JPH08297696A - Information processor and information communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the information processor capable of exactly grasping the place where an information processor is installed. CONSTITUTION: A central controller 31 inside a KARAOKE device 10 is connected through communication control equipment 27 to a charging communication network 5 and receives the telephone number of a public telephone line 6. Continuously, the central controller 31 collates that received telephone number with a telephone number stored in a hard disk 33 inside the same KARAOKE device 10. As a result, when they are not matched, a new telephone number is transmitted to an information center 1. The information center 1 specifies a terminal managing device defining the local code of the received telephone number as a zone in charge, reads the telephone number of the public telephone line 6 connecting this managing device and transmits it to the KARAOKE device 10. Then, the KARAOKE device 10 accesses the terminal managing device based on the received telephone number, and the ID number and telephone number of the KARAOKE device 10 are transmitted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing device and an information communication system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a host communication means for receiving information transmitted from a host device, an information storage means for storing information received by the host communication means, and a predetermined process using this information There is an information processing device having an information processing execution means capable of executing a karaoke device using karaoke piece information transmitted from a host device via a communication line, or a game program transmitted in the same manner. Video game machines and the like.

For example, in a karaoke device of a communication system in which karaoke music information is distributed from a host device, a payment is usually paid for distribution of the karaoke music information, and this money collection is arranged, for example, for each region. It was often done by distributors. In addition to collecting money, this distributor is entrusted by the host device installer with, for example, a karaoke device usage manual, song book, new music information distribution, equipment maintenance, etc. to the store where the karaoke device is installed. ing.

[0004]

However, such an information processing apparatus may be moved to a different installation site due to transfer of ownership or the like, and may be moved frequently. When the installation location of the information processing device is thus changed, the host device or the administrator of the host device must notify the host device or the administrator of the host device of the change of the installation location of the information processing device unless the owner or administrator of the information processing device The administrator could not know the change of the installation location of the information processing device.

If the administrator of the host device cannot accurately know the installation location of the information processing device, for example, the dealer collects the price of the karaoke song information, distributes the karaoke device usage manual, the song book, and the new song information. However, maintenance and other services were also difficult. The same applies to information processing devices other than the karaoke device, in which the administrator of the host device needs to accurately know the installation location of the information processing device serving as such a communication terminal.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to accurately grasp the installation location of the information processing apparatus at a dealer or the like outsourced to services such as maintenance. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and an information communication system including the information apparatus.

[0007]

As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1 is a means for communicating with a host for receiving information transmitted from a host device, and the communication with the host. In an information processing device having an information storage device for storing the information received by the device, and an information processing execution device capable of executing a predetermined process using the information, a place corresponding to the installation place of the information processing device. Location data acquisition means capable of acquiring data, and management means communication means for transmitting the location data to a terminal management apparatus, which is different from the host device and has management information storage means for storing terminal management information including the location data. Is provided.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
The information processing apparatus described above is characterized in that a communication destination control means for controlling the communication means with respect to the management apparatus is provided so as to transmit the location data to the terminal management apparatus instructed by the host apparatus.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
Alternatively, in the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the communication means for host can be connected to the host apparatus via a communication line, and the location data acquisition means is a communication line to which the information processing apparatus is connected as the location data. It is characterized in that the connection number is acquired.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 4 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
Alternatively, in the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the location data acquisition unit is notified of location data by a connection number of a communication line to which the information processing apparatus is connected from the host apparatus connected via a communication line. Characterize.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information communication system comprising: a host device having a host side storage means for storing information; and a communication means for transmitting the information; and an information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects. Unlike the host device, there is provided a terminal management device including a management information storage unit that stores the terminal management information including the location data.

The information communication system according to claim 6 is the information communication system according to claim 5, wherein the host is provided with an instruction means for instructing the information processing device which terminal management device is selected based on the location data. An apparatus and the information processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 which cites claim 2 or claim 2 are provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information communication system, comprising: a host device having a storage means for storing information on a host side and a communication means for transmitting the information; and a host device for receiving information transmitted from the host device. An information processing apparatus including a communication unit, an information storage unit that stores the information received by the host communication unit, and an information processing execution unit that can execute a predetermined process using the information, and the host device. In an information communication system including a terminal management device having management information storage means for storing terminal management information including location data corresponding to the installation location of the information processing device, the host device includes the information processing device, The notification means for notifying the terminal management device selected based on the location data of the location data acquired by the communication of To.

