JPH08249309A - Information communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To effectively utilize an output terminal device which waits for information to be provided in an information communication system which has more output terminal devices than information providing devices. CONSTITUTION: When the output terminal device 19 sends out a request, a central control unit 9 commands one of the information providing devices 5 to perform information processing corresponding to the request, and output information from the information providing device 5 is transferred through a trunk line 17. A tuner selects a channel according to the command of the terminal control unit to obtain the external output complying with the request of the output terminal device 19. When the request from the side of the output terminal device 19 is not accepted by the information providing device 5 immediately, since the terminal control unit sends a command to the tuner by indicating a desired channel through a console panel, etc., the external output information transmitted over the desired channel can be obtained and outputted externally.

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, there is a karaoke system called a centralized management type which includes a central device for storing karaoke performance data and a plurality of karaoke devices for executing karaoke performance based on the karaoke performance data distributed from the central device. Are known. In this centralized control type karaoke system, the request input is accepted by each karaoke device, is transferred from the karaoke device to the central device, the central device transmits the karaoke performance data according to the request, and the karaoke device receives it. Then, the karaoke performance was performed. In this centralized karaoke system, for example, video games, fortune telling, quizzes,
Some services can provide services other than karaoke, such as video broadcasting.

According to this centralized control type karaoke system, each karaoke device does not need to hold karaoke performance data other than those used for the current karaoke performance, and maintenance of the karaoke performance data is performed only by the central device. Is used in, for example, a karaoke shop or the like in which a karaoke device is arranged in each room of one building.

In this centralized karaoke system, one karaoke device is installed in each room in an environment where each karaoke device is used almost equally and its operating rate is relatively high, such as a karaoke store. It is worth doing, but for example, in an accommodation facility such as a hotel or a restaurant having a large number of private rooms, it is cost-effective to install one karaoke device in each room in consideration of its operation efficiency. I couldn't say there was no problem.

In order to avoid such a problem, for example, only output terminal devices for outputting audio and video are installed in each room, and the karaoke device main body, which is less than the number of output terminal devices, is installed in a management room or the like. A system is conceivable in which one of the karaoke apparatus bodies is installed and installed when receiving a request from the output terminal apparatus.

However, if the number of karaoke device bodies is smaller than the number of output terminal devices, there is a possibility that some output terminal devices may not be provided with the karaoke service immediately. Such a situation can occur not only in the karaoke service but also in a system in which the number of devices that provide output information and the number of devices that output the information are imbalanced.

[0007]

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 output information for output rather than the number of information providing devices for providing output information. In an information communication system in which the number of output terminal devices for external output is large, it is intended to effectively use output terminal devices waiting for information provision.

[0008]

As a means for solving the above problems, the information communication system according to claim 1 executes information processing by using data stored in a common storage means and outputs the information externally. A plurality of information providing devices provided with information processing means for creating use information, and a multi-channel carrying device that carries the external output information output from each of the information providing devices by allocating it to one channel, and carrying it,
A request sending means for sending a request according to a command input inputted through the input means, a channel selecting means connected to the carrier device for selecting one channel from the multi-channel, and selected by the channel selecting means. An information output unit that executes external output based on the external output information acquired from a channel, a larger number of output terminal devices than the information providing device, a request acquisition unit that acquires the request, and the acquired The instruction means for instructing an information providing device selected from the plurality of information providing devices to execute information processing in response to a request, and the channel through which the output information from the selected information providing device is conveyed, An information communication system comprising a central control unit including channel notification means for notifying an output terminal device that has sent a request. The output terminal device is provided with channel instruction means for instructing the channel selection means to select a channel notified from the central control device or a channel instructed via the input means. It is characterized by

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information communication system according to the first aspect, further comprising communication control means for storing data transmitted from the outside in the storage means. The information communication system according to claim 3 is the information communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data stored in the storage means is digital data, and the external output information is output from the information providing device. Is analog information.

An information communication system according to a fourth aspect is the information communication system according to the first aspect, in which the information processing status currently being executed by the information providing apparatus is based on a request from another output terminal apparatus. It is characterized by having an output control means for outputting to the output means.

