JP2010085662A - Karaoke network system and karaoke device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently transmit the latest content between a plurality of Karaoke devices which each obtain content in different states, respectively. <P>SOLUTION: A Karaoke device produces a storage list, which records the names of all pieces of content and their revisions which the Karaoke device itself includes, and obtains storage lists from the other Karaoke devices on a LAN for each Karaoke device. On the basis of the storage lists which the Karaoke device itself and the other Karaoke devices have, the Karaoke device itself produces the latest list, which correlates the name of all pieces of content and their latest revisions with the names of all the Karaoke devices having the latest contents of the latest revisions for each piece of the content included in these storage lists (S150). The Karaoke device itself selects, for one piece of the content, one of the other Karaoke devices, which becomes an acquisition destination of the latest content of a latest revision, from the latest list, and produces the acquisition destination list which correlates the Karaoke device thus selected with the name of the content concerned (S160). When the other Karaoke devices except the Karaoke device itself are ready to obtain the latest contents of the latest revisions, the Karaoke device itself obtains the latest contents concerned from the Karaoke devices which are ready to do so, on the basis of the acquisition destination list (S170). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for replicating content between karaoke apparatuses connected to a network in a karaoke store.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a karaoke network system that distributes content played back by a karaoke device from a host server for content distribution to a karaoke device installed in each karaoke store (for example, a karaoke box) nationwide via a wide area network has been widely used. .

In recent years, many karaoke apparatuses installed in karaoke stores are individually provided with a large-capacity storage means so that contents to be reproduced by the own karaoke apparatus can be accumulated. In a karaoke network system composed of such karaoke devices, a representative karaoke device having authority to communicate with a host server for content distribution and a host server among a plurality of karaoke devices installed in a store ( The content is distributed from the host server to the master device (primary distribution) through direct communication with the master device. Then, the content distributed to the master device is transmitted from the master device to the karaoke device under the management of the master device in the karaoke store via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) distributed in the karaoke store (hereinafter referred to as “master device”). Are distributed to each karaoke device in the karaoke store (secondary distribution). By doing so, the number of karaoke apparatuses that receive content distribution directly from the host server can be reduced, and the communication load in the primary distribution between the host server and the master device can be reduced (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
JP 2004-170529 A

  By the way, the content played back by the karaoke device is not only normal performance data (MIDI data, etc.), but also a variety of high-quality live music songs, promotional video (PV) video, CM video, etc. sampled from the actual performance sound. The amount of data is increasing year by year. Due to such circumstances, the amount of content that can be acquired per day is limited by the capability of the communication line provided in the store. For example, the latest content from the host server is released several times a week, but in stores that have only a low-speed communication line, the latest content that has not been acquired by the master machine after the latest content has been released. The content is acquired, and the content held by the master device is updated. For this reason, there is a certain time difference between the start of release of the latest content on the host server and the completion of acquisition of the latest content by the master device of the karaoke store.

  Under such circumstances, there are the following problems. A karaoke device holding the latest content may be brought into the LAN in the store where the latest content has not yet been acquired, as a substitute for the failed karaoke device. When an existing master device is connected to the LAN, the karaoke device brought in as an alternative device operates as a slave device. At this time, the other slave machines in the store receive distribution of content only from the master machine even though there is a karaoke device that holds the latest content on the LAN. Until receiving the primary distribution of the latest content and performing secondary distribution, the latest content is not held. Therefore, until the content held by all the slave devices including the alternative device is equivalent to the content held by the master device, there is a mixture of karaoke devices that can use the latest content in the same store and karaoke devices that are not. , Will cause unfairness in the services provided to customers.

  In addition, if the master machine performs secondary distribution from the master machine to the substitute machine that holds the latest content before the master machine acquires the latest content from the host server, the content held by the substitute machine will be retained by the master machine. There is also a disadvantage that so-called reverse equivalence occurs, in which old content is overwritten on the latest content originally held.

  Thus, in a karaoke apparatus (alternative machine) that originally possesses the latest content, it should be originally not necessary to distribute the content from another karaoke apparatus via the LAN. In spite of this, the distribution of content to an alternative device that holds the latest content allows various data related to the distribution of content that is not necessary to be transferred over the LAN. Bandwidth is wasted. As a result, the time until the equivalence of other karaoke devices is completed is delayed, and the period during which the service is unfair is prolonged.

  In a situation where content is equivalent between the master machine and the slave machine, the master machine that receives primary distribution from the host server is usually a device that first acquires the latest content in the store. Therefore, after the master device acquires the latest content, if the content held by each slave device in the store is equivalent to the content held by the master device, the latest content can be used equally in all karaoke devices in the store. It is supposed to be. However, once a situation occurs in which karaoke apparatuses that have received content distribution in different environments coexist on the same LAN, there is no guarantee that the content held by the master device is necessarily the latest. For this reason, if a situation occurs in which only the slave machine other than the master machine holds the latest content, such problems as unfairness and reverse equivalence of the service described above occur.

  Note that such unfairness or reverse equivalence of the service is not limited to when the karaoke device itself is replaced, but when the hard disk drive (HDD) provided in the karaoke device is replaced, the latest content is previously stored in the new HDD. It can also happen if it is installed.

  In addition, when multiple karaoke devices are exchanged at the same time, or when a plurality of karaoke devices with different production times and usage histories are installed when a karaoke store is newly opened, karaoke devices with different acquisition status of old and new contents Since many are mixed, the above problem becomes more remarkable. In other words, the more unnecessary data flows on the LAN (the use efficiency becomes lower), the longer the period until communication is delayed and the secondary distribution to each karaoke device is completed, and the service is unfair. Also gets longer.

Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the period of time until the secondary distribution is completed and reduce the unfairness of the service by increasing the use efficiency of the LAN in the distribution of contents.
This invention is made in order to solve such a problem, and it aims at providing the technique for enabling the latest content to be efficiently distributed between several karaoke apparatuses from which the acquisition condition of content differs. To do.

