JP4333602B2 - Group session support method, session management server device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for supporting a music session using a network.

A service called “net session” that allows remote music players to perform music sessions by using a network has become widespread. This service is provided when a “session terminal”, which is a dedicated device specialized for a net session, accesses a server device that mediates exchange of musical tone information between the session terminals.
This session terminal has a function of decoding and encoding a musical sound signal in addition to a communication function. When a performer plays an electronic musical instrument connected to his / her session terminal, the musical tone signal is transmitted from his / her session terminal to the other performer's session terminal via the server device in near real time. Is emitted as music from the terminal. A music session is realized by performing such processing mutually.

By the way, in the existing net session service, when a performer actually performs a music session with a specific partner, it is necessary to input a unique ID indicating the partner to his / her session terminal one by one. Such an input operation is very troublesome for the performer.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that discloses a technique intended to solve the same type of problem. However, the technology disclosed in this document simplifies various settings for communicating with an access point that is an entrance to a network, and even if this technology is incorporated into an existing net session service, The inconvenience of having to input IDs one by one has not been solved.
JP 2004-7351 A

  The present invention has been devised under such a background, and has a mechanism for realizing a music session with other performers by a simple and easy-to-understand operation without being forced to perform complicated setting work. The purpose is to provide.

  A group session support method according to a preferred aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of session terminals each having storage means for storing its own terminal identification information, and terminals of the session terminals grouped for each session group to which each belongs. A group session support method by a system including a session management server device having a storage means for storing identification information in association with terminal identification information of a session terminal that hosts each session group, wherein the first session terminal An acquisition step of acquiring the terminal identification information stored in the storage means of the second session terminal, and the terminal identification information acquired from the second session terminal by the first session terminal and its own storage means The stored terminal identification information as a set to the session management server device And the session management server device that has received the set of terminal identification information, the terminal identification information stored in its storage means as the terminal identification information of the session terminal that hosts the session group, and The determination step of determining whether or not one terminal identification information included in the received set matches, and the session management server device determined to match the terminal identification information includes one terminal identification information included in the set And the second session terminal that handed over the terminal identification information of the terminal to the first session terminal in the acquisition step, and the subscription application accepting step in which the terminal identification information is associated with the other terminal identification information and stored in the storage means. Participation application process for transmitting own terminal identification information stored in own storage means to the session management server device; Matching in which the session management server device that has received the terminal identification information from the second session terminal specifies other terminal identification information stored in its storage means as belonging to the same session group as the terminal identification information And a session control step in which the session management server device exchanges musical tone information between the third session terminal that has transmitted the terminal identification information specified in the matching step and the second session terminal. Have.

  In this aspect, the second session terminal includes a wireless transmission unit that transmits its own information as a radio signal to the outside. In the acquisition step, the first session terminal stores a storage unit of the second session terminal. The terminal identification information stored in the terminal may be acquired via the wireless transmission means.

The session management server device according to another preferred aspect of the present invention corresponds to the terminal identification information of each session terminal collected for each session group to which each belongs, and the terminal identification information of the session terminal that hosts each session group. A storage means that is stored in addition, a session means for transmitting the terminal identification information of the other session terminal acquired from the other session terminal and its terminal identification information as a set, a receiving means for receiving the set, and one terminal identification information contained in the set received by the receiving means, determines whether or not matches with any of the terminal identification information stored in the storage means as the terminal identification information of the session terminal to host session group When the determination unit determines that the determination unit and the terminal identification information match, the reception unit A subscription acceptance means for storing in the storage means in association with one of the terminal identification information included in the set that and the other terminal identification information, from the other session terminal, terminal identification information indicating the other session terminals And a matching means for specifying other terminal identification information stored in the storage means as belonging to the same session group as the terminal identification information received by the participation application receiving means, Session control means for exchanging musical tone information between the session terminal that has transmitted the terminal identification information specified by the matching means and the session terminal that has transmitted the terminal identification information received by the participation application receiving means; Is provided.