[0011]

In the information communication system according to claim 1 having the above-mentioned structure, the information processing means executes the information processing by using the data stored in the common storage means and creates the external output information. . The multi-channel carrier is
The external output information output from each information providing device is assigned to one channel and carried. In the output terminal device, the request sending means sends the request in accordance with the command input inputted via the input means. When the channel selection unit connected to the carrier device selects one channel from the multi-channels, the information output unit executes the external output based on the external output information acquired from the channel selected by the channel selection unit. . In the central control device, when the request acquisition means acquires the request, the command means commands the information providing device selected from the plurality of information providing devices to execute the information processing according to the acquired request. The channel notifying unit notifies the output terminal device that has transmitted the request of the channel on which the output information from the selected information providing device is carried.

Further, in the output terminal device, the channel instructing means instructs the channel selecting means to select the channel notified from the central control unit or to select the channel instructed via the input means. In other words, when the output terminal device sends a request according to the command input,
The central control unit commands one of the plurality of information providing devices to execute information processing in response to the request, and sends out a request for the channel on which the output information from the selected information providing device is carried. Since the output terminal device is notified, if the channel selection means in the output terminal device executes the selection of the channel notified from the central control device in accordance with the instruction of the channel command means, the output terminal device responds to the request from the output terminal device side. External output can be obtained.

On the other hand, in the case where the output terminal device has not issued a request or the request from the output terminal device side cannot be received immediately, if the desired channel is indicated via the input means, the channel command means Since this is instructed to the channel selection means, it is possible to obtain external output information carried on a desired channel and output it externally. Therefore, in the output terminal device which does not request the external output information or waits for the provision of the desired external output information, the output information can be obtained and output externally in a form synergistic with other output terminal devices. , The output terminal device is effectively used. For example, in a karaoke system, it is possible to ride on another output terminal device and enjoy karaoke.
Further, it becomes possible to effectively use the waiting time for waiting for information provision.

Since the information communication system according to claim 2 has a communication control means for storing the data transmitted from the outside in the storage means, for example, a host device connected via a telephone line or a private network. The data stored in the storage unit can be updated. Therefore, for example, it is suitable for a communication system karaoke system or the like in which the data of a new song is provided through the above-mentioned network or the like.

In the information communication system according to the third aspect, the data stored in the storage means is digital data, and the external output information output from the information providing device is analog information. Since the data used is digital data, the information providing device can execute information processing extremely quickly in response to a command from the central control device. on the other hand,
A circuit configuration for receiving analog information at the output terminal device and executing external output, for example, a circuit for voice output, is simple.

The information communication system according to claim 4 has an output control means for outputting to the information output means the status of information processing currently being executed by the information providing apparatus based on a request from another output terminal apparatus. Therefore, for example, a user who intends to use a certain output terminal device can know the usage state of another output terminal device.

[0017]

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,
2 is a block diagram of an information providing apparatus which is a constituent element of the present 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 the present embodiment, a communication server 3 that stores a large amount of data in a hard disk (HDD) 33 corresponding to the storage means of the present invention, and is read from the communication server 3. A plurality of information providing devices 5 that creates and outputs data for external output based on the output data, and a moving image 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 and outputting as video information to the information providing device 5, a communication server 3, an information providing device 5, and a central control device 9 for controlling various instructions to the video device 7 are provided. Has been. The central control device 9, the communication server 3, and the information 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 communication with the host H, it is possible to accumulate data such as new karaoke song data transmitted from the host H, a new video game program, a bingo game program, a fortune-telling program. Also, CPU3
It is also possible to delete some of these data according to the instruction of 2.