An information communication system according to an eighth aspect is the information communication system according to the seventh aspect, wherein the information processing apparatus includes a location data acquisition unit capable of acquiring location data corresponding to an installation location of the information processing apparatus. And a place data transmitting means for transmitting the place data to the host device.

[0015]

In the information processing apparatus having the above structure, the location data acquisition means can obtain location data corresponding to the installation location of the information processing apparatus, and the management device communication means is the host device. Unlike the above, the location data is transmitted to the terminal management device including the management information storage unit that stores the terminal management information including the location data.

Since the information processing apparatus itself sends the location data corresponding to the installation location to the terminal management apparatus, if the terminal management apparatus is installed at a dealer or the like outsourced to services such as maintenance. , The distributor can accurately know the installation location of the information processing device. Further, since the change of the installation place is accompanied by the change of the owner, the manager, etc. with a high probability, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed.

As the location data, it is sufficient if, for example, the building or the like where the information processing apparatus is installed can be specified, and the configuration of the location data acquisition means is not particularly limited, but GPS (Global Positioning System) A method of using the connection number according to claim 3 or 4 is exemplified. A telephone number of a public telephone line is exemplified as the connection number.

In the information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The communication destination control means controls the management device communication means to transmit the location data to the terminal management device instructed by the host device. Since it is not necessary to store data or the like for determining the terminal management device to which the location data should be transmitted in the information processing device, it is possible to save the storage capacity of the information processing device.

In the information processing apparatus according to claim 3,
The host-to-host communication means can be connected to the host device via the communication line, and the location data acquisition means acquires, as location data, the connection number of the communication line to which the information processing apparatus is connected. The connection number of the communication line to which the information processing device is connected is
The installation location can be specified with extremely high probability.

Further, since the connection number to which the information processing device is connected is given to the information processing device from the communication line side, there is no special obstacle in obtaining the connection number by the location data acquisition means, and therefore a special structure is also required. Not required. In this way, if the connection number is used as the location data corresponding to the installation location, the installation location can be specified extremely accurately without structural complexity.

In the information processing apparatus according to claim 4,
The place data acquisition means is notified from the host device connected via the communication line of the connection number of the communication line to which the information processing device is connected as place data. Since it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for detecting the connection number on the information processing device side, the device configuration can be simplified. Further, since the connection number to which the information processing device is connected is given to the host device from the communication line side, there is no special obstacle in obtaining the connection number by the host device, and therefore no special structure is required.

In the information communication system according to the fifth aspect, the host-side storage means provided in the host device stores the information, and the communication means sends the information. The information processing device operates as described above. The management information storage means provided in the terminal management device different from the host device stores the terminal management information including the location data.

Since the information processing apparatus itself sends the location data corresponding to the installation location to the terminal management apparatus, if the terminal management apparatus is installed at a dealer or the like outsourced to services such as maintenance, etc. , The distributor can accurately know the installation location of the information processing device. Further, since the change of the installation place is accompanied by the change of the owner, the manager, etc. with a high probability, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed.

In the information communication system according to the sixth aspect, the instruction means provided in the host device instructs the information processing device which terminal management device is selected based on the location data. In the information processing device, the communication destination control means controls the management device communication means to transmit the location data to the terminal management device instructed by the host device.

Since it is not necessary to store data for determining the terminal management device to which the location data should be transmitted in the information processing device, it is possible to save the storage capacity of the information processing device. In the information communication system according to claim 7,
A notification unit provided in the host device notifies the location data acquired by communication with the information processing apparatus to the terminal management device selected based on the location data. In addition,
Acquired by communication with the information processing device means that the information processing device is transmitted from the information processing device or the information processing device given to the host device from the communication line side in communication as described in the operation of claim 4. There are cases where the connected connection number is acquired as location data.

