JP4246111B2 - Electronic money billing karaoke system that performs additional functions associated with karaoke performance at user's request - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic money billing karaoke system that performs an additional function associated with karaoke performance at a user's request, and more specifically, a karaoke store operated by a karaoke store affiliated with a prepaid electronic money settlement mechanism. This system relates to a method for performing processing equivalent to paying in advance the usage fee for an additional function with electronic money and refunding the amount corresponding to the progress of the usage of the additional function with electronic money when the function is terminated. .

  There is a prepaid electronic money settlement as a method of electronic settlement. In this settlement method, electronic money value (electronic money) is recorded on an IC card, and payment is made from the electronic money of the IC card. The IC card can be deposited (the balance is increased) by using a dedicated depositing device or the like. The user inserts money into the depositing apparatus, and the electronic money corresponding to the amount is added to the balance of the IC card and recorded.

  On the other hand, merchandise sellers (corporates, stores, etc.) that are members of electronic money settlement organizations (financial institutions, etc.) authorize payment with electronic money when selling their products, and manage and operate them themselves. A billing apparatus having an interface (IC card interface) for reading recorded information on the IC card or reducing the balance is prepared in a store or facility. When receiving an instruction to pay for a product or service (hereinafter referred to as “product”), this apparatus deducts the electronic money for the price from the balance of the IC card.

  In addition, in order for merchandise sellers to receive merchandise sales paid with electronic money as actual money, the money or electronic value placed in the depositing device is deposited on the electronic money settlement mechanism side, and electronic money settlement is performed. Return the sales price of the product with the mechanism from the deposit to the product seller. In a specific computer system for this purpose, a computer managed by an electronic money payment mechanism (hereinafter referred to as a payment center computer) and the charging device are connected so as to be communicable. The payment center computer is notified of the purchase price and information (billing information) such as the store or product for which the payment was made. In other words, when a payment transaction occurs, the electronic money for the payment price immediately returns to the payment mechanism, and the electronic money payment mechanism transfers the electronic money for the payment price to the designated account of the merchandise sales company with actual money, etc. , Move on to subsequent settlement processing. The payment method using electronic money is described in Patent Document 1 below. Further, a method for using currently issued electronic money is described in Non-Patent Document 1 below.

By the way, the present inventor manages and operates a communication karaoke system, and is considering using the infrastructure of the system to settle the karaoke usage fee with electronic money. In particular, the use of additional functions (scoring function, recording function, etc.) that a karaoke user uses individually when performing a karaoke performance should be paid by the individual using the function, and the user possesses it individually. Electronic money payment using an IC card can be said to be an effective payment method.
JP 2004-54628 A Bit Wallet Co., Ltd., “Edy”, [online], [Search May 7, 2004], Internet <URL: http://www.edy.jp>

  As a karaoke addition function suitable for applying the present invention, there is a karaoke recording service. In a typical example of this service, a user's singing voice is recorded together with accompaniment music to produce a work, which is recorded on a package medium such as an optical disk or an IC memory and provided to the user. It is also linked to additional services such as a service (recording work consignment service) that sends recorded karaoke song recordings to content agencies and singing examination agencies via communication media.

  In this example, how many times the song recording work is repeated to create a karaoke song recording work, how many optical discs the work is taken home, whether to participate in a contest, whether to receive a singing test, etc. There is a way. Naturally, the fee varies depending on how it is used.

  The fee varies depending on how it is used, so it is not the case if there is no problem if the user pays the amount after the fee is confirmed. In the above example, the singing recording work was repeated many times, but if you stopped recording the work on the optical disc and stopped taking it home, you wouldn't have to pay a fee at all. Service will be used. Applicants looked at the actual usage of the existing karaoke recording service, and thought that it would be desirable to have an appropriate fee paid in advance for using this service, and to settle it according to the usage progress after providing the service.