  The karaoke network system according to claim 1, which has been made in order to solve the above problem, has content including at least karaoke music, and a plurality of karaoke apparatuses that play back the content are communicably connected via a network. Content held between karaoke apparatuses can be copied via a network.

  Each karaoke device has a first possession list creation unit, a creation request unit, a possession list acquisition unit, a latest list as a unit relating to processing executed when content is acquired from another karaoke device connected to the network. A list creation unit, a list creation unit, and an acquisition unit are provided.

  The first possession list creating means includes a possession list that is a list in which the identification information of the karaoke device, the identification information of all the content possessed by the karaoke device, and the revision of each content are recorded for the own karaoke device. create. The creation request means requests each of the other karaoke devices connected to the network to create a holding list related to the karaoke device. The possession list acquisition unit acquires the possession list created by each of the other karaoke apparatuses in response to the creation request by the creation request unit.

  The latest list creation means is based on the possession list of the own karaoke apparatus created by the first possession list creation means and the possession list of each other karaoke apparatus obtained by the possession list acquisition means, and each of the possession lists included in these possession lists For each content, a latest list is created, which is a list in which the content identification information, the latest revision of the content, and the identification information of all karaoke devices holding the content of the latest revision are associated and recorded.

  In the latest list created by the latest list creating means, the acquisition destination list creating means includes the identification information of the karaoke apparatus as the acquisition destination of the content among the identification information of the karaoke apparatus associated with each content of the latest revision. One acquisition is selected for each content, and an acquisition destination list is created as a list in which the content is associated with the identification information and the latest revision. In the acquisition list created by the acquisition list creation unit, the content acquisition unit is associated with identification information of the other karaoke device other than the own karaoke device as the acquisition source of the latest revision of the content. Acquire content from the corresponding karaoke device.

  Furthermore, each karaoke device has a second holding list creating unit, a holding list creating unit, as a unit relating to processing executed when a request for creating a holding list from another karaoke device connected to the network is received. Is provided.

  The second possession list creation means is a list in which identification information of the own karaoke device, identification information of all contents held by the own karaoke device, and revisions of the respective contents are recorded in response to the creation list creation request. Create a holding list. The possession list transmitting means transmits the possession list of the own karaoke apparatus created by the second possession list creating means to the karaoke apparatus as the creation request source.

  According to the karaoke network system configured as described above, each karaoke device connected to the network has the latest content that the karaoke device does not own, and other karaoke devices that have the latest content. Can be obtained from. As a result, in a situation where a plurality of karaoke devices with different production times and usage histories are connected to the network and the distribution status of the latest content is uneven, each karaoke device has its latest content from other karaoke devices on the network. By acquiring, you can quickly resolve the unfairness of services. In addition, since only the latest content that the own karaoke device does not have is acquired, so-called reverse equivalence such as being equivalent to a karaoke device that does not have the latest content does not occur. Therefore, according to the karaoke network system of the present invention, the latest content can be efficiently distributed between a plurality of karaoke apparatuses having different content acquisition situations.

  By the way, in order to efficiently distribute contents between a plurality of karaoke apparatuses, it is also effective to reduce communication load and communication time when contents are exchanged between karaoke apparatuses. As a contrivance for this, when one karaoke apparatus continuously acquires a plurality of contents, it is conceivable to continuously acquire the contents from the same karaoke apparatus as much as possible. By doing in this way, many contents can be acquired by establishing one communication session with the karaoke apparatus of the other party of communication, and the load which establishes a communication session many times can be saved. Conversely, when the acquisition karaoke apparatus is different for each content, a load is required to establish a communication session with the acquisition karaoke apparatus each time, leading to an increase in communication time.

  Therefore, first of all, it is possible to continuously acquire contents from the same karaoke apparatus by changing the order of the contents to be acquired. However, this method has a problem unique to a karaoke network system. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a priority corresponding to the importance level is set for the content played back by the karaoke device, and the content with the higher priority is distributed to the karaoke device first. As a result, it is possible to provide excellent services to customers quickly. Therefore, if the content distribution order is determined based on this priority, ignoring the priority and changing the content acquisition order is undesirable because it leads to a decrease in service to customers.

  Therefore, as a device for reducing the communication load and the communication time at the time of content acquisition while maintaining the content distribution order based on the priority, it is conceivable to configure as described in claim 2.

  That is, the acquisition destination list creation means sequentially selects identification information of the karaoke apparatus as the acquisition destination from the content higher in the latest list, and creates the acquisition destination list in the selection order of the acquisition destinations. If the identification information of the own karaoke device is included in the identification information of the karaoke device associated with the target content at the time of selection of the acquisition destination, Select identification information.

  On the other hand, if the identification information of the own karaoke device is not included, the identification information of the karaoke device associated with the target content is content higher than the content and other karaoke than the own karaoke device If the identification information that is the same as the identification information of the karaoke device that is the acquisition destination of the most recent content selected as the acquisition destination is included, the identification information is selected as the acquisition destination of the target content.

  On the other hand, when the same identification information as the identification information of the karaoke device that is the acquisition destination of the latest higher-order content selected as the acquisition destination is a karaoke device other than the own karaoke device, it is associated with the target content. In the identification information of the karaoke device, the content of any karaoke device associated with the latest lower-level content excluding the content lower than the content and the content associated with the identification information of the own karaoke device. If the same identification information as the identification information is included, the identification information is selected as the acquisition destination of the target content. And a content acquisition means acquires a content sequentially from the high-order content in an acquisition destination list.

  By comprising in this way, if the own karaoke apparatus is contained in the karaoke apparatus which holds the target content in order from the top of the latest list, first, the own karaoke apparatus is selected as the acquisition destination. In this case, it is not necessary to acquire the content again from another karaoke apparatus, so the communication load for acquiring the content can be saved.