The management information storage means provided in the terminal management device different from the host device stores the terminal management information including the location data. If the terminal management device is installed in, for example, a dealership outsourced to services such as maintenance, the dealership or the like can accurately grasp the installation location of the information processing device. Further, since the change of the installation place is accompanied by the change of the owner, the manager, etc. with a high probability, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed.

Since it is not necessary to provide the information processing apparatus with means for executing communication with the terminal management apparatus or means for controlling the communication, the configuration of the information processing apparatus can be simplified. In the information communication system according to claim 8, the location data acquisition means provided in the information processing apparatus can obtain location data corresponding to the installation location of the information processing apparatus, and the location data transmission means acquires the location data. Send to host device. The host device does not need to obtain the location data by itself, and the mechanism for that is also unnecessary.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information communication system of an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke apparatus which is a component of the system, and FIG. 3 shows a configuration of an information center which is a management center of the system. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal management device installed in a dealership or the like arranged in each region for providing services such as maintenance to owners and managers of karaoke devices. is there.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information communication system includes an information center 1 corresponding to the host device of the present invention.
And a plurality of karaoke apparatuses 10 and a plurality of terminal management apparatuses 20 corresponding to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the charging communication network 5
It is configured to be connected via. The karaoke device 10 and the terminal management device 20 are connected to the billing communication network 5 as terminals of a public telephone line 6 as a communication line.

Next, the configuration of the information center 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The information center 1 is a control means, which is a host computer 51 as an instruction means according to claim 6 and a notification means according to claim 7, a storage device 53 corresponding to a host-side storage means according to claims 5 and 7, and an input. An input device 55 as a means, a communication control device 57 as a communication means according to claims 5 and 7, a printer 59, a CRT 6
1 and. The storage device 53 includes various control programs for operating the host computer 51, karaoke piece information to be transmitted in response to a request from each karaoke device 10, and a public as a communication line to which each terminal management device 20 is connected. Telephone number as the connection number of telephone line 6,
An area table in which each terminal management device 20 is linked to its assigned area, a management table in which each terminal management device 20 is linked to the ID number of the karaoke device 10 assigned to the management, and each karaoke device 10 Billing information,
This is for storing various management information and the like for each karaoke device 10 and each terminal management device 20. In addition,
In this embodiment, the sharing area is divided by using the area code of the public telephone line 6, for example, the area code 03 and the city area code 2
XXX is the shared area of the terminal management device 20A, area code 03
Then, the local code of 3XXX is described as a shared area of the terminal management device 20B.

From the input device 55 to the host computer 5
1. Various commands can be input to 1, and, for example, a list of various service statuses or the like for each shared area of each terminal management device 20 stored in the storage device 53 can be created, or a printer as an output unit can use the list. It can be output to 59 for printing, or can be output to the CRT 61 as a display unit for screen display.

The billing communication network 5 is, for example, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation.
Information charges for the information to be transmitted to the receiver of the information (more precisely, the contractor of the line to which the receiving device is connected), such as the Videotex communication network and the dial Q2 (registered trademark) communication network. It has a billing function. The dial Q2 (registered trademark) communication network is basically a pay-as-you-go calculation in units of time, and the videotex network can set an arbitrary fee for each content of information, and is used for so-called captain systems.

A videotex communication network will be explained as an example of the charging function. Specifically, the videotex communication network is, for example, a public telephone line 6 connected to each karaoke device 10 and a videotex communication processing device (VC).
P) and. This VCP is trying to access the Videotex communication network through a public telephone line 6
Connection to the information center 1 (currently the special number 166 and the public telephone line 6 dialed by the 5-digit information center number)
Exchange, management of the karaoke device 10 as a user terminal, management of subscribers to the information center 1, charging of communication charges and information usage charges collected by the telephone company by proxy, conversation control between the karaoke device 10 and the information center 1. Provides communication processing functions such as conversion processing such as protocol conversion and code / pattern conversion. Further, the charging communication network 5 uses the telephone number of the public telephone line 6 to which the karaoke device 10 is connected as the karaoke device 10
It is also possible to notify the information center 1 and the terminal management device 20 which are the communication partner and the communication center itself.

Next, the configuration of the terminal management device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The terminal management device 20 includes a central control device 21 as a control means and a storage means.
And a storage device 13 corresponding to the management information storage device described in 7, an input device 12 as an input device, a communication control device 17 as a communication device, a printer 14, and a CRT 15.