  According to the present invention, a music session by a plurality of players can be realized by a simple and easy-to-understand operation.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The session system according to the present embodiment has the following two features. The first feature is that a dedicated terminal (hereinafter referred to as “session terminal”) used for a music session via a network is a group of a plurality of terminals (hereinafter referred to as “session group”). Each is registered in the server device, and the music session via the server device is performed only by session terminals belonging to the same session group. The second feature is that each session group is hosted by participants with dedicated session terminals (hereinafter referred to as “session master terminals”), and only one session master terminal is provided for each session group. It is the point that the authority as an organizer that allows others to join their own group is occupied.
Here, main terms used in the following description are defined. “Operator” means an operator that provides various services using a network. “Performer” means an individual who participates in a music session as the owner of the session terminal with the support of the operator. “Musical sound information” means information representing a code string obtained by performing compression coding processing on a musical sound signal.
A session terminal that participates in a session group hosted by the session master terminal with permission from the session master terminal is referred to as a “session slave terminal”.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a session system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, this system includes one session master terminal 0, a plurality of session slave terminals 10, and a session management server device 20.
FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the session slave terminal 10, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the session master terminal 0. The terminals 10 and 0 are used by the performer, and are similar in terms of performance use. As shown in the figure, the musical sound signal input units 11 and 51, the musical sound signal output units 12 and 52, the communication units 13 and 53, the storage units 14 and 54, the encoding / decoding units 15 and 55, and the display Units 17 and 57, operation units 18 and 58, and control units 19 and 59, respectively. Further, the session master terminal 0 and the session slave terminal 10 have different mechanisms for exchanging terminal information, and the session slave terminal 10 has an RFID chip 16 for transmitting its own terminal information to the session master terminal 0. The session master terminal 0 includes an RFID reader 56 for reading information from the RFID chip 16 of the session slave terminal 10.

The musical tone signal input units 11 and 51 input musical tone signals from the musical instrument 30 to the own terminals 10 and 0. On the other hand, the tone signal output units 12 and 52 output tone signals from the own terminals 10 and 0 to the speaker 40. The communication units 13 and 53 establish a connection with the apparatus 20 based on the network address of the session management server apparatus 20 registered in advance, and transmit and receive various types of information.
The storage units 14 and 54 are, for example, flash ROMs, and accumulate various information under instructions from the control units 19 and 59. The storage units 14 and 54 store in advance a terminal ID that is identification information for identifying itself.

When the tone signal is supplied from the tone signal input units 11 and 51, the encoding / decoding units 15 and 55 supply the tone information obtained by encoding the tone signal to the communication units 13 and 53, respectively. When musical tone information is supplied from the communication units 13 and 53, a musical tone signal obtained by decoding the musical tone information is supplied to the musical tone signal output units 12 and 52.
When the session master terminal 0 is brought into contact with the session slave terminal 10 in a predetermined manner, the RFID reader 56 of the session master terminal 0 reads the terminal information of the session slave terminal 10 from the RFID chip 16 of the session slave terminal 10. The session master terminal 0 that has read the terminal information of the session slave terminal 10 displays on the display unit 57 that it has been read normally.
The control units 19 and 59 control the above units. The characteristic operations performed by the control units 19 and 59 will be described in detail later with reference to flowcharts.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the session management server device 20. The apparatus 20 operates under management by an operator, and includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a network interface 24, a keyboard 25, a computer display 26, a hard disk 27, and the like as shown in the figure. The hard disk 27 stores a session group database 27a.

FIG. 4 is a data structure diagram of the session group database 27a. As shown in the figure, this database 27a is an aggregate of a plurality of records each corresponding to one session group. One record constituting the database 27a has three fields of “registered member”, “session possible member”, and “session organizer”.
In the “registered member” field, terminal IDs of all performers belonging to each session group are stored. In the “session-capable member” field, the terminal ID received from the session terminal 10 that has accessed the device 20 in search of participation in the music session is stored. In the “session organizer” field, the terminal ID of the performer who started the session group and became the organizer is stored.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
The operation of this embodiment can be divided into group registration processing, new member registration processing, and session processing. FIG. 5 shows the transition.
When a certain session terminal accesses the session management server device 20, the session management server device 20 looks at the terminal ID of the session terminal and determines whether the session terminal is the session master terminal 0 or the session slave terminal 10. To do.
The organizer of the session group has the qualification that only the session master terminal 0 is available, and the session slave terminal 10 does not have a function of performing group registration processing and new member registration processing.