As the karaoke piece data, several thousands to 10,000 pieces of data are stored in the communication server 3, and additions and deletions are made 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 which is information of accompaniment music.
(Musical Instrument Digital Interface) Includes standard performance data and lyrics data in which lyrics are converted into data. 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 kinds of video game programs, bingo game programs, fortune-telling programs, etc. stored in the communication server 3.
The central control unit 9 is a microcomputer including a CPU 91, a well-known ROM 92, and a RAM 93, which are control means and correspond to the command means and the channel notification means of the present invention. It is connected to the device 7 and is connected to the head amplifier 13 by the center modem 95 which is a communication 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 information 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. In addition, the head amplifier 13 has
A video deck 18 is connected via the modulator 15. The head amplifier 13 multiplexes the signal from each modulator 15 and the signal from the center modem 95 on a channel assigned to each signal to multiplex the trunk line 1 of the coaxial cable.
7 can be sent. A larger number of output terminal devices 19 are connected to the main line 17 than the information providing device 5,
Each output terminal device 19 can receive the signal carried by the trunk line 17. In addition, each output terminal device 19,
For example, one unit is installed in each room of a hotel or a restaurant. Further, the head amplifier 13 is provided for each output terminal device 1
It is also possible to relay the signal sent from 9 to the center modem 95. As is clear from this, the head amplifier 13 and the trunk line 17 constitute the carrier device of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information providing device 5 is L
A LAN interface (LAN I / F) 51 as communication means for communicating with the communication server 3 and the central control device 9 by the AN 11, and C as control means.
A PU 52, a well-known RAM 53 and a ROM 54, a video synthesizing device 55, a sound source 56 and the like are provided.

The CPU 52 reads the data from the communication server 3 and stores the data in the RAM 53, and all or part of the data is stored in the sound source 56 and the image synthesizer 55.
Can be transferred to and respectively. Further, when the data read from the communication server 3 is various game programs, the CPU 52 executes the programs.

The sound source 56 is capable of synthesizing analog performance signals based on digital performance data contained in, for example, karaoke piece data, and outputting the performance signals to the modulator 15. For example, C according to 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 information providing device 5. CP15 according to the video game program.
Synthesizing and outputting analog video signals based on various digital data, such as synthesizing analog video signals based on video digital data sent from U52 or RAM 53 and outputting the synthesized signals to modulator 15. Is possible.

That is, the CPU 52, the sound source 56, and the video synthesizing device 55 correspond to the information processing means of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, the output terminal device 19 includes a terminal control device 21 as a control means. The terminal control device 21 is configured as a microcomputer including a well-known CPU (not shown), ROM, RAM, etc., and can control the operation of each unit of the output terminal device 19, and the output control according to claim 4. It corresponds to the means.

The terminal control device 21 is connected to the main line 17 through 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. Can communicate with. Further, the terminal control device 21 is connected to the main line 17 via the tuner 23. The terminal control device 21
The tuner control signal is used to instruct the tuner 23 to select a channel to be selected, and the main line 1 is selected on that channel.
7 can receive the transmitted signal. That is, the tuner 23 corresponds to the channel selecting means of the present invention, and the terminal control device 21 corresponds to the channel commanding means of the present invention. 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 of the present invention is connected to the terminal control device 21, so that the user can
A ten-key (not shown) on the operation panel 24 can be operated to input a request for a karaoke piece, and the number of a channel to be selected by the tuner 23 can be input. Note that this input operation can also be performed using the attached remote controller 25.

Further, the operation panel 24 is connected with 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, this operation unit 31 also has a function as the input means of the present invention.

The operation panel 24 or the remote controller 25
Input of a request or the like by the user, input of a command or the like by the operation unit 31 is once accepted by the terminal control device 21, but needs to be sent to the central control device 9 or the information providing device 5 via the central control device 9. Are sent to the central controller 9 via 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 form a mechanism corresponding to the information output means of the present invention.

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 them to the speakers 27L and 27R. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy karaoke using the output terminal device 19.

Further, a display controller 28 is connected to the terminal controller 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. In other words, the display control device 28 and the monitor 29 constitute a mechanism corresponding to the information output means of the present invention.