The storage device 13 is for storing various control programs for operating the central control device 21, management information for each karaoke device 10, service records, and the like. In this embodiment, each karaoke device 1 is used as management information.
Serial number 0, public telephone line 6 connected
The telephone number, owner's name, installation location, owner's address, etc. are included.

Various commands to the central controller 21 can be input from the input device 12, and for example, the storage device 13 stores the usage status and various service status of each karaoke device 10 managed by the terminal management device 20. It is possible to read out from the table and create those tables, to output the table to the printer 14 as the output means for printing, and to output it to the CRT 15 as the display means to display it on the screen.

Next, the structure of the karaoke apparatus 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the central control unit 31 has a billing communication program 31 executed in communication for receiving a scramble descrambling key, which will be described later, from the information center 1.
a is stored, and the central control unit 31 can communicate with the information center 1 according to the billing communication program 31a.
Further, the central control unit 31 is connected to a hard disk 33 which stores various data such as karaoke piece information and an operation program of the central control unit 31 and which corresponds to an information storage means of the present invention.

The central control unit 31 can execute the processing for karaoke performance and various processings accompanying it according to the operation program stored in the hard disk 33. That is, the central controller 31 corresponds to the information processing execution means of the present invention. In addition, the central controller 31
Also functions as the location data acquisition means of the present invention, the communication destination control means of claim 2 and the notification means of claim 7, the details of which will be described later.

In the central control unit 31, a multipurpose input key 32 as an input unit for inputting various instructions, a host communication unit and a management unit communication unit of the present invention, and place data transmission according to claim 8. A sound reproduction circuit 35 and a screen display control device 26 which function as an information processing execution means of the present invention in cooperation with the communication control device 27 and the central control device 31 which are means are connected.

The voice reproduction circuit 35 can synthesize an analog performance signal based on the performance information included in the karaoke piece information read from the hard disk 33 and transferred by the central control unit 31 and output it to the mixer amplifier 38. . A speaker 41 and a microphone 43 are connected to a mixer amplifier 38 connected to the audio reproduction circuit 35, and the mixer amplifier 38 mixes a performance signal from the audio reproduction circuit 35 and a singing signal input from the microphone 43, It can be amplified and output to the speaker 41. The speaker 41 can output the electric signal from the mixer amplifier 38 as voice.

The screen display control device 26 reproduces the lyrics display signal according to the lyrics information included in the karaoke piece information, and displays the background image signal and the lyrics display signal sent from a video source (not shown) such as a laser disc player. It is possible to synthesize (superimpose) the signal and output it to the television monitor 29 as a display unit, and display it in a state in which the lyrics subtitles are superimposed on the background image.

It should be noted that the hard disk 33 previously stores information about several thousand karaoke pieces, and further,
Karaoke song information of a new song (hereinafter also referred to as new song data) can be received from the information center 1 and stored in the hard disk 33. The karaoke piece information for one piece of music is composed of piece number information, which is identification information for identifying pieces of music, and substance information. The substance information in this is MIDI (Musical Instrument
ment Digital Interface) performance information and lyrics information that encodes lyrics. Although not so configured in the present embodiment, the actual information of the karaoke piece information may include background image information for displaying a moving image.

However, the new song data is scrambled, for example, and cannot be used as it is. In order to use, it is necessary to connect to the information center 1 via the communication control device 27 and the billing communication network 5 and receive the scramble release key from the information center 1. At this time, the central control unit 31 makes the charging communication program 31
When a is executed and the information center 1 transmits the scramble descrambling key via the billing communication network 5, a predetermined billing process using the billing function of the billing communication network 5 is performed. In the karaoke device 10, the scramble cancel key received by the central control device 31 is used to cancel the scramble process of the new song data to obtain usable karaoke song information.

The process of converting the new song data into usable karaoke song information will be described with reference to FIG. 5, taking as an example the case where the new song data is scrambled. The central control device 31 receives the new song data transmitted from the information center 1 and stores it in the hard disk 33, and then makes a call to the information center 1 via the communication control device 27. Subsequently, the central control unit 31 waits for an incoming call to the information center 1 and transmits an ID number for identifying itself.

