U.S. patent application number 12/012889 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-19 for communication system, communication apparatus, communication method, recording medium and program.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Takashi Kawakami, Manabu Kii, Motoyuki Takai.
Application Number | 20080147791 12/012889 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19133264 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080147791 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawakami; Takashi ; et
al. |
June 19, 2008 |
Communication system, communication apparatus, communication
method, recording medium and program
Abstract
A terminal generates predetermined music information on a
reproduced piece of music and reproduction frequency information
including a reproduction count of the piece of music. Then, the
terminal transmits the reproduction frequency information and its
own apparatus ID to a server. When receiving the reproduction
frequency information and the apparatus ID, the server computes a
similarity coefficient between pieces of music reproduced by the
terminal and an other terminal on the basis of the terminals'
reproduction frequency information and apparatus IDs. The server
then catalogs the computed similarity coefficient on a favorite
list by associating the similarity coefficient with the
reproduction frequency information's music information and the
apparatus IDs. The server also identifies at least a similar piece
of music reproduced by the terminal and the other terminal by
referring to the favorite list. Finally, the server selects a piece
of music reproduced by the other terminal but not reproduced by the
terminal among the similar pieces of music. As a result, it is
possible to determine a piece of music favorite with the user by
executing a simple procedure.
Inventors: |
Kawakami; Takashi; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Kii; Manabu; (Tokyo, JP) ; Takai;
Motoyuki; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOLF GREENFIELD & SACKS, P.C.
600 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BOSTON
MA
02210-2206
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
19133264 |
Appl. No.: |
12/012889 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10269832 |
Oct 11, 2002 |
|
|
|
12012889 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/203 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 12, 2001 |
JP |
JP2001-315039 |
Claims
1. A communication terminal capable of communicating with an
external device over a network, the communication terminal
comprising: a communication unit configured to communicate with the
external apparatus; a reproduction unit configured to reproduce
first content; and a controller configured to control the
communication unit to transmit relevant information about the first
content reproduced by the reproduction unit and identification
information identifying the communication terminal to the external
apparatus via the network, and to control the communication unit to
receive recommendation information from the external apparatus via
the network, the recommendation information including second
content not previously reproduced by the reproduction unit, wherein
the recommendation information is determined based on the relevant
information and the identification information.
2. The communication terminal of claim 1, wherein the relevant
information includes a number of times the first content is
reproduced by the reproduction unit.
3. The communication terminal of claim 1, further comprising a
reading unit configured to read out table of contents (TOC) and the
first content from a compact disc, wherein the relevant information
includes the TOC.
4. The communication terminal of claim 1, further comprising a
display unit configured to display recommendation information,
wherein the controller controls the display unit to display the
recommendation information received from the external device.
5. The communication terminal of claim 1, wherein the relevant
information includes at least one of a title of the first content,
an album title of an album that includes the first content, and
artist name of the first content.
6. A method of receiving, at a communication terminal, content
recommendations from an external device, the method comprising:
reproducing first content at the communication terminal;
transmitting relevant information about the first content and
identification information identifying the communication terminal
from the communication terminal to the external device; receiving
recommendation information from the external device, the
recommendation information determined based on the relevant
information and the identification information and including second
content not yet reproduced on the communication terminal.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the relevant information includes
a number of times the first content is reproduced at the
communication terminal.
8. The method of claim 6, further comprising reading table of
contents (TOC) and the first content from a compact disc at the
communication terminal, and wherein the relevant information
includes the TOC.
9. The method of claim 6, further comprising displaying the
recommendation information at the communication terminal.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the relevant information
includes at least one of a title of the first content, an album
title of an album that includes the first content, and artist name
of the first content.
11. A computer readable medium having instructions encoded thereon,
the instructions, when executed by at least one processor,
performing a method of receiving content recommendations, at a
communication terminal, from an external device, the method
comprising: reproducing first content at the communication
terminal; transmitting relevant information about the first content
and identification information identifying the communication
terminal from the communication terminal to the external device;
receiving recommendation information from the external device, the
recommendation information determined based on the relevant
information and the identification information and including second
content not yet reproduced on the communication terminal.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the relevant
information includes a number of times the first content is
reproduced at the communication terminal.
13. The computer readable medium of claim 11, further comprising
reading table of contents (TOC) and the first content from a
compact disc at the communication terminal, and wherein the
relevant information includes the TOC.
14. The computer readable medium of claim 11, further comprising
displaying the recommendation information at the communication
terminal.
15. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the relevant
information includes at least one of a title of the first content,
an album title of an album that includes the first content, and
artist name of the first content.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system, a
communication apparatus, a communication method, a recording medium
and a program. More particularly, the present invention relates to
a communication system and a communication apparatus, which allows
contents suiting the user's taste to be detected by using a simple
procedure, a communication method adopted in the communication
apparatus, a program for implementing the communication method and
a recording medium for storing the program.
[0002] There is a service, which is rendered to the user and allows
a person in charge of system management to detect contents suiting
the user's taste and to inform the user of the contents by using a
communication system.