  However, if you want to return the price paid in advance with electronic money, the process of re-paying the amount of electronic money once paid to the IC card, the balance related to the IC card once settled on the electronic money settlement mechanism side will be in the state before settlement Additional functions such as processing to restore, processing when electronic money electronic money payment mechanism has paid cash for electronic money payment to payee (in this case karaoke shop), cash returned from payee Refund procedures due to the incomplete use of the system require extremely complicated processing. Moreover, in actuality, since the payment is made according to the existing procedure defined by the electronic money payment mechanism side, the processing itself is practically impossible. Even if the clerk at the karaoke store is informed of the unsuccessful use of the credit card and the paid balance is refunded to increase the balance of the card, the procedure is troublesome if the payment terminal is not nearby. If the store itself does not have a payment terminal, it is impossible to return the service usage fee for the uncompleted service. Even if there is a deposit terminal nearby, the karaoke store must check the IC card used for completing / uncompleted use of additional functions and settlement.

  The present invention has been created in view of the above problems. The object of the present invention is to complete the payment of the usage fee for the additional function in advance payment according to the existing payment procedure defined by the payment mechanism side in the electronic money billing type karaoke system operated by the karaoke store that is affiliated with the prepaid electronic money payment mechanism. In addition, it is possible to accept an instruction to cancel the use of the additional function in the middle, and to allow the user to perform processing equivalent to returning the usage fee according to the progress of the use of the additional function up to the point of cancellation to electronic money There is to do.

The electronic money billing karaoke system according to the present invention is specified by the following items (1) to (10).
(1) An electronic money billing karaoke system that includes an inter-center communication means, an IC card interface, a refund reservation table, an additional charge table, and a control means, and performs an additional function associated with karaoke performance at a charge of the user. (2) The inter-center communication means communicates with a payment center computer operated by the prepaid electronic money payment mechanism. (3) The IC card interface reads and rewrites data of the IC card in which electronic money information is recorded. (4) The refund reservation table stores the card identifier of the IC card and the refund information in association with each other. (5) The additional charge table is a charge for each usage progress of the additional function accompanying the karaoke performance. (6) The control means includes advance payment calculation processing, advance collection processing, additional charge calculation processing. (7) The advance payment calculation process calculates and temporarily stores the advance A based on the charge information in the additional charge table when performing a karaoke performance with use of the additional function. (8) The advance collection process is performed when the refund information B corresponding to the card identifier read by the IC card interface is recorded in the refund reservation table, and the amount (AB) when the refund information B is not recorded. A is set as the charge amount for the IC card, the charge information is transmitted to the settlement center computer, the balance of the IC card is reduced, and the refund information B recorded in the refund reservation table is cleared (9) The charge calculation process calculates an additional charge C at the end of use of the additional function associated with the karaoke performance based on the use progress and the charge information in the additional charge table. And (10) Refund reservation processing, when the additional charge C falls below the advance A, refund information corresponding to the amount (A-C) is associated with the card identifier read by the IC card interface Add to the table

  According to the electronic money billing karaoke system of the present invention, a karaoke store that is a member of the prepaid electronic money settlement mechanism pays for the use money related to the additional function in accordance with the existing settlement procedure defined by the settlement mechanism side in advance. Thus, when the function is not completed, a process corresponding to returning the unused price corresponding to the use progress of the function with electronic money can be performed.

=== Network configuration ===
FIG. 1 shows a network configuration including an electronic money billing karaoke system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) 70b using the Internet 70a is connected to a LAN 110 installed in karaoke stores 100 in various locations of karaoke businesses and various computers (business computer) 90 managed by the karaoke businesses. Has been built. Each guest room 120 of the karaoke store 100 in each place has the karaoke device 1 and equipment attached thereto. The karaoke device 1 communicates with the business computer 90 via the VPN 70b and communicates with an external computer via the Internet 70a. To do. The electronic money billing karaoke system (hereinafter referred to as karaoke system) of the present embodiment includes a plurality of karaoke devices 1 installed in one store 100, a music selection remote control device 30 attached to each karaoke device 1, and the store 100. The store computer 80 is installed at the front and the like for managing the entrance / exit of the guest rooms and the accounting process.

  In this embodiment, the music selection remote control device 30 is a multi-function remote control device (karaoke utilization terminal: hereinafter referred to as utilization terminal) 30 having a music search function, and this utilization terminal 30 sends a performance reservation command to the karaoke apparatus 1 by an infrared signal. Send. The utilization terminal 30 is operated by a built-in secondary battery, and a charging stand 50 for charging the secondary battery is prepared. The gantry 50 includes a communication interface of a predetermined standard such as RS232C, and is connected to a communication interface of the same standard that the karaoke apparatus 1 is equipped with. When the utilization terminal 30 is attached to the charging stand 50, the utilization terminal 30 and the karaoke apparatus 1 are configured to communicate via the charging stand 50.

  Karaoke companies are members of the above-described prepaid electronic money payment mechanism (hereinafter referred to as payment mechanism), and provide a service for paying charges related to the use of karaoke with electronic money. A payment center computer 200 managed by the payment mechanism is connected to the Internet 70a.

=== Basic configuration and operation of karaoke apparatus ===
FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration of the karaoke apparatus 1. 3A and 3B show the appearance of the utilization terminal 30 and the charging stand 50 and the functional block configuration of the utilization terminal 30. FIG. The karaoke apparatus 1 has almost the same hardware configuration as a performance terminal of a known communication karaoke system. The central control unit 11 controls the peripheral components to control the karaoke device 1, and the hard disk device 12 is the origin of generation of accompaniment music data mainly composed of MIDI data and lyrics images for many karaoke songs. Karaoke data including lyrics rendering data is stored. In addition, video data for a long time in a predetermined format, script data that defines the processing sequence of the video data (storage location and processing order of video data to be processed, etc.), song names and artist names for playable karaoke songs Table of contents information such as the release year and the singing part of the lyrics is also stored.

  The utilization terminal 30 includes a user interface mainly including a touch panel 33 in which a liquid crystal display (LCD) 31 and a touch sensor 32 are stacked, and a built-in flash memory 35 has a table of contents similar to those stored in the karaoke apparatus 1. Information and various image information displayed on the touch panel 33 are accumulated. The remote control unit 34 that controls and controls the utilization terminal 30 develops various image information and character information into a video RAM based on the input information to the touch panel 33 and maps the LCD driver 36 based on the bitmap data. The GUI environment is provided to the user by driving and displaying appropriate information on the touch panel 33. A program for managing the table of contents information as a music index database is stored in the flash memory 35, and the user finally specifies one karaoke music piece as a song by using the GUI via the touch panel 33, and selects the music piece. When an instruction to reserve a performance is input, an infrared signal including a performance reservation command including a song number is transmitted from the LED.

  When the central control unit 11 of the karaoke apparatus 1 receives the performance reservation command via the light receiving unit 15 and the operation control unit 13, the song number in the command is stored in the internal RAM and managed in a queue for performance processing. . Then, the song numbers are sequentially extracted from the queue, the corresponding karaoke data is read from the hard disk device 12, and the accompaniment music data in the karaoke data is transferred to the synthesizer 19 to generate accompaniment music. The mixing amplifier 20 mixes and amplifies the accompaniment music and the singing voice input to the microphone 22 and outputs the sound from the speaker 21.

  In addition, the central control unit 11 processes the lyric rendering data and sequentially develops a lyric image in which the portion to be sung in color changes in synchronization with the accompaniment music in the video RAM 16 in a bitmap format, and also generates predetermined moving image data based on the script data. The background moving image of the lyric image is decoded by sequentially transferring to the video control unit 17 in a predetermined order. The video control unit 17 superimposes the lyric image on the decoded moving image and outputs it on the display 18.