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 a menu subroutine executed by the terminal control device 21 of the output terminal device 19, and FIG. Monitor 29
7 is an explanatory view showing an example of channel information displayed in FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a flowchart of interrupt processing executed by the terminal control device 21 of the output terminal device 19, and FIG. 8 is C of the central control device 9.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process executed by the PU 91, FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process executed by the CPU 52 of the information providing device 5, and FIG. 10 is a status in which the status of each output terminal device 19 is written in the RAM 93 of the central controller 9. It is an explanatory view of a table and a polling table in which the priority of the polling frequency for each output terminal device 19 is written.
Since the processes executed by the output terminal device 19 and the output terminal device 19 are closely related to each other, these figures will be referred to in the description below. The video deck 18 is 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, when the output terminal device 19 is activated, the terminal control device 21 first executes a menu subroutine (S100). As shown in FIG. 5, in the menu subroutine, the terminal control device 21 waits for polling by the central control device 9 (S501), and if polling is present (YES in S501), the central control device 9 is executed.
To request channel information (S502). Next, the terminal control device 21 acquires and stores the channel information transmitted from the central control device 9 (S503). This channel information is information as to which channel of the trunk line 17 is provided with what kind of information or is vacant. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, channel 1 (CH.1), CH. 2, CH. 4, CH. 7 is provided with karaoke information, and CH. 3 is a game, CH.
5, CH. 6 is empty, CH. The content 8 indicates that the video is being broadcasted, and in the case of karaoke, the song title is also given.

If there is a channel displayed as an empty channel information, it can be said that the request for executing karaoke or game is immediately accepted.
Therefore, the channel information also serves as a display of the presence / absence of a vacant channel. Further, the terminal control device 21 sends the acquired channel information to the display control device 28 together with a display instruction, causes the monitor 29 to display the channel information as shown in FIG. 6 (S504), and returns to the main routine. .

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal control device 21
After returning to the main routine, the operation panel 24 or the remote controller 25 is operated to wait for the input of the function selection (S
101), if there is a function selection (YES in S101), the process proceeds to the processing according to the selection (S102). Here, four types of other room channels, video, karaoke, and games are selected, and the games include video games, bingo games, fortune telling, and the like. Also, the selection operation of the other room channel and the video is performed by the operation panel 24 or the like
It is completed when the channel is specified.

The processing according to these will be described in order. First, the case where the other room channel is selected will be described. This selection input is made by the user referring to the channel information screen shown in FIG. 6, for example, and selecting a desired channel with the operation panel 24 or the remote controller 25.

The terminal control device 21 instructs the tuner 23 to select the input channel (S103).
As a result, the voice based on the voice signal transmitted through the trunk line 17 and demodulated by the tuner 23 in the selected channel is output from the speakers 27L and 27R, and the trunk line 1
A video based on the video signal transmitted via the wireless communication unit 7 and demodulated by the tuner 23 is displayed on the monitor 29.

For example, CH. If 1 is selected, the audio output from the speakers 27L and 27R is a karaoke performance, and the image displayed on the monitor 29 is a background image in which lyrics and a background image are combined. At the same time, if the user inputs a singing voice from the microphone 30, the voice signal is mixed with the voice signal in the amplifier 26 and output from the speakers 27L and 27R. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy karaoke using the karaoke performance provided in another room.

In addition, CH. If 3 is selected, the game sound is output from the speakers 27L and 27R, and the game image is displayed on the monitor 29. However, in this case, even if an input operation related to the progress of the game is performed by the operation unit 31 or the like, the input is not accepted, and therefore only the progress of the game by another person is watched. However, you can get information that you can play such a game.

Next, the terminal control device 21 determines whether or not there is an instruction to display a menu (S104), repeats S104 if a negative determination is made, and returns to S100 if a positive determination is made. As described above, even if the user does not positively request the information for external output, he or she can enjoy the karaoke in a form of synergizing with the other output terminal devices 19 and can obtain the output information and output it externally. Will be effectively used. In addition, it is possible to effectively use the waiting time when the request for karaoke or the game cannot be made because the channel is not available.

The case where the video is selected in S102 will be described. This video selection input is performed by the user with reference to the channel information screen shown in FIG. This is done by selecting 8 (channel for video).

The terminal controller 21 instructs the tuner 23 to select the input channel (CH.8) (S105). As a result, CH. Based on the video information (audio information and video information) transmitted via the main line 17 at 8, audio and video are output as in the case where the karaoke or game channel of the other room is selected.