[0003] In the related-art system, however, the user must transmit
various kinds of information on what suits the user's taste by
using its own terminal to a server managed by the person in charge
of system management and must carry out other operations so that
there is raised a problem that the user must follow a procedure
requiring much labor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is thus an object of the present invention addressing the
problem described above to provide a capability of detecting
contents suiting the user's taste by executing a simple
procedure.
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a communication system including a plurality of
terminals and a server, wherein:
[0006] each of the terminals has: [0007] utilization means for
utilizing contents; [0008] first management means for managing a
utilization count of the contents and relevant information on the
contents by associating the utilization count and the relevant
information with the contents; and [0009] transmission means for
transmitting the utilization count, the relevant information and an
apparatus ID of the terminal to the server, whereas
[0010] the server has: [0011] reception means for receiving a
utilization count, relevant information and an apparatus ID from
each of the terminals; [0012] second management means for computing
a similarity coefficient between pieces of contents utilized by any
two of the terminals on the basis of the utilization counts, the
relevant information and the apparatus IDs, and managing the
computed similarity coefficients, the relevant information and the
apparatus IDs by associating the computed similarity coefficients,
the relevant information and the apparatus IDs with each other;
[0013] first detection means for detecting any specific terminal
and an other terminal having a large computed similarity
coefficient with respect to the specific terminal by referring to
the similarity coefficients managed by the second management means
and the apparatus IDs also managed by the second management means;
[0014] second detection means for detecting contents utilized in
the other terminal detected by the first detection means but not
used in the specific terminal also detected by the first detection
means by referring to the apparatus IDs and the relevant
information, which are managed by the second management means; and
[0015] generation means for generating information suggesting the
specific terminal to utilize the contents detected by the second
detection means.
[0016] In accordance with the above-described communication system,
contents favorite with the user of the specific terminal can be
detected by executing a simple procedure.
[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a communication system including a plurality of
terminals and a server, wherein:
[0018] each of the terminals has: [0019] utilization means for
utilizing contents; and [0020] transmission means for transmitting
relevant information on the contents utilized by the utilization
means and an apparatus ID of the terminal to the server,
whereas
[0021] the server has: [0022] reception means for receiving
relevant information and an apparatus ID from each of the
terminals; [0023] first management means for updating a utilization
count of the contents and managing utilization counts, relevant
information and apparatus IDs by associating the utilization
counts, the relevant information and the apparatus IDs with each
other; [0024] second management means for computing a similarity
coefficient between pieces of contents utilized by any two of the
terminals on the basis of the utilization counts, the relevant
information and the apparatus IDs, and managing the computed
similarity coefficients, the relevant information and the apparatus
IDs by associating the computed similarity coefficients, the
relevant information and the apparatus IDs with each other; [0025]
first detection means for detecting any specific terminal and an
other terminal having a large computed similarity coefficient with
respect to the specific terminal by referring to the similarity
coefficients managed by the second management means and the
apparatus IDs also managed by the second management means; [0026]
second detection means for detecting contents utilized in the other
terminal detected by the first detection means but not used in the
specific terminal also detected by the first detection means by
referring to the apparatus IDs and the relevant information, which
are managed by the second management means; and [0027] generation
means for generating information suggesting the specific terminal
to utilize the contents detected by the second detection means.
[0028] In accordance with the above-described communication system,
contents favorite with the user of the specific terminal can be
detected by executing a simple procedure.
[0029] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a communication apparatus including:
[0030] reception means for receiving a utilization count of
contents utilized in a terminal, relevant information on the
contents and an apparatus ID of the terminal, from each of a
plurality of terminals;
[0031] management means for computing a similarity coefficient
between pieces of contents utilized by any two of the terminals on
the basis of the utilization counts, the relevant information and
the apparatus IDs, and managing the computed similarity
coefficients, the relevant information and the apparatus IDs by
associating the computed similarity coefficients, the relevant
information and the apparatus IDs with each other;
[0032] first detection means for detecting any specific terminal
and an other terminal having a large computed similarity
coefficient with respect to the specific terminal by referring to
the similarity coefficients managed by the management means and the
apparatus IDs also managed by the management means;
[0033] second detection means for detecting contents utilized in
the other terminal detected by the first detection means but not
used in the specific terminal also detected by the first detection
means by referring to the apparatus IDs and the relevant
information, which are managed by the management means; and
[0034] generation means for generating information suggesting the
specific terminal to utilize the contents detected by the second
detection means.
[0035] Preferably, the reception means receives relevant
information on contents utilized in a terminal and an apparatus ID
of the terminal, from each of a plurality of terminals; and the
management means updates a utilization count of the contents,
manages the utilization counts, the relevant information and the
apparatus IDs by associating with each other, and manages the
computed similarity coefficients, the relevant information and the
apparatus IDs by associating the computed similarity coefficients,
the relevant information and the apparatus IDs with each other.