When the information center 1 receives the ID number from the karaoke device 10, the host computer 51 performs terminal verification, and if the karaoke device 10 is registered in the information center 1, the verification is normal and an ID confirmation signal is sent. Send it back. When the ID confirmation signal is received, the central controller 31
Transmits a request for transmission of a descrambling key (billing information) for new song data to the information center 1 according to the billing communication program 31a. That is, the central control unit 31 requests the transmission of the billing information which is the descrambling key of the new song data, and at the same time the billing process.

In the information center 1, when the transmission request (billing processing request) for the scramble release key is received, the host computer 51 sends the preset scramble release key (billing information) through the communication control device 57. Send to 10 side. When the descrambling key is transmitted from the information center 1, the charge set in advance for the transmission of the descrambling key is the public telephone line 6 to which the karaoke apparatus 10 is connected by the billing communication network 5. Will be charged to the subscribers of. This fee is collected together with the telephone line usage fee, deducted from the fees and the like, and then handed over to the installer of the information center 1.

The central control unit 31 of the karaoke apparatus 10 is
When receiving the scramble release key, a communication disconnection request is transmitted to the information center 1. Upon receiving this request, the information center 1 ends the communication with the karaoke device 10. Also,
After sending the communication disconnection request, the central control unit 31 of the karaoke apparatus 10 uses the received scramble release key to descramble the new song data to obtain usable karaoke song information.

After such processing is completed, the karaoke piece information of the new song can be used (although data other than the new song data can already be used), the user wants to sing by operating the multipurpose input key 32 or a remote controller (not shown). When a song is selected, the central controller 31 executes karaoke performance processing according to a predetermined karaoke performance program. In brief, the central control unit 31 reads the performance information and the lyrics information corresponding to the selected song from the hard disk 33, the performance information is sent to the voice reproduction circuit 35, and the lyrics information is sent to the screen display control unit 26. Forward.

The voice reproduction circuit 35 synthesizes an analog performance signal based on the performance information and outputs it to the mixer amplifier 38. The mixer amplifier 38 mixes the performance signal and the user's singing signal input via the microphone 43 at an appropriate ratio and outputs the mixed signal to the speaker 41. The speaker 41 externally outputs the mixed audio signal as a performance sound.

On the other hand, the screen display control device 26 reproduces the lyrics display signal according to the lyrics information, and synthesizes the background video signal and the lyrics display signal sent from a video source (not shown) such as a laser disc player. (Superimposed) and output to the TV monitor 29, and can be displayed in a state in which the lyrics subtitles are superimposed on the background image.

Next, the telephone number matching process executed by the karaoke machine 10 each time communication with the information center 1 is performed will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG.
In the telephone number matching process, the central control unit 31 connects to the billing communication network 5 via the communication control unit 27 (S1).
Then, the central control device 31 receives the telephone number of the public telephone line 6 which is being connected (that is, the karaoke device 10 is connected) transmitted from the charging communication network 5 to the karaoke device 10 (S2). Then, the central controller 31 collates the telephone number stored in the hard disk 33 with the telephone number received in S2 (S3). If the two match by this collation (YES in S4), the central controller 31
Ends the processing of this routine.

On the other hand, as a result of the collation, if the two telephone numbers do not match (NO in S4), the central control unit 31 instructs the hard disk 33 to make a new telephone number (the public telephone line used in this communication). 6 phone number) is stored (S
5). Then, the central control unit 31 transmits the new telephone number to the information center 1 (S6).

Host computer 51 of information center 1
When the karaoke device 10 transmits a telephone number, starts the notification routine shown in FIG. 7 due to this.
As shown in FIG. 7, the host computer 51 searches the area table stored in the storage device 53 to specify the terminal management device 20 having the shared number of the telephone number received from the karaoke device 10 ( S11). continue,
The host computer 51 reads the telephone number of the public telephone line 6 to which the terminal management device 20 specified in S11 is connected from the storage device 53, and transmits this telephone number to the karaoke device 10 through the communication control device 57 (S1).
2). Further, the host computer 51 determines from the allocation of the terminal management device 20 that has been allocated the management of the karaoke device 10 that has transmitted the telephone number, to the relevant karaoke device 1.
An instruction to delete the ID number of 0 and add the ID number of the corresponding karaoke device 10 as the allocation of the terminal management device 20 specified in S11 is issued to the storage device 53 to update the management table (S13).