Next, the terminal control device 21 determines whether or not there is an instruction to display the menu (S106), repeats S106 if a negative determination is made, and returns to S100 if a positive determination is made. 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 (S107), and if a request is made (S107).
(YES in 107), the music number of the request is stored (S108), and the polling from the central control unit 9 is waited (S109). If the central control unit 9 polls the terminal control unit 21 (YES in S109),
The status data indicating that the output terminal device 19 is being used for karaoke and the song number of the request are transmitted to the central control device 9 through the modem 22 to request the provision of data for karaoke performance (S110).

Thereafter, the terminal control unit 21 waits for the notification of the channel from the central control unit 9 (S111), and if the notification is received (YES in S111), instructs the tuner 23 to select the notified channel. The amplifier 26 and the display control device 28 are operated (S112). As a result, the sound based on the performance signal transmitted via the main line 17 and demodulated by the tuner 23 is output to the speakers 27L and 27R.
Output from and transmitted via the trunk line 17 to the tuner 23.
The monitor 29 displays an image in which the lyrics and the background moving image are combined based on the image signal demodulated in. 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 a notification of performance end from the central control device 9 (S113), and if this notification is received (YES in S113), the process for karaoke is ended and the process returns to S100. To do.

Next, when a game is selected in S102, the terminal control unit 21 waits for a game type selection input from the operation panel 24 or the like (S114), and if this selection input is made (S114). YES), the selected content (data number) is stored (S115), and the central controller 9
Waits for polling from (S116). Terminal control device 2
If the polling from the central controller 9 is made (YES in S116), the central controller 1 sends the status data indicating that the output terminal device 19 is used in the game and the data number requested to be provided through the modem 22. 9 to request the provision of the game (S117).

After that, the terminal control unit 21 waits for the notification of the channel from the central control unit 9 (S118). If the notification is received (YES in S118), the tuner 23 is instructed to select the notified channel. Allow (S11
9). As a result, a sound based on the game sound signal transmitted through the trunk line 17 and demodulated by the tuner 23 is output from the speakers 27L and 27R, transmitted through the trunk line 17, and demodulated by the tuner 23. An image based on the use signal is displayed on the monitor 29.

Next, if a command is input through the operation unit 31, the terminal control device 21 receives the command (S120).
YES), the status data indicating that the game is being played in response to polling from the central controller 9 and the command input in S120 are transmitted to the central controller 9 (S12).
2). On the other hand, if the command is not input within the predetermined time in S120, the terminal control device 21 determines whether the notification of the end of the game is given from the central control device 9 (S12).
3) If the determination is negative, the process returns to S120. Also, S
If the determination is affirmative in 123, the terminal control device 21 ends the process for the game and returns to S100.

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. 7 is also executed due to the polling from. As shown in FIG. 7, when the interrupt processing 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, and transmits a request such as a karaoke request or a command associated with a game (S202). At this time, if there is no particular request, data meaning no request is transmitted.
Note that the processing for polling at the timing of S109, S116, and S122 is executed as main processing instead of interrupt processing.

In this way, the central control unit 9 uses the output terminal devices 19 in the usage state, for example, during karaoke or during a game.
Status data corresponding to usage conditions such as video output, sharing a room with another room, and waiting can be acquired. When the output terminal device 19 is not activated (power off), there is no response to polling, so the central controller 9
Can know that the output terminal device 19 is powered off without any response.

Next, the processing executed by the central controller 9 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, 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 structure 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. 10, the status table 60 is composed of an ID column 61 and a status column 62, and the ID column 61 includes each output terminal device 19 therein.
Check ID of the output terminal device 19 corresponding to the check ID is written in the status column 62. Therefore, C
From the status table 60, the PU 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 corresponds to, for example, the polling value 0 during a game, the polling value 1 during karaoke, the polling value 2 during video output and standby, and the polling value 20 when the power is turned off, which corresponds to the content of the status data. Is set in advance. In addition, in the case of carpooling to another room, it is processed as waiting. 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 sent from the output terminal device 19 (S110, S117, S12 in FIG. 4).
2, see S202 of FIG. 7). Therefore, the output terminal device 1
If any request is sent from 9 (S30
(YES in 6), the CPU 91 instructs the information 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" to the status table 60 in the status column 62 corresponding to the check ID of the output terminal device 19, and polls. The table 63 shows the output terminal device 1
Write 1 as the polling value corresponding to the check ID of 9.