[0036] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a communication method including:
[0037] a reception step of receiving a utilization count of
contents utilized in a terminal, relevant information on the
contents and an apparatus ID of the terminal, from each of a
plurality of terminals;
[0038] a management step of computing a similarity coefficient
between pieces of contents utilized by any two of the terminals on
the basis of the utilization counts, the relevant information and
the apparatus IDs, and managing the computed similarity
coefficients, the relevant information and the apparatus IDs by
associating the computed similarity coefficients, the relevant
information and the apparatus IDs with each other;
[0039] a first detection step of detecting any specific terminal
and an other terminal having a large computed similarity
coefficient with respect to the specific terminal by referring to
the similarity coefficients managed in processing carried out at
the management step and the apparatus IDs also managed in the
processing carried out at the management step;
[0040] a second detection step of detecting contents utilized in
the other terminal detected in processing carried out at the first
detection step but not used in the specific terminal also detected
in the processing carried out at the first detection step by
referring to the apparatus IDs and the relevant information, which
are managed in the processing carried out at the management step;
and
[0041] a generation step of generating information suggesting the
specific terminal to utilize the contents detected in processing
carried out at the second detection step.
[0042] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a recording medium used for storing a computer-readable
program including:
[0043] a reception step of receiving a utilization count of
contents utilized in a terminal, relevant information on the
contents and an apparatus ID of the terminal, from each of a
plurality of terminals;
[0044] a management step of computing a similarity coefficient
between pieces of contents utilized by any two of the terminals on
the basis of the utilization counts, the relevant information and
the apparatus IDs, and managing the computed similarity
coefficients, the relevant information and the apparatus IDs by
associating the computed similarity coefficients, the relevant
information and the apparatus IDs with each other;
[0045] a first detection step of detecting any specific terminal
and an other terminal having a large computed similarity
coefficient with respect to the specific terminal by referring to
the similarity coefficients managed in processing carried out at
the management step and the apparatus IDs also managed in the
processing carried out at the management step;
[0046] a second detection step of detecting contents utilized in
the other terminal detected in processing carried out at the first
detection step but not used in the specific terminal also detected
in the processing carried out at the first detection step by
referring to the apparatus IDs and the relevant information, which
are managed in the processing carried out at the management step;
and
[0047] a generation step of generating information suggesting the
specific terminal to utilize the contents detected in processing
carried out at the second detection step.
[0048] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a computer-executable program including:
[0049] a reception step of receiving a utilization count of
contents utilized in a terminal, relevant information on the
contents and an apparatus ID of the terminal, from each of a
plurality of terminals;
[0050] a management step of computing a similarity coefficient
between pieces of contents utilized by any two of the terminals on
the basis of the utilization counts, the relevant information and
the apparatus IDs, and managing the computed similarity
coefficients, the relevant information and the apparatus IDs by
associating the computed similarity coefficients, the relevant
information and the apparatus IDs with each other;
[0051] a first detection step of detecting any specific terminal
and an other terminal having a large computed similarity
coefficient with respect to the specific terminal by referring to
the similarity coefficients managed in processing carried out at
the management step and the apparatus IDs also managed in the
processing carried out at the management step;
[0052] a second detection step of detecting contents utilized in
the other terminal detected in processing carried out at the first
detection step but not used in the specific terminal also detected
in the processing carried out at the first detection step by
referring to the apparatus IDs and the relevant information, which
are managed in the processing carried out at the management step;
and
[0053] a generation step of generating information suggesting the
specific terminal to utilize the contents detected in processing
carried out at the second detection step.
[0054] In accordance with the above-described communication
apparatus, communication method, recording medium and program,
contents favorite with the user of the specific terminal can be
detected by executing a simple procedure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0055] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a typical configuration of a
communication system to which the present invention is applied;
[0056] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration of
a terminal employed in the communication system shown in FIG.
1;
[0057] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration of
a server employed in the communication system shown in FIG. 1;
[0058] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart representing the operation of the
terminal employed in the communication system shown in FIG. 1;
[0059] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing typical reproduction frequency
information;
[0060] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart representing details of processing
carried out at a step S2 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4;
[0061] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart representing the operation of the
server employed in the communication system shown in FIG. 1;
[0062] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart representing details of processing
carried out at a step S22 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7;
[0063] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a typical favorite list;
[0064] FIG. 10 is another diagram showing a typical favorite
list;
[0065] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart representing another operation of
the terminal employed in the communication system shown in FIG.
1;
[0066] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart representing other operations of
the server employed in the communication system shown in FIG. 1;
and
[0067] FIG. 13 shows a flowchart representing details of processing
carried out at a step S52 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0068] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a typical configuration of a
communication system to which the present invention is applied. N
terminals 1-1 to 1-N allowed to use this communication system each
have a function to utilize contents obtained through a network 2 or
a piece of music acquired from a recording medium mounted on the
terminal. In the following description, the terminals 1-1 to 1-N
are each denoted simply by reference numeral 1 if it is not
necessary to distinguish the terminals 1-1 to 1-N from each
other.