=== Karaoke recording function ===
The karaoke apparatus 1 has a karaoke recording function (hereinafter referred to as a recording function) that creates accompaniment music and a singer's singing voice as a recorded work in units of music in a data file of a predetermined format. The audio signal processing unit 24 samples a mixed acoustic signal of the accompaniment music of the requested song from the synthesizer 19 and the singing voice input to the microphone 22 and A / D converts it into digital audio data. When the performance start timing information is received from the central control unit 11, the digital audio data is transferred to the central control unit 11. The central control unit 11 stores the digital audio data in an internal RAM or the like. When the performance is finished, the central control unit 11 creates the audio data into a data file of an appropriate format such as a WAVE file, and uses this file as a recording work. Are temporarily stored in the built-in hard disk device 12 in association with the music ID. The created recording work is transferred to a CD-R by the CD-R writing device 81 or transmitted to a predetermined business computer (recording work deposit site) 90b for use in a recording work trust service. Or used as appropriate. Moreover, according to a user's instruction | indication, the produced recording work can be reproduced | regenerated and a singing state can be checked. In this embodiment, the synthesizer 19 incorporates a D / A converter for converting digital audio data into analog audio data, and the central control unit 11 transfers the digital audio data as the contents of the recording file to the synthesizer 19. As a result, the accompaniment music and the singing voice of the recorded work are acoustically output to the speaker 21.

=== IC card ===
In this embodiment, the recording function is provided for a fee, and the user who wants to use the recording function is given an IC card as a service enjoying member of a karaoke shop. The karaoke system has an electronic money settlement function that pays the usage fee for the recording function with the electronic money recorded on the IC card. A non-contact type IC card is used as the IC card. This IC card is assigned a unique card ID, and this ID is stored in a non-rewritable memory built in the card. In addition, the balance and the information (transaction history) related to the payment for the predetermined number of items are recorded in a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The store computer 80 stores personal information (name, contact information, nickname, etc.) disclosed to the store 100 when the user registers as a member in association with the card ID.

=== Payment Center Computer ===
The settlement center computer 200 manages settlement by electronic money, identifies a large number of IC cards by card ID, and stores and manages the card balance, transaction history, etc. for each card ID while sequentially updating it in its own database. is doing. When paying for a certain price using an IC card, a dedicated billing apparatus that is online with the settlement center computer 200 is used. Then, the billing apparatus reads the card ID and balance recorded on the IC card, and inputs the payment amount. The billing apparatus sends the read record data of the card and the payment amount to the settlement center computer 200. The settlement center computer 200 updates the card balance and transaction history of the card, and pays the payment amount to the payee's account. Various processes following electronic money settlement, such as online transfer, are performed. When the card balance and transaction history are updated, the fact is returned to the charging device, and the charging device updates the balance and transaction history recorded on the IC card. In the present embodiment, the charging apparatus is configured by the karaoke apparatus 1 and the utilization terminal 30 that are connected via the charging stand 50.

=== Outline of electronic money payment function ===
According to the electronic money settlement function in the karaoke system of the present embodiment, when the user instructs the use of the recording function together with the performance reservation of the music, the usage fee is paid in advance from the balance of the IC card, and the settlement center computer 200 The settlement at is completed. That is, when the use of the recording function is used as a product, the purchase of the product (use of the recording function) is instructed, and the electronic money settlement is finalized. In addition, there is a limit to the use of the recording function for a single performance reservation. If the recording function is not used until the limit is reached, the next time the same user uses the recording function at the same karaoke store, the use is made. The amount of money that has not been spent (unused money) is applied to part or all of the prescribed usage fee, deducted from the prescribed fee, and the amount after the deduction is paid with electronic money.

  In this embodiment, a recording opportunity is given up to five times for one performance reservation, and a recorded work created at each recording opportunity can be reproduced only once. When the use of the recording function is instructed, the specified usage fee when the recording function is used up to the limit is paid in advance by electronic money. In addition, the usage fee is set according to the recording function's progress, such as the number of times the recorded work is created and played, the transfer of the recorded work to the CD-R, and the deposit. Charge table) is stored in the hard disk device 12 of each karaoke device 1. In addition, information (refund reservation table) in which refund information including unused charges is associated with a card ID is stored in the store computer 80. FIG. 4 shows an outline of the additional charge table.

  In response to the revision of the surcharge, a surcharge table is also stored in the store computer 80. When the surcharge table is updated in the store computer 80, a new table is transferred to each karaoke apparatus 1. Thus, the store computer 80 and the karaoke apparatus 1 are adapted to match the additional charge table. Of course, in the case of a chain store or the like, an appropriate business operator computer 90 sends a new surcharge table directly to the karaoke apparatus 1 of each store 100 or via the store computer 80 to add a surcharge for the karaoke apparatus 1 in all chain stores. The tables may be aligned.

  As described above, according to the karaoke system of this embodiment, after paying the full amount of the usage fee for the additional function in advance and making a settlement, the unused fee corresponding to the progress of the actual usage of the function is refunded. Can be performed. As a result, the use of the recording function is prepaid with electronic money, so that the recording function is prevented from being illegally used free of charge. A service equivalent to refunding an appropriate fee according to the progress can be provided. Of course, there is no complicated procedure for loading and returning the electronic money for the unused function for the additional function to the IC card again, and it is not necessary to install a payment terminal near the karaoke device 1 or at the karaoke store itself. In addition, since there is an unused charge valid only at a specific karaoke store, the user is motivated to go to the same karaoke store again. Therefore, it leads to acquisition of regular customers for karaoke stores.

=== Specific processing of electronic money settlement function ===
As specific processing of the electronic money settlement function in the present embodiment, an example in which the usage fee for a service for recording a recorded work on a CD-R (CD recording service) is paid with electronic money will be described. FIG. 5 shows the processing flow of the electronic money settlement function. FIG. 6 shows the transition of the screen displayed on the touch panel 33 of the utilization terminal 30 during the process. The CD-R writing device 81 connected to the store computer 80 is a changer-type CD-R writing device (CD-R changer) that drives a plurality of CD-Rs in a replaceable manner. A predetermined karaoke device 1 in the store 100 is associated with each of a plurality of CD-Rs loaded in the CD-R changer 81 and managed, and a file corresponding to the recorded work is transferred from the karaoke device 1. When it comes, the file is transferred to the CD-R corresponding to the karaoke apparatus 1. When the user gives an instruction or when a predetermined number of recording files are recorded on the CD-R, the CD-R is created on the music CD.

  When the user who wants to use the CD recording service touches the designation button of the service in the initial screen (FIG. 6A) displayed on the touch panel 33 of the utilization terminal 30, the utilization terminal 30 attaches itself to the charging stand 50. And a screen for guiding the IC card to be held over the antenna unit 44 (FIG. 6B) is displayed (s1, s2).

  When the user attaches the utilization terminal 30 to the charging stand 50 according to this guidance, the utilization terminal 30 communicates with the store computer 80 on the LAN 110 via the karaoke device 1 or the business computer 90 or the settlement center computer 200 on the Internet 70. Can communicate. When the user holds the IC card over the antenna unit 44 of the utilization terminal 30, the remote control control unit 34 acquires a card ID via the card interface 45 and transmits this ID to the store computer 80 (s3). The store computer 80 performs member authentication based on the card ID, and returns personal information corresponding to the authenticated card ID to the utilization terminal 30 (s31, s32). The utilization terminal 30 displays appropriate personal information (such as a nickname) on the touch panel 33, and allows the IC card holder to confirm that it is his / her own personal information (s4).

  When the user designates the requested song (s5), the utilization terminal 30 temporarily stores the song number and sends the refund information including the card ID if there is information indicating that recording is permitted as the index information of the designated song. The request is transmitted to the store computer 80 (s6). When the store computer 80 accepts the request for sending the refund information, the store computer 80 acquires the unused price in the refund information corresponding to the card ID sent by referring to the refund reservation table, and sends it back to the utilization terminal 30. If the unused price is zero, a message to that effect is returned. Further, if there is no refund information corresponding to the card ID, it is only necessary to secure a storage area for the refund information corresponding to the card ID, assuming that the card holder uses the service for the first time.

  When the refund information is sent, the utilization terminal 30 deducts the refund information (unused price) from the advance fee, using the specified usage fee for the CD recording service based on the surcharge table, and the amount after the deduction And billing information including the identifier of the karaoke store that is the payment destination. If the unused charge is equal to or higher than the specified charge, the current charge is made free and no billing information is generated. Then, the amount appropriated to the prescribed fee from the unused price received from the store computer 80 and the corresponding card ID are returned to the store computer 80, and the store computer 80 updates the refund information corresponding to the corresponding card ID ( s6 → s33 → s7 → s33). Then, the utilization terminal 30 notifies the generated billing information to the settlement center computer 200. When the payment center computer 200 receives the billing information, the payment center computer 200 confirms the payment with the electronic money and returns the fact to the utilization terminal 30. The utilization terminal 30 updates the balance by reducing the current usage fee from the balance of the IC card through the IC card interface (s8 → s41 → s8). If the balance read from the IC card is less than the payment amount, the use of the current CD recording service is prohibited by displaying the fact on the touch panel 30 or the like, and the fact is also notified to the store computer 80. The refund information of the card ID may be returned to the one before the update.

  When the payment on the payment mechanism side is completed, the utilization terminal 30 displays the amount paid by the electronic money and the balance of the IC card on the touch panel 33 (FIG. 6C), and then the recorded work to be created and transferred from now on. The store computer 80 is requested to issue a receipt number (s9, s10). In response to this request, the store computer 80 issues a receipt number and returns it to the utilization terminal 30. The utilization terminal 30 stores the song number of the requested song specified previously and the received reception number in association with each other and sends the stored information to the karaoke device 1. The karaoke device 1 accepts the song number. The number and the recording function activation instruction information are registered in the queue in association with each other (s34 → s11, s12 → s21). In the present embodiment, the operations and processes up to here are performed in a state where the utilization terminal 30 is mounted on the charging stand 50.

  If the karaoke apparatus 1 is associated with a recording function activation instruction associated with a music number extracted from the queue, the karaoke apparatus 1 performs a recording work creation process when the music performance is performed. Further, while the recording function is executed in accordance with various operation instructions related to the recording function such as a reproduction process of the created recording work and a replay instruction, the use progress of the recording function is monitored (s15, s23). When the user terminates the use of the recording function by accepting user input such as canceling the music performance or instructing the transfer of the recorded work, the progress of using the recording function up to that point is acquired, and the additional charge table Based on the above, the usage fee corresponding to the usage progress is subtracted from the prescribed fee to calculate the unused fee for this time. Then, this unused price is sent to the store computer 80 as refund information together with the corresponding receipt number. The store computer 80 updates the refund reservation table by adding up the unused charges of the card ID stored in association with the reception number and the unused charges for this time (s16 → s24 → s25 → s36). In addition, when the utilization terminal 30 receives a user input for canceling the reservation of the music to be played together with the recording function, the utilization terminal 30 transfers a cancel instruction with a reception number corresponding to the music to the karaoke apparatus 1, and the karaoke apparatus 1 may delete the corresponding music piece from the queue according to the cancel instruction and send the specified usage fee for the recording function to the store computer 80 as refund information. Then, the store computer 80 may update the refund reservation table based on the refund information.

=== Setting Up Advance Payment ===
In the above embodiment, the advance (regulated fee) related to the recording function is set in advance, and the billing information is generated based on the advance and refund information. Not limited to this example, the user may be able to set a prepaid amount. For example, based on the additional charge table, a charge for one recording and reproduction, a charge for transfer to a CD-R, etc. are presented so that the user can set the number of recordings. Then, the charge for the set number of recordings and the transfer charge to the CD-R are calculated as advance payments. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a fee for useless recordings from being settled in advance according to the tune of the user's singing, and it is possible to minimize the unused charges generated. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent unnecessary unused charges from being generated at a karaoke store that is unlikely to return.

=== Additional functions ===
The electronic money settlement function in the karaoke system of the present embodiment is not limited to the recording function but can be applied to various additional functions. For example, if a scoring function capable of presenting a progress score during music performance is targeted, an additional fee table with the number of progress score presentations as a utilization progress may be prepared. If the stipulated fee is prepaid with electronic money together with the activation instruction for the scoring function, and the performance of the music subject to scoring is canceled halfway, the unused fee will be calculated based on the number of elapsed scores presented up to that point. That's fine.

In addition to the above-described embodiments, the following functions can be considered as additional functions to which the present invention is applied.
(A) Video recording service A user who sings along with a karaoke performance is video-recorded and recorded on a package medium such as an optical disc, VTR, or IC memory, and the user takes home. Charges vary depending on recording time and the number of media to be taken home.
(B) Karaoke dance game A dance game is performed in accordance with the karaoke performance, and the fee varies depending on the score of the game.
(C) Karaoke ensemble service This is a service for singing with a simple electronic musical instrument according to karaoke performance, and the fee varies depending on the type and number of musical instruments used.

=== System Configuration ===
The karaoke system of the above embodiment is composed of a karaoke apparatus main body, a utilization terminal, a charging stand, and a store computer. Of course, if the refund reservation table is stored in the hard disk device or the like of the karaoke device body, the karaoke system of the present invention is constructed even in a karaoke store where no LAN is laid or a store where only one karaoke device is installed. can do. Of course, an IC card interface may be mounted on the karaoke apparatus body.

  The karaoke system is not limited to an IC card issued for each karaoke store, and may be settled using a general-purpose IC card issued by an electronic money payment mechanism. If the card ID read by the IC card interface when the additional function is used is not recorded in the store computer, the personal information of the card holder is input to the store computer via the user interface of the utilization terminal. Then, it may be registered as a new service enjoying member.

It is a network block diagram including the karaoke system in the Example of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the karaoke apparatus which comprises the said karaoke system. It is the external view (A) of the karaoke utilization terminal which functions as a remote control apparatus for the said karaoke apparatus, the charging stand to which this terminal is mounted | worn, and the functional block diagram (B) of a karaoke utilization terminal. It is the schematic of an additional charge table managed with the said karaoke system. It is a flowchart of the electronic money payment process in the said karaoke system. It is a transition figure of the screen displayed on the said karaoke utilization terminal in the process of the said payment process.

Explanation of symbols

1 Karaoke device 30 Karaoke utilization terminal 50 Charging stand 80 Store computer 200 Payment center computer

Claims (2)

This is an electronic money billing karaoke system that includes an inter-center communication means, an IC card interface, a refund reservation table, an additional charge table, and a control means, and executes an additional function associated with karaoke performance at a charge by the user. And
The inter-center communication means communicates with a payment center computer operated by the prepaid electronic money payment mechanism,
The IC card interface is capable of reading and rewriting data of an IC card that records electronic money information.
The refund reservation table stores the card identifier of the IC card and the refund information in association with each other,
The additional charge table stores the charge information for each usage progress of additional functions accompanying karaoke performance,
The control means enables advance calculation processing, advance collection processing, additional charge calculation processing, and refund reservation processing,
The advance calculation process calculates and temporarily stores the advance A based on the charge information in the additional charge table when performing the karaoke performance with the use of the additional function,
In the advance collection process, if the refund information B corresponding to the card identifier read by the IC card interface is recorded in the refund reservation table, the amount (A-B) is indicated. If not, the amount A is indicated as the IC card. The billing information for the credit card, the billing information is transmitted to the settlement center computer, the balance of the IC card is reduced, and the refund information B recorded in the refund reservation table is cleared,
The additional charge calculation process calculates the additional charge C based on the use progress and the charge information in the additional charge table when the use of the additional function associated with the karaoke performance ends.
In the refund reservation process, when the additional charge C falls below the advance A, the refund information corresponding to the amount (AC) is added and registered in the refund reservation table in association with the card identifier read by the IC card interface. Electronic money billing karaoke system. In the advance collection process, when the amount (A−B) is negative, the IC card is not charged, and the refund information B recorded in the refund reservation table is updated to (B−A). Item 2. The electronic money billing karaoke system according to Item 1.

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