JPH08248967A - Information communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To execute various processing by a central control unit at a suitable timing according to a use condition of an output terminal equipment. CONSTITUTION: In an information communication system 1, the central control unit 9 monitors each output terminal equipment 19 at a frequency decided based on a status data corresponding to a use condition of an output terminal equipment 19 acquired by a center modem 95, and since it commands the execution of the processing according to a command request for a data supply device 5 when it acquires the command request, the monitoring frequency of the output terminal equipment 19 requiring busy correspondence such as a video game, etc., is made higher, and the monitoring frequency of the output terminal equipment 19 requiring not so busy correspondence is made lower, and various processing the executed at a suitable timing according to a use condition of each output terminal equipment 19.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an information communication system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a karaoke system called a centralized management type which includes a central device for storing karaoke performance data and a plurality of karaoke terminal devices for executing karaoke performance based on the karaoke performance data distributed from the central device. It has been known. In this centralized control type karaoke system, the request input is accepted by each karaoke terminal device, transferred to the central device from the karaoke terminal device, and the central device transmits the karaoke performance data in response to the request, and the karaoke terminal device transmits the karaoke performance data. The device receives the karaoke performance. Also, in this centralized management type karaoke system, for example, a video game,
Some services can provide services other than karaoke, such as fortune-telling, quizzes, and video broadcasting.

In a system such as the centralized control type karaoke system of this example, in which one central unit receives requests and various instruction inputs from a plurality of terminal units and executes processing corresponding thereto, for example, The terminal devices used for video games are likely to be operated many times in a short time, and quick response is indispensable. However, the terminal devices used for video broadcasting are operated many times in a short time. There is a small possibility that the input operation will be performed, and prompt response is not always required. Therefore, the response frequency required by the central device is not uniform depending on the usage state of the terminal device.

For this reason, for example, in a terminal device used for a video game, the time from the user's input operation to the screen display becomes long and the interest of the user is impaired. was there.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to increase the frequency of monitoring a terminal device that needs a busy response, and not to do so. With the difference that the monitoring frequency of each terminal device is reduced, the central device responds at a frequency according to the usage condition of each terminal device, so that various processes can be executed at a suitable timing according to the usage condition of the terminal device. It is to plan.

[0006]

As means for solving the above problems, the information communication system according to claim 1 is a data creating means for creating external output data based on the data stored in the storage means. A plurality of output terminal devices each including a data providing device including: a data output device that executes an external output based on the external output data; and a request sending device that sends a command request in accordance with a command input; Status acquisition means for acquiring status data corresponding to the usage state of the device; request acquisition means for monitoring each output terminal device at a frequency determined based on the status data to acquire the command request; Responding to the command request to the data providing device that is transmitting the external output data to the output terminal that has transmitted the command request And a central control unit and a command means for commanding the execution of management.

An information communication system according to a second aspect is the information communication system according to the first aspect, wherein the number of the output terminal devices is larger than the number of the data providing devices. The information communication system according to claim 3 is the information communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the external output is arranged between the data providing device and the output terminal device and is output from the data providing device. A multi-channel transport device for transporting data on a channel assigned to each data providing device is provided, and external output data corresponding to the request is sent to the output terminal device that sends the request to the central control device. Channel notifying means for notifying a channel to be carried is provided, and the output terminal device is provided with channel selecting means for selecting one channel from the multi-channel in response to the notification from the channel notifying means. .

The information communication system according to claim 4 is the information communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the external output data includes audio data for audio output and video data for video output. The data output means includes an audio output unit that outputs audio based on the audio data and a video output unit that outputs video based on the video data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information communication system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the output terminal that transmits the command request more frequently than the other output terminal devices. It is characterized in that a monitoring frequency control means for controlling the request acquisition means is provided in order to increase the monitoring frequency of the apparatus.

[0010]

In the information communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the data providing device, the data creating means creates the external output data based on the data stored in the storage means.

In the output terminal device, the data output means executes external output based on the acquired external output data.
The request sending means sends a command request according to the command input. In the central control device, the status acquisition means acquires status data corresponding to the usage state of each output terminal device, and the request acquisition means monitors each output terminal device at a frequency determined based on the status data and acquires a command request. To do. Here, the usage state means, for example, that the output terminal is used as an output device for karaoke performance (data for external output is data for karaoke performance), or is used as a video game (data for external output is video game). Screen display and audio output data), etc., corresponding to the contents that the output terminal device is currently using (= type of external output data provided to the output terminal), in addition to the standby power supply. It is a concept that includes not being input. Further, the request acquisition means does not necessarily acquire a command request for each monitoring, and a command request is not issued from the output terminal side during monitoring (= command request is not acquired).
Sometimes.