[0069] The terminal 1 generates reproduction frequency information
including predetermined music information on a generated piece of
music and the number of times the piece of music has been
reproduced. In the following description, the number of times a
piece of music has been reproduced is also referred to as a
reproduction count of the piece of music. The reproduction
frequency information will be described more later. The music
information is a collection of pieces of information such as the
song title, an album title and artist names for each piece of
music. It is to be noted that, in the following description, each
of the pieces of information such as a song title, which compose
the music information, is referred to as a piece of individual
data.
[0070] The terminal 1 transmits reproduction frequency information
generated thereby and its own apparatus ID to the server 3 by way
of the network 2 with a predetermined timing.
[0071] The server 3 computes a similarity coefficient between
pieces of music reproduced by any two terminals 1 on the basis of
apparatus IDs and reproduction frequency information, which are
received from the terminals 1-1 to 1-N. The server 3 puts the
similarity coefficients on a favorite list to be described later by
associating each of the similarity coefficients with the two
terminals' apparatus IDs and reproduction frequency information for
the purpose of managing the similarity coefficients.
[0072] In particular, when the server 3 receives reproduction
frequency information and an apparatus ID with a predetermined
timing from a specific terminal 1, which is referred to hereafter
as a terminal 1-X, the server computes a similarity coefficient
between pieces of music reproduced by the terminal 1-X and any
other terminal 1 on the basis of the received reproduction
frequency information and the received apparatus ID. The server 3
then puts the computed similarity coefficient on the favorite list
by associating the similarity coefficient with the apparatus ID and
the reproduction frequency information, which have been received
from the terminal 1-X. Then, the server 3 finds at least another
terminal 1 reproducing pieces of music similar to pieces of music
reproduced by the terminal 1-X, and identifies pieces of music
reproduced by the terminal 1 but not reproduced yet by the terminal
1-X. In the following description, another terminal 1 reproducing
pieces of music similar to those reproduced by the terminal 1-X is
also referred to as a terminal 1 having a large similarity
coefficient with respect to the terminal 1-X.
[0073] A particular piece of music reproduced by (or listened to
at) the detected terminal 1 is the to be similar to another piece
of music reproduced by (or listened to at) the terminal 1-X if both
the pieces of music are of the same genre, sung by the same artist
and/or have other things in common. Thus, if the particular piece
of music is not reproduced by (or listened to at) the detected
terminal 1-X even though reproduced by (or listened to at) the
detected terminal 1, the particular piece of music can be expected
to be a favorite with the user of the terminal 1-X. That is to say,
in this communication system, with a user simply reproducing a
piece of music at a terminal 1, it is possible to detect another
piece of music that has not been listened to by the user but is
expected to become a favorite with the user.
[0074] The server 3 then transmits information on the particular
piece of music to the terminal 1-X as recommendation information.
The user of the terminal 1-X refers to the recommendation
information received by the terminal 1-X typically to determine
what contents to be purchased next.
[0075] In this communication system, transaction processing between
a terminal 1 and the server 3 is based on the apparatus ID of the
terminal 1. That is to say, since it is not necessary to identify a
user, a plurality of users are allowed to use a terminal 1. In
addition, since personal information on a user of a terminal 1 is
not transmitted from the terminal 1 to the server 3, personal
information on a user is not leaked because the user utilizes the
communication system.
[0076] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration of
the terminal 1. An LSI (Large Scale Integration) 20 includes an
embedded CPU 21 for controlling the whole terminal 1. The CPU 21 is
connected to a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a DMA controller 24, a DSP
(Digital Signal Processor) 25, a buffer 26, an LCD interface (I/F)
27, a serial interface (I/F) 28 and other interfaces 29, 30 and 31
by a bus 32.
[0077] The ROM 22 is used for storing programs, an apparatus ID, an
encryption key and other data. The programs are executed by the CPU
21 to carry out a variety of functions of the terminal 1. The RAM
23 is used for temporarily storing predetermined data and a program
being executed by the CPU 21. The predetermined data is required by
the CPU 21 in execution of various kinds of processing. The DMA
controller 24 is used for exchanging data with a flash memory 37 by
way of the buffer 26 and the other interface 29 and exchanging data
with a USB controller 35 by way of the serial interface 28.
[0078] The DSP 25 decodes music data stored in the flash memory 37.
In addition, the DSP 25 has a DES engine for encryption/decryption
of music data by using an encryption key. Audio data obtained as a
result of a decoding process carried out by the DSP 25 is output to
head phones by way of the further interface 30, a DAC 38 and an
amplifier (AMP) 39. The buffer 26 is used for temporarily buffering
data, transfers of which are controlled by the DMA controller
24.
[0079] The LCD interface 27 is connected to an LCD 34 through an
LCD driver 33. The serial interface 28 is connected to a USB
connector 36 through the USB controller 35. The USB controller 35
controls communications of data with the server 3 connected to the
terminal 1 by the USB connector 36.
[0080] The flash memory 37 connected to the other interface 29 is
used for storing, among others, music data and reproduction
frequency information. The further interface 30 is connected to the
amplifier 39 through the DAC 38. An operation unit 40 connected to
the still further interface 31 includes a variety of buttons and
the like. A power-supply unit 41 supplies power to a variety of
components.
[0081] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration of
the server 3. A CPU 51 is connected to an input/output interface 56
by a bus 55. When the user enters a command via an input unit 58
including a keyboard and a mouse to the input/output interface 56
by operating the keyboard or the mouse, the CPU 51 loads a program
into a RAM 53 for execution from typically a ROM 52, a hard disc 54
or a recording medium mounted on a drive 60. Examples of the
recording medium mounted on the drive 60 are a magnetic disc 71, an
optical disc 72, a magneto-optical disc 73 and a semiconductor
memory 74. In addition, if necessary, the CPU 51 outputs results of
processing to an output unit 57 including an LCD by way of the
input/output interface 56.
[0082] Next, the operation of the terminal 1 is explained by
referring to a flowchart shown in FIG. 4. It is to be noted that,
in the explanation, the terminal 1-1 is taken as an example.
[0083] As shown in the figure, the flowchart begins with a step S1
at which a piece of music requested by the user is reproduced.
Then, at the next step S2, the CPU 21 employed in the terminal 1-1
updates the reproduction frequency information. FIG. 5 is a diagram
showing an example of the reproduction frequency information.
[0084] The typical reproduction frequency information is a
collection of pieces of music information. Provided for a piece of
music, each piece of music information includes individual data and
a reproduction count (COUNT). The individual data includes an
artist name (ARTIST), a song title (TITLE) and an album title
(ALBUMTITLE). The reproduction count is the number of times the
piece of music has been reproduced so far. It is to be noted that,
in the typical reproduction frequency information, only three
pieces of music information for three pieces of music having
largest reproduction counts are shown.
[0085] Details of the processing carried out at the step S2 are
represented by a flowchart shown in FIG. 6. As shown in the figure,
the flowchart begins with a step S11 at which the CPU 21 acquires
music information typically from the operation unit 40 when the
user operates the operation unit 40 to enter the music information.
As an alternative, the CPU 21 acquires music information from TOC
information recorded on a reproduction terminal or a reproduction
medium. As another alternative, the CPU 21 acquires music
information from a CDDB based on TOC information of a CD. As a
further alternative, the CPU 21 acquires music information by using
path information of a file and/or ID3 tag information included in
an MP3 file.
[0086] Then, at the next step S12, the CPU 21 forms a judgment as
to whether or not the acquired music information is already
included in the reproduction frequency information. If the outcome
of the judgment indicates that the acquired music information is
already included in the reproduction frequency information, the
flow of the processing goes on to a step S13 at which the
reproduction count associated with the music information is
incremented by 1.
[0087] If the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S12
indicates that the music information acquired at the step S11 is
not included in the reproduction frequency information yet, on the
other hand, the flow of the processing goes on to a step S14 at
which the acquired music information and a reproduction count of 1
are cataloged in the reproduction frequency information as a new
piece of music information.
[0088] It is to be noted that, while the reproduction frequency
information may include all pieces of music information having a
reproduction count of at least 1, least recently updated pieces of
music information can be erased from a recording medium with a
limited storage capacity. An example of such a recording medium is
the flash memory 37 employed in the terminal 1 to be used for
storing the reproduction frequency information. In order to form a
judgment as to whether or not a piece of music information is to be
deleted from the recording medium, the music information includes a
tag (LASTUPDATE) for recording a date on which the music
information is updated last as shown in FIG. 5. A piece of music
information with a tag date ahead of the present time by at least a
predetermined number of days is deleted from the recording medium.
In this way, only most recent favorites with the user of the
terminal 1 are cataloged in the terminal 1.
[0089] As described above, after the reproduction frequency
information is updated by incrementing the reproduction count at
the step S13 or cataloging a new piece of music information at the
step S14, the processing to update the reproduction frequency
information is ended, and the flow of the processing goes on to a
step S3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4.
[0090] At the step S3, the CPU 21 transmits the reproduction
frequency information updated at the step S2 and the apparatus ID
of the terminal 1-1 to the server 3 by way of the serial interface
28, the USB controller 35 and the USB connector 36. In the case of
this embodiment, the reproduction frequency information transmitted
to the server 3 includes only three pieces of music information for
three pieces of music having largest reproduction counts as shown
in FIG. 5. It is to be noted, however, that the reproduction
frequency information transmitted to the server 3 at the step S3
may include pieces of music information, which are selected by
considering the last updating dates described above.
[0091] Then, at the next step S4, the CPU 21 receives
recommendation information from the server 3 through the USB
connector 36. The recommendation information is created by the
server 3 on the basis of the reproduction frequency information and
the apparatus ID, which were transmitted to the server 3 at the
step S3.
[0092] Then, at the next step S5, the CPU 21 displays the received
recommendation information on the LCD 34 through the LCD driver
33.