It should be noted that "during karaoke" and "during game" do not include a state in which karaoke in another room is synergistic. In such a case, the output terminal device 19 does not accept a command related to the progress of karaoke or a game (needless to say, this command is not transmitted to the central control device 9).
Treated as "waiting".

If the status data is "video output" or "standby" (including other room sharing), the CPU 91
Shifts to S311, writes "video output" or "standby" in the status column 60 corresponding to the check ID of the output terminal device 19 in the status table 60, and writes the output terminal device in the polling table 63. 2 as the polling value corresponding to the check ID of 19
Write.

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
Up to this point, the above-described processing of S301 to S314 is repeated, but at this time, the output terminal device 19 of the check ID whose polling value in the polling table 63 is 0.
Is polled only by the output terminal devices 19 and the other output terminal devices 19 are not polled. Therefore, during one round (round) from check ID = 1 to 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 1
In step 9, when the polling value is decremented by 1 in the processing of S313 and the polling value is set to 0, the next S304 is executed.
Since a positive determination is made in step S11, 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 S
In 313, the polling value is decremented by 1, polling is performed 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 that is outputting or waiting for video is polled only once every three rounds, and the output terminal device 19 that is powered off is once every 21 rounds.
Only polled once.

As described above, according to the usage state of the output terminal device 19, the polling frequency of the output terminal device 19 which requires frequent correspondence such as video games is increased, and the polling frequency of the output terminal device 19 which is not so 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, the processing executed by the CPU 52 of the information providing apparatus 5 which receives a command from the central control unit 9 and transmits data to the output terminal unit 19 will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be described with reference to. As shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 52 (see FIG. 2) of the information providing device 5 waits for a function instruction from the central controller 9 (S401), and if there is a function instruction (S4).
If YES in 01), the function to be executed and the data number of the data used for it are acquired from the central control unit 9 (S40).
2). 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).

Subsequently, 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 information is sent to the trunk line 17 through the channel assigned to the information 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 information 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 controller 9 (S40).
(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. 8). For example, a command for advancing a video game or karaoke. It is a command to stop the performance.

On the other hand, if no command or the like is received within the predetermined time in S405, the CPU 52 judges whether the karaoke performance or the game being executed by the information providing device 5 is completed (S407), and a negative judgment is made. If there is, return to S405. If the determination in S407 is affirmative, the CPU5
2 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 polling frequency of the output terminal device 19 which requires frequent correspondence such as a video game 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 information providing device 5, the same number of output terminal devices 19 as the information providing devices 5 are provided.
You can enjoy karaoke, games, etc. independently. Further, even if there is the output terminal device 19 waiting for the availability of the information providing device 5, it is sufficient to wait for any one of the plurality of information 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 information providing device 5 is not available.

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 information providing device 5, the communication server 3, etc. are installed in the management room, for example, karaoke and games can be enjoyed in each room. it can. At this time, all the output terminal devices 19 installed are rarely requested to perform the karaoke performance or the game all at once, and the output terminal devices 1
The number of information providing devices 5 less than 9 is sufficient. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy karaoke, games, etc. in each room without installing the information providing device 5 and the output terminal device 19 in a one-to-one manner, which is also excellent in cost efficiency.

Moreover, since both voice and video can be output externally, it is suitable for services such as karaoke, video games, and video broadcasting in which voice and video are paired. The present invention has been described above according to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and can be variously implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment, information for karaoke, information for video game, etc. are illustrated as the external output information provided from the information providing device, but the external output information is not limited to these. It can be arbitrarily set depending on the operation purpose of the information communication system.