Further, the command means commands the data providing device, which is transmitting the external output data, to the output terminal device which has transmitted the command request acquired by the request acquiring means, to execute the process according to the command request. To do. The central controller is
When a command request is acquired by monitoring each output terminal device at a frequency determined based on the status data corresponding to the usage status of the output terminal device, execution of processing according to the command request to the data providing device Therefore, the monitoring frequency of the output terminal devices that require a busy correspondence such as a video game is increased, and the monitoring frequency of the output terminal devices that are not so high is decreased, so that it is suitable according to the usage state of each output terminal device. Various processes can be executed at various timings.

In the information communication system according to the second aspect, the number of output terminal devices is larger than the number of data providing devices. For example, in the centralized control type karaoke system exemplified in the section of the prior art, for example, one karaoke terminal device is arranged in each room of one building, but for example, an accommodation facility such as a hotel and a large number of private rooms are provided. In a restaurant or the like, each karaoke terminal device is not always used equally as in a karaoke store, and its operating rate may not be so high. If one karaoke terminal device is installed in each room in such an environment, there is room for improvement in terms of cost efficiency in consideration of its operation efficiency and the like.

However, if an output terminal device is installed in each room and a data providing device is installed in a management room or the like according to the structure of the second aspect, it is not necessary to install one karaoke terminal device in one room. It is possible to enjoy karaoke in each room. Of course, you can also enjoy other video games. Therefore, if the configuration described in claim 2 is adopted, the above-mentioned improvement in cost effectiveness can be realized.

In the information communication system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the multi-channel carrier device is arranged between the data providing device and the output terminal device, and the external output data output from the data providing device is used for each data. It is carried on a channel assigned to each providing device. The channel notification means provided in the central control unit notifies the output terminal device that has sent the request of the channel on which the external output data corresponding to the request is carried. The channel selection means provided in the output terminal device selects one channel from the multi-channels according to the notification from the channel notification means.

Since a channel is assigned to each data providing device, external output can be independently obtained by the same number of output terminal devices as the data providing devices. Further, even if there is an output terminal device that waits for a vacancy of the data providing performance device, it is sufficient to wait for any one of the plurality of data providing devices to become vacant, so that the waiting time can be shortened.

In the information communication system according to the fourth aspect, the external output data includes audio data for audio output and video data for video output, and the data output means outputs audio based on the audio data. The audio output unit and the video output unit that outputs the video based on the video data can output both the audio and the video to the outside.
Therefore, it is suitable for services such as karaoke, video games, and video broadcasting in which audio and video are paired.

In the information communication system according to the fifth aspect, the monitoring frequency control means includes a request acquisition means for increasing the monitoring frequency for the output terminal device that has a higher frequency of sending a command request than other output terminal devices. Control. Therefore, the monitoring frequency can be increased according to not only the usage status of the output terminal device but also the command request transmission frequency. Therefore, it is possible to execute various kinds of processing at a suitable timing according to the state of each output terminal device, more finely than in the configuration of claim 1.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the information communication system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 referred to is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of the present information communication system,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data providing apparatus which is a constituent element of the information communication system, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an output terminal apparatus which is a constituent element of the information communication system.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the information communication system 1 of this embodiment, a communication server 3 storing a large amount of data in a hard disk (HDD) 33 corresponding to the storage means of the present invention, and H of the communication server 3.
A plurality of data providing devices 5 for creating and outputting data for external output based on the data read from the DD 33, recorded on a video record carrier (not shown) such as a compact disc (CD) or a laser disc (LD). A plurality of video devices 7 capable of reproducing moving video images and outputting them to the data providing device 5 as video information, a communication server 3, a data providing device 5, and a central control device for controlling various instructions to the video device 7. 9 is provided. The central control device 9, the communication server 3, and the data providing device 5 are connected to each other by a LAN (local area network) 11.

The communication server 3 includes a CPU 32 as a control means, a hard disk (HDD) 33,
ROM storing the operation program of the CPU 32
34, a RAM 35 for temporarily storing data and the like for arithmetic processing in the CPU 32, an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 36, a communication control device 37 as a communication unit, and the like. Input / output I / F 36 is LAN1
1 is connected to the CPU 32.
It is possible to send data to the LAN 11 or obtain data from the LAN 11 through the. The communication control device 37 is a device for executing communication with the host H via a communication line such as a public telephone line, and the CPU 32 transmits data or the like to the host H via the communication control device 37. The data and the like transmitted from the host H can be received.

In the HDD 33, a large number of karaoke song data, video game programs, bingo game programs, fortune-telling programs, etc. are already stored with data numbers for identifying them. By communicating with the host H, karaoke song data of a new song transmitted from the host H, a new video game program, a bingo game program, a fortune-telling program, etc. can be stored. Further, a part of these data can be deleted according to the instruction of the CPU 32.

HDD 33 of communication server 3
As the karaoke piece data, several thousand to 10,000 pieces of data are stored, and addition and deletion are performed as described above. The karaoke piece data for one piece of music is composed of piece number data (corresponding to the above-mentioned data number), which is identification information for identifying pieces of music, and actual data for karaoke performance. The substantive data in this is MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) which is the information of accompaniment music.
Includes standard performance data and lyrics data that is converted into lyrics. Although not so configured in the present embodiment, the substantive data may include background video data in which video information corresponding to each song is encoded.

There are about 100 types of video game programs, bingo game programs, fortune-telling programs, etc. stored in the communication server 3.
The central control unit 9 is a control means, and corresponds to the command means of the present invention and the channel notification means of claim 3 (C).
A microcomputer including a PU 91, a well-known ROM 92, and a RAM 93.
/ F) 94 is connected to the LAN 11 and the video device 7, and is also connected to the head amplifier 13 by the center modem 95 which is a communication means and also a status acquisition means and a request acquisition means of the present invention. The center modem 95 is capable of high-frequency modulating a digital signal and demodulating the high-frequency signal into a digital signal.

Each data providing device 5 is connected to the head amplifier 13 via a modulator 15 that applies a predetermined high frequency modulation to an analog signal. A television tuner 14 and a video deck 18 are connected to the head amplifier 13 via modulators 15, respectively. An antenna device 16 including an antenna group (all not shown) such as a terrestrial antenna, a broadcast satellite (BS) antenna and a communication satellite (CS) antenna is connected to the TV tuner 14, and the TV tuner 14 is connected to the TV tuner 14. 14 can output a television broadcast signal received by these antennas to the modulator 15.

The head amplifier 13 can multiplex the signal from each modulator 15 and the signal from the center modem 95 in a channel assigned to each signal and send it to the trunk line 17 of the coaxial cable. A larger number of output terminal devices 19 than the data providing device 5 are connected to the trunk line 17, and each output terminal device 19 can receive a signal carried by the trunk line 17. In addition, one output terminal device 19 is installed for each room such as a hotel or a restaurant. Further, the head amplifier 13 outputs the signal sent from each output terminal device 19 to the center modem 95.
It is also possible to relay to. As is apparent from this, the head amplifier 13 and the main line 17 constitute the transport device according to the third aspect.

As shown in FIG. 2, the data providing device 5 is
A LAN interface (LAN I / F) 51 as a communication means for communicating with the communication server 3 and the central control device 9 via the LAN 11, a CPU 52 as a control means, a well-known RAM 53 and ROM 54, a video synthesizing device 55, a sound source 56 and the like. I have it.

The CPU 52 reads data such as karaoke song data from the communication server 3 and stores it in the RAM.
53, and all or part of the data is recorded by the sound source 5.
6 and the video synthesizer 55, respectively. If the data read from the communication server 3 is a program such as a video game program,
The process is executed according to the program.

The sound source 56 can synthesize an analog performance signal based on digital performance data included in, for example, karaoke piece data, and output the performance signal to the modulator 15. For example, C can be generated in accordance with a video game program.
Synthesis and output of analog signals for voice based on various digital data such as synthesis of analog voice signals based on voice digital data sent from the PU 52 or RAM 53 and output to the modulator 15. Is possible.

The video synthesizing device 55 modulates an analog signal obtained by synthesizing (superimposing) the lyrics data included in, for example, karaoke song data and the background video signal output from the video device 7 and input to the data providing device 5. Bowl 15
To an analog video signal based on video digital data sent from the CPU 52 or RAM 53 in accordance with a video game program, and outputs the analog video signal to the modulator 15 into various digital data. It is possible to synthesize and output analog signals for video based.

That is, the CPU 52, the sound source 56, and the video synthesizing device 55 correspond to the data creating means of the present invention, the signal output from the sound source 56 corresponds to the audio data described in claim 4, and the signal from the video synthesizing device 55. The output signal corresponds to the video data described in claim 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the output terminal device 19 is
A terminal control device 21 is provided as control means. The terminal control device 21 includes a CPU, ROM, RA (not shown).
It is configured as a microcomputer including M and the like, and can control the operation of each unit of the output terminal device 19.

The terminal control device 21 is connected to the main line 17 via a modem 22 as a communication means capable of high-frequency modulating a digital signal and demodulating the high-frequency signal into a digital signal. Bidirectional communication with the central control unit 9 is possible through the main line 17. In addition, the terminal control device 21 uses the tuner 23 to connect the trunk line 1
Connected to 7. The terminal control device 21 can instruct the tuner 23 to select and select a channel to be selected by the tuner control signal, and can receive the signal transmitted from the trunk line 17 on the channel. That is, the tuner 23 corresponds to the channel selecting means described in claim 3. The tuner 23 can demodulate the high frequency signal received from the main line 17 and output the audio signal and the video signal to different paths.

An operation panel 24 as an input means is connected to the terminal control device 21, and a user can input a request for a karaoke piece or the like by operating a ten key (not shown) on the operation panel 24. Note that this input operation can also be performed using the attached remote controller 25.

Further, the operation panel 24 is connected to an operation unit 31 for inputting various commands and the like when executing a video game or the like. The operation unit 31 includes an operation stick 31a, a push button (not shown), and the like, and a user can operate the operation stick 31a and the push button to input various commands. Therefore, the operation unit 31 also corresponds to the input means.

The operation panel 24 or the remote controller 25
The input of a request and the like by the command and the input of a command and the like by the operation unit 31 are received by the terminal control device 21 and then sent to the central control device 9 through the modem 22. In other words, the terminal control device 21 and the modem 22 constitute the request sending means of the present invention.

The volume amplification amplifier 26 connected to the terminal control device 21 is also connected to the tuner 23, and electrically amplifies the audio signal transferred from the tuner 23 to form a pair of left and right speakers 27L. , Speaker 27R
Can be output to. The speakers 27L and 27R can output audio based on the electric signal from the amplifier 26.
That is, the amplifier 26 and the speakers 27L and 27R are the data output means of the present invention, and constitute the audio output section according to the fourth aspect.

Further, the amplifier 26 can mix and amplify the audio signal from the tuner 23 and the audio input signal input from the microphone 30, and output the amplified signals to the speakers 27L and 27R. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy karaoke using the output terminal device 19.

Further, a display control device 28 is connected to the terminal control device 21. The display control device 28 is also connected to the tuner 23, and the display control device 28 can display an image based on the image signal transferred from the tuner 23 on the monitor 29 according to an instruction from the terminal control device 21. it can. That is, the display control device 28 and the monitor 29 are the data output means of the present invention and constitute the video output section according to the fourth aspect.

Next, the operation of the information communication system 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 referred to here is a flowchart of a main process executed by the terminal control device 21 of the output terminal device 19, FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an interrupt process executed by the terminal control device 21 of the output terminal device 19, and FIG. C of central controller 9
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process executed by the PU 91, FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process executed by the CPU 52 of the data providing device 5, and FIG. 8 is a status in which the status of each output terminal device 19 is written in the RAM 93 of the central controller 9. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a table and a polling table in which the priority of the polling frequency for each output terminal device 19 is written, but the processes executed by the central controller 9, the data providing device 5, and the output terminal device 19 are closely related to each other. Therefore, these figures will be referred to in the following description from time to time. The television tuner 14 and the video deck 18 are always activated while the information communication system 1 is operating.

First, the description starts with the processing in the output terminal device 19. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal control device 21 of the output terminal device 19 includes an operation panel 24 or a remote controller 2.
Wait for input of function selection by operation 5 (S10
1) If there is a function selection (YES in S101), the process proceeds to the processing according to the selection (S102). There are four types of functions here: television, video, karaoke, and games. Games include video games, bingo games, fortune telling, and the like.

The processing according to these will be described in order. First, when the television is selected, the terminal control device 2
1 is a list of television broadcasting channels, for example, terrestrial wave 1 is A channel, terrestrial wave 2 is B channel, ... The tuner 23 is instructed to select the channel through which the selected television broadcast is carried (S103). As a result, the television sound based on the signal that is carried by the channel selected by the tuner 23 and is transferred from the tuner 23 to the amplifier 26 is output from the speakers 27L and 27R and converted into the signal transferred from the tuner 23 to the display control device 28. The television image based on this is displayed on the monitor 29.

If the video is selected in S102,
The terminal control device 21 instructs the tuner 23 to select the channel through which the video signal is carried (S10).
4). As a result, the video sound based on the signal carried on the channel selected by the tuner 23 and transferred from the tuner 23 to the amplifier 26 is output to the speakers 27L and 27L.
A video image based on the signal output from R and transferred from the tuner 23 to the display control device 28 is displayed on the monitor 29.

Next, when karaoke is selected, the terminal control device 21 waits for the input of a request from the operation panel 24 or the like (S105), and if requested (YES in S105), the requested song. The number is stored (S106), and waiting for polling from the central control unit 9 (S107). The terminal controller 21 is the central controller 9
If polling is done from (Y in S107
S), the status data indicating that the output terminal device 19 is being used for karaoke and the song number of the request are indicated by the modem 22.
To the central controller 9 to request the provision of data for karaoke performance (S108).

Thereafter, the terminal control device 21 waits for the notification of the channel from the central control device 9 (S109), and if the notification is received (YES in S109), it instructs the tuner 23 to select the notified channel. (S110).
As a result, the main line 17 is transmitted on the channel selected by the tuner 23, and the sound based on the performance signal demodulated by the tuner 23 is output from the speakers 27L and 27R, transmitted via the main line 17, and demodulated by the tuner 23. An image in which the lyrics and the background moving image are combined based on the image signal is displayed on the monitor 29. In addition, when the user inputs a singing voice from the microphone 30, the voice signal is mixed with the performance signal in the amplifier 26 and output from the speakers 27L and 27R. Next, the terminal control device 21 waits for the notification of the end of performance from the central control device 9 (S111), and if this notification is received (YES in S111), the process for karaoke ends and the process returns to S101. To do.

Next, when a game is selected in S102, the terminal control device 21 waits for a game type selection input from the operation panel 24 or the like (S112), and if this selection input is made (S112). YES), the selection content (data number) is stored (S113), and the central control unit 9
Waits for polling from (S114). Terminal control device 2
When the polling is performed from the central control unit 9 (YES in S114), the central control unit 1 sends through the modem 22 the status data indicating that the output terminal device 19 is used for the game and the data number requested to be provided. 9 to request the provision of the game (S115).

After that, the terminal control unit 21 waits for the notification of the channel from the central control unit 9 (S116), and if the notification is received (YES in S116), it instructs the tuner 23 to select the notified channel. (S118).
As a result, the main line 17 is transmitted on the channel selected by the tuner 23, and the sound based on the sound signal for the game demodulated by the tuner 23 outputs the sound to the speakers 27L and 27L.
Tuner 2 output from R and transmitted via main line 17
An image based on the video signal for the game demodulated in 3 is displayed on the monitor 29.

Next, if a command is input through the operation unit 31, the terminal control device 21 (S119).
YES), the status data indicating that the game is being played in response to the polling from the central controller 9 and the command input in S119 are transmitted to the central controller 9 (S12).
0). On the other hand, if the command is not input within the predetermined time in S119, the terminal control device 21 determines whether the notification of the end of the game is given from the central control device 9 (S12).
1) If the determination is negative, the process returns to S119. Also, S
If the determination is affirmative in 121, the terminal control device 21 ends the process for the game and returns to S101.

The above is the terminal control device 2 of the output terminal device 19.
In the terminal control device 21, apart from the main process, the central control device 9 is explained.
The interrupt processing shown in FIG. 5 is also executed due to the polling from. As shown in FIG. 5, when the interrupt process is started, the terminal control device 21 first acquires various notifications such as a notification of a channel and a notification of the end of data provision from the central control device 9 (S201). . continue,
The terminal control device 21 transmits status data indicating the state of the output terminal device 19 to the central control device, for example, a request for a karaoke request or a command accompanied by a game (S202). At this time, if there is no particular request, data meaning no request is transmitted.

Therefore, the central controller 9 uses the output terminal devices 19 in the usage state, for example, during karaoke or during a game.
It is possible to acquire status data corresponding to usage states such as TV output and standby. When the output terminal device 19 is not activated (power off), there is no response to polling, so the central control device 9 can know that the output terminal device 19 is power off without any response.

Next, the processing executed by the central control unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, when the central controller 9 is activated, the CPU 91 checks the check ID.
> N is determined (S301). This check ID is a number that identifies each output terminal device 19, and
Are sequentially assigned check IDs 1 to n. Here, if the determination is negative, the CPU 91 proceeds to S303,
If the determination is affirmative, the CPU 91 checks the check ID in S302.
Is set to 1 and the process proceeds to S303.

In S303, the CPU 91 checks ID
The polling value corresponding to is read from the RAM 93. Here, the structures of the status table and the polling table stored in the RAM 93 of the central controller 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the status table 6
0 is composed of an ID column 61 and a status column 62, the check ID of each output terminal device 19 is written in the ID column 61, and the status of the output terminal device 19 corresponding to the check ID is written in the status column 62. Data (state of use) is written. Therefore, CP
From the status table 60, the U 91 can determine, for example, that the output terminal device 19 with check ID = 1 is in karaoke, the output terminal device 19 with check ID = 2 is in standby, and so on.

The polling table 63 is composed of an ID column 64 and a polling value column 65. The check ID of each output terminal device 19 is written in the ID column 64 as in the status table 60, and the polling value is calculated. A polling value corresponding to the check ID is written in the column 65. This polling value is, for example, a polling value of 0 during a game, a polling value of 1 during karaoke, a polling value of 2 during video output, television output, and standby, and a polling value of 20 when power is off.
Is set in advance corresponding to the contents of the status data. Therefore, assuming that the output terminal device 19 having the check ID = 1 in the status table 60 is in the karaoke mode as in the above example, 1 is set in the polling table 63 in correspondence with the check ID = 1, and the status is in the standby state. 2 is set for the output terminal device 19 having the check ID = 2. The setting of the polling value corresponds to the order in which it is expected that the central control unit 9 frequently requires frequent responses, and as will be described later, the polling frequency increases as the polling value decreases. The polling value written in the polling value column 65 does not always correspond to the status data, but this will be described later.

Here, the description returns to FIG. The CPU 91 of the central controller 9 reads the polling value corresponding to the check ID as described above, and then the polling value = 0
(S304). If an affirmative determination is made here, the CPU 91 polls the output terminal device 19 corresponding to the check ID through the center modem 95 (S305). At this time, if there is information to be notified to the corresponding output terminal device 19 (channel notification or the like), the notification is transmitted. In response to this polling, status data and a request are transmitted from the output terminal device 19 (S108, S115, S12 in FIG. 5).
0, see S202 in FIG. 6). Therefore, the output terminal device 1
If any request is sent from 9 (S30
(YES in 6), the CPU 91 instructs the data providing device 5 to perform the process according to the request (S307), and proceeds to S308. If there is no request from the output terminal device 19 (NO in S306), the CPU 91 proceeds directly to S308.

In S308, the CPU 91 selects the next step according to the status data acquired from the output terminal device 19. Each step selected here (S309
In S312 to S312), the status table 60 and the polling table 63 are rewritten according to the status data acquired in S305.

Each step will be specifically described. First, if the status data is "in game", the CPU
91 moves to S309 and the status table 60
"In game" is written in the status column 62 corresponding to the check ID of the output terminal device 19, and 0 is written in the polling table 63 as the polling value corresponding to the check ID of the output terminal device 19.

If the status data is "Karaoke", the CPU 91 proceeds to S310 to write "Karaoke" in the status table 60 to the status column 62 corresponding to the check ID of the output terminal device 19 and polling. The table 63 shows the output terminal device 1
Write 1 as the polling value corresponding to the check ID of 9.

If the status data is "video output", "television output" or "standby", the CPU 91 executes S
In step 311, "video output", "television output", or "standby" is written in the status table 60 in the status column 62 corresponding to the check ID of the output terminal device 19, and in the polling table 63,
2 is written as the polling value corresponding to the check ID of the output terminal device 19.

Further, if there is no response to the polling, the CPU 91 proceeds to S312 and writes "power OFF" in the status table 60, the status column 62 corresponding to the check ID of the output terminal device 19, and the polling table. 63 is 20 as a polling value corresponding to the check ID of the output terminal device 19.
Write.

After any of the processes of S309 to S312, the CPU 91 increments the check ID by 1 (S314) and returns to S301. In addition, the above S3
If the determination is negative in 04, the CPI 91 determines S3.
13, the polling value corresponding to the check ID is decremented by 1, and the polling table 63 is updated.
Move to 314.

Thus, from the output terminal device 19 with check ID = 1 to the output terminal device 19 with check ID = n,
The above-described processing of S301 to S314 is repeated in order, but at this time, only the output terminal device 19 of the check ID whose polling value in the polling table 63 is 0 is polled, and the other output terminal devices 19 are polled. Not done. Therefore, during one round (round) from the check ID = 1 to the check ID = n, the output terminal device 19 (polling value = 0) during the game is always polled. On the other hand, other output terminal devices 19
When the polling value is decremented by 1 by the process of S313 and the polling value is set to 0, the affirmative determination is made in the next S304, so that the polling is performed (S305). For example, if the check ID is 1 (during karaoke), a negative determination is made in S304 for the first time, and S3 is performed.
The polling value is decremented by 1 in 13 and polled in the next round, and the polling value is updated to 1 in S310. Therefore, polling is performed only once every two rounds. Similarly, the output terminal device 19 during video output, television output, or standby is polled only once every three rounds, and the output terminal device 19 that is powered off is polled only once every 21 rounds.

As described above, the polling frequency of the output terminal device 19 which requires frequent correspondence such as video game is increased according to the usage state of the output terminal device 19, and the polling frequency of the output terminal device 19 which is not so frequent is set. By lowering it, it is possible to execute various kinds of processing at a suitable timing according to the usage state of each output terminal device 19.

Next, a process executed by the CPU 52 of the data providing device 5 which receives a command from the central control device 9 and transmits data to the output terminal device 19 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 52 (see FIG. 2) of the data providing device 5 waits for a function instruction from the central control device 9 (S401), and if there is a function instruction (YES in S401), the central control device 9 sends the function instruction. The function to be executed and the data number of the data used for it are acquired (S402). As a specific example, the function instruction in S401 is a karaoke performance, a game process such as a video game, etc., and in S402, if the function instruction is a karaoke performance, the song number of the karaoke song data is acquired as a data number, In the case of a video game or the like, the data number of the program of the corresponding game will be acquired.

Next, the CPU 52 sends S4 to the communication server 3 through the LAN interface 51.
The data number (song number) acquired in 02 is transmitted, the transmission of the data of that data number (song number) is requested, and when the data is transmitted, this is received and stored in the RAM 53 (S403).

Then, the CPU 51 reads out the data from the RAM 53 and executes the processing for karaoke performance or video game, for example (S404). For example, in the case of a karaoke performance, the CPU 51 transfers the performance data included in the karaoke music data to the sound source 56, converts the digital performance data into an analog performance voice signal, and outputs it to the modulator 15. At the same time, the CPU 51 transfers the lyrics data to the video synthesizing device 55 in synchronism with the performance data, and synthesizes (superimposes) the lyrics data and the background video signal output from the video device 7 to generate an analog signal. The signal is sent to the modulator 15 as a display signal. In the modulator 15,
The performance voice signal and the display signal are subjected to predetermined high frequency modulation and sent to the head amplifier 13. Further, in the head amplifier 13, the high frequency signal input from the modulator 15 is
The data is sent to the trunk line 17 through the channel assigned to the data providing device 5.

As described in the description of FIG. 4, the performance signal transmitted via the trunk line 17 is demodulated by the tuner 23 of the output terminal device 19, transferred to the amplifier 26, and output as voice from the speakers 27L and 27R. To be done. The video signal transmitted via the trunk line 17 is demodulated by the tuner 23, transferred to the display control device 28, and displayed on the monitor 29 as a video in which the lyrics and the background moving image are combined. In addition, when the user inputs a singing voice from the microphone 30, the voice signal is mixed with the performance signal in the amplifier 26 and output from the speakers 27L and 27R.

For a video game, the CPU 51
Transfers audio digital data, which is created by calculation according to the video game program or read from the RAM 53, to the sound source 56, converts the digital data into an analog audio signal and outputs the analog audio signal to the modulator 15. At the same time, the CPU 51 transfers the digital video data, which is created by calculation according to the video game program or read from the RAM 53, to the video synthesizing device 55 to synthesize an analog video signal and modulates it. To output. The modulator 15 applies a predetermined high frequency modulation to the audio signal and the video signal and sends them to the head amplifier 13. Further, in the head amplifier 13, the high frequency signal input from the modulator 15 is sent to the trunk line 17 through the channel assigned to the data providing device 5. Similarly to the above, the audio signal is output as audio from the speakers 27L and 27R, and the video signal is displayed on the monitor 29 as an image.

After S404, the CPU 51 receives an instruction such as a command from the central control unit 9 (S
(YES in 405) The process corresponding to the instruction such as the command is executed (S406). The instructions such as the commands correspond to those obtained by the central control device 9 from the output terminal device 19 at the time of the above-described polling (see S306 and S307 in FIG. 6). For example, a command for advancing a video game or karaoke. It is a command to stop the performance.

On the other hand, if a command or the like is not received within a predetermined time in S405, the CPU 52 determines whether the karaoke performance or the game being executed by the data providing device 5 has ended (S407), and a negative determination is made. If there is, return to S405. If an affirmative decision is made in S407, the CPU
52 notifies the central controller 9 that the provision of karaoke, games, etc. has ended, and returns to S401.

As described above, in the information communication system 1 of the present embodiment, the frequency of polling of the output terminal device 19 which requires frequent correspondence such as video games is increased according to the usage state of the output terminal device 19, It is possible to reduce the polling frequency of the output terminal devices 19 that are not so as to execute various kinds of processing at a suitable timing according to the usage state of each output terminal device 19.

Since a channel is assigned to each data providing device 5, the same number of output terminal devices 19 as the data providing devices 5 can independently enjoy karaoke, games and the like. Further, even if there is the output terminal device 19 waiting for the data providing device 5 to become available, it is sufficient to wait for any one of the plurality of data providing devices 5 to become available, so that the waiting time can be shortened. Further, it is possible to enjoy television or video during a waiting time or the like when the data providing device 5 has no vacancy.

In this information communication system, for example, in an accommodation facility such as a hotel or a restaurant having a large number of private rooms,
If the output terminal device 19 is installed in each room and the central control device 9, the data providing device 5, the communication server 3, etc. are installed in the management room, for example, karaoke, games, etc. can be enjoyed in each room. it can. At this time, all the installed output terminal devices 19 rarely request the karaoke performance and the execution of the game all at once, and the data providing devices 5 less than the output terminal devices 19 are sufficient. Therefore, the data providing device 5 and the output terminal device 19
It is possible to enjoy karaoke, games, etc. in each room without having to install one-to-one, which is also cost-effective.

Moreover, since both audio and video can be output externally, it is suitable for services such as karaoke, video games, and video broadcasting in which audio and video are paired. The CPU 91 of the central control unit 9 in this embodiment compares the acquisition frequency of the command request from each output terminal device 19 acquired by the center modem 95, and the frequency of sending the command request is determined by the other output terminal devices 19. If a function of controlling the center modem 95 is provided in order to increase the monitoring frequency of the output terminal devices 19 higher than that, the configuration described in claim 5 is obtained, and not only the usage state of each output terminal device 19 but also the command request transmission frequency. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the monitoring frequency, and it is possible to execute various kinds of processing more finely at a suitable timing according to the operating state of each output terminal device 19. When the CPU 91 has such a function, the CPU 91 also functions as the monitoring frequency control unit according to the fifth aspect.

Although the present invention has been described above according to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the application of the information communication system is not limited to the provision of karaoke, video games, etc. illustrated in the embodiments, and an output terminal device separate from the information providing device is installed in a room or place where the use is expected. This system can be applied when the usage status of each output terminal device may differ.

Although the polling value is set to 0 to 20 in the embodiment, it is not limited to this range. Also,
Correspondence between the usage state (status data) of the output terminal device such as video game = 0, karaoke = 1, etc. and the polling value is not limited to the embodiment, and it depends on the service provided by the information communication system. It can be set in various ways.

[0077]

As described above, in the information communication system according to the first aspect of the invention, the frequency of monitoring the output terminal device that needs a busy correspondence such as a video game is increased,
It is possible to reduce the monitoring frequency of the output terminal devices that are not so as to execute various processes at suitable timings according to the usage state of each output terminal device.

According to the information communication system of the second aspect, for example, if an output terminal device is installed in each room of a hotel or the like and a data providing device is installed in a management room or the like, one room is provided.
It is possible to enjoy karaoke, games, etc. in each room without installing one output terminal device, and it is possible to realize improvement in cost efficiency.

In the information communication system according to the third aspect, since the channels are assigned to the respective data providing devices, the same number of output terminal devices as the data providing devices can independently obtain the external output. Further, even if there is an output terminal device that waits for a vacancy of the data providing performance device, it is sufficient to wait for any one of the plurality of data providing devices to become vacant, so that the waiting time can be shortened.

According to another aspect of the information communication system, the external output data includes audio output audio data and video output video data, and the data output means outputs audio based on the audio data. Since it is composed of the audio output unit and the video output unit which outputs the video based on the video data, both the audio and the video can be externally output. Therefore, it is suitable for services such as karaoke, video games, and video broadcasting in which audio and video are paired.

According to the fifth aspect of the information communication system, the request frequency obtaining means is provided so that the monitoring frequency control means can increase the monitoring frequency for the output terminal device having a higher frequency of sending a command request than the other output terminal devices. To control. Therefore, it is possible to increase the monitoring frequency not only according to the usage state of the output terminal device but also according to the command request transmission frequency.
With the above configuration, it is possible to execute various kinds of processing at a suitable timing according to the state of each output terminal device, more finely.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of an information communication system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data providing apparatus that is a component of the information communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an output terminal device that is a component of the information communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main process executed by the terminal control device of the output terminal device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an interrupt process executed by the output terminal device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process executed by the central controller of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing executed by the data providing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a status table and a polling table stored in the RAM of the central controller of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information communication system, 3 ... Communication server (storage means), 5 ... Data providing device, 7 ... Video device, 9 ... Central control device, 13 ... Head amplifier (conveyance) Device), 14 ... TV tuner, 15 ... modulator, 17 ... trunk line (carrier device), 18 ... VCR, 19 ... output terminal device, 21 ... terminal control device ( Request sending means), 22 ... Modem (request sending means), 23 ... Tuner (channel selection means), 24 ... Operation panel, 25 ... Remote control, 26 ... Amplifier (data output means, Audio output unit), 27L, 27R ... speaker (data output unit, audio output unit), 28 ... display control device (data output unit, video output unit), 29 ... monitor (data output unit, video) output Part), 30 ... Microphone, 31 ... Operating unit, 51 ... LAN interface, 52 ... CPU (data creating means), 55 ... Video synthesizing device (data creating means), 56 ... Sound source (data creating means), 60 ... Status table, 63 ... Polling table, 91 ... CPU (command means, channel notification means, monitoring frequency control means), 93 ... RAM, 95 ... -Center modem (status acquisition means, request acquisition means).

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A data providing device including a data creating unit that creates external output data based on data stored in a storage unit, and a data output unit that executes external output based on the external output data. A plurality of output terminal devices each including a request sending unit that sends a command request according to a command input; a status obtaining unit that obtains status data corresponding to a usage state of each output terminal device; and a decision based on the status data Request acquisition means for monitoring each of the output terminal devices at a specified frequency to acquire the command request, and the data providing device for sending the external output data to the output terminal that has sent the acquired command request An information communication system including a central control unit, which includes an instruction unit for instructing execution of processing in response to the instruction request. 2. The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the number of the output terminal devices is larger than the number of the data providing devices. 3. A multi-channel system which is arranged between the data providing device and the output terminal device and carries the external output data output from the data providing device on a channel assigned to each data providing device. A transport device is provided, and the central control device is provided with a channel notification unit that notifies the output terminal device that has sent the request of the channel on which the external output data corresponding to the request is carried, the output terminal device. 3. The information communication system according to claim 1, further comprising channel selection means for selecting one channel from the multi-channels according to the notification from the channel notification means. 4. The external output data includes audio output audio data and video output video data, and the data output means outputs an audio based on the audio data and the audio output unit. The information communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a video output unit that outputs a video based on the video data. 5. A monitoring frequency control means for controlling the request acquisition means is provided so as to increase the monitoring frequency of the output terminal device having a higher frequency of sending the command request than the other output terminal devices. The information communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is characterized in that.