  When the own karaoke device does not have the target content, the karaoke device that has already been selected as the acquisition source of the most recent content (excluding the content held by the own karaoke device) becomes the karaoke device that holds the target content. If it is included, the karaoke apparatus is selected as an acquisition destination of the target content. By doing in this way, since it becomes possible to acquire a content continuously from the same karaoke apparatus, the load for establishing a communication session can be reduced.

  On the other hand, if the own karaoke device does not have the target content, and the karaoke device already selected as the acquisition source of the latest upper content is not included in the karaoke device having the target content, If any of the karaoke devices that hold the content (excluding the content held by the own karaoke device) is a karaoke device that holds the target content, the karaoke device is selected as the acquisition source of the target content. In this case, when acquiring the content, it is necessary to establish a new communication session. However, since the next content can be continuously acquired from the same karaoke apparatus, the load for establishing the communication session can be reduced.

  By doing the above, it is possible to select the acquisition destination so that as much content as possible can be acquired continuously from the same karaoke device without changing the order of acquiring the content, so the communication load and communication time are reduced, This is preferable because content can be efficiently acquired between karaoke apparatuses.

  Further, when the acquisition source list is created, it may be as described in claim 3. That is, the acquisition destination list creation means, when selecting the acquisition destination, from the identification information of the karaoke device associated with the target content, the identification information of the own karaoke device is lower than the target content. When the same identification information as the identification information of any karaoke device associated with the latest lower-level content excluding the associated content is selected as the acquisition destination, and there are a plurality of identification information corresponding to this Based on the comparison between the plurality of identification information and the identification information of the karaoke device associated with the lower content excluding the content after the latest lower content and the content associated with the identification information of the own karaoke device , Among the plurality of identification information, the most subordinate content continuously from the latest subordinate content Another information is selected which the same as the acquisition destination of the content subject.

  By configuring in this way, it is possible to select the acquisition destination of the target content so as to be continuous with the acquisition destinations of as many subordinate contents as possible. Therefore, as much content as possible can be continuously acquired from the same karaoke device, communication load and communication time can be reduced, and content can be efficiently acquired between karaoke devices.

  Next, the karaoke device according to claim 4 functions as a karaoke device constituting the karaoke network according to claim 1. By applying the karaoke apparatus configured as described above to the karaoke network system, the above-described effects can be obtained.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment at all, and can be implemented in various aspects.
[Description of configuration of karaoke network system 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a karaoke network system 1 according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the karaoke network system 1 is a store in which karaoke devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d installed in karaoke rooms in a karaoke store that provides karaoke services to users are connected via a LAN 100. The internal network is connected to the host server 2 via the WAN 200 which is a wide area network. 1 shows a configuration in which four karaoke devices are connected to the karaoke network system 1 in one karaoke store for convenience of explanation, but more karaoke devices are connected to the same store. May be. A plurality of in-store networks may be connected to the host server 2. In the following description, the karaoke devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are simply referred to as the karaoke device 4 unless otherwise distinguished.

  The host server 2 has various contents such as karaoke music data, PV video, CM video, etc., for each master device that has the content acquisition authority to acquire content from the host server 2 among the karaoke devices 4 in the karaoke store. Is a server device for a karaoke service for delivering a message. The host server 2 is composed of an information processing apparatus having an appropriate processing capability, and always holds all contents of the latest revision in a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 24 as an external storage device.

  The host server 2 is connected to the LAN 100 on the karaoke store side via the WAN 200 (for example, the Internet) and the router 120 on the karaoke store side. That is, communication between the host server 2 and the master device of the karaoke apparatus 4 is performed via the WAN 200 and the LAN 100 on the karaoke store side.

  The karaoke device 4 is a karaoke song designated by a user who uses a karaoke service, video content such as a movie, variety program, drama, CM, user-participated content such as an audition or quiz, purchase content such as ordering food and drink, etc. These are devices that hold various contents in their own HDDs 44 and play back the held contents. In the present embodiment, each karaoke device 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d has a serial number (for example, a production number) X001, X002, X003, X004, which is unique identification information.

  Of each karaoke apparatus 4 installed in the karaoke store, only the master machine having the content acquisition authority only directly communicates with the host server 2 to receive distribution of content from the host server 2 (primary Delivery). On the other hand, each karaoke device connected to the LAN 100 acquires the latest revision of content that is not owned by its own karaoke device 4 (hereinafter referred to as “own device”) from another karaoke device 4 that owns the content. (Secondary delivery). In this way, through the primary distribution from the host server to the master machine and the secondary distribution between the karaoke apparatuses 4, the contents held in all the karaoke apparatuses 4 connected to the LAN 100 are equivalent to the latest ones. It has come to be.

  However, when an alternative machine for the failed karaoke device 4 is newly connected, or when the HDD 44 of the karaoke device 4 is replaced, the old and new contents until the above-described primary distribution and secondary distribution are completed. The karaoke apparatuses 4 having different acquisition statuses may be mixed. In particular, when a plurality of karaoke devices 4 are exchanged at the same time, or when a plurality of karaoke devices 4 having different production times and usage histories are installed at the time of opening a new karaoke store, the acquisition status of old and new content differs. Many karaoke apparatuses 4 are mixed.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, in consideration of such a situation, it is assumed that the acquisition status of new and old content is different between the four karaoke apparatuses 4. Taking the karaoke device 4a of serial number X001 as an example, the karaoke device 4a is content F held by the host server 2.
(Revision 1) and H (Revision 1) are not held. Of the contents held by the karaoke apparatus 4a with the serial number X001, B (revision 2), D (revision 1), and I (revision 1) have an older A vision than the same contents held by the host server. Not the latest revision. As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 1, each karaoke device 4 does not necessarily have all the contents provided from the host server 2, and the held contents are the latest revision. It is not necessarily a thing.

Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the karaoke apparatus 4.
The karaoke apparatus 4 includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, an HDD 44, an operation unit 45, a playback unit 46, an input unit 47, a LAN communication unit 48, and the like as hardware configurations.

  The CPU 41 is a device that executes control and various operations for each part of the karaoke device 4 according to programs and data stored in the RAM 42 and the ROM 43, and will be described later, equivalent processing, latest list creation processing, acquisition destination list creation processing, content acquisition processing, etc. These various processes are executed by the CPU 41. The RAM 42 is a storage device used as a main memory or the like that is directly accessed from the CPU 41. Various programs are read from the HDD 44 in the RAM 42, and results of various calculations by the CPU 41 and data read from the HDD 44 are also stored in the RAM 42. When executing various processes to be described later, a program for causing the CPU 41 to execute each process is read from the HDD 44 into the RAM 42. And according to the program memorize | stored in RAM42, CPU41 will perform each process.

  The ROM 43 is a storage device that retains the stored contents even when the power switch of the karaoke apparatus 4 is turned off, and stores BIOS, read-only data that is not normally updated, and the like. The HDD 44 is a device for storing various data such as content data such as karaoke music data and video data, and programs. The operation unit 45 is an input device for inputting various instructions from the user, and includes a plurality of key switches and the like.

  The playback unit 46 is a MIDI sound source that performs performance playback based on performance data, an audio control unit that outputs an audio signal generated from the MIDI sound source and an audio signal input from the input unit 47 to a speaker, and video playback based on image data A video playback unit for controlling the video and a monitor for displaying video. The input unit 47 is for converting a singer's singing voice into an audio signal by a microphone and inputting the voice signal to the reproduction unit 46.

  The LAN communication unit 48 is a communication interface for connecting the karaoke apparatus 4 to the LAN 100 to communicate with the outside. Each karaoke device 4 connected to the LAN 100 in the same store stores in advance the mutual IP address (for example, the local IP address) and the IP address of the host server 2 (for example, the global IP address), When communicating with the outside by the LAN communication unit 48, the communication partner can be specified by this IP address.

  It should be noted that the primary delivery between the host server 2 and the master machine and the secondary delivery between the karaoke apparatuses 4 are more reliable than multicast communication (UDP / IP) in order to reliably deliver content without errors. Highly unicast communication (TCP / IP) is adopted. In unicast communication using TCP / IP, one-to-one communication is realized by establishing a session with a communication partner.

Returning to the description of the block diagram of FIG. The router 120 is a communication device that interconnects different networks. The router 120 is installed at a connection point between the WAN 200 that is an external network and the LAN 100 that is an internal network. The router 120 transmits communication from the LAN 100 to the WAN 200 and transmits communication from the WAN 200 to the LAN 100. Each router 120 installed in each karaoke store is assigned a global IP address. Data transmitted from the host server 2 to the master device of each karaoke store is transmitted to the global IP address assigned to each router 120. The router 120 that has received the data addressed to its own global IP address from the host server 2 converts the destination of the received data into the private IP address of the master machine connected in the LAN 100 by port forwarding and sends it to the LAN 100. . By such a procedure, access from the host server 2 outside the LAN 100 to the master machine in the LAN 100 is realized.

[Description of Equivalent Processing Performed by Karaoke Apparatus 4]
Next, the detailed contents of the equivalent process executed by each karaoke apparatus 4 belonging to the karaoke network system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the main process of the equivalent process executed by the CPU 41 of the karaoke apparatus 4. This process is a process that is always executed in all karaoke apparatuses 4 belonging to the karaoke network system 1.

  First, the CPU 41 of the karaoke apparatus 4 determines whether or not a holding list creation request has been received from another karaoke apparatus 4 connected to the LAN 100 (S110). If it is determined that the holding list creation request has not been received (S110: NO), it is next determined whether or not one day has passed since the previous acquisition of the content (ie, when content equivalence was performed). Determine (S140). When it is determined that one day has not elapsed since the previous content acquisition (S140: NO), the process returns to S110.

  In the process of sequentially repeating the processes of S110 and S140 as described above, when it is determined that a request for creating a possession list has been received from another karaoke apparatus 4 (S110: YES), the content owned by the own device in the HDD 44 and its revision A possession list that is a list of the above is created (S120).

  Here, the specific content of the possession list created by the karaoke apparatus 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 (a), 4 (b), 4 (c), and 4 (d) are explanatory diagrams schematically showing examples of possession lists relating to the own devices created by the karaoke apparatuses 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d, respectively. 4A to 4D, the possession list includes a serial number that is identification information of the karaoke device 4 that is the creation source, a file name of the content that the karaoke device 4 currently possesses, and its It consists of a set of records consisting of revisions.

  Each content stored in the HDD 44 of the karaoke apparatus 4 has a distribution priority set according to the importance of the content. That is, it indicates that the higher the distribution priority, the higher priority should be distributed over other contents. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that A> B> C> D> E> F> G> H> I in order of distribution priority. And each karaoke apparatus 4 sorts the record of each content in a possession list in order with a high delivery priority, when producing the possession list regarding an own machine. That is, in the created possession list, the records of each content are arranged in descending order of distribution priority.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. After creating the possession list regarding the own device in S120, the created possession list is transmitted to the requesting karaoke apparatus 4 (S130), and the process returns to S110.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S140 that one day has passed since the previous content acquisition (S140: YES), the latest list creation process is executed (S150). In this process, the other karaoke device 4 connected to the LAN 100 is requested to create a possession list, and the latest revision content and the latest content are obtained from the possession list relating to the own device and the possession list relating to the other karaoke device 4. The latest list which is a list of all the karaoke apparatuses 4 that hold is created. The detailed contents of this latest list creation process will be described later.

  After creating the latest list in S150, an acquisition destination list creation process is executed (S160). In this process, one karaoke device 4 that is the acquisition destination of the content of each latest revision described in the latest list is selected for each content, and an acquisition source list that is a list in which this is associated with the file name of the content is created. To do. The details of the acquisition destination list creation process will be described later.

  After creating the acquisition destination list in S160, a content acquisition process is executed (S170), and the process returns to S110. In this process, the latest revision content is acquired from the corresponding acquisition karaoke apparatus 4 based on the acquisition destination list. Details of the content acquisition process will be described later.

[Description of latest list creation process executed by karaoke device 4]
Next, detailed contents of the latest list creation process executed by the karaoke apparatus 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the latest list creation process executed by the CPU 41 of the karaoke apparatus 4. This process is a process executed in S150 of the above-described equivalent process (see FIG. 3).

  First, the CPU 41 of the karaoke apparatus 4 creates a possession list related to its own device and stores it in the RAM 42 or the like (S210). Since this process is the same as S120 of the above-described equivalent process (see FIG. 3), detailed description thereof is omitted here. Next, the other karaoke apparatuses 4 connected to the LAN 100 are requested to create their own possession lists (S220). The holding list creation request is made by broadcast without specifying the receiving party.

  After transmitting the possession list creation request, it is determined whether or not the possession list has been received from another karaoke apparatus 4 as a response to the creation request (S230). If it is determined that the possession list has not been received (S230: NO), the process proceeds to S250. On the other hand, when it is determined in S230 that the possession list has been received (S230: YES), the obtained possession list is stored in the RAM 42 or the like (S240), and the process proceeds to S250.

  In S250, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time-out period has elapsed since the transmission of the holding list creation request. If it is determined that the timeout time has not elapsed (S250: NO), the process returns to S230. Thereafter, until the timeout time elapses, the processes of S230 to S250 are sequentially repeated, and the possession list transmitted from each karaoke apparatus 4 is sequentially stored.

If it is determined that the time-out period has elapsed since the transmission of the holding list creation request (S250: YES), all of these are based on the owning list stored in the RAM 42 and the other karaoke devices 4. This is a list in which all types of content included in at least one of the possession list, the latest revision of each content, and all the karaoke devices 4 possessing the content of the latest revision are extracted and associated with each other. The latest list is created (S260).

  FIG. 6A schematically illustrates an example of the latest list created by the latest list creation process described above. In the case shown in FIG. 6A, the latest list created by the karaoke apparatus 4b with the serial number X002 is assumed based on the respective holding lists shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the latest list includes the file name of the content, the latest revision of the content in the all holding list, for all types of contents included in all the holding lists, And it is comprised by the collection of the record which consists of the serial number of all the karaoke apparatuses 4 which hold | maintain the content of the latest revision. Note that when the karaoke device 4 creates the latest list, the order of contents in the latest list is created in accordance with the order of records of the contents in the possession list (order of distribution priority). That is, the content records in this latest list are arranged in order from the highest distribution priority.

  For example, when the holding lists shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D are compared for the content with the file name “A”, the latest revision of the content A is 3. Then, it can be seen from the possession list of FIG. 4 (a) that only the karaoke apparatus with the serial number X001 possesses the content A of revision 3. Therefore, a record composed of the file name “A”, the latest revision “3”, and the serial number “X001” is described in the latest list. Similarly, when the respective possession lists are compared for the content with the file name “I”, for example, the latest revision of the content I is 2. Only the karaoke apparatus with serial numbers X002 and X003 possesses the content I of revision 2. Accordingly, the latest list includes a record including the file name “I”, the latest revision “2”, and the serial numbers “X002” and “X003”.

[Description of acquisition destination list creation processing executed by karaoke device 4]
Next, detailed contents of the acquisition destination list creation process executed by the karaoke apparatus 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is the first half of a flowchart showing the procedure of the acquisition destination list creation process executed by the CPU 41 of the karaoke apparatus 4, and FIG. 8 is the latter half. This process is a process executed in S160 of the above-described equivalent process (see FIG. 3).

  First, the CPU 41 of the karaoke apparatus 4 erases and initializes all records in the acquisition destination list stored in the RAM 42 (FIG. 7: S310). Next, the serial number of “previous connection destination” which is a parameter stored in the RAM 42 is deleted and initialized (S320).

  Then, the records in the latest list (see FIG. 6A) are referred to in order from the top to determine whether there are any unprocessed records (S330). If it is determined that there is an unprocessed record in the latest list (S330: YES), the highest record among the unprocessed records is acquired as a processing target from the latest list (S340). Then, it is determined whether or not the serial number of the own device is included in the serial number described in the acquired record to be processed (S350). If it is determined that the serial number of the own device is included in the processing target record (S350: YES), the file name, revision, and the corresponding serial number described in the processing target record (here, , The serial number of the own device) is added to the tail of the acquisition source list as one record (S390), and the process returns to S330.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S350 that the processing target record does not include the serial number of the own device (S350: NO), it is determined whether or not a plurality of serial numbers are described in the processing target record (S360). ). If it is determined that only one serial number is described in the record to be processed (S360: NO), the serial number described in the record to be processed is overwritten as the previous connection destination parameter. Store (S370). Then, the file name, revision, and corresponding serial number (in this case, the only serial number described in the record to be processed) described in the record to be processed are acquired as one record. (S390), and the process returns to S330.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S360 that a plurality of serial numbers are described in the record to be processed (S360: YES), the parameter of the previous connection destination is included in the plurality of serial numbers described in the record to be processed. It is determined whether or not there is the same serial number stored as (S380). If it is determined that there is a serial number that is the same as the serial number of the previous connection destination (S380: YES), the file name, revision, and corresponding serial number described in the processing target record (here, the previous serial number) The same serial number as the connection destination) is added to the end of the acquisition source list as one record (S390), and the process returns to S330.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S380 that the serial number described in the record to be processed is not the same as the serial number stored as the previous connection destination parameter (S380: NO), S400 The process proceeds to (see FIG. 8).

  In S400, all serial numbers of the “connection destination candidate array” that are parameters stored in the RAM 42 are erased and initialized. Next, all serial numbers described in the record to be processed are recorded in the initialized connection destination candidate array (S410). Then, it is determined whether or not there is a next lower unreferenced record from the record to be processed in the latest list (S420).

  If it is determined in S420 that there is a next unreferenced record (S420: YES), the serial number described in this next record is referred to (S430). Then, it is determined whether or not the serial number described in the next record includes the serial number of the own device (S440). If it is determined that the serial number of the own device is included (S440: YES), the process returns to S420. In S420, it is determined whether or not there is an unreferenced record that is further next to the previous next record. Determine.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S440 that the serial number described in the next record does not include the serial number of the own device (S440: NO), the serial number stored as the parameter of the connection destination candidate array and Then, it is determined whether or not the same serial number exists with the serial number described in the next record (S450). If it is determined that the same serial number exists between the serial number of the connection destination candidate array and the serial number of the next record (S450: YES), the mismatched serial number is deleted from the connection destination candidate array. (S460). Then, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of serial numbers in the connection destination candidate array after deletion (S470). If it is determined that there are a plurality of serial numbers in the connection destination candidate array after deletion (S470: YES), the process returns to S420, and there is an unreferenced record that is further next to the previous next record in S420. It is determined whether or not to do.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S470 that only one serial number is recorded in the connection destination candidate array (S470: NO), the serial number is overwritten and stored as the parameter of the previous connection destination (S490), and S390 ( The process proceeds to the process of FIG. In S390, the file name, revision, and corresponding serial number (here, the only serial number recorded in the connection destination candidate array) described in the processing target record are acquired as one record. And return to the processing of S330.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. If it is determined in S420 that the next lower unreferenced record does not exist (S420: NO), or the serial number stored as a parameter of the connection destination candidate array in S450 and the serial number described in the next record If it is determined that the same serial number does not exist between the numbers (S450: NO), the serial number recorded in the connection destination candidate sequence is the smallest (the number is the smallest). The serial number is set (S480). Then, the set serial number is overwritten and stored as the previous connection destination parameter (S490), and the process proceeds to S390 (see FIG. 7). In S390, the file name, revision, and corresponding serial number (here, set in S480) described in the record to be processed are added to the end of the acquisition list as one record, and S330 Return to the process.

  Thereafter, the processing of S330 to S490 is sequentially repeated, so that the contents and the records of the acquisition destination are sequentially added to the acquisition destination list in the same order as the arrangement order of the records in the latest list. If it is determined in S330 that there is no unprocessed record in the latest list (S330: NO), that is, if the process of selecting acquisition sources for all the records in the latest list is completed, the acquisition list creation process Exit.

  FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of the acquisition destination list created by the above acquisition destination list creation processing. In the case shown in FIG. 6B, an acquisition destination list created by the karaoke apparatus 4b with the serial number X002 is assumed based on the latest list shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the acquisition destination list is the content file name, the latest revision of the content, and the acquisition destination of the content for each content described in all the records included in the latest list. It is composed of a set of records composed of serial numbers of two karaoke apparatuses 4. Note that when the karaoke device 4 creates the acquisition destination list, the arrangement order of the records in the acquisition destination list is made the same as the arrangement order of the records in the latest list (that is, the distribution priority order of the contents). To do. In other words, the content records in this acquisition destination list are arranged in order from the highest distribution priority.

  For example, for the content with the file name “A”, only X001 is described as the serial number in the latest list in FIG. Therefore, in the above acquisition destination list creation process (FIGS. 7 and 8), X001 is selected as the serial number of the acquisition destination of content A, and is described in the record of content A in the acquisition destination list of FIG. Similarly, for the content with the file name “B”, since only X004 is described as the serial number in the latest list, this X004 is described in the record of content B in the acquisition destination list.

Next, for the content with the file name “C”, X001, X003, and X004 are described as serial numbers in the latest list. At this time, since X004, which is the acquisition destination of the content B, is stored as the previous connection destination, X004 is selected as the acquisition destination of the content C, and is described in the record of the content C in the acquisition destination list. Assuming that the content is acquired in order from the top content in the acquisition destination list, as described above, by selecting the same serial number as the previous connection destination as the acquisition destination, a plurality of karaoke devices 4 of the same acquisition destination can be selected. The content of can be acquired continuously. That is, a plurality of contents can be acquired continuously in a communication session that has been established once, so that a communication session can be established in comparison with a case where a communication session is established with a different acquisition destination each time one content is acquired. The required communication load can be reduced.

  Next, for the content with the file name “D”, X002, X003, and X004 are described as serial numbers in the latest list. In this case, since the serial number X002 of the own device is included, the serial number X002 of the own device is selected as the acquisition destination of the content D, and is described in the record of the content D in the acquisition destination list. As described above, when the serial number of the own device is selected as the acquisition destination, it is not necessary to acquire the content again from another karaoke apparatus 4, so that the communication load required for establishing the communication session and transferring the content can be reduced. .

  Next, for the content with the file name “E”, X001 and X003 are described as serial numbers in the latest list. In this case, neither the serial number X002 of the own device nor the serial number X004 of the previous connection destination is included. Here, referring to the record of the next lower content F in the latest list, it can be understood that the serial number X003 common to the content E is included. Therefore, the serial number X003 common to the next record is selected as the acquisition destination of the content E, and is described in the record of the content E in the acquisition destination list. As described above, when there is a serial number common to lower consecutive contents, selecting the serial number as an acquisition destination selects the same serial number as the acquisition destination of the lower contents. Therefore, it becomes possible to continuously acquire a plurality of contents from the karaoke apparatus 4 of the same acquisition destination, and the communication load required for establishing a communication session can be reduced.

  Next, for the content with the file name “F”, X003 and X004 are described as serial numbers in the latest list. At this time, since X003, which is the acquisition destination of the content E, is stored as the previous connection destination, X003 is selected as the acquisition destination of the content C, and is described in the record of the content F in the acquisition destination list.

  Next, for the content with the file name “G”, X001 and X004 are described as serial numbers in the latest list. In this case, neither the serial number X002 of the own device nor the serial number X003 of the previous connection destination is included. Further, even if the record of the next lower content H in the latest list is referred to, the serial number common to the content G is not included. Therefore, here, X001 having a smaller serial number is selected as the acquisition destination of the content G, and is described in the record of the content G in the acquisition destination list.

  Next, for the content with the file name “H”, only X003 is described as the serial number in the latest list. Therefore, X003 is selected as the acquisition destination of the content H, and is described in the record of the content H in the acquisition destination list.

  Finally, X002 and X003 are described as serial numbers in the latest list for the content with the file name “I”. In this case, since the serial number X002 of the own device is included, the serial number X002 of the own device is selected as the acquisition destination of the content I, and is described in the record of the content I in the acquisition destination list.

[Description of content acquisition processing executed by karaoke device 4]
Next, detailed contents of the content acquisition process executed by the karaoke apparatus 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of content acquisition processing executed by the CPU 41 of the karaoke apparatus 4. This process is a process executed in S170 of the above-described equivalent process (see FIG. 3).

  The CPU 41 of the karaoke apparatus 4 first refers to the records in the acquisition destination list (see FIG. 6B) in order from the top, and determines whether there is a record of unacquired content (S510). When it is determined that there is an unacquired content record in the acquisition destination list (S510: YES), the highest record among the unacquired content records is acquired as a processing target from the acquisition destination list (S520). ).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the serial number described in the record to be processed is the same as the serial number of the own device (S530). If it is determined that the serial number described in the record to be processed is the same as the serial number of the own device (S530: YES), the process returns to S510 to determine whether there is a next record to be processed. Determine whether.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S530 that the serial number described in the record to be processed is different from the serial number of the own device (S530: NO), the karaoke device corresponding to the serial number described in the record to be processed 4, the content corresponding to this record is acquired (S540). At this time, when content is acquired from the same karaoke apparatus 4 as the communication partner that has already established a communication session as the previous connection destination, the content is continuously acquired while maintaining the communication session. On the other hand, when acquiring content from the karaoke apparatus 4 different from the previous connection destination, a communication session is newly established with the karaoke apparatus 4 of the acquisition destination, and the content is acquired.

  Thereafter, the processing of S510 to S540 is sequentially repeated to sequentially acquire contents from the higher order records in the acquisition destination list according to the distribution priority order, and when it is determined in S510 that there are no unacquired content records (S510). : NO), the content acquisition process is terminated.

[effect]
According to the karaoke network system of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Each karaoke device 4 connected to the LAN 100 collects a possession list from the other karaoke devices 4 and creates a latest list and an acquisition destination list based on the collected possession list. Then, according to the acquired acquisition destination list, the latest content that each own device does not have can be acquired from another karaoke apparatus 4 that has the latest content. As a result, in a situation where a plurality of karaoke devices 4 having different production times and usage histories are connected on the LAN 100 and the distribution status of the latest content is uneven, each karaoke device 4 is connected to each other karaoke device 4 on the LAN 100. By acquiring the latest content, the unfairness of services can be quickly resolved. In addition, since only the latest content that the device itself does not have is acquired, so-called reverse equivalence such as being equivalent to a karaoke device that does not have the latest content 4 does not occur. Therefore, according to the karaoke network system 1 of the embodiment, the latest content can be efficiently distributed between a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 4 having different content acquisition situations.

  (2) If the own device is included in the karaoke apparatus 4 that holds the target content in order from the top of the latest list as the acquisition destination list creation procedure, first, the own device is selected as the acquisition destination. In this case, since it is not necessary to acquire the content again from another karaoke apparatus 4, the communication load for acquiring the content can be omitted.

(3) Next, when the own device does not have the target content, if the karaoke device 4 to which the previous connection is made is included in the karaoke device 4 that holds the target content, the target karaoke device 4 is targeted. Select as the source for the content. By doing in this way, since it becomes possible to acquire a content continuously from the same karaoke apparatus 4, the load for establishing a communication session can be reduced.

  (4) On the other hand, when the own device does not have the target content and the previous connected karaoke device 4 also does not have the target content, its immediate lower rank (excluding the content held by the own karaoke device) If any of the karaoke devices 4 that own the content is the same as the karaoke device 4 that owns the target content, the same karaoke device 4 is selected as the acquisition source of the target content. In this case, when acquiring the content, a new communication session needs to be established, but the next content can be continuously acquired from the same karaoke apparatus 4, so the load for establishing the communication session can be reduced. .

  (5) When the same karaoke device 4 as the karaoke device 4 associated with the content immediately below the target content is selected as an acquisition destination, Among the plurality of karaoke apparatuses 4, the karaoke apparatus 4 whose owner is the same as the most subordinate content continuously from the latest subordinate content is selected as the acquisition source of the target content. By configuring in this way, it is possible to select the acquisition destination of the target content so as to be continuous with the acquisition destinations of as many subordinate contents as possible. Therefore, as much content as possible can be continuously acquired from the same karaoke device 4, communication load and communication time can be reduced, and content can be efficiently acquired between karaoke devices.

  By performing (2) to (5), as much content as possible can be continuously made from the same karaoke device 4 without changing the order of content acquisition, that is, while maintaining the content distribution priority order. An acquisition list is created so that it can be acquired. Therefore, communication load and communication time can be reduced, and contents can be efficiently acquired between karaoke apparatuses.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a karaoke network system 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a karaoke apparatus 4. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of an equivalent process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a holding list typically. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the newest list creation process. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the newest list typically, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of an acquisition destination list typically. It is the first half part of the flowchart which shows the procedure of an acquisition destination list creation process. It is the latter half part of the flowchart which shows the procedure of an acquisition destination list creation process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a content acquisition process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Karaoke network system, 2 ... Host server, 4 ... Karaoke apparatus, 41 ... CPU, 42 ... RAM, 43 ... ROM, 44 ... HDD, 45 ... Operation part, 46 ... Playback part, 47 ... Input part, 48 ... LAN Communication unit 100 ... LAN 120 ... Router 200 ... WAN

Claims (4)

The content including at least karaoke music is held, and a plurality of karaoke devices for reproducing the content are connected to be communicable via a network, and the content held between the karaoke devices can be copied via the network Karaoke network
Each of the karaoke devices is a means for processing executed when acquiring content from another karaoke device connected to the network.
About the own karaoke device, first possession list creation means for creating a possession list that is a list in which the identification information of the karaoke device, the identification information of all the content possessed by the karaoke device, and the revision of each content is recorded When,
For each other karaoke device connected to the network, creation request means for requesting creation of the possession list related to the karaoke device,
Possession list acquisition means for acquiring the possession list created by each of the other karaoke devices in response to a creation request by the creation request means;
Based on the possession list of the own karaoke device created by the first possession list creation means, and the possession list of each of the other karaoke devices acquired by the possession list acquisition means, for each content included in these possession lists, Latest list creation means for creating a latest list, which is a list in which the identification information of the content, the latest revision in the content, and the identification information of all karaoke devices holding the content of the latest revision are associated and recorded;
In the latest list created by the latest list creating means, among the identification information of the karaoke apparatus associated with the latest revision of each content, one piece of identification information of the karaoke apparatus that is the acquisition destination of the content is one per content. An acquisition destination list creating means for creating an acquisition destination list that is a list in which the content is identified and recorded in association with the identification information of the content and the latest revision;
In the acquisition destination list created by the acquisition destination list creation means, when the identification information of the other karaoke apparatus other than the own karaoke apparatus is associated as the acquisition destination of the latest revision content, the content of the latest revision corresponds. Content acquisition means for acquiring from a karaoke device,
Furthermore, each karaoke device, as a means related to processing executed when receiving a request to create the possession list from another karaoke device connected to the network,
In response to a request to create a possession list, a second possession list is created that is a list in which the identification information of the own karaoke device, the identification information of all the content possessed by the own karaoke device, and the revisions of each content are recorded. Holding list creation means,
A karaoke network system comprising: possession list transmission means for transmitting the possession list of the own karaoke apparatus created by the second possession list creation means to the karaoke apparatus as a creation request source. The karaoke network system according to claim 1,
The acquisition list creation means includes
Select the identification information of the karaoke device that is the acquisition destination sequentially from the upper content of the latest list, create the acquisition destination list in the order of selection of the acquisition destination,
If the identification information of the own karaoke device is included in the identification information of the karaoke device associated with the target content at the time of selection of the acquisition destination, the own karaoke device as the acquisition destination of the target content While selecting identity information for
If the identification information of the own karaoke device is not included, the identification information of the karaoke device associated with the target content is content higher than the content and other karaoke devices other than the own karaoke device If the same identification information as the identification information of the karaoke device that is the acquisition destination of the latest upper content selected as the acquisition destination is included, the identification information is selected as the acquisition destination of the target content,
When the same identification information as the identification information of the karaoke device that is the acquisition destination of the latest upper-level content selected as the acquisition destination is a karaoke device other than the own karaoke device, it is associated with the target content. The identification of any karaoke device associated with the latest lower-level content excluding the content associated with the identification information of the own karaoke device in the identification information of the karaoke device, except for the content lower than the content. If the same identification information as the information is included, select the identification information as the acquisition source of the target content,
The karaoke network system, wherein the content acquisition means sequentially acquires content from higher-order content in the acquisition destination list. The karaoke network system according to claim 2,
The acquisition source list creation means, when selecting an acquisition source, from the identification information of the karaoke device associated with the target content, the identification information of the own karaoke device is lower than the target content. When the same identification information as the identification information of any karaoke device associated with the latest lower-level content excluding the associated content is selected as the acquisition destination, and there are a plurality of identification information corresponding to this The comparison between the plurality of identification information and the identification information of the karaoke device associated with the lower content excluding the content after the latest lower content and the content associated with the identification information of the own karaoke device. Based on the plurality of pieces of identification information, the largest number of the lower-order codes continuously from the latest lower-order content. Karaoke network system, characterized in that Ceiling identification information is selected as having the same as the acquisition destination of the content of the object. A plurality of karaoke apparatuses that have contents including at least karaoke music and that reproduce the contents are communicably connected via a network, and the contents held between the karaoke apparatuses can be copied via the network. In the karaoke apparatus constituting the karaoke network,
As means relating to processing executed when acquiring content from another karaoke device connected to the network,
About the own karaoke device, first possession list creation means for creating a possession list that is a list in which the identification information of the karaoke device, the identification information of all the content possessed by the karaoke device, and the revision of each content is recorded When,
For each other karaoke device connected to the network, creation request means for requesting creation of the possession list related to the karaoke device,
Possession list acquisition means for acquiring the possession list created by each of the other karaoke devices in response to a creation request by the creation request means;
Based on the possession list of the own karaoke device created by the first possession list creation means and the possession list of each of the other karaoke devices obtained by the possession list acquisition means, a content for each content included in these possession lists Latest list creation means for creating a latest list that is a list in which the identification information, the latest revision of the content, and the identification information of all karaoke devices that hold the content of the latest revision are associated and recorded,
In the latest list created by the latest list creating means, among the identification information of the karaoke apparatus associated with the latest revision of each content, one piece of identification information of the karaoke apparatus that is the acquisition destination of the content is one per content. An acquisition destination list creating means for creating an acquisition destination list that is a list in which the content is identified and recorded in association with the identification information of the content and the latest revision;
In the acquisition destination list created by the acquisition destination list creation means, when the identification information of the other karaoke apparatus other than the own karaoke apparatus is associated as the acquisition destination of the latest revision content, the content of the latest revision corresponds. Content acquisition means for acquiring from a karaoke device,
Furthermore, as means relating to processing to be executed when receiving a request to create the possession list from another karaoke device connected to the network,
In response to a request to create a possession list, a second possession list is created that is a list in which the identification information of the own karaoke device, the identification information of all the content possessed by the own karaoke device, and the revisions of each content are recorded. Holding list creation means,
A karaoke apparatus comprising: a possession list transmission unit configured to transmit a possession list of the own karaoke apparatus created by the second possession list creation unit to a karaoke apparatus as a creation request source.

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