitted reproduction environment data to
thereby produce an audio file of the desired compression scheme.
[0207] (5) When music data to be distributed are in the form of an
audio file, music data are compressed at a sampling frequency and
bit rate corresponding to the type, processing performance, or
power of the CPU in order to produce an audio file.
[0208] As described above, in the ninth embodiment, information
(data) in relation to reproduction environment of the client
terminal 30 for reproducing music data are transmitted to the WEB
server 21; and the WEB server 21 processes the music data in
accordance with the information in relation to reproduction
environment and transmits the thus-processed music data to the WEB
browser 33a (i.e., the client terminal 30). As a result, the music
data are reproduced at the client terminal 30 with good tone
color.
[0209] As described above, the respective embodiments of the
present invention enable the user to request the sound data
distribution server 20 to distribute trial music data and regular
music data, by use of the personal computer 30 (client terminal),
which is superior in ease of operation to the cellular phone 60
(portable terminal). Therefore, a service which is highly
convenient for the user can be provided.
[0210] In the above-described embodiments, no usage fee is charged
to the user when trial music data are distributed. Therefore, when
on the basis of trial listening the user determines not to buy
regular music data corresponding to the trial music data, no usage
fee is charged to the user. Therefore, a service which is more
satisfactory to the user can be provided.
[0211] In the above-described embodiments, the sound data
distribution server 20 does not charge any fee to the user when
distributing trial music data. However, the sound data distribution
server 20 may be configured such that when distributing trial music
data, the sound data distribution server 20 charges to the user a
fee cheaper than that for distribution of regular music data. In
this case, the fee for trial music data may be made half the fee
for regular music data when the per-use rate scheme is employed;
and each piece of music for trial listening may be counted as 0.5
piece of music for regular use when the fixed rate scheme is
employed.
[0212] In the above-described embodiments, the user must input, for
example, a telephone number and a password every time the data
specifying the cellular phone 60 to which music data are desired to
be distributed are transmitted from the WEB browser 33a to the WEB
server 21. However, the system may be modified such that the user
is requested to input his/her name, a password, etc. only at the
time of user registration when the WEB browser 33a is first
connected to the WEB server 21; and at the time of second and
subsequent connections, the WEB browser 33a automatically transmits
necessary data to the WEB server 21, thereby omitting data input by
the user.
[0213] In the above-described embodiments, when the cellular phone
60 receives purchased regular music data and detects a
predetermined operation of the panel operation elements 70 by the
user, the cellular phone 60 deletes from the nonvolatile RAM 64
music data having the oldest registration date and registers the
received regular music data in the area having been occupied by the
deleted music data. However, the cellular phone 60 may be
configured such that the user designates music data to be deleted
among the registered music data, and the cellular phone 60
registers the received regular music data in the area having been
occupied by the deleted music data.
[0214] In the above-described embodiments, the sound source circuit
33d of the client terminal 30 is not a copy of the sound source of
the cellular phone 60, but is an ordinary GM sound source. However,
the client terminal 30 may use a software or hardware sound source
which imitates (or is identical with) the sound source of the
cellular phone 60. In this case, the WEB server 21 can transmit
trial music data to the WEB browser 33a without processing the
trial music data.
[0215] In the above-described embodiments, regular music data which
the cellular phone 60 ultimately obtains are distributed from the
WEB server 21 to the cellular phone 60. However, the system may be
modified such that regular music data are first transmitted from
the WEB server 21 to the client terminal 30 (the WEB browser 33a or
the player 33b), and the client terminal 30 then transmits the
regular music data to the cellular phone 60. The transmission may
be performed in a wired scheme using a cable or in a wireless
scheme using radio waves or infrared rays. The communications
between the client terminal 30 and the cellular phone 60 may be
performed via a wired or wireless LAN or by any other suitable
means.
[0216] The Internet 10 used in the above-described embodiments may
be replaced with a communication line such as a dedicated line (the
communication line is not limited to a wire line but may be a radio
link such as a satellite communication channel). The portable
terminal is not limited to the cellular phone 60 but may be any of
other devices which include a computer and have a communication
function, such as a mobile computer, a PDA (Personal Digital
Assistant), or a handheld game machine.
[0217] In the above-described embodiments, content items
distributed from the sound data distribution server 20 are incoming
call melodies. The present invention encompasses distribution of
other content items, such as an alarm sound which is produced in
the cellular phone 60 under predetermined conditions (e.g., an
alarm sound generated at a preset time), BGM used during
communication by the cellular phone 60 or used with a reply message
produced by the automatic answering function of the cellular phone
60, a music data file attached to an electronic mail mailed to
another cellular phone or personal computer, other sound data
(music data such as MIDI data), game software for the case in which
the portable terminal is a handheld game machine, and images
(motion pictures, still pictures) for the case in which the
portable terminal is a PDA. When the present invention is applied
to these cases, request for distribution of content and trial
execution of the content can be performed at the client terminal
30. Therefore, convenience to the user can be improved. When data
other than sound data are to be used as content, in place of the
player 33b, a software program suitable for using the content is
provided in the client terminal 30.
[0218] Moreover, the above-described embodiments may be combined in
order to constitute a sophisticated system. For example, in the
first to fifth embodiments, search of music data by the user is not
performed. However, the systems of the first to fifth embodiments
may be configured such that search similar to that performed in the
sixth and seventh embodiments is performed, and search results are
displayed on the display unit 71 to thereby enable the user to
request distribution of trial music data or regular music data
while viewing the search results. Further, the systems of the sixth
and seventh embodiments may be configured such that a list of
content items is displayed as in the first to fifth embodiments.
Moreover, the WEB browser 33a and the player 33b may be
integrated.
[0219] In the above-described embodiments, the system is configured
such that a single WEB server 21 distributes both regular music
data and trial music data. However, the system may be configured
such that regular music data and trial music data are distributed
from different servers.
[0220] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It
is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein.
* * * * *