Returning to the explanation of FIG. In S7, the central control device 31 of the karaoke device 10 receives the telephone number of the terminal management device 20 transmitted from the information center 1 in S12 (see FIG. 7) described above, and ends this routine. Although illustration is omitted, after the processing of this routine, the central control device 31 of the karaoke device 10 requests, for example, the transmission of the operation record of the karaoke device 10 and the transmission of the new song data described above, and the like. The communication with the information center 1 is terminated after transmitting / receiving information according to the purpose of this communication.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8A, the central control device 31 of the karaoke device 10 accesses the new terminal management device 20 through the communication control device 27, and the ID number and telephone number of the karaoke device 10 are accessed. And are transmitted (S8). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the terminal management device 20 accessed from the karaoke device 10, the central control device 21
Receives the ID number and the telephone number transmitted from the karaoke device 10 through the communication control device 17, and stores them in the storage device 13 as management information (S9).

In this way, various processes associated with the change of the telephone number of the karaoke machine 10 are completed. Here, the reason why the processes of S5 to S7 are executed when a negative determination is made in S4 of FIG. 6 will be described.

The negative determination in S4 is that the karaoke apparatus 10 has the telephone number of the public telephone line 6 which was once connected (the telephone number stored in the hard disk 33).
And the telephone number of the public telephone line 6 connected in this communication (the telephone number transmitted from the billing communication network 5) are different, and this can be regarded as a change in the installation location of the karaoke device 10. Also, changes in the installation location are highly likely to be linked to changes in owners, managers, etc. Therefore, the change of the telephone number to which the karaoke device 10 is connected can be regarded as the change of the owner, the administrator, or the like.

Conventionally, when the installation place of the karaoke apparatus 10 is changed, the owner or the administrator of the karaoke apparatus 10 must notify the information center 1 or the manager of the information center 1 of the change of the installation location. For example, the administrator of the information center 1 could not know the change of the installation location of the karaoke device 10, but if there is a change in the telephone number to which the karaoke device 10 is connected as described above, the karaoke device 10 gives information. Since the new telephone number is sent to the center 1, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed on the information center 1 side. Also, from this telephone number, the karaoke device 10
It is also possible to estimate the installation location of the karaoke device 10, and the administrator of the information center 1 can accurately know the installation location of the karaoke device 10.

Since the karaoke device 10 also transmits the ID number and the telephone number to the terminal management device 20 to which the management of the karaoke device 10 is newly assigned, the manager of the terminal management device 20, for example, a dealer or the like. Then, it is easy to know that new customers have increased. Therefore,
At this dealer, etc., it becomes possible to check the address of the installation location from the telephone number of the karaoke device 10 and distribute manuals, song books, new music information, etc., and regularly visit the installation location. Various services can be appropriately provided to the customer.

Since the telephone number which is the data for specifying the installation location is notified from the charging communication network 5 to the karaoke device 10, it is necessary to provide the karaoke device 10 with a special mechanism for obtaining the telephone number. Absent. As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, the telephone number corresponds to the place data of the present invention. (Modification 1) In the above example, the karaoke device 10 is configured to acquire the telephone number from the billing communication network 5, but the information center 1 side may be configured to acquire the telephone number and notify the karaoke device 10. Is.

As an example, the host computer 5
An ID / telephone number table in which the ID number and the telephone number of each karaoke device 10 are linked is stored in the first storage device 53. The host computer 51 receives the ID number transmitted from the karaoke apparatus 10 via the charging communication network 5 as described above, and also acquires the telephone number of the karaoke apparatus 10 from the charging communication network 5. Next, the host computer 51 collates the received ID number and telephone number with the ID number and telephone number in the ID / telephone number table, and if they do not match, a new telephone number is added together with the fact that there is no match. And the telephone number in the ID / telephone number table is updated to a new telephone number (the telephone number of the public telephone line used for this communication).