If the connected session terminal is the session master terminal 0, the presence / absence of registration is confirmed, and execution of the group registration process is determined.
If the session master terminal 0 has already been registered in the session group database 27a of the session management server device 20 as a session organizer, it automatically confirms the session group members stored in the storage unit 54 of the session master terminal 0 and registers as a group. Process.
The unregistered session master terminal 0 automatically performs a new member registration process when the group registration process ends.
When these series of processing are completed, session processing is automatically performed.
When the session slave terminal 10 transmits the terminal ID to the session management server apparatus 20, the session management server apparatus 20 checks whether or not the registration is in the session group database 27a. If there is registration, session processing is performed. If there is no registration, a message to that effect is sent to the session slave terminal 10 and the connection is terminated.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the group registration process.
When connected to the network, the control unit 59 of the session master terminal 0 reads its own terminal ID stored in the storage unit 54 and transmits the read terminal ID to the session management server device 20 (S110).
CPU21 of the session management server apparatus 20 which received terminal ID memorize | stores the terminal ID in RAM22 (S120).
The CPU 21 determines whether or not there is a record in the session group database 27a in which the same terminal ID as that stored in the RAM 22 in step 120 is stored in the “session organizer” field (S130).
If not, the member registration process is started (S200).

When the session management server device 20 determines that there is no record in the session group database 27a having the same terminal ID stored in the RAM 22 in step 120 as stored in the “session organizer” field, the session management server device 20 A message to create is transmitted to the session master terminal 0 (S150).
The display unit 57 of the session master terminal 0 that has received the message displays a character string with the content “The new usage has been confirmed. A new session group will be created.” (S150a).

The CPU 21 adds one new record to the session group database 27a (S160).
The CPU 21 stores the terminal ID stored in the RAM 22 in step 120 in both the “registered member” and “session organizer” fields of the record added in step 160 (S170).

CPU21 which memorize | stored terminal ID transmits the message which shows that the starting of the session group was complete | finished to the session master terminal 0 (S180).
The session master terminal 0 that has received this message displays on the display unit 57 that the start of the session group has been completed. As a result, the group registration process ends.
The session management server device 20 then continues the registration process for new members of the session group of the session master terminal 0.

When a performer who wants to join a session group appears, the session slave terminal 10 of the performer is brought close to the effective range of the RFID reader 56 mounted on his / her session master terminal 0, and the session slave is operated by an external operation. The terminal ID is acquired from the RFID chip 16 built in the terminal 10.
Specifically, the operation switch 56a of the RFID reader 56 is provided in a recessed portion on the back side of the case of the session master terminal 0, and the operation switch 56a is turned on when the session master terminal 0 is overlaid on the upper surface of the session slave terminal 10. By providing a convex portion on the upper surface of the session slave terminal 10, the RFID reader 56 is configured to automatically operate when the session master terminal 0 is placed on the session slave terminal 10.

The acquired terminal ID is accumulated in the storage unit 54 of the session master terminal 0 as registration information of members belonging to the session group.
The terminal ID of the new member is stored in the storage unit 54 of the session master terminal 0. When the session master terminal 0 is connected to the session management server device 20, the new member registration process performed following the group registration process It is registered in the session group database 27a as a new session member.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the new member registration process.
When the group registration process ends, a new member registration process is automatically executed (S200).
CPU21 specifies the record which memorize | stored the terminal ID of the session master terminal 0 memorize | stored in RAM22 in the field of "session organizer" from the session group database 27a (S210).
Subsequently, the CPU 21 transmits a message for requesting transmission of the terminal ID of the member to which the member belongs to the session master terminal 0 (S220).

The control unit 59 of the session master terminal 0 that has received the message reads out all the terminal IDs stored in the storage unit 54 as registered member registration information, and transmits the read terminal IDs to the session management server device 20 (S230). ).
The CPU 21 of the session management server device 20 that has received the terminal ID stores the received terminal ID in the RAM 22 (S240).
Subsequently, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the content of the terminal ID stored in the “registered member” field of the record specified in step 210 matches the content of the terminal ID stored in the RAM 22 in step 240. (S250).

When it is determined in step 250 that both contents match, the CPU 21 determines that new registration is not necessary, and proceeds to session processing.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step 250 that the contents do not match, the CPU 21 stores the storage contents of the “registered member” field of the record specified in step 210 in the RAM 22 in step 240. Update according to the contents of the terminal ID (S260). That is, after the member registration service has been used last time, when the terminal ID of a new member has been accumulated in the storage unit 14 of the master session terminal 10, the terminal ID is added to the “registered member” field. become.

CPU21 which memorize | stored terminal ID transmits the message which shows that registration of the new member was completed to the session master terminal 0 (S270).
Upon receiving this message, the control unit 59 of the session master terminal 0 causes the display unit 57 to display a character string indicating that registration of a new member has been completed (S280).
This completes the new member registration process.

For the session master terminal 0 for which the group registration process and the new member registration process have been completed, the session process is started as it is (S300).
When the power switch of the session slave terminal 10 is turned on, the session management server device 20 is automatically accessed and session processing is started (S400).

8 and 9 are flowcharts showing session processing.
The terminal ID of the session master terminal 0 that has completed the group registration process and the new member registration process and stored in the RAM 22 of the session management server device 20 is stored as it is in the “session possible member” field of the session group database 27a. (S310).
On the other hand, when the power switch of the session slave terminal 10 is turned on (S400), the control unit 19 transmits a message requesting provision of a session service and its own terminal ID to the session management server device 20 (S410).

The session management server device 20 that has received the terminal ID of the session slave terminal 10 stores the terminal ID in its own RAM 22 (S420). Thereafter, it is determined whether the terminal ID is that of session master terminal 0 or that of session slave terminal 10 (S430).
When it is confirmed that the terminal ID is that of the session slave terminal 10, the following processing is started.
If the terminal ID is that of the session slave terminal 10, the session management server device 20 checks whether the terminal ID is stored in the session group database 27a (S440).
The session slave terminal 10 cannot participate in the session until the session master terminal 0 receives the group participation procedure.

When it is determined in step 440 that there is no record storing the terminal ID in the “registered member” field, the CPU 21 transmits a message indicating that the terminal ID is not registered to the session slave terminal 10 (S450). ).
The control unit 19 of the session slave terminal 10 that has received this message causes the display unit 17 to display that the session cannot be performed (S460).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 440 that there is a record in which the terminal ID is stored in the “registered member” field, the CPU 21 identifies a record satisfying the condition from the session group database 27a, and in step 420. The terminal ID stored in the RAM 22 is stored in the “session possible member” field of the specified record (S310). In this step 310, the session slave terminal 10 in which the terminal ID transmitted by itself is stored in the “session possible member” field has already been stored in the same field, or the transmission source of the terminal ID stored thereafter It becomes possible to perform a music session with another session terminal.
The session management server device 20 that has written the session master terminal 0 or the session slave terminal 10 as a “session capable member” in the session group database 27a checks whether another terminal ID has been written in the field just written ( S320). If there is no other member in the field, the session management server device 20 notifies the session terminal that the session is not established (S500). The session master terminal 0 or the session slave terminal 10 receiving it displays on the display units 17 and 57 that the session is not established (S510).

  When it is determined in the operation of step 320 that two or more members of the same session group can perform, the CPU 21 determines each of the terminal IDs stored in the “session possible members” field of the same group. The members participating in the session are transmitted to the session master terminal 0 and the session slave terminal 10 which are transmission sources (S330).

The control units 59 and 19 of the session master terminal 0 and the session slave terminal 10 that have received the display data display the participation status notification screen on the display units 57 and 17 based on the display data (S340).
Participation status is expressed in a form that matches the display of each terminal. On the display screen 57 of the session master terminal 0, the terminal IDs of participating members (or nicknames set separately) are displayed. Although the display unit 17 of the session slave terminal 10 is not particularly limited, only the number of participating members may be displayed using a 7-segment LED or the like.

The performer of session master terminal 0 referring to this notification determines whether or not the session can be started. When it is determined that the session can be started, the operation unit 58 is operated. That is, it is left to the session master terminal 0 to determine whether or not to start a session.
When an operation intended to start a session is performed, the control unit 59 of the session master terminal 0 transmits a message requesting the start of the session to the session management server device 20 (S350).

Upon receiving the session start message, the session management server device 20 notifies the session start to the session master terminal 0 and the session slave terminal 10 that are participating members at the same time (S360). Upon receiving this notification, the session master terminal 0 and the session slave terminal 10 display on the display units 17 and 57 that the session is started (S370).
When the performance is started, each session terminal transmits a musical tone signal input from the musical instrument 30 to the own terminal as musical tone information to the session management server device 20, and is transmitted from the session management server device 20 to the own terminal. A process of outputting the musical tone information as a musical tone signal to the speaker 40 is performed in parallel. Further, the CPU 21 of the session management server device 20 performs a process of immediately transferring the musical tone information received from one session terminal to the other session terminal.
By exchanging musical tone information via the session management server device 20 as described above, each session terminal also receives a musical tone signal input to another remote session terminal 10 from its speaker 40 as a musical tone. Sound can be emitted, resulting in real-time music sessions between remote players.
Here, the content of the session processing has been described by taking as an example a case where a session is performed between the session master terminal 0 and the session slave terminal 10, but the procedure when a plurality of session slave terminals 10 perform a session is also the same. . That is, a message requesting the provision of a session service from one session slave terminal 10 that performs a session and its own terminal ID are transmitted to the session management server device 20, and then the other session slave terminal 10 that is a session partner Thus, a series of exchanges as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is executed, and a session is started.

  According to the present embodiment described above, a session group can be configured simply by bringing the session master terminal 0 into contact with the session slave terminal 10, and the power switch is turned on without any other settings. A music session can be easily performed with other performers.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the player who hosts the session group uses the session master terminal 0 on which the RFID reader 56 is mounted, while the other players perform the session slave terminal 10 on which the RFID chip 16 is mounted. Was supposed to be used.
On the other hand, in this embodiment, a session terminal having versatility that can be used by any of the performers who host the session group and other performers is provided.
In the following description, a terminal used by a player who hosts each session group and a terminal used by other performers are referred to as “session terminal 80” without making any distinction.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of the session system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, this system includes a plurality of session terminals 80 and a session management server device 20.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the session terminal 80. The terminal 80 is used by a performer, and as shown in the figure, a musical tone signal input unit 81, a musical tone signal output unit 82, a communication unit 83, a storage unit 84, an encoding / decoding unit 85, Bluetooth (registered) Trademark) A communication unit 86, a display unit 87, an operation unit 88, and a control unit 89 are provided. The function of each part excluding the Bluetooth communication unit 86 shown in this figure is the same as each part in the session master terminal 0 and the session slave terminal 10 in the first embodiment.
The Bluetooth communication unit 86 performs wireless communication with the Bluetooth communication unit 86 of another session terminal 80 that is close enough to communicate with itself according to a procedure in accordance with the Bluetooth standard.

  The hardware configuration of the session management server device 20 shown in FIG. 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment. In addition to the CPU 21, RAM 22, ROM 23, network interface 24, keyboard 25, computer display 26, a hard disk storing a session group database 27a. 27.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
The operation of this embodiment can be divided into group registration processing, new member registration processing, and session processing.
When a certain session terminal 80 accesses the session management server device 20, the CPU 21 of the session management server device 20 transmits display data of a service selection screen to the session terminal 80. Then, the control unit 89 of the session terminal 80 that has received the display data causes the service selection screen to be displayed on its own display unit 87.
As shown in FIG. 12, this service selection screen includes a character string “Please select a service to use”, “Group launch service”, “Member registration service”, and “Session service”. "Are displayed on the screen, respectively. When the button labeled “Group launch service” is selected, the group registration process is selected. When the button labeled “Member registration service” is selected, the new member registration process is labeled “Session service”. When is selected, session processing is executed.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the group registration process.
This processing is started when a button labeled “Group start-up service” is selected in a state where the service selection screen is displayed on the display unit 87 of a certain session terminal 80.
When the button labeled “Group launch service” is selected, the control unit 89 of the session terminal 80 transmits a message requesting provision of the group launch service to the session management server device 20 (S600).

Then, the CPU 21 of the session management server device 20 transmits a message requesting transmission of the terminal ID to the session terminal 80 (S610).
Upon receiving this message, the control unit 89 of the session terminal 80 reads out its own terminal ID stored in the storage unit 84, and transmits the read terminal ID to the session management server device 20 (S620).
The CPU 21 of the session management server device 20 that has received the terminal ID stores the terminal ID in the RAM 22 (S630).

The CPU 21 adds one new record to the session group database 27a (S640).
The CPU 21 stores the terminal ID stored in the RAM 22 in step 630 in both the “registered member” and “session organizer” fields of the record added in step 640 (S650).

CPU21 which memorize | stored terminal ID sends the message which shows that the starting of the session group was complete | finished to the session terminal 80 (S660).
The session terminal 80 that has received this message disconnects the connection with the session management server device 20. As a result, the group registration process ends. In the following description, the session terminal 80 that has finished executing the group registration process is particularly referred to as a “master session terminal” and is appropriately distinguished from the other session terminals 80.

  The performer who started the session group and sponsored it recruits other performers to join his session group. When a performer who wants to join the session group appears, the session terminal 80 of the performer is brought close to the communication range of the Bluetooth communication unit 86 mounted on the master session terminal 80 of the performer. Then, the Bluetooth communication unit 86 of the master session terminal 80 communicates with the Bluetooth communication unit 86 of the adjacent session terminal 80 and acquires the terminal ID stored in the storage unit 14. The acquired terminal ID is accumulated in the storage unit 14 of the master session terminal 80 as registration information of members belonging to the session group.

  The performer having the terminal ID stored in the storage unit 14 of his / her master session terminal 80 accesses the session management server device 20 from the master session terminal 80 and displays “ Select the button labeled “Member Registration Service”. When this button is selected, a new member registration process is started.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the new member registration process.
When the button labeled “member registration service” is selected, the control unit 89 of the master session terminal 80 transmits a message requesting provision of the member registration service to the session management server device 20 (S700).
Then, the CPU 21 of the session management server device 20 transmits a message requesting transmission of the terminal ID to the master session terminal 80 (S710).
The control unit 89 of the master session terminal 80 that has received the message reads its own terminal ID from the storage unit 14 and transmits the read terminal ID to the session management server device 20 (S720).

The CPU 21 of the session management server device 20 that has received the terminal ID stores the received terminal ID in the RAM 22 (S730).
Subsequently, the CPU 21 determines whether or not there is a record in the session group database 27a in which the same terminal ID as that stored in the RAM 22 in step 730 is stored in the “session organizer” field (S740).

When it is determined in step 740 that there is no record storing the terminal ID in the “session organizer” field, the CPU 21 returns a message rejecting acceptance of the new registration (S750).
Upon receiving this message, the control unit 89 of the session terminal 80 causes the display unit 87 to display a character string with a content prompting the use of the group startup service (S760). The performer who refers to the display attempts to use the member registration service after starting his own session group using the session startup service.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 740 that there is a record in which the terminal ID is stored in the “session organizer” field, the CPU 21 specifies a record satisfying the condition from the session group database 27a (S770).
Subsequently, the CPU 21 transmits a message for requesting transmission of the member ID of the member to the master session terminal 80 (S780).

The control unit 89 of the master session terminal 80 that has received the message reads out all the terminal IDs stored in the storage unit 84 as registered member registration information, and transmits the read terminal IDs to the session management server device 20 (S790). ).
The CPU 21 of the session management server device 20 that has received the terminal ID stores the received terminal ID in the RAM 22 (S800).
Subsequently, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the content of the terminal ID stored in the “registered member” field of the record specified in step 770 matches the content of the terminal ID stored in the RAM 22 in step 800. (S810).

When it is determined in step 810 that both contents match, the CPU 21 transmits a message indicating that new registration is unnecessary to the master session terminal 80 (S820).
The control unit 89 of the master session terminal 80 that has received this message causes the display unit 87 to display a character string indicating that no new member registration is required (S830).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 810 that the contents do not match, the CPU 21 stores the storage contents of the “registered member” field of the record specified in step 770 in the RAM 22 in step 800. Update according to the contents of the terminal ID (S840). That is, after the member registration service has been used last time, when the terminal ID of a new member is accumulated in the storage unit 84 of the master session terminal 80, the terminal ID is added to the “registered member” field. become.

CPU21 which memorize | stored terminal ID transmits the message which shows that registration of the new member was completed to the master session terminal 80 (S850).
The control unit 89 of the master session terminal 80 that has received this message causes the display unit 87 to display a character string indicating that registration of a new member has been completed (S860).
This completes the new member registration process.

The performer who started the session group himself and became the organizer and the other performers who became members of the session group access the session management server device 20 from each session terminal 80, and the service selection screen is displayed. In this state, select the button labeled “Session Service” on the same screen.
When this button is selected, session processing is started.

15 and 16 are flowcharts showing session processing.
When the button labeled “Session Service” is selected, the control unit 89 of the session terminal 80 transmits a message requesting provision of the session service to the session management server device 20 (S900).
Then, the CPU 21 of the session management server device 20 transmits a message requesting transmission of the terminal ID to the session terminal 80 (S910).

The control unit 89 of the session terminal 80 that has received the message reads its own terminal ID stored in the storage unit 84, and transmits the read terminal ID to the session management server device 20 (S920).
Receiving the terminal ID, the CPU 21 of the session management server device 20 stores the received terminal ID in the RAM 22 (S930).
Subsequently, the CPU 21 determines whether or not there is a record in the session group database 27a in which the same terminal ID as that stored in the RAM 22 in step 930 is stored in the “registered member” field (S940).

When it is determined in step 940 that there is no record storing the terminal ID in the “registered member” field, the CPU 21 transmits a message indicating that the terminal ID is not registered to the session terminal 80 (S950). .
Receiving this message, the control unit 89 of the session terminal 80 causes the display unit 87 to display a character string with a content that prompts the user to belong to any session group (S960). The performer who refers to the display sets up a session group by himself using the session start-up service, or joins a session group already set up using the new member registration service.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 940 that there is a record storing the terminal ID in the “registered member” field, the CPU 21 specifies a record satisfying the condition from the session group database 27a (S970).
Subsequently, the CPU 21 stores the terminal ID stored in the RAM 22 in step 930 in the “session-possible member” field of the record specified in step 970 (S980). In this step 980, the session terminal 80 in which the terminal ID transmitted by itself is stored in the “session possible member” field is the source of the terminal ID that has already been stored in the same field or is stored thereafter. It becomes possible to perform a music session with some other session terminal 80.

Subsequently, the CPU 21 reads out all the terminal IDs stored in the “session possible member” field of the record specified in step 970 to the RAM 22 (S990).
The CPU 21 transmits the display data of the participation status notification screen obtained by embedding the terminal ID read out in step 990 into a predetermined template to each session terminal 80 that is the source of each terminal ID (S1000). .

The control unit 89 of the session terminal 80 that has received the display data causes the display unit 87 to display a participation status notification screen based on the display data (S1010).
FIG. 17 is a participation status notification screen. In the upper part of this screen, a character string “The ID of the member who is currently ready for the session is as follows” is displayed, and below that, all the characters read in step 990 are displayed. The terminal ID is displayed. In addition, a button labeled “Start Session” is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

The player who refers to this screen determines whether or not the session can be started. When it is determined that the session can be started, the button at the bottom of the screen is selected by the operation unit 88.
When the button labeled “start session” is selected, the control unit 89 of the session terminal 80 transmits a message requesting the start of the session to the session management server device 20 (S1020).

When the CPU 21 of the session management server device 20 receives a message requesting the start of a session from all the session terminals 80 that are the destinations of the display data of the participation status notification screen, it represents the remaining time length until the start timing of the music session. A countdown signal is transmitted to each session terminal 80 (S1030).
The control unit 89 of the session terminal 80 that has received the countdown signal causes the display unit 87 to display the remaining time length until the music session start timing while synchronizing with the other session terminals 80 (S1040). Specifically, “3 seconds before start” → “2 seconds before start” → “1 second before start” is displayed every other second in this order, and “1 second before start” is also displayed. The character string “START!” Is displayed at the timing when one second has elapsed since the character string was displayed.

Each player refers to the countdown display displayed on the display unit 87 of his / her session terminal 80, and starts playing the musical instrument 30 all at the same time when the character string “START!” Is displayed.
According to this embodiment described above, as long as each player has the session terminal 80, each performer not only joins an already established session group, but also establishes a session group and organizes it. It can also be.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can be modified in various ways.
In the first embodiment, the terminal ID acquired from the session slave terminal 10 is stored in the storage unit 54 of the session master terminal 0. In the new member registration process, the stored terminal ID is stored in the session master terminal 0. The terminal ID transmitted from the terminal 0 to the session management server device 20 is stored in the “registered member” field of the session group database 27a. In contrast, the pair of the terminal ID acquired from the session slave terminal 10 and the acquisition date / time may be stored in the storage unit 54 of the session master terminal 0. According to such a modification, the performer who is the organizer of the session group can display only the stored contents of the storage unit 54 of his / her session master terminal 0 on the display unit 57, and only the performer who has joined the own group. You can also understand the date and time when you were accepted.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a session system. It is a hardware block diagram of a session terminal. It is a hardware block diagram of a session management server apparatus. It is a data structure figure of a session group database. It is a transition diagram of the connection process of a session master terminal. It is a flowchart which shows a group registration process. It is a flowchart which shows a new member registration process. It is a flowchart which shows session processing (first half part). It is a flowchart which shows session processing (second half part). It is a whole block diagram of a session system (2nd Embodiment). It is a hardware block diagram of a session terminal (2nd Embodiment). It is a service selection screen. It is a flowchart which shows a group registration process. It is a flowchart which shows a new member registration process. It is a flowchart which shows session processing (first half part). It is a flowchart which shows session processing (second half part). It is a participation status notification screen.

Explanation of symbols

0 ... Session master terminal, 10 ... Session slave terminal, 11, 51, 81 ... Music signal input unit, 12, 52, 82 ... Music signal output unit, 13, 53, 83 ... Communication unit, 14, 54, 84 ... Memory 15, 55, 85 ... encode / decode unit, 16 ... RFID chip, 17, 57, 87 ... display unit, 18, 58, 88 ... operation unit, 19, 59, 89 ... control unit, 20 ... session management server Device, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... RAM, 23 ... ROM, 24 ... Network interface, 25 ... Keyboard, 26 ... Computer display, 27 ... Hard disk, 30 ... Musical instrument, 40 ... Speaker, 56 ... RFID reader, 86 ... Bluetooth communication unit

Claims (3)

A plurality of session terminals each having storage means for storing their own terminal identification information, and a terminal of the session terminal that hosts the session identification information of each session terminal collected for each session group to which each belongs. A group session support method by a system including a session management server device having a storage means stored in association with identification information,
An acquisition step in which the first session terminal acquires terminal identification information stored in the storage means of the second session terminal;
Subscription application step in which the first session terminal transmits the terminal identification information acquired from the second session terminal and its own terminal identification information stored in its storage means to the session management server device as a set When,
The session management server device that has received the set of terminal identification information is included in the received set with any of the terminal identification information stored in its storage means as the terminal identification information of the session terminal that hosts the session group A determination step of determining whether or not the terminal identification information matches,
The session management server device that has determined that the terminal identification information matches, the subscription application acceptance step of storing one terminal identification information and the other terminal identification information included in the set in association with each other in its storage means,
Participation in which the second session terminal that has delivered its terminal identification information to the first session terminal in the obtaining step transmits its own terminal identification information stored in its own storage means to the session management server device Application process,
The session management server device that has received the terminal identification information from the second session terminal identifies other terminal identification information stored in its storage means as belonging to the same session group as the terminal identification information Matching process;
A session session in which the session management server device exchanges musical tone information between the third session terminal that has transmitted the terminal identification information specified in the matching step and the second session terminal. Support method. The group session support method according to claim 1,
The second session terminal is
Provided with wireless transmission means for transmitting its own information as a wireless signal to the outside,
In the acquisition step,
A group session support method in which the first session terminal acquires terminal identification information stored in a storage unit of a second session terminal via the wireless transmission unit. Storage means for storing the terminal identification information of each session terminal collected for each session group to which each belongs, in association with the terminal identification information of the session terminal that hosts each session group;
Receiving means for receiving the set from the session terminal that transmits the terminal identification information of the other session terminal acquired from the other session terminal and its own terminal identification information as a set ;
One terminal identification information contained in the set received by said receiving means, said one to whether determination of terminal identifier information stored in the storage means as the terminal identification information of the session terminal to host session group A judgment means to
When the determination means determines that the terminal identification information matches, a subscription application acceptance means for storing one terminal identification information and the other terminal identification information included in the received set in association with each other in the storage means ;
Participation application receiving means for receiving terminal identification information indicating the other session terminal from the other session terminal;
Matching means for identifying other terminal identification information stored in the storage means as belonging to the same session group as the terminal identification information received by the participation application receiving means,
Session control means for exchanging musical tone information between the session terminal that has transmitted the terminal identification information specified by the matching means and the session terminal that has transmitted the terminal identification information received by the participation application receiving means. A session management server device provided.

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