[0093] Finally, the processing is ended.
[0094] Next, the operation of the server 3 is explained by
referring to a flowchart shown in FIG. 7.
[0095] As shown in the figure, the flowchart begins with a step S21
at which the CPU 51 employed in the server 3 receives the
reproduction frequency information and the apparatus ID, which are
transmitted by the terminal 1-1 at the step S3 of the flowchart
shown in FIG. 4 by way of the communication unit 59. For details of
the reproduction frequency information, refer to FIG. 5.
[0096] Then, at the next step S22, the CPU 51 updates the favorite
list on the basis of the reproduction frequency information and the
apparatus ID, which have been received from the terminal 1-1.
Details of a process to update the favorite list are represented by
a flowchart shown in FIG. 8.
[0097] As shown in the figure, the flowchart begins with a step S31
at which the CPU 51 fetches a piece of music information from the
reproduction frequency information received at the step S21. The
reproduction frequency information shown in FIG. 5 includes three
pieces of music information.
[0098] Then, at the next step S32, the CPU 51 selects a highly
reliable piece of individual data included in the selected piece of
music information fetched at the step S31. That is to say, the CPU
51 selects one of an artist name (ARTIST), a song title (TITLE) and
an album title (ALBUMTITLE), which compose the selected piece of
music information. For example, a piece of individual data entered
by the user by operating the operation unit 40 is prone to an
operational error or the like. Thus, a piece of individual data
acquired from the TOC information is more reliable. As described
above, the individual data is acquired at the step S11 of the
flowchart shown in FIG. 6 and a piece of music information
including the individual data is cataloged onto the reproduction
frequency information at the step S14 of the same flowchart.
[0099] Subsequently, at the step S33, the CPU 51 finds a music ID
associated with the piece of individual data selected at the step
S32. In the server 3 of the communication system, music IDs are
managed by associating each of the music IDs with predetermined
information, that is, the individual data such as a song title or
an artist name. Thus, the CPU 51 is capable of finding a music ID
managed by being associated with the piece of individual data
selected at the step S32.
[0100] Then, at the next step S34, the CPU 51 forms a judgment as
to whether or not there is only one music ID found at the step S33.
If the outcome of the judgment indicates that there are a plurality
of music IDs found at the step S33, the flow of the processing goes
on to a step S35. An example of the case in which the processing
goes on to the step S35 is a case in which the individual data
selected at the step S32 is an artist name and there are a
plurality of managed music IDs found at the step S33 for the artist
name.
[0101] At the step S35, the CPU 51 forms a judgment as to whether
or not a piece of individual data remains in the piece of music
information fetched at the step S31 as a piece of individual data
selectable at the step S32. If the outcome of the judgment
indicates that a piece of individual data remains as a piece of
individual data selectable at the step S32, the flow of the
processing goes back to the step S32 to repeat the processing
described above.
[0102] It is to be noted that, this time, at the step S33, a music
ID is detected for individual data newly selected at the step S32
among the music IDs selected at the step S33 in the preceding loop
iteration. As described above, assume that, in the preceding loop
iteration, the individual data selected at the step S32 was an
artist name and there were a plurality of managed music IDs found
at the step S33 for the artist name. This time, in the current loop
iteration, the individual data selected at the step S32 is an album
title and a music ID is detected for the album title among the
music IDs detected earlier for the artist name.
[0103] Thus, the number of candidate music IDs to be screened at
the step S33 decreases each time the loop from the step S32 to the
step S35 is executed. The loop from the step S32 to the step S35 is
executed repeatedly till, finally, the outcome of the judgment
formed at the step S34 indicates that there is only one music ID
found at the step S33 or the outcome of the judgment formed at the
step S35 indicates that no piece of individual data remains as a
piece of individual data selectable at the step S32.
[0104] As the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S35
indicates that all pieces of individual data of the piece of music
information fetched at the step S31, that is, only one music ID
could not be found finally, the flow of the processing goes on to a
step S36 at which the CPU 51 forms a judgment as to whether or not
the piece of music information fetched at the step S31 is reliable.
If the piece of music information fetched at the step S31 includes
a famous artist name or if the transmission origin of the
reproduction frequency information including the music information
is a terminal 1 using the communication system frequently, for
example, the piece of music information is judged to be
reliable.
[0105] If the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S36
indicates that the piece of music information fetched at the step
S31 is reliable or if the outcome of the judgment formed at the
step S34 indicates that there is finally only one music ID found at
the step S33, the flow of the processing goes on to a step S37 at
which the CPU 51 catalogs the pieces of individual data included in
the music information fetched at the step S31 and a vector value on
the favorite list's column for the terminal 1-1 to update the list.
The vector value is a value obtained as a result of normalization
of the reproduction count included in the music information.
[0106] Then, at the next step S38, the CPU 51 forms a judgment as
to whether or not the reproduction frequency information received
at the step S21 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 still includes a
piece of music information not fetched at the step S31. If the
outcome of the judgment indicates that the reproduction frequency
information still includes such a piece of music information, the
flow of the processing goes back to the step S31 to repeat the
processing described above.
[0107] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a typical favorite list. The
favorite list includes vector values cataloged on the list at the
step S37 for songs A, B1 and C. As described above, a vector value
for a song is a value obtained as a result of normalization of the
song's reproduction count included in the reproduction frequency
information shown in FIG. 5. The vector values or the normalized
values are computed as follows:
Normalized value of song A:
[0108] 0.947119104=33/ {square root over
((33.times.33+10.times.10+5.times.5))}
Normalized value of song B1:
[0109] 0.287005789=10/ {square root over
((33.times.33+10.times.10+5.times.5))}
Normalized value of song C:
[0110] 0.143502894=5/ {square root over
((33.times.33+10.times.10+5.times.5))}
[0111] If the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S38
indicates that the reproduction frequency information no longer
includes a piece of music information not fetched at the step S31,
on the other hand, the flow of the processing goes on to a step S23
of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7.
[0112] At the step S23, the CPU 51 computes an inner product
between any two terminals 1 for each piece of music by multiplying
the vector values of the terminals 1 for the pieces of music. FIG.
10 is a table showing vector values between the terminals 1-1 and
1-2, between the terminals 1-1 and 1-3 and between the terminals
1-2 and 1-3. For example, an inner product between the terminals
1-1 and 1-2 for song p is found as follows:
[0113] Inner product between the terminals 1-1 and 1-2 for song
p=.SIGMA.(vector value of terminal 1-1 for song p.times.vector
value of terminal 1-2 for song p) where notation p is a name given
to the song as shown on the favorite list.
[0114] The calculated inner product between two terminals 1 for a
piece of music after all represents a coefficient of similarity.
That is to say, the greater the value of an inner product, the more
frequently the piece of similar music is reproduced (listened to)
in both the terminals 1. For this reason, an inner product is
referred to as a coefficient of similarity. Strictly speaking, the
sum of inner products is referred to as a coefficient of similarity
as shown in FIG. 10.
[0115] The CPU 51 also identifies a terminal 1 that has a highest
coefficient of similarity with respect to the terminal 1-1. In the
case of the example shown in FIG. 10, for instance, the coefficient
of similarity between the terminal 1-1 and the terminal 1-2 is
greater than the coefficient of similarity between the terminal 1-1
and the terminal 1-3. Thus, in this case, the CPU 51 identifies the
terminal 1-2 as a terminal 1 having a highest coefficient of
similarity with respect to the terminal 1-1.
[0116] Then, at the next step S24, the CPU 51 searches the favorite
list's column assigned to the terminal 1-2 identified at the step
S23 for any piece of music information having a vector value
greater than 0. The favorite list is shown in FIG. 9. As described
above, a piece of music information comprises a song title, an
album title and an artist name. Then, the CPU 51 searches the
pieces of music information found in the search to have a vector
value greater than 0 for a piece of music information not included
on the column assigned to the terminal 1-1.
[0117] In the case of the typical favorite list shown in FIG. 9,
the pieces of music information having a vector value greater than
0 for the terminal 1-2 are pieces of music information including
songs B1, C and D respectively and only the piece of music
information including song D is not included in the column assigned
to the terminal 1-1, which includes only pieces of music
information including songs A, B1 and C respectively.
[0118] Then, at the next step S25, the CPU 51 employed in the
server 3 composes recommendation information based on the detection
result obtained at the step S24, and transmits the recommendation
information to the terminal 1-1 at the following step S26.
[0119] After the transmission of the recommendation information to
the terminal 1-1, the processing is ended.
[0120] It is to be noted that, in the process to identify a
terminal 1 that has a high coefficient of similarity with respect
to the terminal 1-1 at the step S23, a similarity-coefficient
threshold value can be used as a criterion. That is to say, the CPU
51 only identifies terminals 1 that each have a coefficient of
similarity greater than the similarity-coefficient threshold
value.
[0121] By the same token, if more than one piece of music
information not included in the favorite list's column assigned to
the terminal 1-1 are found at the step S24, a vector-value
threshold value can be used. In this case, the CPU 51 searches the
pieces of music information not included in the favorite's column
assigned to the terminal 1-1 for ones each having a vector value
greater than the vector-value threshold value. As an alternative,
the CPU 51 searches the pieces of music information not included in
the favorite's column assigned to the terminal 1-1 for ones having
large vector values starting from the top.
[0122] Next, other operations of the terminal 1 and the server 3
are explained by referring to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11 to
13.
[0123] First of all, the other operation of the terminal 1 is
explained by referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11. Also in
this case, the terminal 1-1 is taken as an example. The operation
of the terminal 1 has been explained earlier by referring to the
flowchart shown in FIG. 4.
[0124] As shown in the figure, the flowchart begins with a step S41
at which a piece of music specified by the user is reproduced.
Then, at the next step S42, the CPU 21 employed in the terminal 1-1
acquires music information typically from the operation unit 40
when the user operates the operation unit 40 to enter the music
information or acquires music information from TOC information.
Then, the CPU 21 transmits the apparatus ID of the terminal 1-1 to
the server 3 by way of components such as the serial interface 28
along with music information and a reproduction count of the
reproduced piece of music. The step S42 is different from the step
S3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 in that, at the step S3, the
whole reproduction frequency information including all pieces of
music information is transmitted while, at the step S42, only a
particular piece of music information for the piece of music
reproduced at the step S41 is transmitted.
[0125] After the transmission of the apparatus ID and the music
information, the processing is ended.
[0126] Next, the other operations carried out by the server 3 in
response to the operation represented by the flowchart shown in
FIG. 11 are explained by referring to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
12 and 13. It is to be noted that, by referring to the flowcharts
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an earlier description has explained the
operation carried out by the server 3 in response to the operation
carried out by the terminal 1 as shown by the flowchart of FIG. 4.
FIGS. 12 and 13 thus correspond to FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively.
[0127] As shown in FIG. 12, the flowchart begins with a step S51 at
which the CPU 51 employed in the server 3 receives the apparatus ID
as well as the music information including the individual data and
a reproduction count from the terminal 1-1. Then, at the next step
S52, the CPU 51 reads out reproduction frequency information
associated with the received apparatus ID from the hard disc 54,
updates the reproduction frequency information's music information
in accordance with the received music information and stores back
the updated reproduction frequency information into the hard disc
54. The CPU 51 also updates the favorite list in accordance with
the received music information. As is obvious from the flowchart
shown in FIG. 6, the terminal 1 manages reproduction frequency
information. It is also clear from the step S52 that the
reproduction frequency information is also managed by the server 3.
However, the server 3 manages several pieces of reproduction
frequency information, which are each associated with a music
ID.
[0128] It is to be noted that, while a piece of reproduction
frequency information may include all pieces of music information
having a reproduction count of at least 1, least recently updated
pieces of music information can be erased from the reproduction
frequency information as described above so that the server 3 is
capable of managing several pieces of reproduction frequency
information with a limited processing power and a recording
medium's limited storage capacity, which are available in the
server 3. In order to form a judgment as to whether or not a piece
of music information is to be deleted from reproduction frequency
information stored in the recording medium, the individual data
includes a tag for recording a date on which the individual data is
updated last as shown in FIG. 5. A piece of music information with
a tag date ahead of the present time by at least a predetermined
number of days is deleted from the reproduction frequency
information stored in the recording medium. In this way, only most
recent favorites with the user of the terminal 1 are cataloged in
the terminal 1 and the server 3 needs to manage only pieces of such
less reproduction frequency information.
[0129] Details of the step S52 are represented by the flowchart
shown in FIG. 13.
[0130] Since pieces of processing carried out at the steps S61 to
S65 are the same as those carried out at the steps S32 to S36 of
the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, their explanation is not
repeated.
[0131] At a step S66, the CPU 51 employed in the server 3 updates
the reproduction frequency information. If the outcome of the
judgment formed at the step S63 is YES, indicating that there is
only one music ID, causing steps S64 and S65 to be skipped, for
example, the reproduction frequency information's reproduction
count associated with the music ID is incremented by 1.
[0132] If the outcome of the judgment formed at the step S64 is NO,
indicating that only one music ID could not be found finally, on
the other hand, the CPU 51 assigns a new ID to the music
information received at the step S51 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
12 and catalogs the music information in the reproduction frequency
information by associating the music information with the new music
information at a step S66.
[0133] In addition, the CPU 51 also updates the favorite list in
the same way as the step S37 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8.
Then, the flow of the processing goes on to a step S53 of the
flowchart shown in FIG. 12.
[0134] Since pieces of processing carried out at the steps S53 to
S56 are the same as those carried out at the steps S23 to S26 of
the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, their explanation is not
repeated.
[0135] It is to be noted that, in the embodiments described above,
after a piece of music specified by the user is reproduced in the
terminal 1, reproduction frequency information or music information
for the piece of music is transmitted by the terminal 1 to the
server 3 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 or 11 respectively.
However, the transmission timing is not limited to that adopted by
the embodiment. For example, the user may carry out an operation to
transmit reproduction frequency information accumulated so far or
music information for a piece of music reproduced last. In this
way, the user is capable of intentionally making a request for
recommendation information.
[0136] The series of processes described above can be carried out
by hardware or software. If the series of processes is carried out
by software, programs composing the software can be installed in a
computer. By having the computer execute a variety of programs, the
computer can be driven to carry out functions of the terminal 1 or
the server 3.
[0137] It is to be noted that, in this specification, steps
prescribing a program stored in a recording medium can of course be
pieces of processing, which are carried out in a prescribed order
along the time axis, but do not have to be executed sequentially.
That is to say, the steps can be pieces of processing, which are
carried out concurrently or individually.
[0138] In addition, the word `system` used in this specification
mean the whole system including a plurality of apparatuses.
* * * * *