Further, the host computer 51 searches the area table to identify the terminal management device 20 that manages the karaoke device 10, as in the above example, and the public telephone to which the terminal management device 20 is connected. The telephone number of the line 6 is read out, this telephone number is transmitted to the karaoke apparatus 10, and at the same time, the management table is updated to reflect the change in management of the karaoke apparatus 10.

When the karaoke device 10 receives the new telephone number, it stores the new telephone number in the hard disk 33 in the same manner as described above, and then the new terminal management device 20 stores the I number of the karaoke device 10.
Send D number and phone number. New terminal management device 2
0 receives the ID number and the telephone number transmitted from the karaoke device 10 and stores them as management information.

With this structure, the karaoke machine 10
In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for detecting the telephone number, the device configuration can be simplified. In this modification, the information center 1, especially its host computer 51, is used.
Corresponds to the host device according to claim 4. (Modification 2) The karaoke device 10 is used in the embodiment and the modification 1.
Is configured to notify the new terminal management device 20 of the telephone number (location data). However, when a new telephone number is transmitted from the karaoke device 10 as in the embodiment, or the host computer 51 as in the first modification. When the self recognizes the change of the telephone number, the host computer 51
However, it is also possible to directly notify the terminal management device 20 of the telephone number of the karaoke device 10. With this configuration, the karaoke device 10 does not need a configuration for performing communication with the terminal management device 20.

In the configuration of the second modification, the host computer 51 of the information center 1 works in cooperation with the communication control device 57 to function as the notifying means described in claim 7. Further, in the configuration in which a new telephone number is transmitted from the karaoke device 10 to the information center 1, the communication control device 27 functions as the location data transmitting means according to claim 8.

If the configuration uses the billing communication network 5 as in the embodiment and the first and second modifications, the terminal management device 20
By transmitting the charging information to the karaoke device 10 via the charging communication network 5, the owner of the karaoke device 10 can be charged a service charge such as maintenance. Further, the communication between the terminal management device 20 and the karaoke device 10 or the information center 1 may be configured to be performed by the public telephone line 6 or another communication line without using the billing communication network 5.

The present invention has been described above according to the embodiments and the modified examples 1 and 2. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and the like, and variously embodied without departing from the gist of the present invention. It goes without saying that you can do it. For example, although the telephone number is used as the location data in the embodiments and the modified examples, the location data that can specify the installation location of the information processing device is not limited to this, and for example, GPS (Global Positioning System) is used. It is also possible to use the coordinates obtained as the place data.

Further, the information processing apparatus is not limited to the karaoke apparatus of the embodiment and the modification. further,
The communication line is not limited to the public telephone line shown in the embodiment, and a digital line such as ISDN may be used.

[0069]

According to the information processing apparatus of claim 1,
Since the information processing device itself sends the location data corresponding to the installation location to the terminal management device, if the terminal management device is installed in a dealership that is entrusted with services such as maintenance, etc. It is possible to accurately grasp the installation location of the information processing device. Further, since the change of the installation place is accompanied by the change of the owner, the manager, etc. with a high probability, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed.

According to the information processing apparatus of the second aspect, since it is not necessary to store data for determining the terminal management apparatus to which the location data should be transmitted in the information processing apparatus, the storage capacity of the information processing apparatus Can be saved. According to the information processing apparatus of claim 3, since the telephone number to which the information processing apparatus is connected is given to the information processing apparatus from the communication line side, there is no special obstacle in obtaining the connection number by the location data acquisition means. , Therefore, no special structure is required. Also, the connection number can identify the installation place with a very high probability. Therefore, by using the connection number as the location data corresponding to the installation location, the installation location can be specified extremely accurately without complicating the structure.

According to the information processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, since it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for detecting the connection number on the information processing apparatus side, the apparatus configuration can be simplified. Further, since the connection number to which the information processing device is connected is given to the host device from the communication line side, there is no special obstacle in obtaining the connection number by the host device, and therefore no special structure is required.

According to the information communication system of the fifth aspect, since the information processing apparatus itself sends the location data corresponding to the installation location to the terminal management apparatus, the terminal management apparatus is entrusted with services such as maintenance. If it is installed in an authorized dealer or the like, the dealer or the like can accurately know the installation location of the information processing device. Further, since the change of the installation place is accompanied by the change of the owner, the manager, etc. with a high probability, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed.

According to the information communication system of the sixth aspect, it is not necessary to store the data for determining the terminal management device to which the location data should be transmitted in the information processing device. Therefore, the storage capacity of the information processing device. Can be saved.
According to the information communication system of claim 7, if the terminal management device is installed in, for example, a dealership outsourced to services such as maintenance, the dealership or the like can accurately know the installation location of the information processing device. it can. Further, since the change of the installation place is accompanied by the change of the owner, the manager, etc. with a high probability, it can be estimated that the owner or the manager has changed.

Since it is not necessary to provide the information processing apparatus with means for executing communication with the terminal management apparatus or means for controlling the communication, the configuration of the information processing apparatus can be simplified. According to the information communication system of the eighth aspect, the host device does not need to obtain the location data by itself, and the mechanism for it is also unnecessary.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke device which is a component of the information communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information center which is a management center of the information communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal management device that is a component of the information communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of communication performed between the information center and the karaoke device in the information communication system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a telephone number matching process executed by the karaoke apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a notification routine executed in the information center of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of information transmission / reception between the karaoke device and the terminal management device of the embodiment, FIG. 8A is a flowchart of a number transmission routine executed by the karaoke device, and FIG.
(B) is a flowchart of a number receiving routine executed by the terminal management device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Information center (host device), 5 ... Billing communication network, 6 ... Public telephone line, 10 ... Karaoke device (information processing device), 20 ... Terminal management device, 21 ...
Central control device, 26 ... Screen display control device (information processing execution means), 27 ... Communication control device (host communication means, management device communication means, location data acquisition means, location data transmission means), 31 ... Central control device (information processing execution means, location data acquisition means), 31a ... Billing communication program, 32 ... Multipurpose input key, 33 ...
Hard disk (information storage means), 35 ... Audio reproduction circuit (information processing execution means), 51 ... Host computer (host device, instruction means, notification means), 53 ...
Storage device (host-side storage means).

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A host communication means for receiving information transmitted from a host device, an information storage means for storing the information received by the host communication means, and a predetermined process using the information. In an information processing apparatus having an executable information processing execution means, a location data acquisition means capable of obtaining location data corresponding to an installation location of the information processing apparatus, and a terminal management including the location data unlike the host device. An information processing apparatus comprising: a terminal management device having a management information storage unit for storing information; and a management device communication unit for transmitting the location data. 2. A communication destination control means for controlling the communication means with respect to the management device so as to transmit the location data to the terminal management device instructed by the host device. The information processing device described. 3. The host-to-host communication means is connectable to the host device via a communication line, and the location data acquisition means acquires the connection number of a communication line to which the information processing device is connected as the location data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information processing apparatus has the following configuration. 4. The location data acquisition means is notified from the host device connected via a communication line of the connection number of the communication line to which the information processing device is connected as location data. The information processing device according to item 1 or 2. 5. A host device comprising a host-side storage means for storing information and a communication means for sending the information, the information processing device according to claim 1, and the host device, unlike the host device. An information communication system, comprising: a terminal management device having management information storage means for storing terminal management information including location data. 6. The host device comprising an instruction means for instructing the information processing device which terminal management device is selected on the basis of the location data, and claim 3 or claim 3 or claim 4.
The information communication system according to claim 5, further comprising: 7. A host device comprising a host-side storage means for storing information and a communication means for sending the information, a host communication means for receiving information transmitted from the host device, and the host communication. An information processing device that includes an information storage device that stores the information received by a device, an information processing execution device that can execute a predetermined process using the information, and an information processing device that differs from the host device. In an information communication system including a terminal management device having management information storage means for storing terminal management information including place data corresponding to an installation place, the location acquired by communication with the information processing device in the host device. An information communication system, comprising: notifying means for notifying data to the terminal management device selected based on the location data. 8. The information processing apparatus is provided with a location data acquisition unit capable of acquiring location data corresponding to an installation location of the information processing apparatus, and a location data transmission unit transmitting the location data to the host apparatus. The information communication system according to claim 7, wherein