[0079]

As described above, according to the information communication system of the first aspect, when the output terminal device has not issued a request or the request from the output terminal device side cannot be immediately received, If the desired channel is designated via the input means, the channel command means commands this to the channel selection means. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain the external output information carried on the desired channel and output it externally. You can Therefore, in the output terminal device which does not request the external output information or waits for the provision of the desired external output information, the output information can be obtained and output externally in a form synergistic with other output terminal devices. , The output terminal device is effectively used. For example, in a karaoke system, it is possible to ride on another output terminal device and enjoy karaoke. Further, it becomes possible to effectively use the waiting time for waiting for information provision.

Since the information communication system according to claim 2 has a communication control means for storing the data transmitted from the outside in the storage means, the host device connected via, for example, a telephone line or a private network. The data stored in the storage unit can be updated. Therefore, for example, it is suitable for a communication system karaoke system or the like in which the data of a new song is provided through the above-mentioned network or the like.

In the information communication system according to the third aspect, the data stored in the storage means is digital data, and the external output information output from the information providing device is analog information. Since the data used is digital data, the information providing device can execute information processing extremely quickly in response to a command from the central control device. On the other hand, a circuit configuration for receiving analog information and executing external output in the output terminal device, for example, a circuit for voice output, is simple.

The information communication system according to claim 4 has output control means for outputting to the information output means the status of information processing currently being executed by the information providing apparatus based on a request from another output terminal apparatus. Therefore, for example, a user who intends to use a certain output terminal device can know the usage state of another output terminal device.

[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 an information 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 output terminal device in the information communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a menu subroutine executed by the output terminal device in the information communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of channel information displayed on the monitor of the output terminal device in the information communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an interrupt process executed by the output terminal device in the information communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing executed by the central control device in the information communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed by the information providing device in the information communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a status table and a polling table stored in the RAM of the central controller in the information communication system according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information communication system, 3 ... Communication server (storage means), 5 ... Information providing device, 7 ... Video device, 9 ... Central control device, 13 ... Head amplifier (conveyance) Device), 15 ... Modulator, 17 ... Trunk line (transport device), 18 ... Video deck, 19 ... Output terminal device, 21 ... Terminal control device (request sending means, channel command means) , Output control means), 22 ... modem (request transmission means), 23 ... tuner (channel selection means), 24 ... operation panel (input means), 25 ... remote control (input means), 26 ... Amplifier (information output means), 27L, 27R ... Speaker (information output means), 28 ... Display control device (information output means), 29 ... Monitor (information output means), 30 ...・ Microf 31 ... Operation unit (input means), 52 ... CPU (information processing means), 55 ... Video synthesizer (information processing means), 56 ... Sound source (information processing means), 60 ... Status table, 63 ... Polling table, 91 ... CPU (command means, channel notification means), 93 ... RAM, 95 ... Center modem (request acquisition means).

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of information providing devices including information processing means for executing information processing using data stored in a common storage means to create information for external output, and output from each of the information providing devices. A multi-channel carrier device for allocating each of the external output information to one channel and carrying the same, request sending means for sending a request in accordance with a command input inputted through the input means, and a device connected to the carrier device. The information providing means comprises: a channel selecting means for selecting one channel from the multi-channel; and an information outputting means for executing an external output based on the external output information acquired from the channel selected by the channel selecting means. A plurality of output terminal devices more than the device, request acquisition means for acquiring the request, Command means for instructing an information providing device selected from the plurality of information providing devices to execute the information processing, and sending the request through the channel on which the output information from the selected information providing device is carried. An information communication system comprising a central control device having a channel notifying means for notifying the output terminal device, wherein the output terminal device is provided with the channel notified from the central control device to the channel selecting means. An information communication system, comprising: channel command means for commanding selection or selection of a channel instructed via the input means. 2. The information communication system according to claim 1, further comprising communication control means for storing data transmitted from the outside in said storage means. 3. The data according to claim 1, wherein the data stored in the storage means is digital data, and the external output information output from the information providing device is analog information. Information and communication system. 4. The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein an output control means for outputting to the information output means the status of information processing currently being executed by the information providing apparatus based on a request from another output terminal apparatus. An information communication system comprising: